CWHL to discontinue operations - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

transplant99 · 03-31-2019, 08:23 AM

Really really unfortunate to hear/read this.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1112358066303967232

CaptainCrunch · 03-31-2019, 08:30 AM

Just watching, people didn't care enough to show up for games. The crowd looked like it was mainly made up of family and friends.

Nyah · 03-31-2019, 08:40 AM

This really sucks. My niece and I loved going to these games.

Matty81 · 03-31-2019, 08:41 AM

That's really too bad. The whole two league model was always going to fail but had hoped they would just merge.

I really feel that the nhl should step in and create a women's league similar to what the afl is doing in Australia. I think ultimately in this era of pricing mid-lower income fans out of the building it would be an inexpensive way to connect with girls and their families.

Already a few nhl teams were doing the right thing and supporting.

Locke · 03-31-2019, 08:42 AM

This is really unfortunate....but the draw is hard.

transplant99 · 03-31-2019, 08:43 AM

Sucks for CPer Mango who did a brilliant job this season being the pbp voice for the champion Inferno.

Im hoping this is merely a step towards an amalgamation between the CWHL and NWHL, but it is not appearing to be playing out that way.

Locke · 03-31-2019, 08:47 AM

Mango is super talented and will land on her feet, its really unfortunate for the athletes involved though. Its going to be harder for them.

Joborule · 03-31-2019, 08:59 AM

Not surprising at all. People don't care about women's hockey enough.

Perhaps if the NHL ran their own league like the NBA does with the WNBA, it would have a chance of surviving long term. The NHL could (although they may not want to since it's a business after all) afford the immediate term pains for possible long term gains. There would be lot of cross over promotion that could occur; and would give it more resource backing. But they would do that if they figure there's a lot of potential revenue growth from boosting the women's game more.

GioforPM · 03-31-2019, 08:59 AM

Too much competition - too much hockey around.

K1LLswitch · 03-31-2019, 08:59 AM

This is very sad. My daughter was just getting into hockey as a result of the Inferno.

It is also terrible for the excellent athletes involved. I hope the flames step up for the inferno and the NHL steps up for women’s hockey in general.

sureLoss · 03-31-2019, 10:28 AM

Marisa Ingemi @Marisa_Ingemi
Reached out to the NHL on whockey. Their response:

“The NHL’s position has been consistent for some time and remains unchanged with this news: We would consider starting a women’s league if there were no alternatives for women to play professionally in North America.”

corporatejay · 03-31-2019, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joborule

Not surprising at all. People don't care about women's hockey enough.

Perhaps if the NHL ran their own league like the NBA does with the WNBA, it would have a chance of surviving long term. The NHL could (although they may not want to since it's a business after all) afford the immediate term pains for possible long term gains. There would be lot of cross over promotion that could occur; and would give it more resource backing. But they would do that if they figure there's a lot of potential revenue growth from boosting the women's game more.

It's a tough sell. The WNBA is not profitable but the NBA supports it because it's the right thing to do and they can afford it. Hopefully the NHL is financially stable enough to support the WNHL.

Ducay · 03-31-2019, 10:46 AM

NHL isn't a charity, nor should it be. I like their position that they'll dabble in women's hockey only when there are no other options. Them supporting women's hockey (unfortunately) is purely to ensure women remain engaged in hockey and thus, interested in their men's on ice product.

I think the reaction at the NHL All-Star game to the women's involvement is growing and the venture to engage women is likely to be a fruitful one from an NHL perspective. But given how hit & miss the NHL itself can be in some markets, women's hockey has little chance of being a profitable venture itself for the NHL. Sadly there are already economical options available in almost every market for higher quality competitive pro or amateur hockey.

Enoch Root · 03-31-2019, 10:59 AM

The NHL's stance is the correct one - you can't have 2 leagues (which has been the problem). The solution is cooperation - everyone needs to put their egos away and not only merge the 2 leagues, but do so and then get the NHL on board.

If everyone were pulling in the same direction, women's hockey could work.

Yamer · 03-31-2019, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducay

NHL isn't a charity, nor should it be. I like their position that they'll dabble in women's hockey only when there are no other options. Them supporting women's hockey (unfortunately) is purely to ensure women remain engaged in hockey and thus, interested in their men's on ice product.

I think the reaction at the NHL All-Star game to the women's involvement is growing and the venture to engage women is likely to be a fruitful one from an NHL perspective. But given how hit & miss the NHL itself can be in some markets, women's hockey has little chance of being a profitable venture itself for the NHL. Sadly there are already economical options available in almost every market for higher quality competitive pro or amateur hockey.

Grow the game. That's the NHL's constant tagline. You're right, though. What they really mean is grow the NHL.

Maybe instead of going overseas into China, which they seem super interested in pursuing, maybe they should target the other half of the population right in their back yard where women are picking up the sport and attending games in higher quantities every year.

Locke · 03-31-2019, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yamer

Grow the game. That's the NHL's constant tagline. You're right, though. What they really mean is grow the NHL.

Maybe instead of going overseas into China, which they seem super interested in pursuing, maybe they should target the other half of the population right in their back yard where women are picking up the sport and attending games in higher quantities every year.

Unfortunately a very simple cost benefit analysis will tell you exactly where they're going to get more bang for their 'game-growing' buck.

CaptainCrunch · 03-31-2019, 11:18 AM

Its pretty sad on on a personal level, my niece just committed to playing for the U of L woman's team next season, and she a really good player, but now it feels like if she's not quite good enough for the national team, this will be it.

GreenLantern2814 · 03-31-2019, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Unfortunately a very simple cost benefit analysis will tell you exactly where they're going to get more bang for their 'game-growing' buck.

China is going to bring in more money than North American women?

I'll believe that when I see it.

oldschoolcalgary · 03-31-2019, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

China is going to bring in more money than North American women?

I'll believe that when I see it.

more than what north american women are spending on the NHL than currently? the question is about untapped markets.

obviously the NHL in North America is a market that has been in existence since its inception... is the NHL going get more women interested in the game than currently is is how the statement was couched.

flamesfan1297 · 03-31-2019, 12:30 PM

Elliote Friedman recently had Cassie Campbell on his 31 thoughts podcast to discuss the future of woman's hockey. Really good listen for anyone interested in the subject

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