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

[McShogun99]

Must have been a huge sale going on at the Dollarama that day. Bettman probably licking his chops at those numbers so he can move the Jets to the Southern US.

 

[tsujimoto74]

move them to atlanta

Third time’s the charm

 

[North Cole]

but but but I thought Canadian markets were so perfect for hockey that such fluctuations would never ever ever happen


Nothing against you specifically (EDIT: or really against the Jets in particular or their fans) but I still remember the days when folks would insist the Jackets were obviously hopeless because folks would prefer Buckeye football games.

What does this have to do with other Canadian markets? People who hate on southern teams with attendance issues are going to hate on Northern teams with attendance issues just as much. Them being Canadian isn't some shield against relocation bickering. Most Canadian fans seem to hate other Canadian teams more than anyone else anyways lmfao.

 

[ItWasJustified]

I'm hearing the Arizona Coyotes will only have 4,600 in attendance in their home opener...

Winnipeg is likely to be a bit of a moneypit franchise for their ownership group for the foreseeable future.

Lucky their ownership group consists of some of the wealthiest people in the world.

 

[Viqsi]

What does this have to do with other Canadian markets? People who hate on southern teams with attendance issues are going to hate on Northern teams with attendance issues just as much.

Historically they didn't; such folks would go on and on about how the Canadian economy was a valid issue but absolutely every other possible problem was just garbage excuses by fans proppig up loser non-hockey markets.

Judging by your join date, you weren't around for when those days peaked (it didn't start to really calm down until the return of the Jets, and even then it persisted for a few years afterward, altho at that point it was being driven by Nordiques fans).

 

[MrHeiskanen]

I get its a hockey town, but comparing markets is laughable. Dallas metro is about 9 times the size of Winnipeg. Winnipegs "metro" is smaller that the city of Fort Worth all by itsef.

So now its about market size? All along Canadian fans said it was about being a hockey market.

Pick a lane and stick with it.

 

[North Cole]

Historically they didn't; such folks would go on and on about how the Canadian economy was a valid issue but absolutely every other possible problem was just garbage excuses by fans proppig up loser non-hockey markets.

Judging by your join date, you weren't around for when those days peaked (it didn't start to really calm down until the return of the Jets, and even then it persisted for a few years afterward, altho at that point it was being driven by Nordiques fans).

I suppose I wasn't, but I still see an annoying amount of anti Yotes threads and comments.

I have a little more sympathy to the situation when the people bickering about relocation are the ones that just want their team back. They actually lost something. Obviously they can and do cross a line, but screaming for getting a team back IMO is different than someone person in Toronto hating on the Yotes because of misconceptions about "revenue sharing". Those fans are going to be raging about it regardless of the price of tea in Winnipeg.

Edit - I should add I don't disagree with any of your points. I just think these cretins will kick and scream regardless.

 

[Voight]

that franchise simply would not be able to survive a rebuild. they're a playoff contender and yet, they're still having trouble selling out one of the smallest arenas in the league

maybe after 12 years the novelty has finally worn off

Financially they'll survive. They have one of the richest ownership groups in all of sports, and from what ive read on here from Winnipeg residents, ownership is developing all kinds of projects/land near the arena so they re very invested in the city.

Regardless the Canadian economy has been mismanaged for the last 8 years and is in currently in really bad shape. Inflation is killing people. People seeing their mortgages doubled, food bills go thru the roof and some ar eon the verge of losing their homes so buying tickets to a hockey game is the least of their worries.

 

[StickShift]

I think Canadian inflation + stagnant income growth is playing a huge role.

For a family of four—the weekly grocery bill has increased enough since the pandemic to take away any disposable income for hockey tickets.

By its very nature of being a smaller city, there are less people and businesses who are affluent enough to not feel the economic pain.

 

[Viqsi]

I suppose I wasn't, but I still see an annoying amount of anti Yotes threads and comments.

I have a little more sympathy to the situation when the people bickering about relocation are the ones that want their team back. Obviously they can and do cross a line, but screaming for getting a team back IMO is different than someone person in Toronto hating on the Yotes because of misconceptions about "revenue sharing". Those fans are going to be raging about it regardless of the price of tea in Winnipeg.

Yeah; folks pivoted to leaning on that even more after the "bring teams back" approach lost its thunder with the Jets return. Imagine something very much like those comments, but even more intense and even more personal towards fans of teams in markets deemed Undesirable, with regular and persistent support from mainstream news media. Complete with a healthy dose of ignorant garbage to go with - I still vividly remember a number of folks (including in at least two cases actual paid reporters that should know better) referring to Columbus as a "sunbelt" team. No, really. I'm not kidding or exaggerating.

We're talking about the kind of human garbage that, when Mr. Mac (z''l) - a beloved pillar of the community and the guy who basically singlehandedly willed the Jackets into existence (show me another sports owner who would get regular cheers from the fans when he showed up) - passed away, they openly and gleefully celebrated because of the opportunity to steal away a team. That's the sort of thing which does not get forgotten or forgiven easily.

 

[MrHeiskanen]

Here is my final take on this thread:

All teams, regardless of location, will have reasons for low attendance and poor years.

Dallas was going through bankrupt owner, with garbage team, and attendance was low.
Florida was hot garbage for years and years and had low attendance.
Ottawa arena is 6 hours from the City, bad team, had bad attendance.
Winnipeg market is annoyed with ownership, poor economic conditions, has bad attendance.

