Quote:
Originally Posted by BigFlameDog
Jeez guys, they aren't "expecting" the NHL to come in and save them. The league has basically said if there isn't a league running they are interested in starting one and trying to make it grow. It may work and it may not but they will give it a try and the marketing machine behind the NHL can only help.
The current league has one foot in the grave and they are holding out for the NHL to save them (they won't). That league tried but has broken promises and slashed (already low) pay and support. The players know this and want door #2 so they are trying to help convince them to shut it down so the NHL might try their own thing.
It would likely start with a small league, 6 teams in small buildings and a short schedule. There is a lot of female hockey played in the Calgary and surrounding area (would probably shock a lot of you) and a lot of potential or current fans in those groups. One of the biggest problems with attendance, as far as my circle goes, was game times and days of the week. Because they had to be economical the times sucked and a lot of games fell in prime minor hockey times or later in the evening or games went to outlying communities.
These ladies have and would work tirelessly to build a league but there is only so much they can do for free...they need to work jobs too. They aren't expecting to have a living wage on day one. An actual pro league that can promote, purchase with buying power, pay the bills, pay coaches, support the players and has the NHL marketing machine and sponsorship relationships can only help right?
That is what they are looking for, not handouts. A chance to build something.
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The first bolded IS a handout if it is not being purchased. Thats OK as long as there is some sort of return down the line and the NHL can see a benefit to do doing so long term. That may or may not be the case, but it's completely unfair to expect them too.....just because.
I can easily see a minimum budget of 1.5 - 2 million a year per team for expenses. How much of that would come back to the investors for the first few years?