Seattle investor has plans to build downtown arena

[Coach]

I think the main point that some people are missing is that Seattle is a much better option than cities that even currently have teams. Is it Montreal or Toronto? No, would it be much better than Phoenix or Florida? Hell yes.

No one is saying its going to be a huge earning team, but there's not reason why it can't be at least on par with smaller market teams like Buffalo, Minny, Pittsburgh etc...

[afc wimbledon]

Seattle is little different from any other northern US city, hockey could work there but it isn't a natural fit.

The sad reality is the US isn't big on hockey therefore if Seattle has a reasonably decent team they will survive, if it has a badly run lousy team they will not. Unlike Canada there is no room for error in most markets down south.

[seattleflamer]

Originally Posted by henriksedin33

In the history of the Canucks franchise? Yes, thousands have driven up from Seattle to go to games. Great argument.


Seattle is not a hockey city, anyone who has spent time there and talked to any number of people could tell you that.

Seattle has won as many cups and did it more recently than Vancouver...so there.

Seriously, all the pro sports in this town are niche with the possible exception of the college huskies and cougars. Seattle has always been knocked as a bad sports town but the teams seem to be well supported. Even the lowly Mariners drew ~1.7 million last year.

Stable ownership and a competent operating management team are a prerequisite to any on ice success or selling the game in the community. It is too bad Paul Allen is probably done buying sports teams because he is the ideal owner and it shows in his teams.

The Mariners still have community support for its stable (if not a little eccentric) ownership that saved the franchise from leaving in the early 90s. Management, however, since Gillick left has been a disaster.

Besides the bad product on the field a couple of head scratchers are the proactive criticism of any proposal with the new arena and not drafting highly touted local wonder boy, Tim Lincecum, at no. 5. It would be like the Flames not drafting Hall if he was still available.


The Sounders proved to me that this city is open to different spectator sports like the NHL and thrive. My only concern is the NBA and NHL are after the same dollar and publicity but as Tomo said, there are good hockey fans here. They skate and play badly but they'll watch games.

[Alberta_Beef]

Seattle would be a good relocation option for Columbus or Phoenix. Even if they don't sell out nightly they are still going to draw better than the previous incarnation that moved there. Plus if they can do what the Avalanche did and be competitive right away it will help build that fan base up.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Seattle would be a good relocation option for Columbus or Phoenix. Even if they don't sell out nightly they are still going to draw better than the previous incarnation that moved there. Plus if they can do what the Avalanche did and be competitive right away it will help build that fan base up.

Really good point. Expansion teams would work in QC and Markham as fans are patient there. Seattle will need to hit the road running otherwise fans will lose interest fast if they are not winning.

[Erick Estrada]

It's still not clear if Columbus is a bad market. If the Flames had as bad a last decade as the Jackets did I would expect a half empty dome. I wouldn't rush to moving that team until they have a few solid years back to back as I feel there will be support if the team is run the right way and ices a decent product. I expect Davidson will steer the ship in the right direction.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It's still not clear if Columbus is a bad market. If the Flames had as bad a last decade as the Jackets did I would expect a half empty dome. I wouldn't rush to moving that team until they have a few solid years back to back as I feel there will be support if the team is run the right way and ices a decent product. I expect Davidson will steer the ship in the right direction.

I would definitely want the Coyotes moved first, but Columbus is definitely #2 on my list with the Panthers just behind them.

[The Fonz]

Franchise history average:

Phoenix - 14,298
Columbus - 16,182

Why is Columbus being dumped on so much lately? Aside from the last 2 years, they've had fantastic attendance #s throughout their history, especially for a perennial bottom-feeder.

Give John Davidson a couple years with that team. I'm confident that Columbus could be a strong NHL market.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Franchise history average:

Phoenix - 14,298
Columbus - 16,182

Why is Columbus being dumped on so much lately? Aside from the last 2 years, they've had fantastic attendance #s throughout their history, especially for a perennial bottom-feeder.

Give John Davidson a couple years with that team. I'm confident that Columbus could be a strong NHL market.

Yep. If Davidson can get that team into a perennial playoff contender I expect Columbus to be a strong market.

[Enoch Root]

Columbus isn't a bad market, it's a bad hockey team.

Once they have some success on the ice, we will know what their fanbase is made of. And I am confident that it will prove to be decent to solid - similar to, and maybe even better than, St Louis.

[Joborule]

Columbus honestly should work once they become an respectable franchise.. If Calgary had the same team Columbus had, we would be in the exact same position as them.

[tomo]

"Bet On Coyotes Moving To Seattle As Sale To Jamison Falls Apart"

http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozan...n-falls-apart/

[tomo]

Article by Chris Daniels of King5 news here in seattle:
"Prospective Seattle NHL owner: No talk about buying Coyotes"

http://www.king5.com/news/arena/Pros...189257421.html


Chris' twitter account @ChrisDaniels5 has some interesting stuff as well:

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
Levin: "I'm not certain there is a team" right now for Seattle. #NHL

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
Levin: "The league wants to stay there." (Phoenix) #NHL #Seattle

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
Don Levin on whether he still wants to own #Seattle NHL Franchise: "Certainly, yes, willing to do anything."

