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Saturday, October 9, 1999
Keep the heat on, Sens' owner says
At a luncheon hosted by the Ottawa Business Journal yesterday at the Congress Centre, Bryden promised that, with proper assistance from the government the Senators will have a long and prosperous future in the city.
"We've gotten indications from all three levels of government that something is going to be done and it looks good, but nothing has been done yet and it has kind of turned quiet," said Bryden. "That quiet worries me, because it makes me think that the government might believe there's not as much interest in keeping the NHLin Canada as there is. We have to keep working at this to make sure it gets done.
"I really believe with the proper tax structure in place that this team can be viable in this city."
$37M TAX BILL
Bryden told the luncheon he pays approximately $37 million in taxes every year to all three levels of government. To break even or make a small profit, he'd like that figure cut to $25 million.
If he isn't able to get tax relief, Bryden says he'll sell the team to interests in the United States. He's had calls from several cities looking for an NHL team, but hasn't bothered to have any discussions.
"My No. 1 priority is to keep the team here," said Bryden. "But if the government doesn't see fit to do something then the only two teams left in Canada will be the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.
"The Leafs will always be able to operate under any tax structure, but the owner of the Montreal Canadiens will operate losing money. You'll have one team that works and one that doesn't."
Asked if getting tax relief is one reason the club won't give in to holdout Alexei Yashin, Bryden replied: "I'm not going to make any comments on Alexei, but we've always kept that part of business separate from the rest.
"We've always been fiscally responsible. At $25 million we have one of the lowest payrolls in the league. I don't think that would have any bearing on what happens with (the tax relief)."
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