Roughnecks on verge of folding

[expo2428]

Originally Posted by Mazrim

I wondering the same thing recently. Usually Pat Steinberg does interviews and talks up the Roughnecks a bunch since he was doing play-by-play. What happened to that?

Im just blowing stuff out of my ass but could it have to do with sportsnet owning the fan 960? Maybe the NLL doesn't fit into sportsnets views for radio?

[Resolute 14]

Sportsnet has owned Fan960 for years, most of which the the station had some kind of broadcasting agreement with the team.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Mango

A lot of that has to do with the fellow running the Roughnecks, not the radio, tv or papers in the city.

So clarify this for me then? Did he refuse to grant player availability? Restrict access?

[Mango]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

So clarify this for me then? Did he refuse to grant player availability? Restrict access?

Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot I can say expect "don't bite the hand that feeds you." There are plenty of people that want to support the Roughnecks in this city, including the media. However, when someone is constantly throwing barriers in your way and giving ultimatums, there's only so much you can do.

[hkstylez]

I better go watch at least 1 game of the Roughnecks before they fold (if they decide to at least). I've never been to a roughnecks game because I've either been busy or too lazy to get tickets to go watch them. I do love lacrosse through.

[Resolute 14]

Three games left, one in each of the next three weekends, and probably at least one playoff home game.

And be careful Mango... He Who Shall Not Be Named was likely behind the deletion of entire threads at wingzone's boards because of criticism. Would hate to see you disappeared!

[shermanator]

New article in the Hearld about Saturday's game. Sound slike Banister is looking to mooch off the Flames success. Of course, the Flames owning the team would make it much more successful, IMO.

“I think the city does better when the Flames are doing well and I think we do better when they do, so we’re hoping they make it, get the Sea of Red going again and hope it overflows into our games,” said Roughnecks owner Brad Banister during a media conference Thursday.

Link: http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...#ixzz1HdDyeUEO

[Mango]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

And be careful Mango... He Who Shall Not Be Named was likely behind the deletion of entire threads at wingzone's boards because of criticism. Would hate to see you disappeared!

I heard about that. It sounds like the NLL is pushing hard that the Flames buy them. That can only mean good things.

[Resolute 14]

Roger Millions' recent Tweets are interesting:

RogMillions Roger Millions

Hearing its ever closer to the Flames taking over the Roughnecks. Word is NLL is fed up with Bannister Roughnecks owner.

RogMillions Roger Millions

If rumour is correct Dollars involved would cover Bannisters debts and that's about all...as of now just talk.



Everybody is tired of Bannister. Hopefully he takes the hint and packs his ego into a moving truck.

[Da_Chief]

I dont care who owns them but the Flames owning them would be the best situation. As long as they stay in Calgary i'll be happy about this situation, we've a really good young team that will be amazing in no time.

[Da_Chief]

Roughnecks with a 14-9 beatdown of the Rock. Tied with them for top spot in the league with a 9-3 record.

Rock with home games vs Bandits and Stealth and road games vs Wings and Rush.
Riggers with home and homes series with Minnesota and Colorado.

[shermanator]

New update from the Owner. The Roughnecks need the support and blah blah blah. Usual blame game from him.

“The No. 1 goal is to sell it,” he said. “The No. 2 goal is keeping it in the city. Before it was reversed. The lack of response from corporate Calgary sends a big message right there. I’ve begged and pleaded and I’m not going to do that anymore . . . hopefully the game next Saturday isn’t the last one ever.

I went to the Roughnecks game against the Swarm and it was actually not too bad of a time. But the PA announcer was horribly annoying, and some of the marketing seemed similar to how the Souther US markets cater to their fans, trying to over-hype the product.

Link: http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...794/story.html

[Resolute 14]

I guess Bannister felt he needed another stroke to the old ego.

Just a thought Brad, but the lack of corporate support might be because of you. Swallow your damned pride, shut the hell up and sell the team.

