Péladeau Hammers Final Nail in Coffin for Quebec City NHL Franchise

I don't know of any article that I've written over these last years that generated as much hate controversial emails as the one in which I told readers that Pierre-Karl Péladeau and the PQ were the reason Quebec City will be blacklisted by the NHL.
I was branded a Quebec-basher and hysteric, a nogoodnick, inciting one listener on a radio talk show to demand that I should be prosecuted as a hate-monger.

Of course I take these complaints as a compliment, I know that the barbs that I fling sting rabid separatists rather smartly, fueling my impetus to carry on.

Read the post

Nine months after I published this 'outrageous' piece, it seems that the Liberal Party and the CAQ have both embraced this idea and made it part of the election campaign.

"The Liberals and the CAQ fear that the return of a National Hockey League team to Quebec is now compromised by the political commitment of Pierre Karl Péladeau for independence.

"I'm worried about the impact it will have on the arrival of a hockey team in Quebec, I'm not sure it will be well received in the offices of the National League," said the Liberal leader, Philippe Couillard, who was campaigning in Quebec City Monday morning".  Link{fr}

"Imagine Bettman this morning, reading a Canadian newspaper illustrated with the face of Mr. Péladeau, fist clenched, saying that he  wants to create an independent Quebec," said  the incumbent CAQ member from Chauveau, Gerard Deltell  Link{fr}

We don't want a country, we want to see the return of the Nordiques- Sam Hadad - Liberal MNA

Of course supporters of the PQ leapt to the defense, claiming that Péladeau will have no effect of the decision by the NHL to locate in Quebec City, an idea parroted by the French media clear across  Quebec;

"According to Régis Labeaume a for-profit organization cares more about the potential profits generated by a hockey team in Quebec than the independence of the province. Its only consideration is whether a hockey team in Quebec will be a paying proposition for the National Hockey League, "he said. Link{fr}

“Every decision they make is based on dollars, business, profit. They don’t care about politics, that’s it.” Regis Lebeaume

The insufferable Mathieu Bock-Côté was apoplectic that any politician would even dare contend that Péladeau could adversely affect Quebec City's chances for an NHL team.

"I cannot believe that a single individual will be affected by this "argument" which takes the electorate for a bunch of morons. Link

The popular argument making the rounds of Francophone media is that Bettman is a 'businessman' and will make a decision based on money alone.
I sense the oft repeated word 'businessman' being bandied across the French media is nothing less than code for 'money-grubbing Jew,' someone who will do anything for a buck, no matter how distasteful.

Now how Régis Lebeaume knows what is in Gary Bettman's mind or heart, I cannot fathom, I rather believe that he is espousing a bucket of wishful thinking, whilst whistling through the graveyard.

At any rate, I stand by everything I said back in June on the subject of the NHL and Péladeau, the fanciful idea that the NHL owners are men who are ruled by the almighty dollar alone, a fantasy that serves the interest of separatists who want to believe that Canadians and Americans have no honour or backbone.

For the edification of Régis, let me enlighten him as to who these owners really are and let him and perhaps readers make an informed decision as to whether money will be the be-all and end-all rationale for granting Quebec City a franchise.

Let's start with a picture of Gary Bettman and Larry Tannenbaum (Chairman and 25% owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs) posing with Shimon Peres at the Jewish Olympics held last summer in Israel.
Bettman is not a religious Jew, but observant and takes seriously the antisemitic barbs thrown at him by those opposed to his rule. He is a big supporter of Israel and active in the Jewish community.

Larry Tanenbaum (Toronto Maple Leafs) is good friends with Bettman and also a committed Jew. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2007 and is a founding member of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.

In 1911, Abraham Tanenbaum sailed from Poland to Toronto, where he built a family construction empire from scrap metal.

