Winnipeg Jets: 11,226 Attendance tonight, cause for concern? What's going on in the 'Peg?

[GoJetsGo55]

The economy is in the absolute f***ing tank right now.

 

[Ossific]

This makes no sense, you are in such financial stress that one car repair is going to bankrupt you? But you still almost bought a luxury purchase? Something doesn't add up.

Hey sometimes when people are stressed about life and finances, they want to maybe go out and have a nice night once awhile. I ended up not doing that - so not sure what your point is. Poor people can't have fun?

 

[Bounces R Way]

Source to bold section?

We're booming in Halifax. Population has grown by 100k since 2020. It's wreaked havoc on the housing market, but people are coming from other provinces and internationally.

The U.S. poses a serious threat of enticing Canada's skilled workers to move south
International Mobility of the Highly Skill(OECD) ed page 99

Around 45,000 Canadians move to the US every year, while only about 9,000 Americans move to Canada.

Will we recover? Any time soonv

 

[TheNeutralPresident]

I think it's more of a state of people now. They see what they want and not what the facts really are.

This right here has become so much a part of present-day discourse it's sad to see.

 

[Voight]

Back in ‘95 you could get about $.73usd for $1cdn. Today it’s almost the exact same. The salary cap mitigates the effects and that obviously helps the current jets a lot. That aside, it just feels like a familiar story.

I get your point, its just seems like the Canadian economy as a whole isn't doing very well right now and it was at least a little better in the mid 90s.

I agree about the cap helping (as does much more lucrative TV contracts compared to 30 years ago)

 

[MOGlLNY]

we havent made the playoffs in 12 years and have come in last place 4 times. Don't be dragging us into this. Casual fans understandably not willing to spend their money on this team just yet. Been burnt on this team being "young and on the rise" many times.

If they're in the playoffs come Thanksgiving I think most of the games going forward will be sold out.

Alan Pergament: Sabres' ratings up 38% for season; Dan Dunleavy's season also a success

The highest-rated game in the 10-game span was an 8.5 rating for the Sabres loss to New Jersey on April 11 that effectively ended their playoff chances.

buffalonews.com

 

[Coffee]

The U.S. poses a serious threat of enticing Canada's skilled workers to move south
International Mobility of the Highly Skill(OECD) ed page 99

Around 45,000 Canadians move to the US every year, while only about 9,000 Americans move to Canada.

I appreciate your answer and I reject your belief.

Optimism, gratitude are the pillars of evolution.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

15 percent support from the Business community compared to what everyone else gets its a bit of a Joke.

Typically cheap rich Manitobans want everything for free while they step on the backs of the working people telling them to pay for everything

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

The americanization of the game is ruining Canada.

In an ideal world Canada has its own league like Russia, Sweden, Finland etc. Salaries are not as high, Normal people can attend games etc.

Nunber one priority working for the game in Canada. This is the only country that shares its sport and main league with a other country. It's basically a slave state.

The game is losing popularity because Canadian teams are not having success and there is no Olympics which stops this entire country every 4 years.

The nhls main goal is to have American dominance in Hockey through players, removal of Canadians, and expansion in these useless american cities (Las Vegas , Seattle etc). I believe the word capitalists like many in this forum use is "markets".

It's such a shame what's happening. If only a dream world existed and Canada had a league like the KHL in Russia with teams all over Canada and the game being played by everyone.

There are now kids growing up in Montréal, the mecca and birth place of the game not even learning the game.

It's so so sad.

There needs to be a change where Canadian teams have rights to their own provincial players or something.

It's pathetic a prodigy growing up here has to spend his career playing in Pittsburgh and Chicago.

 

[MMC]

I said it before, but I’m seeing plenty of tickets in the $25-$30 USD range on the secondary market. Having a hard time believing ticket prices are the issue here. Seems like there may just not be as many passionate fans as some originally thought, and the initial excitement of having the team back + conference finals appearance were carrying for a bit. Don’t see how anything short of this team becoming a contender will turn this around.

 

[MrHeiskanen]

Hey sometimes when people are stressed about life and finances, they want to maybe go out and have a nice night once awhile. I ended up not doing that - so not sure what your point is. Poor people can't have fun?

If I was one bill away from "losing everything/bankruptcy" I wouldn't spend my money on NHL tickets, no.

15 percent support from the Business community compared to what everyone else gets its a bit of a Joke.

Typically cheap rich Manitobans want everything for free while they step on the backs of the working people telling them to pay for everything

Described Chipman perfectly.

 

[Voight]

15 percent support from the Business community compared to what everyone else gets its a bit of a Joke.

