It’s no secret that the Calgary Flames’ ownership group is eager to generate revenue, as any sports ownership group should be. However, the Flames haven’t had much success in increasing their revenue numbers to the same extent as their provincial rivals, the Edmonton Oilers, who have been consistent contenders.
With the Oilers making the Stanley Cup Finals for the second-straight season, the team’s revenue has certainly benefited from their long playoff runs. It was announced recently that the Oilers have set a new NHL record for single-season revenue, which can largely be attributed to the team’s recent success in the last couple of seasons.
It’s an impressive record no doubt, but when your team has success, fans are going to pay to see them. With the Flames, their recent shortcomings have been understandable as the team has just entered a rebuild, but success-wise, it’s quite dry even when the Flames were a playoff team. We know that hockey fans in Calgary are very passionate, and if the team wants to see revenue increases like their neighbours up north, they’ll have to use these years to build towards a contending team the correct way. Simply put, meaningful success reaps meaningful rewards.
What does “rebuilding the right way” look like for the Flames to lead to contender status?
For reference, the Flames in 2024 made approximately $191 million in total revenue. The Oilers on the other hand, made about $388 million in revenue that same year, and likely will pass that number in 2025. Obviously the two teams are in different positions, but it just shows a glimpse of what Calgary could be when they get closer to their contention window.
Regarding contention, the Flames are still years away from being a true cup contender. While they almost squeaked into the playoffs this season, the reality is that it wasn’t the expectation, as Dustin Wolf’s play was the main catalyst.
The main fear within the Flames’ fanbase is if this team becomes impatient with where they’re currently at. This franchise has never truly rebuilt properly, meaning that they’ve always found themselves rushing the process, resulting in mediocrity. The Flames cannot afford to make this same mistake, for the sake of the team and their fans.
What I mean by “rebuilding the right way” simply goes back to patience. The Flames need to accumulate young talent in their organization by drafting smart, and they need to make the tough decisions that’ll benefit them for the future. The last thing I want to see is the same scenario of this team thinking they’re closer than where they truly are. If they go “big game hunting” in free agency or decide that they’ll give up future assets in “win now moves”, it will result in the same fate of a middling team.
Flames ownership will always have the power of opinion
Murray Edwards, the majority owner of the Flames, has been vilified in the market for quite some time, and for good reason. The ownership group for the Flames has been notoriously known for wanting the team to squeak into the playoffs every year, going by the mantra “just get in and anything can happen”. Newsflash Murray: there’s way more money to be made if you let your staff build a true contender rather than just collecting 4-5 games of first-round playoff revenue.
I think Edward’s mindset has shifted since Craig Conroy has taken over, as he’s been getting away with moves I know for a fact Brad Treliving would’ve never been able to do. The fear is still there though, in what if he starts meddling with Conroy’s plans for the sake of short-term success for revenue reasons? Edwards made his opinions known many times when Treliving was GM, which played a role in the two sides eventually parting ways.
If the Flames have any chance of seeing meaningful success in the future, ownership needs to let Conroy and his staff do their thing. Unfortunately, as long as Edwards is in the picture, fans will still have that fear of his meddling for the sake of making playoff revenue.
Flames fans deserve a true contender
The Flames’ fanbase has been through so much pain over these last few years. As a fan myself, it’s been both funny and depressing at the same time. The truth is that the fanbase here in Calgary loves this team, and our passion runs deep. We all want to see the Flames raise the Stanley Cup in our lifetimes, but what’s important is the process to build that team.
Revenue is just an indication of how successful a team is, but with the Flames there’s way more potential. It’s why so many fans have called for a rebuild for years, because the team needs to properly go through that phase before becoming a contender.
While there have been outliers, the reality is that elite talent wins you cups. Virtually every recent Stanley Cup champion (except for Vegas) has rebuilt at some point, giving them the ability to draft and acquire elite talent. The Flames are in dire need of game-breaking players, and the draft is really the only way you get them.
Conroy has a vision and I trust him wholeheartedly. Who I don’t trust is ownership and whether they’d be able to ride out this process for the sake of their own team’s success.
