The National Capital Commission has become the referee in a high-stakes battle between deep-pocketed businessmen for development rights on prime government land.
The Ottawa Senators are stunned its only competition, DCDLS Group, is also pitching an NHL-style arena for Lebreton Flats.
It's curious for two obvious reasons: The Sens aren't for sale and the team is proposing to build its own arena in an attempt to relocate from Kanata.
It's a wild shot in the dark if a group pitches a major arena without a primary, sustainable and committed tenant.
Big money would need to be behind any attempt at building a new entertainment facility in Ottawa.