Speculation: #Melnkyout...The time is NOW!

[RaMai]

Are you assuming that revenues in a US market would be worse than in Ottawa?

When an owner has stated, on multiple occasions, in the past 3 or 4 seasons, that he is linking the operational budget for his franchise to the revenues it brings in, are you surprised that operational costs are being cut back?

There could be a case made, that moving a franchise from a small Canadian market to a US based market, would bring in move revenues for that franchise.

Where is this US market where you see better deals and sellout's for years to come?

 

[stempniaksen]

Where is this US market where you see better deals and sellout's for years to come?

Generic US market #1 is a world of endless possibilities.

 

[HSF]

Are you assuming that revenues in a US market would be worse than in Ottawa?

When an owner has stated, on multiple occasions, in the past 3 or 4 seasons, that he is linking the operational budget for his franchise to the revenues it brings in, are you surprised that operational costs are being cut back?

There could be a case made, that moving a franchise from a small Canadian market to a US based market, would bring in move revenues for that franchise.

which US market?

 

[Tnuoc Alucard]

which US market?

Portland, Milwaukee, Kansas City or Houston have long been rumoured as possible future landing spots for either a relocation or an expansion franchise.

 

[HSF]

Portland, Milwaukee, Kansas City or Houston have long been rumoured as possible future landing spots for either a relocation or an expansion franchise.

and how are they better markets than ottawa?

source? Ottawa has been a strong franchise for a while

 

[RaMai]

Portland, Milwaukee, Kansas City or Houston have long been rumoured as possible future landing spots for either a relocation or an expansion franchise.

How should Ottawa's attendance numbers the last 1/4 century compare to those markets...that explains everything, I hope Eugene is not outgunned by the other 30 owners competing for those. Maybe even Seattle should rethink there decision, all those sold out rinks and the tv deals.

 

[Tnuoc Alucard]

and how are they better markets than ottawa?

source? Ottawa has been a strong franchise for a while

Well for one thing, they would all have their revenues in US dollars, and there would be no need to continually plan for, or be caught of guard by, fluctuating currency rates.

 

[HSF]

Well for one thing, they would all have their revenues in US dollars, and there would be no need to continually plan for, or be caught of guard by, fluctuating currency rates.

okay but what about fan support, corporate support, marketing , tv deals, ticket sales and all that? You can practically be selling tickets for a few dollars in USD but still make less compared to ottawa

you can't just say the US market is better and not specify an actual city with actual numbers lol. There are a lot of worse US markets than Ottawa.

20$ USD 300 level tickets in florida and Ottawa 50$ CAD 200 level tickets is not making florida more money

 

[PeterSidorkiewicz]

We should just sticky the posts that quote the NHL insiders that Ottawa is not moving. It would really save you all a lot of headache talking about this.

 

[umma gumma]

Are you assuming that revenues in a US market would be worse than in Ottawa?

When an owner has stated, on multiple occasions, in the past 3 or 4 seasons, that he is linking the operational budget for his franchise to the revenues it brings in, are you surprised that operational costs are being cut back?

There could be a case made, that moving a franchise from a small Canadian market to a US based market, would bring in move revenues for that franchise.

Ok, so when he goes into this new market and has no past history to base his revenues on for his player budget is he:
- Going to spend money from his own pocket to properly pay and maintain players to keep the fans in the new market interested and hopeful until it stabilizes itself? The question then becomes, why doesn't he spend here?
- or is he going to start at the cap floor until the fans consistently show up and put money in his pockets and prove themselves? Genius move.

 

[Tnuoc Alucard]

Ok, so when he goes into this new market and has no past history to base his revenues on for his player budget is he:
- Going to spend money from his own pocket to properly pay and maintain players to keep the fans in the new market interested and hopeful until it stabilizes itself? The question then becomes, why doesn't he spend here?
- or is he going to start at the cap floor until the fans consistently show up and put money in his pockets and prove themselves? Genius move.

Don't know, it has not happened, and may never happen.

But there has been (Seattle & Vegas) and still is, a lot more interest from US based potential owners, willing to shell out huge amounts of US dollars to the NHL for expansion franchises, than there are in Canada.

 

[Sens]

I keep hearing that, but we have only ever had failed ownership, Firestone, Brydon, Melnyk. At some point it’s not the singer it’s the song.

Perhaps if ownership did not continually get in debt (I know it’s not Bryden and Firestone’s fault) that would go a long way.

The only owners we’ve had has used Ottawa as the primary source of income and leverage the team for loans to pay down the debt and then that spirals out of control

 

[HSF]

Don't know, it has not happened, and may never happen.

But there has been (Seattle & Vegas) and still is, a lot more interest from US based potential owners, willing to shell out huge amounts of US dollars to the NHL for expansion franchises, than there are in Canada.

expansion is a different animal. we are talking about melnyk moving a team not a new billionaire who wants to be the first team in Vegas.
There is much more involved in relocation. Again you can't just pick up a franchise and move or else teams would have done that long ago to the so called 'US based potential owners'

 

[GCK]

Alright, so this misery has to stop...relocate to one of those great markets where the Euge can make big bucks without owning the rink.

