Quote:
Originally Posted by Joborule
I just don't believe that Las Vegas would have enough local season ticket holders investment that would last long term. Once the honeymoon phase is over, is the team going to still get enough local fans and corporate investment? It just seems fairly difficult since the NHL isn't up to the tier of the MLB/NBA in the states to have good confidence in giving it a shot.
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While I'm also totally not sold on Vegas being able to work (but admittedly excited about it for selfish reasons), you specifically called out "local fans" as a reason that it won't work.
While I get that fan support is key in this league, and for most markets, a lack of "local fans" would absolutely equal lack of "fan support", but in reality, does it actually matter if the fan support is local or not?
I don't think it does, and it's obviously the basis on how this experiment will work or fail. But I think there is a real chance this could work on the backs of corporate support from the casino's, purchasing tickets and then selling them or even giving them away as perks for their clients. I get American's don't usually support hockey in masses, but people go to Vegas they are literally looking for things to do "while they party". Casino's have success giving away tickets to weirder crap (in my opinion) to their customers than what hockey would be, and I actually think hockey's lack of popularity could work to it's advantage in this scenario, where casino clients who likely don't come from a hockey market would view being comped tickets to a professional "ice hockey match" as a novelty they'd love to do for 2.5 hrs one night while they get drunk and before they hit the tables and clubs.
Top that off with the fans from actual NHL markets who will likely make a point of heading into town when their home team rolls in, I think the business model has a CHANCE.
Like I said, maybe I'm fooling myself because this idea appeals to me, but I actually do think this business model might work, and I think I can see the appeal to the NHL in trying it out. Not convinced at all it's a slam dunk, but I don't think the consistent reference to "local fan support" is actually that big a factor here considering what I think the business model will be.
Now, how from a players perspective will be it be playing for a team that doesn't have much of a local following, another story, but that in it's self shouldn't impact the economics.