One hundred years later, grandson Larry Tanenbaum sips vintage wines poured by Canada’s only female master sommelier at e11even, the high-end restaurant in the billion-dollar, bricks-and-mortar holdings of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment owned, in part, by Tanenbaum. Link

Both these gentlemen hold enormous sway in the ownership pool, one which requires twenty-three out of thirty owners to approve any new franchise or movement.
I cannot stress enough how angrily Quebec's Jewish community has reacted to the PQ's proposed Charter of Values, considering themselves incidental collateral damage, having been thrown under the bus by a PQ government intent on putting a check on the Muslim community.
Observant or not, almost all Jews despise the new proposed law, feeling themselves targeted once again. The community is tightly-knit and Jews outside Quebec are equally aware, concerned and dismayed by the unfolding events in the province.

If the Quebec media and politicians think these NHL owners will hold their nose and vote for the money, they are sadly mistaken or worse still delusional, making assumptions about people they don't know.
I bet Régis Lebeaume can't name ten NHL owners, yet confidently tells us how they will react to Quebec separatism, Péladeau and the Charter if Values.

So let's shed a little light on exactly who some of these people are, those who will give Quebec City a thumbs up or down.

The NHL owners consist of at least fifteen billionaires, (out of 29 owners) the highest percentage in any professional sports league, recently adding Vincent Viola and the richest owner of all, Winnipeg Jets David Thompson, the richest man in Canada. Here are some notable owners and a bit of background.

Multi-billionaire Tom Pegula of Buffalo made his billions by fracking for oil. The conservative Republican donated $102 million to his Alma Mater, Penn State.  So my question to Régis is,whether he thinks the fracking king is a big fan of Quebec and if he will be persuaded by a million or two that the Quebec franchise will represent to him?
 
Billionaire Jeremy Jacobs of the Boston Bruins is probably not going to be affected by the 'money' argument in considering Quebec City's quest for a franchise either.
The billionaire, son of Jewish immigrants from Poland gives millions of dollars to assorted charities each year, including the Boys and Girl Clubs of America. A Big 'C' conservative, he's probably not to be swung by a money argument, even if he is Jewish, Régis.

Billionaire New Yorker, Vincent Viola recently purchased the Florida Panthers. Viola made news when he sold his NY mansion for $114 million!
Now Régis should take note of this interview before declaring Viola a whore who will hold his nose and vote for the money ;

Q. What plans do you have beyond hockey?
A. We have a family foundation, and it has a strategy to its philanthropy. Its principal focus is in support of our national defense, particularly in support of the United States Army and its mission, and that takes various forms. Second is our focus on education and educating those that might not in the normal course get exposed to the highest level of education from the primary grades up. The third is support of the church.
We're going to try to serve the county of Broward in that same focus. I can share a specific initiative that we're undertaking. Link  

Henry Samueli (Anaheim Ducks) is the son of Polish Jewish immigrants who survived Nazi Europe.

The schools of engineering at UCLA, where he is professor, and UC Irvine, were renamed after Samueli when he donated to these institutions, $30 million and $20 million, respectively, in the year 1999. Samueli's donation founded the Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library at Chapman University, which was dedicated in 2005. Link

I don't think money considerations will motivate Samueli either, even if he is a Jew (despite the old stereotype.) I know it's getting tiresome to see all these Yid names, but Régis, these are the facts.

Billionaire N. Murray Edwards (Calgary Flames) is the 14th richest Canadian who has more at stake in the Canadian oil sands than possibly any other individual. He administers a family charitable trust.  What do you say Régis?  Think he's a big fan of Quebec.

Peter Karmanos, Jr. (Carolina Hurricanes) was born into a Greek immigrant family and did not start speaking English until he was in grade school. He made his fortune with Compuware before selling out and now regularly makes million dollar donations to charitable causes.

Josh Kroenke is the son and proxy for his father, billionaire Stan Kroenke, husband of Wal-Mart heiress Ann Walton. Josh has been made president of both the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche and non-executive director of Arsenal soccer club all owned by his father. 
The father is a regular church goer and as you can imagine a Republican through and through.
Nope Régis, with the Walton fortune behind him, I can't see the economic argument for Quebec City having any sway.

