Smallest crowd of the year? 7401 in Glendale last night

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

You're so predictable.

Just because the story won't die, doesn't mean it's tired or you wouldn't be interested. Also I don't hate Bettman or anyone, he's just incompetent.

Seeing as the NHL is more profitable and marketable than its ever been, I'm not sure incompetence is the right term.

[$ven27]

Just move this joke of an organization to a real hockey market please.

[nik-]

It's 5 years unless they hit $50 million in losses first is it not?

[Baxter Renegade]

Originally Posted by $ven27

Just move this joke of an organization to a real hockey market please.

I think people have offered to purchase and move these guys to a hockey market that would likely sell-out night after night, but Bettmans NHL blocked it??

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Seeing as the NHL is more profitable and marketable than its ever been, I'm not sure incompetence is the right term.

So is every other major sports league.

[Baxter Renegade]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Seeing as the NHL is more profitable and marketable than its ever been, I'm not sure incompetence is the right term.

The NHL experienced a slow evolution under Bettman. The fact the NHL is making ~2 bil in revenue has nothing to do with the poor management... It has everything to do with it being the best, most intense, most skilled and most exciting team game in the world.

Saying "business has never been better" is goofy, because the game should sell itself. And it has... Bettman hasn't done what needs to be done from a business standpoint, the Phoenix franchise is a good example with him/them blocking purchases and/or moves to a hockey-crazed city.

Given proper management, this game competes for the most successful revenues in pro sports easily.

[OffsideSpecialist]

You guys are scaring me. I have tickets to see the Coyotes in December and I don't want to fall asleep during the game.

[puffnstuff]

Funny story, kids team was in Phx last year, so I called looking for tickets to a game for a group. I joked about getting 28 seats together. The lady said 'no problem, we can do that'
We all sat together.

[Fire]

It's just a matter of time when this franchise moves.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Baxter Renegade

The NHL experienced a slow evolution under Bettman. The fact the NHL is making ~2 bil in revenue has nothing to do with the poor management... It has everything to do with it being the best, most intense, most skilled and most exciting team game in the world.

Saying "business has never been better" is goofy, because the game should sell itself. And it has... Bettman hasn't done what needs to be done from a business standpoint, the Phoenix franchise is a good example with him/them blocking purchases and/or moves to a hockey-crazed city.

Given proper management, this game competes for the most successful revenues in pro sports easily.

I agree, there are definitely ways to improve this leagues revenues. And I think most would agree it begins with moving a couple teams. But the necessities aren't in place for those moves quite yet. I just think incompetent is a pretty strong term.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by TjRhythmic

Isn't the arena pretty much in the middle of nowhere?

I heard it's pretty much 45 mins one way, if not more, from Scottsdale. Not 100% certain, but the location of the arena could have a lot to do with it as well. If a game is happening during the week and your slated to get home after midnight, some people might opt not to go.

The weekend though, they seem like to draw a decent crowd.

It is 40 to 45 minutes from Scottsdale, yes.

But that doesn't put it in the middle of nowhere - it is in Glendale, and between Scottsdale and Glendale there is a small town called Phoenix. Glendale is on the west side of Phx and Scottsdale is on the east.

To be clear, some do consider the location a problem, and many think Scottsdale would be a better location than Glendale. But it is not in the middle of nowhere.

[craigwd]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

It is 40 to 45 minutes from Scottsdale, yes.

But that doesn't put it in the middle of nowhere - it is in Glendale, and between Scottsdale and Glendale there is a small town called Phoenix. Glendale is on the west side of Phx and Scottsdale is on the east.

To be clear, some do consider the location a problem, and many think Scottsdale would be a better location than Glendale. But it is not in the middle of nowhere.

Never understood the complaints about location (beyond the transit question).

It takes me longer to drive from SW Calgary to McMahon stadium to watch the Stampeders than it does for me to drive from Tempe (where I usually stay) to Jobing.com arena and U of Phoenix Stadium.

And both drives are nothing to get upset over.

[4oh3]

Them and Florida are a joke of a franchise

[doctajones428]

Let's see, boring style of hockey, in the middle of the desert, doesn't actually play in Phoenix, spotty band wagoning crowd, crybaby captain.

Makes perfect sense why they shouldn't have a team

[doctajones428]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

Exactly, btw - how is the weather up there?

Not unbearably hot.

I've been to Arizona, +40 is worse than -40

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

Exactly, btw - how is the weather up there?

So that is what we are resorting to now?

Ok, I'll play.

"How is the job market there?"

"How is the foreclosure market there?"

"How is the health care situation there?"

[Deegee]

Originally Posted by FlamesAllTheWay

Honestly I think it's just the location of the rink that's the biggest killer. There's no apparent public transit that I could see and the rink seems to be at least a half hour away for most people to drive. And driving really is the only way to get there so people are going to need a vehicle and a lot more time on their hands to go see games on a regular basis.

Honestly, I think Phoenix is just a crappy town for the NHL to be in. Not enough local people care.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

You're so predictable.

Just because the story won't die, doesn't mean it's tired or you wouldn't be interested. Also I don't hate Bettman or anyone, he's just incompetent.

Originally Posted by Vulcan

They spend $1,527,538 in salary per home game (near cap) so yeah it's a sad situation. They should have been in Hamilton 4 years ago. Bettman suckered in some new owners who'll take the fall for another 5 years, enough time for him to retire.

The fact that he "suckered" some new owners in Phoenix as you say shows that he isn't incompetent at all.

And as usually I will trust the billionaires that employ him to make them money to determine if he is competent or not and they seem very happy with the job he is doing.

If you have an argument with them on that matter you (like many) likely don't understand the job of Commissioner of the NHL.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by moon

The fact that he "suckered" some new owners in Phoenix as you say shows that he isn't incompetent at all.

And as usually I will trust the billionaires that employ him to make them money to determine if he is competent or not and they seem very happy with the job he is doing.

If you have an argument with them on that matter you (like many) likely don't understand the job of Commissioner of the NHL.

If he was competent he wouldn't need to sucker anybody, the product would stand on it's own.

Trusting people to make the right decision because they are rich is a lame argument. All you need to do is look at how these billionaires need protection from themselves, to not overspend.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

If he was competent he wouldn't need to sucker anybody, the product would stand on it's own.

Trusting people to make the right decision because they are rich is a lame argument. All you need to do is look at how these billionaires need protection from themselves, to not overspend.

It doesn't really matter if he suckered anyone or not he got the money and the league is not on the hook. That is what matters to owners and that is who Bettman cares about not some grump in BC.

I trust them to make the right decision because they own the teams and see the financial numbers. Their job and Bettmans job isn't to do what is best for the fans but what is best for the owners.