A few random questions to start the week
This, dear readers, is my 500th post on this blog. I can't believe I've had that much to babble incessantly about. Anyway, here are some random questions I've been pondering lately:
• Given that the investors remain "unnamed" because of a supposed "confidentiality agreement," should we even believe Steve Donner when he says two outside investors are interested in buy at least a share of the Amerks and Knighthawks, or is he just using that assertion as leverage against Randall Latona, the Sabres and/or the city of Rochester?
• If Donner thinks the Amerks' current lease agreement at Blue Cross Arena stinks, why did he sign it in the first place?
• What will the city of Rochester do with PAETEC Park after NBT Bank forecloses on the stadium and sells it to the city?
• How many of the Rochester Sports Group teams will even be here in five years?
• Did DuRoss, Donner & Co. actually BELIEVE they could land an MLS franchise, or did they just use that pipe dream to extort public money for a new stadium?
• How much money would Donner make if the Amerks and Knighthawks were bought out?
• Did DuRoss and Donner know from the beginning that a soccer-specific stadium would fail but, for the public's benefit, make believe that it would succeed anyway?
• Why would a Utica construction contractor start a minor-league soccer team in Rochester in the first place?
• Are the Amerks behind in their player affiliation payments with the Florida Panthers as well?
• How much blame should David Gantt receive for PAETEC Park?
• If the $4 million from the state Assembly ever finally lands in the Rhinos' hands, will it be used to complete construction of PAETEC Park, or will it be used, through any number of fiscal sleights of hand, to pay off some of the Rhinos' many debts?
• And really, will PAETEC Park EVER be completed?
• Does Steve Donner really need five attorneys to defend him in court?
• Is it fair to compare PAETEC Park to the fast ferry in terms of massive blunders funded at taxpayers' expense?
• Given that the investors remain "unnamed" because of a supposed "confidentiality agreement," should we even believe Steve Donner when he says two outside investors are interested in buy at least a share of the Amerks and Knighthawks, or is he just using that assertion as leverage against Randall Latona, the Sabres and/or the city of Rochester?
• If Donner thinks the Amerks' current lease agreement at Blue Cross Arena stinks, why did he sign it in the first place?
• What will the city of Rochester do with PAETEC Park after NBT Bank forecloses on the stadium and sells it to the city?
• How many of the Rochester Sports Group teams will even be here in five years?
• Did DuRoss, Donner & Co. actually BELIEVE they could land an MLS franchise, or did they just use that pipe dream to extort public money for a new stadium?
• How much money would Donner make if the Amerks and Knighthawks were bought out?
• Did DuRoss and Donner know from the beginning that a soccer-specific stadium would fail but, for the public's benefit, make believe that it would succeed anyway?
• Why would a Utica construction contractor start a minor-league soccer team in Rochester in the first place?
• Are the Amerks behind in their player affiliation payments with the Florida Panthers as well?
• How much blame should David Gantt receive for PAETEC Park?
• If the $4 million from the state Assembly ever finally lands in the Rhinos' hands, will it be used to complete construction of PAETEC Park, or will it be used, through any number of fiscal sleights of hand, to pay off some of the Rhinos' many debts?
• And really, will PAETEC Park EVER be completed?
• Does Steve Donner really need five attorneys to defend him in court?
• Is it fair to compare PAETEC Park to the fast ferry in terms of massive blunders funded at taxpayers' expense?
posted by Ryan Whirty at
7:13 PM
2 Comments:
I can answer one of the questions. Steve Donner said that the reason he signed the lease agreement was because it was a better deal than the previous lease agreement. Obviously it still wasn't good enough.
By
LetsGoAmerks!, at 5:15 AM
My reasoning may be flawed but if you look at the larger picture I have concluded the following:
The Florida Panthers are not concerned about this mess regarding Donner. They only want a place for their players to develop. It seems obvious based on the press releases on their website that they have no interest in Rochester and working with Donner otherwise they would not be talking with Cornwall , Ont. and Glens Falls about next year. This is also an indication that they know time is up as far as the City and Donner are concerned. Remember, they have their own interest as an organization and it is VERY unlikely that they want to be involved with Donner.
You can also be sure that they know what the Buffalo interest in Rochester is. NHL owners may be competitors but they are also involved in the same interest. When it comes to the AHL as the top NHL development league, you can be certain that making sure Rochester(one of the top drawing teams in the league) has strong management is something all the NHL and AHL owners will agree on.
Remember, once Buffalo and Florida find AHL affiliates there will be no team for the franchise Donner holds to work with. Do you think Steve is ready to do what the local owners did in the mid 60's and go independent? Besides, he would still have the debt to the city and a getting a new lease to pull off off. I say no way!
Next point, the city made it pretty clear that they are not going to negotiate with Donner and the RSG as it presently exits. They have an obvious alternative IF Golisano is serious in putting a hockey team in the arena AND managing the facility. Golisano has no interest in two lacrosse teams, and a soccer team that I am aware of. So, it makes sense that time is on Golisano's side. He can buy an AHL franchise place it in Rochester (small change and the AHL would never object when it come to a vote. Donner is then left holding his debt with the city and who knows what other credotors, his debt and lawsuit with his partners and all four team franchises.
I don't think his holdings are not worth much. Steve has often been great a bluffing but I think it is way too late for any more staging (like unidentified investors. Why would any one invest when two of his present partners have filed a suit against him? Sooner of later people will catch on that the investment is not in the teams, the investment is in Donner and his failed management,etc.
As far as the Rhinos and the MSL dream are concerned, I think you need to follow the management on that one. Look at who left the staff and where they went and that will give you some idea about a growing southern city that would make sense as an expansion city.
As far as the stadium goes, it is unfinished and time is marching on. The press box, parking lots, etc. are unfinished and give ti a year or two, there will be repairs that are needed due to routine use, that will not be made and before you know it ... it will blend right in with the rest of the neighborhood.
In retrospect this entire project should have been done with either the U of R or RIT (most likely of the two) to help them upgrade their facilities with a vision toward being Div 1. It could have been accessed by expressways and the additional parking would have also been welcomed by either facility. Problem again was political interests and a huge lack of vision.
How much longer do you think the major TV sports will come to the stadium with its embarrassing press area and services. When you sit in the seats and look at the media area it looks like some make-shift, homeless or migrant housing unit. The real joke is that the plans call to move the press and broadcast to the end of the playing area. Like you say, follow the money ... it was money poorly spent.
By
Anonymous, at 6:35 AM
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