Western Canadian Tom Gaglardi (Dallas Stars) owner of Sandman hotels and Moxie’s eateries comes from a family of BC politicians. He just loves hockey and the NHL. A Western Canadian, who re-built his failing family business into a powerhouse. Keywords here Régis..."Western Canadian.'

W. Brett Wilson is a minority owner of the Nashville Predators. Wilson is a well-known Western Canadian billionaire and philanthropist based in Calgary. He is currently Chairman of Canoe Financial, an investment management firm with over $2.0 Billion in assets. He has extensive holdings in the energy and real estate industries through Prairie Merchant Corporation. 

Hey Régis,  another western Canadian oil man, think he's a fan?

Daryl Katz (Edmonton Oilers) is Canada's 11th richest man, who attended Talmud Torah Jewish day school as a child and made his wealth in Pharmacies (Rexall).
 Katz donated $20 Million to Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto and gave a $7 million donation to the University of Alberta Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Sorry Régis, another you-know-what!

Philip F. Anschutz (LA Kings) is ranked the 38th richest person by Forbes. He got his start in what else...oil.
As one of the world's wealthy billionaires, Philip Anschutz has been making a name for himself in the philanthropic community, delivering among other gifts a $100 million donation to the University of Colorado.
He is an active patron of a number of religious and conservative causes.... Yikes Régis, ya think a guy who gives away hundreds of millions will be swayed to vote for Quebec because of the money!

Craig Leipold (Minnesota Wild) is active in numerous civic and corporate organizations as well as several charities benefiting children. Leipold is a prominent Republican and was an active supporter of George W. Bush. His hockey team partner is billionaire Philip Falcone, who is the 117th richest person in the world and lives in an Upper East Side apartment in New York for which he paid $49 million. He and his wife are big time philanthropists, regularly writing cheques for up to $10 million. He played hockey as a kid in Minnesota and  has a deep love for game naming his boardrooms after NHL Teams. So nope Régis, don't think he'll be swayed by the smell of your money!

Joshua "Josh" Harris (NJ Devils), is one of the younger NHL owners, another high-achieving Jew who graduated from Wharton and Harvard, now worth about $1.5 billion. Harris is the managing partner of an investment group that also won a $280 million bid for the purchase of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Charles B. Wang (NY Islanders) was born in Shanghai, his father was a Supreme Court judge in pre-Communist China. At 31, he started a computer company with funds off his credit card and built a fortune.
He is an active philanthropist, working with such organizations as Smile Train, the World Childhood Foundation, the Islanders Children’s Foundation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, among others. Link

Eugene Melnyk (Ottawa Senators) is a proud Ukrainian Canadian businessman who has resided in Barbados since 1991. He made his fortune in generic drugs, his companies often involved in litigation... A real  tough customer.
He is an active philanthropist, some donations topping $5 million!

Ed Snider (Philadelphia Flyers) was born to a Jewish family in the Washington D.C. region, the son of a grocery-store chain owner. Chairman of Comcast Spectacor, he has amassed a $2.5 billion fortune. In 1997, Snider was inducted into the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

Tom Stillman (St. Louis Blues)  is CEO of Summit Distributing, the “second largest beer distributor and the largest import/specialty beer distributor in the State of Missouri,” He isn't the type of person to be pushed around or easily frightened. He distributed Miller beer in St. Louis, home of Anheuser-Busch. He once stared down death threats when he refused to let the Teamsters take over jobs at his company.
Not a guy who will cave over money instead of principle.

Hasso Plattner (San Jose Sharks) is a German businessman who lives in Schriesheim-Altenbach, near Heidelberg in Germany. He's got a net worth of almost $9 billion, made in software, an acknowledged "technology guru." He is also a generous philanthropist having contributed €20 million to the reconstruction of the Stadtschloss in Potsdam, damaged in World War 2, among many other charitable projects.

