Quote:
Originally Posted by valo403
Please expand. What deeper troubles? Record setting revenues? Record setting TV deals? People talk about all these issues with the NHL when the reality is the league as a whole is incredibly healthy. There are a few franchises that are struggling, although much of that has to do with the greater economic climate, but in general the NHL is leaps and bounds ahead of where it was just a few years ago.
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I guess it's the optics of all the clubs that are in trouble. A list that has grown even today. But I'll address those other things you brought up first.
First, the TV deal. Yes it's a step in the right direction, and it's the biggest one the NHL has gotten so far. But it's hardly a great deal. In an age where all communications companies are competing and overpaying for live content the price and term of the deal has left a lot of people saying that NBC underpaid for the contract. Now, I'm not sure how much more or what else the league could have done, but don't be fooled, it's the not 'OOOOOHH!' deal the league has advertised it as. It is what it is, a small deal for a league that is still seen as small and relatively unimportant.
Secondly, revenues. The revenues, while going up, are very one sided. The Canadian clubs are carrying 2-3 times their weight, and the big markets like New York are doing their part, but there are many many markets that are not bringing in anything. Now I know the argument is that years ago, Canadian clubs had the same problem, but there is one big difference. The dollar was 65 cents! That's almost an extra 50 percent (in CDN funds) they had to pay to their biggest expenditures, salary. Even with the economy being what it is in the States, these clubs can't claim the same amount of problems as those clubs had in the past. A lot of it is bad management or just poor markets (which is the point of this whole thread and argument).
So let's go back to those markets that are having trouble. We all know Atlanta was moved last year, and Phoenix is obviously the team talked about in this thread. But we also have big problems in Florida, Columbus, Dallas (though that will probably be resolved with a better owner), Nashville is still a big question mark, the New York Islanders have announced problems this offseason, and just today it was announced that Jersey is inches away from bankruptcy. That's 7 teams! Not counting the one moved last year. 25% of the league! What if 2 or 3 of those teams had to be relocated in a year? We'd have to go to contraction for sure. And while a lot of people would like that, and it might help in the long run, I don't think many people would think reducing the number of teams in the league is a sign of a healthy league.
I will admit, maybe it's not as bad as it seems, maybe it just is the optics of it. Other leagues move teams. It's happened (semi) recently in both the NFL and NBA. But it sure seems like there are big problems bubbling under the surface with the way the NHL is managing it's franchise locations.
And that is separate from a lot of issues people have with both reffing, discipline, and safety issues.
I would disagree that the NHL is very healthy, or that much more healthy that in has been in the past. While there is good news, there is a lot of bad news too. I would argue they balancing on a wire of sorts. A problem or two away from a catastrophe. But admittedly a good deal or two or healthy franchise or two away from writing a new success story.