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
Levin confirmed "Bellevue is out" as far an an arena deal. Adds that he sent email to Chris Hansen saying "Congratulations". #NHL #Seattle

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
Levin reaffirmed that Key Arena would work as temporary NHL home. "Couple years yes, been done in worse places." Referenced Cow Palace.

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
Levin told me expansion would be best scenario, but right now "League is not talking about expansion" and he wants to work with Hansen. #NHL"

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
I can tell you the NHL is clearly high on Levin. #NHL Deputy Commish Bill Daly, in my correspondence, has spoke highly of Levin in past.

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
As far as Levin comparison on #NHL & SF Cow Palace...seats about 11k...hosted San Jose Sharks.. here is a current shot: http://ow.ly/hji5l

[afc wimbledon]

Levin won't mention the Yotes right up until the morning the truck rolls into Seattle and they start unloading all the Yotes gear into the arena.

[Change of Heart]

i heard Darryl Katz wants to move the Coilers to Seattle

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by tomo

Article by Chris Daniels of King5 news here in seattle:
"Prospective Seattle NHL owner: No talk about buying Coyotes"

http://www.king5.com/news/arena/Pros...189257421.html


Chris' twitter account @ChrisDaniels5 has some interesting stuff as well:

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
Levin: "I'm not certain there is a team" right now for Seattle. #NHL

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
Levin: "The league wants to stay there." (Phoenix) #NHL #Seattle

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
Don Levin on whether he still wants to own #Seattle NHL Franchise: "Certainly, yes, willing to do anything."

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
Levin confirmed "Bellevue is out" as far an an arena deal. Adds that he sent email to Chris Hansen saying "Congratulations". #NHL #Seattle

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
Levin reaffirmed that Key Arena would work as temporary NHL home. "Couple years yes, been done in worse places." Referenced Cow Palace.

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
Levin told me expansion would be best scenario, but right now "League is not talking about expansion" and he wants to work with Hansen. #NHL"

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
I can tell you the NHL is clearly high on Levin. #NHL Deputy Commish Bill Daly, in my correspondence, has spoke highly of Levin in past.

Chris Daniels ‏@ChrisDaniels5
As far as Levin comparison on #NHL & SF Cow Palace...seats about 11k...hosted San Jose Sharks.. here is a current shot: http://ow.ly/hji5l

Saying all the right things if he wants to get into the club.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

Levin won't mention the Yotes right up until the morning the truck rolls into Seattle and they start unloading all the Yotes gear into the arena.

Bingo, couldn't have said it any better.

[henriksedin33]

Originally Posted by seattleflamer

Seattle has won as many cups and did it more recently than Vancouver...so there.

Seriously, all the pro sports in this town are niche with the possible exception of the college huskies and cougars. Seattle has always been knocked as a bad sports town but the teams seem to be well supported. Even the lowly Mariners drew ~1.7 million last year.

1.7 million sounds impressive enough, if you completely ignore the fact thats an average of 21k, good for 26th in the league, at only 2k more/game than the league worst, Tampa. And thats with possibly the best pitcher in the game on your roster.

Seattle would be a better option than Phoenix, I'm not arguing that. But that's not exactly a great measure of success. A 2nd team in Toronto would be a far more viable option.

Seattle would be the 2nd smallest city with 4 pro teams (5 if you include MLS), with only Denver being smaller in terms of population. Seattle also has arguably a more "participatory" (vs. observing) sporting population, with its milder winters, proximity to the ocean, mountains, etc (not that Denver isn't an outdoorsy city in its own right).

I would love for them to prove me wrong, but it is definitely a fairweather city, as my Seattleite friends will tell you.

[Barnes]

Here's an interesting article on Seattle's history with the NHL.

http://www.seattlehockey.net/Seattle...d_the_NHL.html

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by henriksedin33

1.7 million sounds impressive enough, if you completely ignore the fact thats an average of 21k, good for 26th in the league, at only 2k more/game than the league worst, Tampa. And thats with possibly the best pitcher in the game on your roster.

Seattle would be a better option than Phoenix, I'm not arguing that. But that's not exactly a great measure of success. A 2nd team in Toronto would be a far more viable option.

Seattle would be the 2nd smallest city with 4 pro teams (5 if you include MLS), with only Denver being smaller in terms of population. Seattle also has arguably a more "participatory" (vs. observing) sporting population, with its milder winters, proximity to the ocean, mountains, etc (not that Denver isn't an outdoorsy city in its own right).

I would love for them to prove me wrong, but it is definitely a fairweather city, as my Seattleite friends will tell you.

Seattle will draw Vancouver fans though, not for every game but for the Leafs, Habs etc, I would figure they can probably put a thousand or more canadians in there for those teams (obviously depending on ticket price)