Jeffrey Vinik (Tampa Bay Lightening) best known for managing the Fidelity Magellan mutual fund in the early 1990s, is only half a billionaire with a fortune estimated at $500 million.  Vinik has been active in and generous to Boston's Jewish community. When he bought the Lightning, he sold his Boston home for $17 million and departed for Tampa. Once there, the Vinik family donated $1.5 to the South Tampa Jewish Community Campus.

Billionaire Francesco Aquilini (Vancouver Canucks) of Italian descent, born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is a hard nosed businessman who has had several run ins with authorities. Link

Billionaire Ted Leonsis (Washington Capitals) is the son of Greek immigrants brought up in the very ethnic Brooklyn, NY.  Here's an interesting quote;
"I can only speak for myself. The base of any religion is happiness. I think becoming part of a community and finding your higher calling is key. For me, I chose to follow the Jesuit ideal. That built into me that you should be of service to man. There is some kind of biblical overtone to that. I’ve found it a positive business trait as well. Link

The nine person ownership group that recently took over the Phoenix Coyotes contains seven Calgary businessmen, and guess what Régis, they are all into OIL.

ExecutiveBiz: You were raised Greek Orthodox and are still aligned with the faith. Meanwhile, more than one-quarter of American adults have traded the religion they grew up with for another or they’re now spiritually unaffiliated. How should they begin to get spiritually plugged-in?
Ted Leonsis: I can only speak for myself. The base of any religion is happiness. I think becoming part of a community and finding your higher calling is key. For me, I chose to follow the Jesuit ideal. That built into me that you should be of service to man. There is some kind of biblical overtone to that. I’ve found it a positive business trait as well.
- See more at: http://blog.executivebiz.com/2010/04/ted-leonsis-the-business-of-happiness-starts-with-you/#sthash.iGrsyNZu.dpuf

So these are some of the owners that Régis Lebeaume and other PQ stalwarts believe will be motivated by money and money alone and that they have no principles or politics and who will blithely ignore the  PQ's  attacks on Canada, oil, religion and wealth, because making money is all that motivates them.

Clearly Régis and his cohorts haven't a clue and so I choose to call them out on their bravado and stupidity.

There is an inherent misconception among Francophone Quebecers, both separatists and federalists wherein they absolutely underestimate or fail to fathom the utter disdain that Canadians have for separatists and the fact that this disdain is spreading to the entire Quebec population over the Charter of Values.

As Mr. Péledeau takes up his new job and starts shitting on denigrating Canada in public, (as do all PQ politicians,) his actions will be noted by NHL owners and I am reminded of the famous understatement made by Queen Victoria.. "We are not amused."

So Régis, please meet the NHL owners, Conservatives, Jews, Greeks, Italians, religiously devout, oil people, billionaires, Western Canadians and good ole boys.

Could you imagine any group of people more hostile to Quebec than these?

I can only speak for myself. The base of any religion is happiness. I think becoming part of a community and finding your higher calling is key. For me, I chose to follow the Jesuit ideal. That built into me that you should be of service to man. There is some kind of biblical overtone to that. I’ve found it a positive business trait as well. - See more at: http://blog.executivebiz.com/2010/04/ted-leonsis-the-business-of-happiness-starts-with-you/#sthash.iGrsyNZu.dpuf there are those who will be watching and taking note.

And yes, I didn't forget about the Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson, who in the secrecy of the boardroom would be an utter fool to vote for a Quebec City franchise.

So to Régis Lebeaume and his magnificent white elephant arena now under construction I have but two words.
.....COPPS COLISEUM!

**************** UPDATE****************

I thought this comment from BlueWhiteRed important enough to add to this post

Yup, it seems that Quebec city isn't even on a poll run by the NHL asking fans about potential franchise locations.

The National Hockey League surveys thousands of its fans through the NHL Fan Faceoff program, asking all manner of questions about the game, fan behavior and the direction of the League.

In the latest survey, two questions caught the eyes of a few of our readers; ones that specifically ask about eight cities (s/t Matt C.):  Link