Quote:
Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction
The funny thing is, I would bet that if Phoenix never had a team, they would be near the top of most people's list of cities that should get a shot.
On paper, they look like a feasible market demographically. I can't help but think that bad business and hockey decisions had such a negative impact that a downward spiral started with much of the potential fanbase. It's hard to draw new fans when every week, they are talking about the team leaving. It makes it hard to even keep old fans.
I kind of wish they would have left a few years ago because Phoenix would be that much closer to being on the radar again. I don't see them that different than Denver or the Bay Area, where if enough time goes by to forget the failed experiment, they can start with a clean slate. Geographically, it is also convenient to have a team in that area. I wouldn't be surprised if that is one of the reasons the NHL is holding on tight there.
|
I agree. I still think Phoenix is a great market for hockey, they just happen to have one of the WORST locations for their arena. You move that arena down to a more central area in Phoenix where you can do a better job of drawing on 4+million people, this thread would likely not exist.