EDMONTON – Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz is appearing before Hamilton’s city council today as part of an effort to take over management of two sports venues, including the Copps Coliseum hockey arena.
According to a news report from the Hamilton Spectator, a letter sent to Hamilton’s city manager says the motive for the meeting is to discuss a “non-binding memorandum of agreement which would lead to a “˜licence to operate’ various HECFI properties including Copps Coliseum and the future Pan Am sports stadium proposed for the West Harbour.”
The letter is from Pat LaForge on behalf of Katz Entertainment Holdings Corporation, the Spectator reported.
Besides Katz and LaForge, also at the meeting is AEG executive Ted Tanner. AEG is an entertainment group that owns or manages a number of high-profile sport facilities around North America.
The Spectator reported that Hamilton’s councillors were shown video on AEG followed by a presentation on Hamilton’s suitability to host an NHL team. The newspaper said Katz referred to a survey he commissioned of 1,400 people in the area, of which at least 900 showed strong interest in an NHL franchise.
Presenters said they believe Hamilton could secure at least 15,000 season tickets.
Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger was expected to have a press conference around 11:30 a.m., Mountain time, but that has been delayed due to the length of the meeting. It’s unknown if Katz or anyone from his company will be present to speak.
Edmonton Coun. Karen Leibovici said she wasn’t worried about the Katz Group meeting with Hamilton’s council.
“He’s probably just looking at expanding his business into the sports and entertainment sector,” she said Tuesday.
“The Katz Group is obviously looking at where there are other arenas, but I don’t see that as a sign they want to move the Oilers. They have a farm team, I believe, so it might be something along those lines, but I wouldn’t get too excited about it.”
She added she doesn’t see it as any kind of a threat by the Katz Group to fast-track a new arena in Edmonton.
“Mr. Katz can do what he wants to do. He is a private individual.”
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