I don't think Melnyk could relocate. I do however believe the franchise could be sold. So here is a list:

Quebec City - They will never get expansion so this does not take money out of the other owners pockets by removing an Expansion target.
Kansas City - Building is getting older already but the building owner has NHL ties

Cities that are expansion targets and would not be targeted with relocation

Houston - Expansion or Arizona move with HUGE relocation fee for NHL to recoup losses
Portland - Expansion if Houston takes on Phoenix
Southern Ontario 2nd team - Whether it be up around Markham or in Kitchener this is likely to happen with 10 years IMO.

 

[topshelf15]

I keep hearing that, but we have only ever had failed ownership, Firestone, Brydon, Melnyk. At some point it’s not the singer it’s the song.

Yep because they all have one thing in common.....Bad markets dont have 18500k + arenas ,or TV deals like the one we have...Or have a huge arena deal in their back pocket ...The fans have never been the issue

 

[BatherSeason]

IF, by some weird twist in reality, EM was able to move his franchise to a USA destination, the NHL would benefit monetarily, in the long run, as there would be USD revenues coming in and higher TV rating/contract.

I am sure that you have been corrected by now but in what market would TV numbers be bigger in both departments you mention. May want to walk this one back.

 

[BatherSeason]

Well for one thing, they would all have their revenues in US dollars, and there would be no need to continually plan for, or be caught of guard by, fluctuating currency rates.

But when you have so much debt to pay off with no revenue coming from owning the building, you are better of where you are.

 

[GCK]

Yep because they all have one thing in common.....Bad markets dont have 18500k + arenas ,or TV deals like the one we have...Or have a huge arena deal in their back pocket ...The fans have never been the issue

Jesus, stop with the low self esteem. It’s the market not the fans.

Last year Ottawa was 25th in revenues with 124M.

Colorado 119M
Columbus 111M
Carolina 109M
Islanders 107M
Florida 99M
Phoenix 96M

Is that a great market, no it isn’t. Ottawa is viable when everything goes very well but it is not a market that can support a cap team.

It’s not the 3-5K tickets unsold that is the problem. Even a sold out building at prices that this city can bear puts us well below the median revenue generating team.

This is with the great local broadcast contract.

Tell me how are we only 25M higher than Florida when their building is completely empty and they don’t have the same local broadcast contract ?

 

[BatherSeason]

Jesus, stop with the low self esteem. It’s the market not the fans.

Last year Ottawa was 25th in revenues with 124M.

Colorado 119M
Columbus 111M
Carolina 109M
Islanders 107M
Florida 99M
Phoenix 96M

Is that a great market, no it isn’t. Ottawa is viable when everything goes very well but it is not a market that can support a cap team.

It’s not the 3-5K tickets unsold that is the problem. Even a sold out building at prices that this city can bear puts us well below the median revenue generating team.

This is with the great local broadcast contract.

Tell me how are we only 25M higher than Florida when their building is completely empty and they don’t have the same local broadcast contract ?

You know what would help revenue? Having a jersey that fans can be proud to wear with the name of their favorite player on the back. Here in Ottawa, the jerseys are ugly and no one wants to buy them and what would be the point of putting a name and number on the back?

The Ottawa Senators brand is boring and stale. Maybe the team should be proactive and do something to sell their brand. Hmmm. Maybe resigning key UFAs would also help. Maybe stop marketing Boro as the face of the team. Maybe start exploring growing your fanbase across the river, ypu know what helps that? A superstar Quebecer, Hotsam maybe???

There are tons of things Eugene can do to help increase revenues yet he refuses to. Sometimes instead of placing blame at the consumer, have a long look in the mirror. Those defending Melnyk should do the same thing

 

[coladin]

You know what would help revenue? Having a jersey that fans can be proud to wear with the name of their favorite player on the back. Here in Ottawa, the jerseys are ugly and no one wants to buy them and what would be the point of putting a name and number on the back?

The Ottawa Senators brand is boring and stale. Maybe the team should be proactive and do something to sell their brand. Hmmm. Maybe resigning key UFAs would also help. Maybe stop marketing Boro as the face of the team. Maybe start exploring growing your fanbase across the river, ypu know what helps that? A superstar Quebecer, Hotsam maybe???

There are tons of things Eugene can do to help increase revenues yet he refuses to. Sometimes instead of placing blame at the consumer, have a long look in the mirror. Those defending Melnyk should do the same thing

Wow! Jerseys is the answer to the question! Brilliant!

 

[GCK]

You know what would help revenue? Having a jersey that fans can be proud to wear with the name of their favorite player on the back. Here in Ottawa, the jerseys are ugly and no one wants to buy them and what would be the point of putting a name and number on the back?

The Ottawa Senators brand is boring and stale. Maybe the team should be proactive and do something to sell their brand. Hmmm. Maybe resigning key UFAs would also help. Maybe stop marketing Boro as the face of the team. Maybe start exploring growing your fanbase across the river, ypu know what helps that? A superstar Quebecer, Hotsam maybe???

