Quote:
Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler
Come on. Don't be naive here - Hulsizer wants to pick up an asset using other people's money. He hopes he can flip it and make a profit, most likely by relocating it. He's not an idiot (I assume) - he knows he can't make money staying in Glendale. The team lost $36M with a patchwork discount roster and very good results. Do you think he will spend another $10M on salaries? If you want to know what it will be like, watch the first Major League movie.  |
He can't move the franchise within the context of this agreement.
If the deal passes, Glendale has pretty firm control of the location through 23 years, essentially locking up cash flow to sustain their long term committment to repaying debt on the arena.
The past, while probably interesting for learning from the mistakes of others, isn't too relevant as to future potential when you're sitting in the middle of five million people.
Potential upside in Phoenix is certainly far greater than it would be in Winnipeg which is being looked at through the prism of the nearly perfect but likely unsustainable conditions of the moment.
But . . . . . you can die on the vine waiting for P-O-T-E-N-T-I-A-L if you're not doing anything to exploit it, which is really the problem in Phoenix. Its a 10 to 20 year project, shifting culture to your side. Dallas has done it. San Jose has done it. Anyone can do it if they're patient and committed and willing to put the time into it . . . while surrounded by five million people.
The chaos of the last two years has contributed heavily to the near-term losses there. Removing uncertainty alone would help their bottom line immensely.
If Winnipeg is the only place the NHL can recoup its purchase price on the Phoenix franchise then maybe I get why the team might end up there. Otherwise, it makes no sense at all from a long term, league-wide business perspective. And it will end badly for the league when the team has to leave again, which is virtually inevitable. I can see why they're fighting so hard to avoid the choice.
Cowperson