http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=Al9Ar8XMMR7u32cv8oLgi1Y5nYcB?slug=dw-nhlexpansion060807&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
why is the NHL expanding when the NHL is still having financial problems. why are they expanding to more non traditional hockey towns.
2007-06-10 00:52:30 · 10 answers · asked by Dodgerblue 5 in Sports ➔ Hockey
No dumber than any other group of team owners. As long as there are suckers who are willing to pony up money to own a "major league" sports team, then why not? Where do you suppose all those franchise fees go? To the current owners!
They are certainly a short sighted group, to be sure - they seem to care little about the long term health of their league. Sooner or later, the chickens might come home to roost. Maybe they've been blinded by that big "Versus" network money!?
And don't forget, the Cup has been won by those team in non-traditional markets many times (Anaheim, Tampa Bay, Dalla, for example). Possibly these owners are more motivated because they know a mediocre team will play in front of an empty house. The Rangers know that no matter how bad they are, chumps will put money down to watch them.
2007-06-10 00:59:27 · answer #1 · answered by Steve 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Bettman and Co. need to be fired. No other league, no other business would accept the results they have delivered. Viewership down 40% during the regular season. Less than 2 million people watching the Cup clinching game. A game where 8 goals were scored. You had a penalty shot and a sell out crowd screaming. What a way to have created fans...if the NHL was marketed correctly.
Personally I say do what ever it takes to get back on ESPN. Give them a season for free, after all they did loose one during the lockout...another Bettman winning move. In return for a free season get a flex schedule where the best match ups of the week are featured. Place adds during the games, like the NFL, featuring your players and the charities they work with. You create name recognition and to are making a politically correct statement in the process.
Where is the sponsorship? All the other leagues have the official truck, official shaving cream, official EVERYTHING. There are plenty of sports stars that enjoy Hockey, feature them. Thurman Thomas loves Hockey. Hall of Fame football player, 4 Super bowls in a row. Jack Nickleson (sp?) at Laker games. This stuff sells. And Hockey needs to sell itself before it is too late.
2007-06-10 09:30:08 · answer #2 · answered by Phil M 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Hey Dodgerblue? I'm an Angels fan - but more importantly a Hockey fan first and foremost. I agree with parts of the first response that you received on the question. (The word is "dumbest" by the way). Business is business no matter the sport, but I can tell you above anything else Hockey players are the most approachable, decent professional players of any sport. I doubt seriously that you can approach any Dodger (as a fan) the way you can a Los Angeles King or Anaheim Duck. I spoke to Luc Robataille at a stop light in Westwood about a year before he retired, we were both crossing the street by foot at the same time. Chris Chelios personally gave my nephew with leukemia an autographed Jersey, pucks, and hats. To boot, Hockey arenas in Toronto, Montreal, et al., have shown their respect for Baseball Players, Managers, and Owners time and again.
I think it is terrific that "different" areas of the Country can win the Cup, that play can be reached to an audience where the NFL wouldn't consider placing a team, and as in the case of Anaheim share the lime light with the local ball club, and a Disney park. NBC did a mediocre job in broadcasting the game and I for one appreciate the fact that the sports appeal is not as easy to follow as say the NBA, MLB, or NFL, or MLS for that matter. It is also an easy sport to "pick on" for obvious reasons; however, the fans of the NHL and the kids across North America who play hockey on either a local rink or a local pond in the winter enjoy following this game because of the love of the sport that is developed - not for some shoe commercial that they might receive for skipping college.
So, in gist "it is the dumest" thing only if you have no vision for the future. I am absolutely certain that what the NHL is considering in this formula are not only areas of growth, but areas where population density will be at its greatest potential in 10 - 15 years. As an Angelino myself, I am embarrassed by your short sightedness. Most people I know in L.A. are an open minded bunch.
Go Angels!
2007-06-10 20:31:27 · answer #3 · answered by Gerry 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
their is still a lot of people who support the nhl. A Lot of Fans. Every being the most underpaid in professional sports. having teams capped at like 50million a year for 25 people on the roster. nhl does not have a lot of support in the south due to nascar. but nhl is trying to expand to reach further oporttunies to finacinally advance. its like a business starting out you go in the hole, after a year or two your a lot more above profit.
2007-06-10 07:59:38 · answer #4 · answered by firetach2000 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just like he says....Mr. Balsille has suddenly improved the whole neighbourhood by paying so much for the Predators. So the other owners can get that much more $ out of selling an expansion franchise to Jerry Bruckheimer and whoever is behind the KC bid. They want to make hay while the sun shines. What Mr. Balsille gets out of it is the goodwill of the owners when he moves the Predators.
2007-06-10 15:43:38 · answer #5 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Right now, the Preds market value is about $20-$30 million dollars... Balsillie is offering $220 million to buy it. Therefore the Preds transaction has driven up the value of a NHL franchise.
that said... a NHL team expansion fee prior to this sale (which is yet to be finalized) was worth about $60-$80 million dollars in expansion fees... as of today or after the sale, expansion fees are about $120-$150 million possibly... demand has risen.
and why would Bettman expand??? expansion money... simple...
2007-06-10 13:13:14 · answer #6 · answered by Virus Type V 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Here's the thing: NEVER trust yahoo sports. They have the most incompetent writers, at least when it comes to hockey.
And as for the dumbest people in suits running a sport....don't forget about Selig and Stern. Selig killed baseball just like Bettman is doing after the lockout (but they called it a "strike" in baseball that season, right?).
2007-06-10 12:53:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The make Bud Selig seem like a genius.
2007-06-10 17:18:48 · answer #8 · answered by Awesome Bill 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
it is to spread hockey better across the united states, therefore increasing popularity of a real sport and thus making hockey better.
2007-06-10 15:48:23 · answer #9 · answered by thegamerdug 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yeah they are,
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArYW0kqLxPPRLCKrqyuigAHsy6IX?qid=20070609153621AAnv9q5
2007-06-10 10:59:39 · answer #10 · answered by Wings Fan! 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