There are tons of things Eugene can do to help increase revenues yet he refuses to. Sometimes instead of placing blame at the consumer, have a long look in the mirror. Those defending Melnyk should do the same thing

Again, it’s not jersey sales or extra tickets. Florida sells 0 jerseys or very few tickets. It’s all the additional revenue streams that don’t exist here.

 

[coladin]

Again, it’s not jersey sales or extra tickets. Florida sells 0 jerseys or very few tickets. It’s all the additional revenue streams that don’t exist here.

Ottawa needs a full house at higher prices to truly compete. And a super sugar daddy owner . This owner is not super sugar level. Just sugar daddy.

Blame the corporates. Blame the owner. Blame the arena. But don't you dare blame the fans that embarrassed the city in the playoff run.

Leave Britney, err, the fans alone!

 

[BatherSeason]

Wow! Jerseys is the answer to the question! Brilliant!

Lol. Typical. You know the point I was trying to make, don't twist this. Of course you would actually believe that Melnyk has done all in his power to maximize revenues.

Good night. Enjoy the game!

 

[DaveMatthew]

Ottawa needs a full house at higher prices to truly compete. And a super sugar daddy owner . This owner is not super sugar level. Just sugar daddy.

Blame the corporates. Blame the owner. Blame the arena. But don't you dare blame the fans that embarrassed the city in the playoff run.

Leave Britney, err, the fans alone!

You see, it's not nearly that simple. Blame the fans all you want, but the Senators are an entertainment business, and a business should not blame their customers.

Falling attendance isn't just an Ottawa problem:

College Football’s Growing Problem: Empty Seats
Rob Manfred is making MLB attendance a top priority
https://nationalpost.com/sports/foo...als-are-watching-so-should-the-cfl-be-worried
We are wrong about millennial sports fans | McKinsey

The way people consume entertainment is changing, and it's on sports teams and leagues to adapt and get creative. The whole, "we're Canadian and people who live here should spend hundreds, or thousands, of dollars on the team a year because it's the NHL" is crap, and a recipe for exactly what you're seeing now.

Where's the creativity? Where's the strategy to compete with all of the other entertainment options out there? What have the Senators, as an organization, done in the last 5 years to generate excitement and build their brand, besides lowering parking and popcorn prices?

• Have they built a consistent, year-over-year winner?
• Have they aggressively marketed their players? A bilingual guy like Chabot seems like a great person to build a campaign around, doesn't he?
• Have they done any field marketing in places other than the CTC parking lot? (Hey, maybe host a kickoff party downtown! What about meet and greets and fan zones in the market?)
• Have they invested in online content/media (would hardcore fans pay 10 bucks a month to access streamed practices, exclusive content and get first dibs on ticket deals?)
• Would producing your own "Road to the Winter Classic" type bi-weekly show that's available on YouTube get fans more excited to learn about prospects/rebuilding?
• Have they improved the in-game experience for the average fan (non-Bell zone)? Working Wifi would be great! What about content delivered to your seat over your mobile device?
• Hell, where's the traditional advertising? Why not plaster a building downtown with a Senators mural? I was in Tampa recently, and there's Lightning ads everywhere. There was a whole Lightning "interactive zone" for kids in the mall. Why doesn't that exist at Rideau and Bayshore?

Why don't they try something other than telling fans to have "patience because it's a rebuild"?

 

[BatherSeason]

You see, it's not nearly that simple. Blame the fans all you want, but the Senators are an entertainment business, and a business should not blame their customers.

Falling attendance isn't just an Ottawa problem:

College Football’s Growing Problem: Empty Seats
Rob Manfred is making MLB attendance a top priority
Attendance is down and few millennials are watching — so should the CFL be worried?
We are wrong about millennial sports fans | McKinsey

The way people consume entertainment is changing, and it's on sports teams and leagues to adapt and get creative. The whole, "we're Canadian and people who live here should spend hundreds, or thousands, of dollars on the team a year because it's the NHL" is crap, and a recipe for exactly what you're seeing now.

Where's the creativity? Where's the strategy to compete with all of the other entertainment options out there? What have the Senators, as an organization, done in the last 5 years to generate excitement and build their brand, besides lowering parking and popcorn prices?

• Have they built a consistent, year-over-year winner?
• Have they aggressively marketed their players? A bilingual guy like Chabot seems like a great person to build a campaign around, doesn't he?
• Have they done any field marketing in places other than the CTC parking lot? (Hey, maybe host a kickoff party downtown! What about meet and greets and fan zones in the market?)
• Have they invested in online content/media (would hardcore fans pay 10 bucks a month to access streamed practices, exclusive content and get first dibs on ticket deals?)
• Would producing your own "Road to the Winter Classic" type bi-weekly show that's available on YouTube get fans more excited to learn about prospects/rebuilding?
• Have they improved the in-game experience for the average fan (non-Bell zone)? Working Wifi would be great! What about content delivered to your seat over your mobile device?
• Hell, where's the traditional advertising? Why not plaster a building downtown with a Senators mural?

Why don't they try something other than telling fans to have "patience because it's a rebuild"?

Heck warm water in the bathrooms would be a step in the right direction