[Cowboy89]

“We’ve had a couple options we’ve declined on. But right now, I want to get through the season. To do that, we need to sell tickets. We’ve done everything we can to put a good quality product on the floor,” he added. “We’ve only missed the playoffs one year. Hopefully, people will understand that and appreciate it and buy some tickets.”

F-off if he's declining options all the while taking charity to pay his players and travel expenses. What a d-bag. This is about his pocketbook and need to be in charge. I actually want to go enjoy the Roughnecks this playoff year. But if my non-attendance would be putting him $30-40 closer to leaving the scene then I will stay away. My dollars will go towards a new owner when that happens.

[CaptainCrunch]

I used to go to roughneck games, but the environment just wasn't for me, I usually left with a screaming headache.

Bannister is coming across as a major d$uche. I would expect that this year is the last year for NLL in Calgary unless the team folds and someone else brings in an expansion team.

Its pretty sad because I went to the championship game in 2004 and it was amazing. But if you asked me if the Roughnecks won the championship last year I would have to look it up (They did)

Its sad because on the grass they've been a tremendous success story, their marketing and ownership is killing them.

Its pretty sad that a team struggles to survive with an average salary of $14,000. The leagues top salary is $25,000.00 and first year players are capped at $400.00/game.

[Resolute 14]

Travel costs are the killer. Most players don't live where they play, so the Roughnecks have to fly players in from all over North America, even for home games.

I suspect that if the Flames are interested, the league will do all it can to ensure that a team remains in Calgary, regardless of Bannister's ego. We are announcing the 4th best attendance in the league, and removing Calgary cripples Edmonton's chances of survival while also further isolating Washington.

[Resolute 14]

Roughnecks' first playoff game is tonight, at 6:30!

[chalms04]

Just got back from the game. My buddy has season's tickets right infront of the President's box, (which he says is usually empty for 'Necks games) we turn around and see Ken King watching. Friend leans back with 5 mins to go in the 4th and asks, "So, can we keep them?" Ken replies with a smile, "I think they'll do just fine."

[browna]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

F-off if he's declining options all the while taking charity to pay his players and travel expenses. What a d-bag. This is about his pocketbook and need to be in charge. I actually want to go enjoy the Roughnecks this playoff year. But if my non-attendance would be putting him $30-40 closer to leaving the scene then I will stay away. My dollars will go towards a new owner when that happens.

No kidding. As was the case as I said earlier in the thread, he's wanted the Flames to own the team (ie pay the bills) since 2004, and has whined every year since how his business is losing money only because he doesn't have the support of the Flames and for some unknown reason, other corporations aren't blindly throwing money toward him as he expects them too. Of course, he still wants to be in full control of the team, just not have to worry about the $. He's arrogant, self centered, and in over his head, and expects someone else to share the load/take the blame for it all.

Even earlier this year as we went through, the Flames were rumored to take it off his hands, but he "declined" because he still wanted to be the centre part of the picture without the obligation.

He's certainly stretching this out as he has before, trying to get every last inch of selfish PR for himself out of this.

If the Flames take over, hope its for pennies, and hope that Bannister joins his weasly buddy up the road in Edmonton, they're cut from the same cloth and meant for each other.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by chalms04

Just got back from the game. My buddy has season's tickets right infront of the President's box, (which he says is usually empty for 'Necks games) we turn around and see Ken King watching. Friend leans back with 5 mins to go in the 4th and asks, "So, can we keep them?" Ken replies with a smile, "I think they'll do just fine."

Excellent. I'm still wearing my jersey. Hell of a game! They seriously chose about the best possible time to choose "chelsea dagger" as the goal music. People in Calgary tend to quite like that song lately!

That one save by Poulin today was just amazing, second best save I've ever seen live in Lacrosse (only bested by the empty net breakaway where Ryan Avery got off the bench, made the save, and broke his ankle at the same time)

Who present at the game refused to cheer Brad Bannister?