Next expansion team in Las Vegas - How does everyone feel about it?

[onlyalad]

Oh no there will be a few more millionaires(players) and a few billionaires (owners) might lose a million or so. For the fans of current teams, maybe a favorite player gets snagged, but it won't raise ticket prices or beer prices or even parking.

 

[Socks]

How do I feel about an expansion out to Vegas? You know I don't really know enough about what we've got here to make an informed opinion. I've got a buddy I'm gonna call and we'll see what he says. Then I'll make a decision.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Why hasn't the NHL thought about a hockey team in Wisconsin?.

Likely because of population trends. I agree that Wisconsin has the weather, the "hockey culture", etc.. to support a team, but from 2010 - 2013, Wisconsin's population grew at a rate of 1%, compared to the rest of the US at 2.4%. Milwaukee, the largest city is one of the slowest growing cities in the US. In contrast, places like Seattle, Raleigh, Las Vegas, Houston, Austin, which are the fastest growing metro centers in the US.

Obviously population trends alone won't make for a good market, but it's a piece of what the NHL likely looks at and I suspect that's why Wisconsin hasn't really been a forefront.

 

[MoreOrr]

Why hasn't the NHL thought about a hockey team in Wisconsin?

The League can only think about putting teams where there are potential owners interested and willing to put a team. And that means that places like Kansas City, Houston, and Milwaukee aren't currently being considered because there aren't any potential owners interested to put an NHL team in those cities. It's as simple as that!

 

[FrailSwan]

I'd be curious to see how they build a loyal fanbase out of a city that is only there because of tourism.

 

[haveandare]

I'm not really a fan of expansion at this point. Relocation is probably a better option (not naming any team(s) in particular).

Absolutely. I really don't think they can add more teams without watering down the product significantly.

 

[Phil Parent]

The Canadian government does...

Yep.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Québécois_nation_motion

And amazingly enough, this little motion, with later decisions that the Canadian government let Quebec having observer status in some international orgs, letting it have "Houses" (aka cultural embassies) all over the world and sharing Canada's seat at UNESCO with Quebec pretty much killed the sovereigntist movement and the federal Bloc Québecois. People were content.

This happened in 2006, three years prior the Quebec National Assembly had unanimously adopted a motion saying that Quebec was a nation. It was just time for Ottawa to go "Well, yeah, okay. You all agree now, so.... You're a nation. Within Canada. And you get some goodies. Cool? Stop ****ing with national unity now."

But whatever, let's talk Vegas, people!

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I'd be curious to see how they build a loyal fanbase out of a city that is only there because of tourism.

2+ million people live there so it's not solely there because of tourism. That's part of the problem discussing Vegas is that people don't exactly have the right idea of what the Vegas market actually is.

Absolutely. I really don't think they can add more teams without watering down the product significantly.

Why? This idea of expansion watering down the product is a myth. There is really nothing that anyone would actually notice when it comes to play quality adding one or two teams.

 

[ClydeLee]

2+ million people live there so it's not solely there because of tourism. That's part of the problem discussing Vegas is that people don't exactly have the right idea of what the Vegas market actually is.



Why? This idea of expansion watering down the product is a myth. There is really nothing that anyone would actually notice when it comes to play quality adding one or two teams.

I know I've read Vegas has the biggest foreign born population of any city, But I don't know if the numbers of European hockey fan areas are high. That could be a good draw especially if they get some star European player.

 

[Wolf357]

It will be exactly like the Buffalo Bills playing in Toronto...there will be "Home" games played to crowds that arnt cheering for you...
Great the games will initially sell out..but the fans will be tourists who wont be cheering for the Las Vegas what evers...but the visiting team...or tourists that go to the game that arnt cheering for any team...

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I know I've read Vegas has the biggest foreign born population of any city, But I don't know if the numbers of European hockey fan areas are high. That could be a good draw especially if they get some star European player.