The takeaway? Doesn't matter if its far North or far South, hockey market or football market, macro and micro factors will mean all teams in the league could have bad attendance. So, Canadian fans can stop whining about Southern market teams now that they realize all markets have the potential for bad attendance.

 

[MXD]

Regardless the Canadian economy has been mismanaged for the last 8 years and is in currently in really bad shape. Inflation and reckless government spending is killing people. People are losing their homes and seeing their mortgages doubled, so buying tickets to a hockey game is the least of their worries.

LOL all the government's fault and no mention of personnal responsibility.

 

[oldunclehue]

Financially they'll survive. They have one of the richest ownership groups in all of sports, and from what ive read on here from Winnipeg residents, ownership is developing all kinds of projects/land near the arena so they re very invested in the city.

It is a business and they have done well in regards to having multiple other streams of revenue, but they all depend on the downtown area having an NHL team that brings in fans/people to the area.

The mindset of David TOMSON having huge deep pockets is true, but he is an investor in this team, he put up money and is laughing as the value of NHL franchises is over $1 billion now, but that doesn't mean he is making money year over year. He isn't going to throw hundreds of millions to float an investment. If things keep going south with the org, I don't doubt they will be forced to make some tough decisions.

I am from the area and have been to about 12 games over the 12 years they have been here. I for one wouldn't go back to a game even if the tickets area free. The entertainment value is awful, seats are tiny, production value isn't good, no real player that is fun to watch. Byfulgien and Laine were big for fans but without them the team is just boring and most fans realize that. Plus the location of the rink is awful for most people.

 

[Keystone]

Fan apathy for a team in turmoil for a few years. Last minute signings of 2 players don’t help that problem. It’s also unseasonably warm for October. Treat STH properly, ice an exiting product that busts it a$$, and ease off the greed at concessions.

 

[Voight]

Why do people always say David Thomson is the Jets owner? He is a part owner, and as far as I am aware, the percentage is unknown.

Edit:

"The Centre was built at a cost of $133.5 million on land acquired from Osmington Incorporated, a real estate firm owned by Toronto billionaire David Thomson. In exchange for the land, Osmington took a minority share in TNSE. Chipman and Thomson, through their respective holding companies, now have complete ownership of TNSE"

Nobody knows how much they each own but I believe the consensus is Thomson has the majority, he is just a very private guy, more than happy to have Chipman be the face of the team.

For a guy with his net worth, I dont think anyone would be able to recognize him in public. He doesn't care to have a public profile.

 

[Voight]

The crazy thing for me is wasn't this PLD's return? This feels like it should be a hot ticket, even for an October Tuesday night game.

I mena, fan hate aside he isn't a franchise legend or anything. He spent 3 seasons there and the team didn't exactly make the finals or win the cup those years.

 

[jorbjorb]

lol

https://x.com/ScottBilleck/status/1714455785550332012?s=20

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I wonder if fans are generally dissatisfied with the way players seem to crap on the city or ask for a ticket out.

With the exception of Dubois that doesn't really happen, their #1 center and franchise goalie could have done it, they didn't.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I don't need a politician to tell me it's a corporate issue. I just need to look at how far my dollar goes. The dollar has been this low before and it hasn't cost what it does today. I'm paying about 30% more for goods than I was three years ago. That ain't inflation.

I don't need the corporations to tell me it's worker salaries either when I look at the ever increasing divide and concentration of wealth.

Don't bother with this Club For Growth Groupie. He leaves out enough significant context that he can't be taken seriously.

 

[Slats432]

I stated this concern when the team went back to Winnipeg. The previous version of the Jets was above the NHL average attendance twice. I was told "Arena this, obstructed seats..."

I am not super surprised, but I am disappointed that this is where they are.

 

[GreatSaveEssensa]

So now its about market size? All along Canadian fans said it was about being a hockey market.

Pick a lane and stick with it.

Winnipeg is a hockey market. Much more so then Dallas I can guarantee you that.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

A faltering economy and a fanbase stuck in watching a middling team will lead to people choosing wisely with what they do with their dollars. Heck, buying tickets is almost like playing the lottery because if your team craps the bed, it's just a waste of time and money to watch -- both of which are at a premium these days.

Granted, I don't think this is independent to Winnipeg, and we'll see these types of attendance issues sprinkled throughout the league. However, playing in the league's smallest arena (Arizona doesn't count) and having 4,000 empty seats is extremely concerning.

 

[Buffdog]

No thank Kroger for pricing Ginger Ale at significantly higher rate of inflation, which includes the impact of your precious Monetary Impact.but you do you...lol.

The fact you don't know who Steven Moore or The Club For Growth tells me
how little you really know.

Kroger is a business. They can charge what they want. If prices are too high, shop elsewhere. If enough people agree with you, Kroger's sales will plummet and they'll either go out of business or lower prices.

Ironically, that's exactly what we're seeing at Canada Life Centre. People exercising their rights in a free market. The Jets will listen and adapt, or they won't.

 

[Strangle]

The Canadian economy is in big trouble to be honest. Been stagnating for a while now. Losing a lot of skilled workers to the States. Wouldn't surprise me at all to see several Canadian teams have attendance issues this season.

11K is definitely concerning though.

I’m not paying for tickets this year, that’s for sure.

I need to put that extra money into my mortgage increase and my grocery bill which is insane.

And if I have any extra money left after that, I need to spend new car prices on two 5 year old vehicles.

No money in the budget for hockey, sorry

 

[antiqueslivers]

I'll worry when The jets are playing at the maxbell arena.