Quote:
Originally Posted by MacGruber
I think this is more important than Phoenix vs Winnipeg though. The potential in Phoenix is really amazing and if a solid ownership group was in play with the right financial pieces... it would be a boon to the NHL. Winnipeg should probably have a team too, like QC.. but I think that Bettman is right to fight for Phoenix. Kansas City doesn't add much to the league, and frankly Seattle doesn't either. The league needs exposuse in markets like Phoenix.
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I'm usually the person raining on Pegger's parade when it comes to the economic side of the arguement, but with regards to Phoenix it's not really that amazing a potential. First things first, there is already 3 other top sports teams in the region, all of which are more near and dear to the heart of the locals than hockey which splits up the market considerably. Factor in major college sports which are HUGE down there, and spring training baseball and you get even more of a fragmented sports scene. Also the economics of the region are highly suspect. There is not significant industry or commerce leading the way since the real estate and construction markets crashed. All said and done economically being #1 in Winnipeg at 700K population, probably equates to more than being #4 or lower in Phoenix at 5,000K population.
As a side note, Pegger's don't view this as a vote FOR Winnnipeg as much as it's a vote against Phoenix. In my mind over the next 20 years it would be a point that Winnipeg would probably lose tens of millions vs. hundreds of millions in Phoenix.