I wonder if this will set a precedent for other Detroit teams if things get worse...
2007-10-16 20:08:35 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Hockey
I mean, there have been many empty seats there because the economy is horrible there. Several companies have moved their headquarters out of the city.
2007-10-16 20:42:32 · update #1
Same thing happened to Detroit in the 70s. Between 1972-73 and 1989-90, the Red Wings finished in the bottom third in attendance 6x, twice in the (at the time) new Olympia. And the team still survived. I see nothing as bad at this time. Things will pick up. As one poster said, the Red Wings rank 5th in league merchandising so they are doing their part.
Detroit is Hockeytown after all and one of the best places to watch a game!!
2007-10-17 01:07:51 · answer #1 · answered by Like I'm Telling You Who I A 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
No, before last seasons playoffs the Wings were on a sell-out streak that went back many years. They have barely played 20 games since then. Dont get me wrong, I highly doubt they will sell out any games this year or any the next few years for that matter. Detroit has a strong fan base though. They continue to be one of the top merchandise sellers in the league. Mike Illitch loves the organization and would never move the team or sell it. The economy is horrible right now, but it has to rebound at some point. I doubt it will any time in the next few years, but it cant really get too much worse than it is now. I also think the Pistons and the Tigers will start declining over the next few years which means the Wings will be the only big name in town again. Besides, the Wings are an original six team. As long as the NHL exists their will always be the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadians, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Detroit Red Wings.
2007-10-16 21:05:13 · answer #2 · answered by redwingsrthebest19 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Actually, the most recent major company to leave was Comerica, and the job cost was less than 1000 people to Michigan. there are still major offices there. The Big 3 are still there, and it looks like there will be an even bigger presence with international auto makers there. GM's world headquarters is downtown, as well as Compuware (owners of the Hurricanes). Detroit does not, nor will it have tumbleweeds rolling through it. It won't die, as much as you would like it to.
Detroit was just named the #1 Sports town in the U.S. by the Sporting news.
Also, empty seats don't equate to unsold seats. There are a lot of season ticket holders that just don't go for their own reasons.
that being said, the Wings are staying in Hockeytown period.
Of course, Bettman is hairbrained enough that he may try to mess with it anyway....
2007-10-17 05:47:47 · answer #3 · answered by Goalie 79 2 · 7⤊ 0⤋
As viphocke reported, that may not ensue. partly because of the fact invoice Davidson who owns the different a million/3 of Detroit and the Pistons and the TB Lightning, are continuously competing against one yet another for patrons and bragging rights. the recent JLA is meant to flow in the back of what's the FOX Theater and Hockeytown Cafe, (the two owned by ability of Mike Illitch) up Woodward AVE outstanding for the time of from ILLITCH owned Comerica Park, living house of Illitchs Detroit TIgers....the Illitch's very own that area of the city fairly and ant to maintain people down there to apply there agencies. It s all with regard to the money flow! Th Palace is the dazzling stadium, yet incorrect proprietors...Detroit Vipers IHL hockey and numerous different college video games have been performed there by using the years...Palace is defineitely waiting to host hockey, in basic terms no longer the RedWings!
2016-12-29 14:27:46 · answer #4 · answered by lammons 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because there's empty seats don't mean the wings are leaving detroit this is hockeytown and the home of Wrestlemania 23 at ford field come on now wings are not going nowhere and that's 4real.
2007-10-17 14:45:37 · answer #5 · answered by KERRI AKA KNIGHT RIDER GIRL RWF4 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Totally agree with the Cuba comment. It will be a cold day in all of hockey fans hearts if Detroit folds. Because that would mean the NHL will cease to exist. It takes time to pull out of an economic funk. Look at Pittsburgh. It took a long time to revamp and turn things around and now look. They are a economic powerhouse again. Detroit and Buffalo are in the same boat right now, but it will work out in the long run.
2007-10-17 00:40:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Haha......No, Don't you think Chicago would have left town already if that was how things worked.
And to Hockeyfan80....Detroit has 4 teams plus the U of M near by. and is a little bit larger than Calgary...and besides, Red Wing support doesn't stop in Detroit, It's the Whole state.
Go back to Calgary, the rodeo is calling, they want their clown back.
2007-10-17 02:20:59 · answer #7 · answered by Wings Fan! 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Right after the Yankees move out of New York City. Detroit is Hockeytown.
2007-10-16 20:45:51 · answer #8 · answered by [z]ther 5 · 8⤊ 0⤋
Not happening. Even with the empty seats, this team will still make a profit, and economic downturns do not last forever. If teams moved every time their city hit hard times, EVERYONE would have to move sooner or later, with the exception maybe of New York.
2007-10-17 02:13:28 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Economies go in cycles and the Wings will be there when Detroit comes out of its current state, whether it takes one year or 50.
2007-10-16 21:52:31 · answer #10 · answered by zapcity29 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