Why are we entertaining a small, dying, craphole of a city? Is the nostalgia boner really that strong?
Hartford has lost its industry, no one lives there, its the 8th largest city in New England and their AHL team struggles to get 4k a game in the door.
Guess what, no one gave a crap about the Whalers when they actually existed, and no one will if they come back. They will draw less than nothing and the only money made will be what is made now, merchandise. You dont need the team to exist to make money on merchandise.
Hartford is barely an AHL level town, nevermind NHL
@BigBadBruins7708
Back in 2014 during the SCF, I was invited to have lunch with my best friend from college and he said there are 2 others I want you to meet - It was at a Jewish deli in Encino.
My college friend had become a respected player in Hollywood as an agent and the other 2 people at that lunch were Fred Silverman and Howard Baldwin.
Believe me, at that table, I felt like this
My late friend Howard Lapides knew exactly what he was doing......................
He introduces me to Baldwin by saying I was at the first Whalers game in Boston and Baldwin asks 'Where did you buy the tickets?' and I replied at the Whalers office at the Statler Hilton ( now Park Plaza ) - Baldwin now trusts me and opens up............
Baldwin was the public face owner of the Whalers but the true owner was Robert Schmertz who also owned the Celtics. The plan was the Whalers/Celtics would build a new arena in Boston but Schmertz died in 1975 at the age of 48.
The Whalers' fanbase was essentially Hartford, Springfield, New Britain and Bristol. NOBODY in New Haven, Bridgeport, or Stamford cared.