Typically cheap rich Manitobans want everything for free while they step on the backs of the working people telling them to pay for everything

Thats everywhere chief

 

[WarriorofTime]

Live sports is the worst value for the dollar that I can imagine.

The presentation sucks. The seats suck. The food is insanely overpriced. Getting to the game sucks.
And after all that.. you have a 50% chance of your team losing and going home depressed.

This isn't some hot ticket rare experience, either. This isn't like the Rolling Stones coming to town and an experience you will fondly remember your whole life. This happens 40+ times a year.. EVERY YEAR.

I swear some of these people pay 500 bucks to get selfie at the game.

There is some truth to that. And I say that as a sucker that goes to a ton of games.

Ultimately, the experience hasn’t changed much, if at all, in the last 80-100 years that people have gone to games but the price keeps ticking higher and higher.

And the tv experience only gets better too with bigger TVs and HD. Ultimately you’re just asking people to pay more and more for the same thing.

I truly love live sports and have my whole life. So I’m perhaps one of the stickier customers there are, but for everyone else, it just doesn’t make much sense.

 

[Buffdog]

Is this not kinda/sorta the reason small market Canada failed back in the 90’s and therefore not a solvable problem but one that should be expected during economic downturns?

I’ve never been able to figure out why people though small market Canada was such a slam dunk.

Jets 1.0 failed because the city of winnipwg owned the arena and the lease agreement made is impossible to make a profit. All concession, parking, etc revenue went to Winnipeg Enterprises Corporation. It's why nobody would buy the team and keep them there.

Now TNSE owns their own arena that was partially funded by three levels of government and the rest was financed at near 0% interest. It's one of the busiest venues in North America and TNSE gets all the concession revenue

In addition, TNSE has major real estate developments in the downtown area surrounding the rink, which offers more revenue streams.

Lastly, Canada Life Centre just went through some significant upgrades that added higher priced seating options in lounge-like areas. Even of there are some regular seats going unsold, that could be offset by the people buying the new seats

Ypu really can't compare the situation the Jets are in with the last team in the 90s

 

[HisIceness]

In order keep fans from going totally apathetic towards the franchise, you need to be a contender, on the verge of contention, be a young team with developing stars (or just be fun to watch even in defeat), or at least show that mediocrity won't be tolerated.

I'm not sure the Jets have any of the above.

 

[Devonator]

I think the economy in Winnipeg and Manitoba in general is not that good....that would obviously have a huge effect on attendance figures....regardless, this is concerning....hopefully this is just a little blip and fans will be back in full force....

 

[Rabid Ranger]

The americanization of the game is ruining Canada.

In an ideal world Canada has its own league like Russia, Sweden, Finland etc. Salaries are not as high, Normal people can attend games etc.

Nunber one priority working for the game in Canada. This is the only country that shares its sport and main league with a other country. It's basically a slave state.

The game is losing popularity because Canadian teams are not having success and there is no Olympics which stops this entire country every 4 years.

The nhls main goal is to have American dominance in Hockey through players, removal of Canadians, and expansion in these useless american cities (Las Vegas , Seattle etc). I believe the word capitalists like many in this forum use is "markets".

It's such a shame what's happening. If only a dream world existed and Canada had a league like the KHL in Russia with teams all over Canada and the game being played by everyone.

There are now kids growing up in Montréal, the mecca and birth place of the game not even learning the game.

It's so so sad.

There needs to be a change where Canadian teams have rights to their own provincial players or something.

It's pathetic a prodigy growing up here has to spend his career playing in Pittsburgh and Chicago.

 

[HellebuyckOurSaviour]

I think because of how much higher the season tickets are and even getting 2 tickets are. Also with beer prices through the roof doesn't help. One reason, or thing that bugs me, is that for game day fan experience, TNSE doesn't really do much. Yeah they did renovations and all, but when i go to watch a game and you sit in your seat, and what they are giving away is a 5cent off gas card????? Like really? You can't give out just a basic blue shirt with a Jets logo on it, or maybe one night give out a hat.

 

[tom_servo]

I don't blame people for watching on TV so they can see the animated board ads.

 

[Ducer]

I'd rather have food for the month then go to winnipeg for that star studded line-up the King's have, can we talk about how watered down the league has become.

 

[Turin]

I said it before, but I’m seeing plenty of tickets in the $25-$30 USD range on the secondary market. Having a hard time believing ticket prices are the issue here. Seems like there may just not be as many passionate fans as some originally thought, and the initial excitement of having the team back + conference finals appearance were carrying for a bit. Don’t see how anything short of this team becoming a contender will turn this around.

