Quote:
Originally Posted by Joborule
But I don't want to see it return just for the sake of return and ignore the great economic obstacles against it.
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The biggest economic issues that caused the team to leave last time no longer exist.
1. There is an owner willing to buy the team with their own money and operate the team in Winnipeg, in TNSE.
2. There is a new arena. Previously, the Winnipeg Arena needed to be replaced and there was nothing in sight.
3. TNSE own the arena. No more Winnipeg Enterprises taking all the revenues.
4. The Canadian dollar is at/above par with the US dollar.
With one of the best attendance records in the AHL (and even previously in the IHL days), Winnipeg has shown they will support a team and that they deserve a chance at supporting an NHL franchise again. Sure, prices are more expensive. People will pay for a better product.
I should mention that - back when the Coyotes were first put into bankruptcy, I was not a believer that Winnipeg could support a team. Not even a little. As far as I was concerned, Hamilton was probably the next destination. But the truth of the matter is there's willing ownership in Winnipeg that hasn't burned its bridges with the NHL. And with the other economic factors having been taken care of, it's a viable market. Period.