In reality the leagues don't want to move and Seattle is afraid that they will be used to blackmail other cities into giving sweetheart deals to keep their teams. The new NBA deal gives small markets a better chance of surviving so that makes it even less chance for teams to move. I'm thinking that if the US economy stabilizes the best chance for Seattle is to get expansion franchises.
The Tacoma Dome, while not an ideal venue, can reportedly seat around 15k-17k for hockey. It would work in the interim.
Can Seattle support five sports? I have the same question. Football is a lock as it is king...the Mariners are also a lock since there is enough history and baseball's profitability model doesn't force teams to sell out the majority of their games. The Sonics, given the right arena, would be fine as well as there is enough history and fan base to keep things going (even in the waning lame duck years, I recall that attendance was not a big issue).
So then you've got the Sounders and the NHL franchise. MLSer's are kind of a fringe group but, as previously mentioned, numerous enough to keep things going. Since the NHL season happens at roughly the same time as the NBA, I have some concerns that people will use their disposable income for something they knew and grew up with. However, the minor league hockey teams (Silvertips and Thunderbirds) still garner a lot of interest, and it's surprising how many Western Washington residents drive up to Vancouver because it's the closest venue. I think that the NHL would need a hell of a good marketing effort in its initial years in Seattle to survive, but I think it could.
The Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon seats over 15000 for hockey and has luxury boxes. While not as new as the Mts Centre it has similar number of seats and luxury boxes. If no buyer and league owns it at the end of the season move them there and see if the team can be profitable similar to a probationary period. If not oh well they can move to another location but can't see them losing as much money in Stone than in Phx.
I think this was the original idea a few years ago but obviously Hansen's is actually the one that is much farther ahead backed up with $. Frankly if Hansen had it his way, we still wouldn't know anything about his plan.
He seems very methodical and deliberate.
Not so sure about Bellevue other than it would be relatively central.
The Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon seats over 15000 for hockey and has luxury boxes. While not as new as the Mts Centre it has similar number of seats and luxury boxes. If no buyer and league owns it at the end of the season move them there and see if the team can be profitable similar to a probationary period.
You seriously think an NHL team can be profitable in a city of 260,000 people?
I really don't know how anyone can truly believe an NHL franchise could survive in Saskatchewan. The province's population is too spread out, medium and small cities all over the place plus Regina and Saskatoon. Manitoba's population is concentrated in Winnipeg with a few small cities. Saskatchewanites may be die-hard hockey fans, but their market just could not support an NHL team and likely never will.
I really don't know how anyone can truly believe an NHL franchise could survive in Saskatchewan. The province's population is too spread out, medium and small cities all over the place plus Regina and Saskatoon. Manitoba's population is concentrated in Winnipeg with a few small cities. Saskatchewanites may be die-hard hockey fans, but their market just could not support an NHL team and likely never will.
I love when people use the population argument against Saskatoon and Saskatchewan as a whole. By this logic, there is absolutely no way a nfl franchise should exist in Green Bay yet somehow it does. Green Bay has a population of 100k with a metro of 360k. Yet Phx has a metro pop of 7-8 million and they can't fill the arena. Yes, it is in Glendale but would it really be better in downtown Phx? And what would be the real attendance not factoring in the out of towers?
Saskatchewan is booming if you haven't noticed and while the population hovers around a million, a good proportion of them are hockey fans. Saskatoon/Regina are half the population and Regina is only 2-2 1/2 hrs from Saskatoon. Farmers set their own hours, especially in winter so getting home late isn't an issue. With all the mining/oil activity there should be enough corporate support to buy boxes.
While it may not be the sexiest market, believe it could succeed if given a chance and if enough US markets fail, the Board of Governors and NHLPA would prefer relocation to contraction.
I love when people use the population argument against Saskatoon and Saskatchewan as a whole. By this logic, there is absolutely no way a nfl franchise should exist in Green Bay yet somehow it does. Green Bay has a population of 100k with a metro of 360k. Yet Phx has a metro pop of 7-8 million and they can't fill the arena. Yes, it is in Glendale but would it really be better in downtown Phx? And what would be the real attendance not factoring in the out of towers?
Saskatchewan is booming if you haven't noticed and while the population hovers around a million, a good proportion of them are hockey fans. Saskatoon/Regina are half the population and Regina is only 2-2 1/2 hrs from Saskatoon. Farmers set their own hours, especially in winter so getting home late isn't an issue. With all the mining/oil activity there should be enough corporate support to buy boxes.
While it may not be the sexiest market, believe it could succeed if given a chance and if enough US markets fail, the Board of Governors and NHLPA would prefer relocation to contraction.
BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG difference on bolded.
One league has games once a week. Look at how the Roughriders get draws. Fans only have to come once a week, and about 2-3 times a month.
Getting night after night solid turnouts would be difficult for a minimum of 41 games over a 182 day period (6 months), whereas 9/10 (not exactly sure) games minimum over 123 day period (4 months).
