Have Dallas and San Jose really done it? Sure they can fill an arena, but how many serious hockey fans live in each city? 50,000? TV ratings and media coverage suggest hockey is a marginal sport in many US cities. Will they continue to fill the arena upon missing the playoffs for a few years?
Regional TV Ratings in 2009-10 (households):
Dallas - FS SW = 19,000
San Jose - CSN = 28,000
http://www.mowatcentre.ca/pdfs/mowatResearch/31.pdf
Average Audience 2009-10:
http://www.sportshoopla.com/forums/n...nhl-teams.html
Dallas Stars FSN Southwest / KDFI My27 42,400 (metro pop 6.4 million)
San Jose Sharks CSN California 63,200 (metro pop = 7.4 million)
Phoenix Coyotes FSN Arizona 26,500 (metro pop = 4.2 million)
Calgary Flames Rogers Sportsnet West 221,300 (metro pop 1.2 million)
Edmonton Oilers Rogers Sportsnet West 181,400 (metro pop 1.2 million)
Ottawa Senators Rogers Sportsnet Ontario 153,400(metro pop 1.5 million)