Brian Burke Went All Brian Burke On The Calgary Chamber

((HT: CBC/The Score))

Calgary Flames President Brian Burke thinks that there's one building in the National Hockey League worse than his own at present- the Nassau Coliseum. And when you think that only a building that leaks and has rats is better than yours, you're trying to make a point.

With their Alberta neighbors in Edmonton having their own new barn being built, Burke had an opportunity to say his peace in a lunch with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

Some of the key conversation:

"We need a new arena in Calgary. There is absolutely no reason we should watch a new building going up in Edmonton, and we should play in a 1988 arena here.

"Lower bowls in a newer arena are nine thousand seats minimum. Ours is what, six? So we are not generating revenues like other NHL buildings are," Burke said. "The weight load that the roof will bear is tiny, so a lot of the big stage acts don’t come here. So it’s not just what a hockey team gets, what it adds to a hockey team, it’s what it does to a downtown core."

Well, okay, sure...

This video, put out by a firm called Populous earlier this year gave folks hope- only with a central logo on an ice surface and not even mentioning publicly the idea of a new arena.

Calgary Flames President Ken King denied any talks were ongoing about a new barn. The City Council has even gone public saying there's no new money for a building even if there were talks going on.

Rutgers Can't Get Out Of Their Own Way (UPDATED: LeGrand Speaks After All)

((HT: NJ.com/Duggan))

This is really classy... and the HQ hopes you can sense the sarcasm dripping from the text...

Condoleezza Rice was set to give a commencement address on campus, but that idea was getting blowback. SO the school does an amazing thing- comes up with the idea of Eric LeGrand to give the speech...

Fantastic idea... unbelievable kid...

So, what does the university do...??? Cancel LeGrand telling him that they "decided to go in another direction for political reasons."

What in the blue hell does that mean...???

"I just want an explanation," LeGrand told NJ.com in a phone interview. "I wish somebody would have given me a call tonight and explained to me why. Then I can understand, but don't just leave me hanging."

Athletics Director Julie Hermann calls and tells him that Governor Tom Kean was selected instead...

Great going, Rutgers...
You had an issue with this...
((HT: ESPN))


PM UPDATE: This release came from the university this afternoon... an amazing backpedal...

Eric LeGrand will speak at our Commencement and personally receive his degree from me as a representative of the Class of 2014.

It was never our intention that Eric would be the only speaker. We have resolved that miscommunication and are delighted to have him participate.

Eric holds a special place in the hearts of the Class of 2014 and the entire university community. We are thrilled that he will be joining us on stage to make this special occasion even more memorable.

Unbelievable... but not...

Give 'em hell, Eric...

You Win, You Get Speeches Like This...

((HT: KING5-TV Seattle))

Okay, let's face it...
The commercials, save a select few, and the game were both awful...

But since Seattle won...
The HQ figured we'd show you the postgame speech Pete Carroll gave his team after the dismantling of Denver- scoring every possible way to win the 48th Roman Numeral Classic...

Post by KING 5 Sports.

The parade, for those of you who plan on going, is set for Wednesday morning...