NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is heading to Calgary Friday but says a new arena for the Flames franchise is not on the agenda.
He says he’ll meet with sponsors, some season ticket holders, and team officials.
But he says he won’t be wading into the issue of a new rink because the Flames have decided there’s no point.
The Flames pulled out of talks with the city last fall, saying negotiations were going nowhere on reaching a deal to build a new facility to replace the 34-year-old Scotiabank Saddledome.
Bettman has said previously that playing in the Saddledome threatens the team’s ability to compete, and the Flames say they’ll continue operations there for as long as they can remain viable and then look at options.
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi has said the Flames’ proposal for a $500-million arena places a heavy tax burden on the city, but the Flames say the city’s plan would ultimately see the team foot the entire cost of construction.
WATCH: The president of the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) announced Tuesday they are no longer going to be pursuing a new facility. Doug Vaessen has details.