AgentNaslund*
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Seattle is not a NHL city. NHL will struggle in a city like Seattle with Football, Baseball and Basketball well ahead of Hockey. On top of that, Seattle is not big on hockey anyways. I say Vegas
Whawks33 said:Sorry, but I don't see why you can't. When talking about a "large hockey fan base", that implies hockey in general, not just NHL. The fact that major junior hockey doesn't draw well doesn't suggest a large hockey fan base. Look at areas on the east coast that easily support (and by support I mean attendence) NHL, AHL, and college hockey at the same time. Without even looking it up I can sit here and think of 10+ plus hockey teams, pro and college within a couple hours of Boston.
Also, isn't Microsoft a T-Birds sponsor?
Thunderbird107 said:By that rationale, Toronto is not a hockey city since their OHL teams don't draw very well and the Marlies aren't a hot ticket in town.
Microsoft is not a sponsor of the TBirds. They do have the Microsoft Hockey Challenge at the end of the year, though, to raise money for the Ronald McDonald house.
http://www.seattlethunderbirds.com/corporate/sponsors.php
PortlandRanger said:That is the average price of an NHL game in a lot of markets give or take a few dollars.
Saint Teemu said:Colour me stupid... are the Blue Jackets in bad financial shape?
Thanks for answering my question. I remember seeing an interview with Ron Tugnutt when they followed him to an OSU football game - I think he said something like you have to accept that football will always be number one there.OhioGuy said:No, the only other sports option we have here in Columbus is Ohio State football. It is like a religion in central Ohio. OSU football is more popular than the Jackets but at the same time, there are only a limited number of OSU football games on in the fall, so for the rest of the season everyone just goes to the Jackets games. This is why I think Vegas would be the perfect fit. They have nothing in the way of pro sports teams, and if the NHL was smart, they would be the first pro team in Vegas. It's a huge market and its only going to get bigger. Honestly, if they got either an NHL or an NFL team, I would seriously consider moving there. Make it Vegas and whatever Canadian city you guys want, that makes people on both sides of the border happy
72projectmgr said:Ottawa to Portland
Pittsburgh to Kansas
SeattleCanucksFan said:Believe or not there is a hardcore fanbase of hockey fans in Seattle and from the surrounding areas here in Seattle. Our neighboring sister cities Everett and Tacoma (both of whom have or had vibrant WHL and WCHL teams) have a devoted fans for their teams. Going to a Sabercat game in Tacoma is actually what turned me onto hockey. I actually see more Canuck and NHL clothing here than NBA or MLB at my work. This area could support and sustain a team.
The biggest problem as has been mentioned over and over is the issue of an arena. However, there is a lot of talk about re-modeling Key Arena and even talk of some new stadiums around town. The Sonics are supposedly moving to Renton (this ghetto *** suburb where I'm from... if you know the area you know that's ridiculous) I think there's a lot of possibilities here to bring in a team.
The Thunderbirds originally suffered from horrible marketing but with their games being broadcasted on Comcast here and with a new marketing approach they seem to be much improving. I went to a playoff game last season (my first playoff game) and the attendance and atmosphere was great (the upper sections are closed off... I don't know why)
Seattle is a fair-weathered town first and foremost, we only like successful teams. However, from everything I've seen in my town Baseball is king here. Followed by football. And then basketball. I think hockey could be the number two sport in town here following the Mariners.
I really think Seattle could sustain a team.
Wow.72projectmgr said:Prediction:
Montreal Ownership change/swap with Ottawa (Gillette & Melnyk)
Ottawa to Portland
stan17 said:I know I know but what is different is that with a relocation, rather than expansion, approval is made by the Board not individual owners. Therefore Toronto and Buffalo can not stop the relocation, should the relocation show a strong business case. Money ... not an issue when the owner of RIM whose wife is from Hamilton is the deep pocket man. Population how about over 5 million within a half an hour drive. Arena ... Copps was designed to accommodate expansion including luxury boxes. Support .. when they lost to Ottawa Hamilton had 15,000 season tickets sold within hours, Canada Cups, World Cups, World Junior Championships. Natural rivalries look no further than Buffalo, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal
kdb209 said:Even with a relocation there are territorial rights. When the Isles came int the league they had to shell out $4M (in 1972 dollars) to the Rangers. Similarly the Devil's had to pay compensation to the Rangers and the Flyers when they moved.
A team in Hamilton will require a significant payment to both the Leafs and Sabres in order for them to waive their territorial rights.
Mace_37 said:Does anyone know why Minnesota lost their team in the first place?
stan17 said:I am sure the proposed ownership group is fully aware of those costs, the cost to renovate Copps and to purchase the existing team. All apart of the Business plan.
kingpest19 said:Theres talk of the Sonics moving to Renton? *** came up with that idea? Hacing lived in Seattle for a few years guys I played with and I had this discussion a few times. You could remodel Key Arena, but is it really worth it? IMO it would be better to build a dual use facility for the NBA and NHL. Only bad thing is , is that in Seattle itself not really any where to do it. Have to go to one of the outlying suburbs. Renton isnt the right place. SCF maybe you'll agree with me here. If the were to do something like this would it be better to put it on the other side of the lake in Bellevue or Kirkland?