It's not the prices in a vacuum. The prices are whatever. The problem is the price of everything else PLUS a pretty mediocre fan experience. If the Jets go on a tear I'm sure the problem will mostly sort itself out but for now, why spend time and money going to the game when it costs 100 bucks for 2 dozen eggs, 1 litre of cream and toiler paper?

I think there is also a morale problem. When the Jets came back, Winnipeg was feeling like it was turning a bit of a corner. It felt like it was improving, with visions of a revitalized downtown and social scene. Now, Winnipeg feels like a shithole on a level that I haven't seen since the early 90s, with a massive drug, crime and homeless problem spreading across the city in areas you wouldn't have thought possible just 5 years ago, and that does affect your enthusiasm for the local team.

 

[Jay26]

Noted NHL revenue giver Winnipeg Jets

I know this is about the Jets specifically but I was preemptively making a point about all Canadian fans, even if the other teams aren't struggling (yet) as bad as the Jets.

That's why I said "Canadian fans" and not Jets fans.

This kinda thing happens everywhere. Pittsburgh, Chicago, Florida…could be due to poor ownership, poor product, etc. From here on, no one should shit on a fanbase for attendance numbers. Odds are, that doesn’t reflect the areas love for the team.

Completely agree.

 

[Farmboy Patty]

Hey sometimes when people are stressed about life and finances, they want to maybe go out and have a nice night once awhile. I ended up not doing that - so not sure what your point is. Poor people can't have fun?

I feel for you as I’m in a bad situation, and that comment was a perfect example of someone not even trying to put themself in another persons shoes, and judging without knowing anything about the person or circumstances.

We all need our happy moments, and in my case for now 33% of them go into watching this crappy team trying to work things out. Because on every other level life has a rear naked choke on me, except for my kids who are fantastic.Enough the downer crap.

If you root for a team, even bad times are good times. Otherwise you’re not a fan. I’m aware that this may seem provocative since I entered this board only once Laine entered the team, but my point still stands. This team may suck forever, but we as NHL FANS dont need to fight with the anxiety of of the team that we’re rooting for to be downgraded to a second tier league. As a fan of European hockey I find all this whining ridiculous.

The last teams in the standings actually get rewarded, which skews the whole competitiveness of the league. CBJ landed Fantilli, a sure fire 2/3 C pick as a top talent. Still some people are Complaining about the the team that finished 3:rd last which enabled Jarmo to pick a potential franchise center.

In any other hockey league the CBJ would have been demoted to the second tier league, and true fans would still root for them to fight their way back to the premier league of that nation. The Norris American structure in this sport (with a closed league) NHL fandom for teams is lacking in the aspect of truly being a fan of a team/club. It’s hard to explain but you’d know the thrill when your team makes it back again

With all this rant, I love the NHL because it’s still a best-on-best tournament in my favorite sport. I just think that creating a clear league hierarchy between the leagues in USA/Canada with a play off for staying in the NHL would greatly develop the sport and hard core fandom, regardless how the fans team are doing.

There’s a backward incentive for owners/FO/coaches to make their teams suck as it is today, and no risk involved in being a bad team, because their literally no risk involved in finishing the bottom three.

Rant over…

 

[Jay26]

Hey sometimes when people are stressed about life and finances, they want to maybe go out and have a nice night once awhile. I ended up not doing that - so not sure what your point is. Poor people can't have fun?

This is definitely a thing. Sometimes it's worth it to do something nice for yourself so life isn't completely wne utterly depressing. I'm a bit believer that even if you're low income/on an extreme budget, it's wise to put aside a bit of money to go for a nice meal, go to a movie etc. Feel like you're still living a bit.

 

[Shane Diesel]

The americanization of the game is ruining Canada.

In an ideal world Canada has its own league like Russia, Sweden, Finland etc. Salaries are not as high, Normal people can attend games etc.

Nunber one priority working for the game in Canada. This is the only country that shares its sport and main league with a other country. It's basically a slave state.

The game is losing popularity because Canadian teams are not having success and there is no Olympics which stops this entire country every 4 years.

The nhls main goal is to have American dominance in Hockey through players, removal of Canadians, and expansion in these useless american cities (Las Vegas , Seattle etc). I believe the word capitalists like many in this forum use is "markets".

It's such a shame what's happening. If only a dream world existed and Canada had a league like the KHL in Russia with teams all over Canada and the game being played by everyone.

There are now kids growing up in Montréal, the mecca and birth place of the game not even learning the game.

It's so so sad.

There needs to be a change where Canadian teams have rights to their own provincial players or something.

It's pathetic a prodigy growing up here has to spend his career playing in Pittsburgh and Chicago.

Make Canada Great Again!