Will Winnipeg get back an NHL team in the near future?

Question

Yes or no? Give reasons.

Answer 1

The answer is no, The comments I am posting below were made by a former owner of the Jets, and were filed with the city of Winnipeg and the NHL in late 2006.

Second of all, don't blame Bettman, Shenkarow put the team up for sale in 1990, and finally sold it in 1994.

One of Shenkarow's colleagues inquired about Pittsburgh Penguins and the following are his comments...this is an only an excerpt that was filed with the NHL after the group had discussions with Mario












Over the last 10 years, many people have been asking me why Winnipeg doesn't have an NHL franchise. I keep telling the same answer. The city can't afford to support it.

From 1987 through 1994, the Winnipeg Jets payroll increased from $6.3 million dollars to $29.8 million dollars. The current salary cap in the NHL is $44 million

Here is what the costs were in 1994
Players $29,754,000.00 USD
Staff $3,480,000.00 USD
Manitoba Taxes $1,200,000.00 USD
Winnipeg Taxes $ 380,000.00 USD
Winnipeg Arena Lease $ 2,650,000.00 USD
Travel Costs $ 1,650,000.00 USD
Hydro for Winnipeg Arena $ 1,750,000.00 USD
Water for Winnipeg Arena $ 1,100,000.00 USD
Ice Making Costs $ 1,200,000.00 USD
Advertising $ 2,000,000.00 USD
Total Costs $45,164,000.00 USD

Ticket Revenue $20,320,625.00 USD
Corporate Revenue (Total) $ 8,000,000.00 USD
Local Television/Radio $ 2,800,000.00 USD
CBC $ 3,600,000.00 USD
ESPN $ 1,200,000.00 USD
Revenue Sharing $ 4,000,000.00 USD

Total Revenues $39,920,000.00 USD

In 1993-94 we lost $5,200,000.00 USD, as one of the lowest payrolls

Here is what we projected for 2007 if we had bought the Penguins. The costs associated are after discussions with the city of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba for tax breaks. The MTS Centre currently holds less than 14,000 for hockey, and as such, we will be using an average ticket price of $100 USD (more than twice the price in

Players $45,000,000.00 USD
Staff $5,000,000.00 USD
Manitoba Taxes $1,000,000.00 USD
Winnipeg Taxes $ 300,000.00 USD
Winnipeg Arena Lease $ 2,000,000.00 USD
Travel Costs $ 3,000,000.00 USD
Hydro for Winnipeg Arena $ 3,700,000.00 USD
Water for Winnipeg Arena $ 2,000,000.00 USD
Ice Making Costs $ 2,000,000.00 USD
Advertising $ 5,000,000.00 USD
Total Costs $69,000,000.00 USD

For revenues, The MTS Centre currently holds less than 14,000 for hockey, and as such, we will be using an average ticket price of $80 USD (more than twice the price in 1994). We have had discussions with several large corporations but we are unable to significantly increase corporate revenue. Television revenue is also scarce in Manitoba as well so no significant increase there.

Ticket Revenue $45,920,000.00 USD
Corporate Revenue (Total) $10,000,000.00 USD
Local Television/Radio $ 3,000,000.00 USD
CBC $ 4,5000,000.00 USD
NBC/Versus $ 2,000,000.00 USD
Revenue Sharing $4,400,000.00 USD

Total Revenues $69,820,000.00 USD

So, at an average price of $85 Cdn per seat, we can make a profit. Our consultants have advised us that the maximum the market will bear is $56.00 (Cdn)/seat Which would leave us with a shortfall of almost $16,000,000 USD

Answer 2

Near future? No chance. Pretty much no one is getting a new team in the near future. Besides, one thing that everyone conveniently keeps forgetting is that the Jets had attendance troubles up until their last year. They could not get people into that arena until they found out the team was leaving. So they basically haven't earned a right to get the team back. If the league does expand, the odds of Winnipeg being one of the teams is next to nil for this very reason.

That is not to say they won't get a team eventually. Things change. But there is no real noise on the wire about them getting one, and you specifically ask about the "near future." It ain't happening.

Answer 3

No, the Aspers have already committed to the CFL and they are the one family in Winnipeg with the money and influence to bring the NHL back. The small market NHL teams need billionaire angel investor owners to survive and outside of the Asper family I can't think of anyone else in Winnipeg with that kind of money. The syndicate of millionaires just doesn't work anymore. Winnipeg is hanging in there-but it's not really a growing community the way Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary are. Besides, the Moose are a good fit for the city.

Answer 4

Expansion team? No, there are probably a half a dozen US cities the NHL will go to first. The only way Winnipeg will get a team is if a guy like Jim Balsillie actually buys one and does not get approval to move it to Hamilton, then Winnipeg or Quebec City is the most likely Canadian city to go to. Winnipeg's chances are slightly better than Quebec's.

Answer 5

unfortunately, the answer to your question is no.
Particularly while Gary Bettman is in charge.
Bettmans strategy has been to raise hockey awareness in the US and keep Hockey there. He will avoid any moves to canada, as we saw in the Nashville story
(Balsillie wanted to move to hamilton and offered 240 million. The franchise is worth 70 million. It will now be sold to Local business men under pressure from Bettman for under 180 million).
Bettman will not let teams move to canada because it will erase all he has tried to do during his reign. Expansion teams are also unlikely so im afraid that Winnipeg will not get a hockey team, at least in the near future.

Answer 6

Unfortunately for the great fans of Winnipeg; and as a result of the mismanagement of the weasel, Gary Bettman, Winnipeg lost a great franchise - and unfortunately the league should not expand anymore, thirty teams is too many as it is.

Unless a current team folds and is forced to move, then cities who have lost franchises should be the first on the list to get a new franchise; winnipeg, hartford, quebec.

Las Vegas and Kansas City should not even get a consideration.

Answer 7

At least in four to six years it would be a possibility. Last I heard, one of the the Manitoba Conservatives' election strategy is to bring back the Jets to Winnipeg within their term if elected.

Answer 8

I just turned 47 and doubt very much if it happens before I reach 65 because of the economic climate. I also believe that before then that we will see a scaling back of teams in most sports - especially the NHL.

Winnipeg should be represented but no city truly "deserves" a team unless they can adequately support one.

Answer 9

Well im a diehard Coyote Fan and I'm not sure. Many people think It was a stupid move taking the Coyotes from Winnipeg and odds are theyll move back someday. Ice hockey in the desert is generally seen as a stupid idea and i think theyll go back. i Dont really care whether the Coyotes new hometown should be as long as they keep the name Coyotes otherwise i have to change all my Email Addresses and such, lol.

Answer 10

Give it 5-10 years at the most and they will be back in Winnepeg.

Pheonix just doesnt deserve a hockey team.
Gretzky can come back to Canada. LOL!