Quote:
Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina
I would say the following.
1. It is a consistent pattern regardless of the GM. The owners are the consistent variable
2. Being smart at business doesn't make them smart at running a hockey team. In fact at times they are at odds. Squeaking into the playoffs to get some home playoff dates maximizes revenue at the time of the year where costs are at the lowest.
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Owning a sports franchise is not about making a profit, it's about long-term capital appreciation.
With respect to operating profit, the Flames tend to oscillate around breaking even, not running large profits for the owners - in fact, I strongly suspect any any year-to-year profits they do generate, tend to stay in the business.
So suggesting that the owners want to 'get in the playoffs and get some additional revenue' just doesn't wash, IMO. If your concern/goal is long term capital appreciation, then the best way to run the franchise is to focus on being the strongest franchise possible, to grow the fanbase as much as possible. And the way to do that is playoff success. In other words, be a well managed franchise. (A strong fanbase and stable organization, along with a good building, also solidifies and maximizes regular season revenue, which is also vital.)
If their goal / business model is to sneak into the playoffs whenever possible, in order to get a few home dates of revenue, frustrating the fanbase, and limiting their long term success along the way, then they are idiots, because that is a lousy way to grow the franchise.
Spoiler: they are not idiots.