The problem is study after study says new buildings do not pay for themselves, but owners have gotten used to feasting at the taxpayer's expense. 

That's not to say a new arena would not bring some ancillary benefits to the city, but then those benefits have to be weighed and measured, and a decision reached as to whether the cost is worth it. To my mind, offering to kick in $185 million is a generous offer from the city to build such a facility. 

But if you have to start taking out newspaper ads in an attempt to pressure City Hall, it indicates to me that the Flames' negotiating position is the weaker one in this scenario. Let the blackmail begin.