I don't think it really matters much where they come from. I think given who is involved that marketing them as their own major professional sports team will be a big drawing point. Winning will keep them invested beyond the honeymoon period. If they can succeed for the most part during their initial 10 years, the fans will start to grow organically through younger fans and grassroots efforts improving. Vegas has a small niche of hockey going on there and this will expand it exponentially if it gets off the ground and is promoted properly. Those things are generally what those that are involved there are very good at.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

It will be exactly like the Buffalo Bills playing in Toronto...there will be "Home" games played to crowds that arnt cheering for you...
Great the games will initially sell out..but the fans will be tourists who wont be cheering for the Las Vegas what evers...but the visiting team...or tourists that go to the game that arnt cheering for any team...

Initially, I very much doubt it. If they don't have enough people to justify their interest in bringing them in, they won't be there. If they do, they will secure the funds of those interested and they will want to see the novelty act at first. 2nd year and beyond, it may start to turn depending on the team's direction.

 

[General Zodd]

Vegas really??? seriously there are so many other places that are far more deserving of a team. In no specific order;

Quebec
Seattle
Hamilton
Toronto

 

[KCC]

Never going to work long term. Horrible idea. It will be all tourists despite what Foley says. Casinos will just buy up all the tickets and given them away.

 

[More 2004]

I love the idea of a franchise in Vegas.. I visit once or twice a year and will definitely see a game while there.

 

[systemsgo]

No problem with it, if the other city that gets a team is a Canadian city.

I'd imagine Vegas'd have more VIP boxes, and there would be companies (and casinoes) buying up box seats for $$$ to give tickets away and a chunk of the seats could go empty and still be profitable. Market it in such a way that it's seen as a place to be as well as trying to build a loyal fanbase.

 

[Getzmonster]

I'd prefer Seattle be the next expansion team. Let Vegas be where the Coyotes are relocated if it ever comes to that (desert to desert move). Same for the Panthers, if they need to be relocated, they should go to eastern Canada (same division). Restores/maintains balance in the conferences.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Vegas really??? seriously there are so many other places that are far more deserving of a team. In no specific order;

Quebec
Seattle
Hamilton
Toronto

Deserve has absolutely nothing to do with anything here.

 

[BlamBlam]

Guess we'll be seeing ads on the jerseys sooner than we thought.

 

[NickWIHockey]

Wisconsin currently has more youth hockey players than any other state that doesnt already have an NHl team-20000. in the 2012 playoffs, Milwaukee had the highest ratings for watching the Finals, besides Boston and Chicago, who wre playing in the Finals. so while it would take time to grow the market, you'd have natural rivalries with the Wild Blackhawks and Red Wings. just put the team in the East with Quebec, Bring Seattle and Houston in the West. Quebec and Milwaukee are relocations, Seattle and Houston expansion.

 

[General Zodd]

Deserve has absolutely nothing to do with anything here.

Yes so let's just stick it in hockey hotbed like Vegas!

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Yes so let's just stick it in hockey hotbed like Vegas!

If they have the owner, the money, and the arena to play in that's the most important thing that counts. Like a lot of the places that currently have hockey were real hotbeds before they got an NHL team?

 

[mbhhofr]

They're set up for the season ticket drive starting in February.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/hockey/hockey-vision-las-vegas-llc-launches-website

http://lasvegas-hockey.com/

 

[Rebuilt]

Guess we'll be seeing ads on the jerseys sooner than we thought.

No but we will see video poker and slot machines at every seat.

 

[Hooliganx3]

As someone that lives in Vegas I can see most people in this thread know nothing about Vegas. I grew up in St Louis and Ice Hockey youth leagues were a fall/winter sport. In Vegas they have year round leagues.

Vegas has a huge sports staved local population. A good portion of Vegas's population are people that relocated from other cities. There is a lot larger number of hockey fans here than it seems like anyone on this board realizes. Most people may not totally abandon their original teams for the Vegas team but they would still support it and go to games.

I am not 100% sure is a team would be successful but it has as good of a chance as any other city. The money is here the sports fans are here. The question is if the team is terrible would people still support it after the honeymoon stage is over.