David

🚨 Zohran Mamdani is way more popular than Benjamin Netanyahu among Jewish voters — a 29-point gap ⬇️ J Street-sponsored exit poll conducted by GBAO Strategies: Mamdani 49% favorable / 43% unfavorable Netanyahu 20% favorable / 72% unfavorable

Earlier this year, I received a letter of intent (LOI) contemplating US$1.5 billion in stadium financing, plus an additional US$1.25 billion for sports franchises. The investors had given me permission to share a redacted snapshot (which I am sure you have seen previously). The main reason I declined to countersign wasn't a lack of interest. It was a rather fundamental concern: Where would we deploy that capital without securing land, let alone an eventual @MLB franchise? Then the investors saw the drone footage of the Carrie-Derick site. I got a phone call. And an earful. Apparently, they thought I might be looking to raise capital elsewhere. Despite my being a loyal lad! Which brings me to a question I've been wrestling with: Am I crazy to consider developing a broader sports, entertainment, and cultural district in Montréal, independently of whether MLB ultimately awards us an expansion franchise? We all know the story of Québec City and the @CentreVideotron: a magnificent arena built in anticipation of an @NHL franchise that has yet to materialize. But MLB's view of Montréal is quite different from the NHL's view of la Vieille Capitale. And our @Montreal_Expos land odyssey has now identified Carrie-Derick, as a potentially viable location for something much bigger. The nearby Bell Mobility and Tata Communications buildings could also come into play. Initially, I envisioned those facilities possibly housing Le Musée Je Me Souviens and ASE — the Academy & Study of Entrepreneurship, if need be. But what if we thought bigger? What if we secured the US$1.5 billion in infrastructure financing and proceeded with planning a broader entertainment district, preserving the flexibility to develop one of four configurations? A) Baseball stadium + NBA arena + Sphere B) Baseball stadium + NBA arena C) Baseball stadium + Sphere D) NBA arena + Sphere All subject, of course, to land availability, feasibility, approvals, financing terms, and the relevant league or commercial partnerships. The investors have an incentive to deploy capital, too. Their fund managers could potentially earn 2% annual management fees from their investors on committed capital, depending on the fund structure. So if I say yagshemash, there is an economic rationale for exploring the opportunity. And before anyone dismisses the NBA angle, consider this: The @BellCentre is among North America's busiest arenas. The @CanadiensMTL schedule would inevitably create conflicts with an NBA team's calendar, making a dedicated basketball venue worth exploring. I've already examined a potential financing model for an NBA franchise, and investors have intermittently expressed interest. I also understand why @GMolsonCHC might be understandably cautious about the idea (I am sure he loves being tagged on these, btw, but... hey, I am the client - La Voute FTW!). For years, I thought: Why not bring basketball back to the Forum? But if PEPSC is being prepared for a project of genuine gravitas et d'envergure, perhaps we should be thinking on an entirely different scale. I've also had countless people offer introductions to the NBA. So far, none has materialized. I spoke with Sphere earlier this year. I won't disclose their feedback, but I will say this: the idea isn't necessarily impossible. Now, an important clarification. I am VERY happy with the City of Montréal, we all owe @pinardvelo a debt of gratitude for not calling security when I approached him at the @F1 to chat. And I think la mairesse @SorayaMartinezF "gets it." Our conversations with the city are progressing extremely well. None of this should be interpreted as brinkmanship, an ultimatum, or an attempt to pressure anyone. Quite the opposite: I'm exploring how to build upon the progress we're making. As for the Expos, I genuinely don't know what more I can do at this stage. FFS, I'm developing a programming guide for a museum that currently exists only in my head (Musée Je Me Souviens), while refreshing the Google Forms for an ASE cohort designed to help athletes become owners of professional sports franchises. That's how far beyond baseball this initiative has evolved. And yes, there is ample capital out there. But there's considerably less capital willing to take a speculative bet on Montréal, particularly at this scale. Capital, like water, is a form of energy. It eventually flows somewhere. Use it or lose it. Of course, even an LLC or Inc. needs some poor sap willing to be accountable. And since nobody among the traditional Québec Inc. elite has stepped forward to lead an initiative of this magnitude, I find myself asking whether I should continue expanding the vision. I'm not proposing that we build three venues tomorrow. I'm asking whether securing land, capital, and the appropriate partnerships could allow us to develop the district in phases, preserving optionality as opportunities materialize. A baseball franchise requires MLB's approval. An NBA franchise requires the NBA's approval. A Sphere requires a willing commercial partner. I feel like US$1.5 BILLION may slip through our fingers. As such, does creating the conditions for a world-class entertainment district necessarily require waiting for any one of them? I would genuinely appreciate feedback from urban planners, infrastructure investors, sports executives, entertainment operators, and fellow Montréalers. Am I crazy to consider this? Or would it be crazier to let the opportunity pass us by?

.@NBCNews national exit poll Jewish voters 67% backed Dems in House contests 32% backed Republicans

El-Sayed won a majority of the Jewish vote in Michigan. Yes, he did more poorly than other Democrats but all the data shows that American Jews are deeply, painfully, divided about very basic questions related to Israel. Who gives you the authority to speak on behalf of "American Jews?" Who elected you Pope?

Given the historic Dem wave, powered by mostly center-left candidates, worth noting that… El-Sayed only on track to prevail in Michigan by about 5. DSA-endorsed Nixon losing the one reddish Senate race where other states with similar Trump-Harris numbers flipped to Dems. DSA member Lawrence looks like he’ll lose Michigan swing seat held by Slotkin.