Calgary and Edmonton are small markets, just having a metro over 1 million. Winnipeg is less than that, making it an even smaller market. Regina and Saskatoon is even less than Winnipeg market; and Winnipeg is in tough to make dough already because of that and other factors. A team in Saskatchewan has no shot under current conditions.
Last edited by Joborule; 02-28-2012 at 09:56 PM.
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I love when people use the population argument against Saskatoon and Saskatchewan as a whole. By this logic, there is absolutely no way a nfl franchise should exist in Green Bay yet somehow it does. Green Bay has a population of 100k with a metro of 360k. Yet Phx has a metro pop of 7-8 million and they can't fill the arena. Yes, it is in Glendale but would it really be better in downtown Phx? And what would be the real attendance not factoring in the out of towers?
Saskatchewan is booming if you haven't noticed and while the population hovers around a million, a good proportion of them are hockey fans. Saskatoon/Regina are half the population and Regina is only 2-2 1/2 hrs from Saskatoon. Farmers set their own hours, especially in winter so getting home late isn't an issue. With all the mining/oil activity there should be enough corporate support to buy boxes.
While it may not be the sexiest market, believe it could succeed if given a chance and if enough US markets fail, the Board of Governors and NHLPA would prefer relocation to contraction.
Come on Green Bay is only 100 miles from Milwaukee and they only need to travel 8 times a year as opposed to travelling 41 times a year to Saskatoon. The NFL is also fueled by their TV contracts, they could play to an empty stadium and still make money. Hey I like Saskatoon but it is just too small. It would make a great Flames AHL city though.
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BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG difference on bolded.
One league has games once a week. Look at how the Roughriders get draws. Fans only have to come once a week, and about 2-3 times a month.
Getting night after night solid turnouts would be difficult for a minimum of 41 games over a 182 day period (6 months), whereas 9/10 (not exactly sure) games minimum over 123 day period (4 months).
Farmers have the dough and whether they make it for all the games or not is debatable but paid attendance would be much higher than Phx or NYI or other weak markets. Wouldn't have to bribe Saskachewanites with all you can eat buffets or dollar beers either so gate receipts would be better too.
Come on Green Bay is only 100 miles from Milwaukee and they only need to travel 8 times a year as opposed to travelling 41 times a year to Saskatoon. The NFL is also fueled by their TV contracts, they could play to an empty stadium and still make money. Hey I like Saskatoon but it is just too small. It would make a great Flames AHL city though.
Fair point on the nfl tv contract - more revenue sharing helps the Packers. But how far is Milwaukee from Chicago? Close enough that the Wirtz's got their shirt in a knot when Milwaukee was considered an expansion candidate. Could be that Milwaukee helps support the Bears as the well as the Packers.
No doubt Milwaukee helps Green Bay but so does the upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Last edited by The Original FFIV; 02-28-2012 at 10:05 PM.
I love when people use the population argument against Saskatoon and Saskatchewan as a whole. By this logic, there is absolutely no way a nfl franchise should exist in Green Bay yet somehow it does. Green Bay has a population of 100k with a metro of 360k. Yet Phx has a metro pop of 7-8 million and they can't fill the arena. Yes, it is in Glendale but would it really be better in downtown Phx? And what would be the real attendance not factoring in the out of towers?
Saskatchewan is booming if you haven't noticed and while the population hovers around a million, a good proportion of them are hockey fans. Saskatoon/Regina are half the population and Regina is only 2-2 1/2 hrs from Saskatoon. Farmers set their own hours, especially in winter so getting home late isn't an issue. With all the mining/oil activity there should be enough corporate support to buy boxes.
While it may not be the sexiest market, believe it could succeed if given a chance and if enough US markets fail, the Board of Governors and NHLPA would prefer relocation to contraction.
My understanding is that the problem with Bellevue is the lack of mass transit. I heard a few months back that people were afraid to try and build on the Eastside until there was a full commitment to light rail.
My understanding is that the problem with Bellevue is the lack of mass transit. I heard a few months back that people were afraid to try and build on the Eastside until there was a full commitment to light rail.
The problem with Bellevue is it is on the wrong side of the lake and so can only be reached by a couple of bridges, Seattle traffic is a gong show at the best of times Bellevue would be to Seattle what Glendale is to Phoenix
Saskatchewan is booming if you haven't noticed and while the population hovers around a million, a good proportion of them are hockey fans. Saskatoon/Regina are half the population and Regina is only 2-2 1/2 hrs from Saskatoon. Farmers set their own hours, especially in winter so getting home late isn't an issue. With all the mining/oil activity there should be enough corporate support to buy boxes..
I'm sorry, did you just claim that people will be willing to drive 4 to 5 hours, 41 times per year, mostly at night, IN THE SASKATCHEWAN WINTER, to go to hockey games?
must show all Flames games nationally when they play on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays !!!
