Dixie Wingslover

$15.38 per capita X 15,000 capita = $230,700 $9.26 per capita X 75,000 capita = $694,500 Capita matters. The increase, it can be argued, was not from new or newly enthusistic fans, but from a change of logo, colors, and design. I suspect that compared to other teams who have redesigned it may not be all that stand out.

Hockeytown is not a geographic location.... It is a state of mind.

Any idea for what???? other than swallowing, that is

Ha Ha Ha, I like your sarcasm.... it has the ring of truth! :hockeysmile: :beerbuddy: :beerbuddy: Here's a couple for ya!

Ironically with ties to MIchigan, as does Karmonos in Carolina and will Bruckheimer, if he gets his franchise in Vegas or where ever.

You mean like they do in Detroit????? with HOF players returning to finish their careers and retire as Wings?? Michigan population in 2005 = 10,120,860; percent attending celebration; .1185669 California population in 2005 = 36,132,147; percent attending celebration; .0004151 This is distressing for a number of reasons...... first, all those 1.2 million fans in Hart Plaza in 2002 probably purchased, say, a locker room shirt or cap..... Official NHL licensed merchandise. Let's say the league cut of each was $.10....... revenue produced by Red Wings fans: $120,000 Being generous, let's assume that 20,000 Ducks fans purchased same merchandise.... revenue Ducks: $2000. We are not trying to be mean..... it is just the facts. If a team that wins the Stanley Cup does not generate a helthy chunk of revenue, then maybe that team needs to be moved. To somewhere the fans will support it and the league with their pocketbooks.

well. gee, I was at our party in 2002.... in Hart plaza...... with 1.2 MILLION other party goers.... AFTER the parade. Because the Joe wouldn't hold everybody. It was on a Monday. I took off work.

I don't happen to think that Nashville is all that bad a hockey market. I suspect that in a few more years, it will mature. The problem is that escape clause Leopold got in..... it left the Preds vulnerable to a move. And that is what Balsillie was looking for. If say, Atlanta had been on the market.... they would be the ones being purchased. Maybe we are all wrong and Balsillie will stay..... I don't think it would be all that bad a business decision to stay in Nashville. There is a sweet deal in the arena.... and with the city and concesions. The real problem has been marketing and sales to business. Something I don't think will be a problem for the guy who convinced businesses they needed the blackberry. His strong suit is marketing. Too bad we can't hire him for the whole league. :deal: I am pretty sure that whether he stays or goes.... he is going to give Bettman a migraine from hell. He is a hockey fan, which doesn't bode well for Bettman.

It's getting more play than hockey..... and you gotta ask why. Have you watched it on the weekend? Gotta watch PBR cuz it makes the stuff they show on ESPN look like your granny in a Buick. Versus has some clips on their site, check it out......http://www.olntv.com/broadband_player_popup//pbr_player_popup/?artID=37842&catID=454 The Mauney kid is 19 years old, check some of the wrecks..... and quite frankly, can't beat some of the bulls names...

My point EXACTLY!!!! We have a problem with an employee.... Fairy Buttman, what do you do if a clerk in a store does a miserable job and screws you over???? You complain to his boss. Who is Bettman's boss???? The owners. Some of the owners, I am sure will agree with us.... like Mr Ilitch, who rumor has it is one of the owners who ended up last lockout with the gag order, because he didn't support Bettman in the first one. Other owners are insulated against the hard core fans, the ones who support their franchise. My idea is that we get a letter writing campaign going..... not of the "you suck" variety, but thoughful, well spelled and gramatically correct to the owners of our respective teams, let them know what we really think of the way the league has been managed, and the owners money..... they are investors in the team/business. Bettman was hired to protect their investments and he has done a really poor job. They need this brought to their attention. Repeatedly. Frequently. Anybody out there got any addresses email or snail mail?

I can tell you why you won't see Hockey Night in Canada on Versus on Saturday nights..... PBR -as in Built Ford Tough Series Professional Bull Riding. It is growing in ratings and taking over Versus on the week ends. People are watching, and I can tell you why.... ( I watch, when Wings are not on ). These guys are tough, tough as nails tough. Not a question of if they will get hurt..... question is when, and how bad. As a fan of gritting it out, I have seen these guys ride, with concussions, torn tendons, broken bones, broken necks, busted up faces, torn up knees, ironically, if they are some of the MINORITY that wears face protection.... they wear a hockey mask. It is fast..... If they make their entire ride, it is 8 seconds. They can ride 3 or more bulls between Friday and Sunday nights. More rides if the bull pusses out and the judges don't think he bucked hard enough.... he gets a re ride at a better score, watched a month ago and one kid got on 4 bulls in one night, virtually one after the other..... ended when he didn't make the 8 seconds on the last. And then, once off the bull, sometimes they have to get away. Pretty much every night you see someone knocked silly and every other guy is riding hurt. Let's talk about the money..... literally hundreds of thousands of dollars a weekend, Most times the winner takes home 100,000 plus..... if he gets into the shootout by winning the go round, he gets a shot at a rank bull that the pot goes up on every time he tosses a rider before 8 seconds..... There is international participation.... riders from Brazil, Australia, Canada, US Does any of this sound familiar???? NIche sport on the rise, speed violence toughness, prizes perceived blue collar/lower class, international.......crucial difference I see is ...... one has a good marketing campaign - other doesn't

Believe me, I am feeling your pain. I live in NC, so where do you think I get to see my Wings? It will suck. Totally. But being realistic, ( I know you will not be, and shouldn't be - this is your team) Balsillie could be one of the bright spots in the future of hockey. The actual team will possibly be better, and I can only wish that you get the opportunity, like I had growing up in Michigan, to live within a community that gets hockey, lives, eats and breaths it.... to be able to go anywhere in town and see car after car sporting team flags, stickers, hitch covers, jerseys everywhere on game days -all the papers and news cover it, as the lead story, etc. This is what your team could have if they get moved..... being displaced, well, it is a little harder, I know. Look at it this way.... get a passport and try to take the opportunity to explore Ontario. I guarantee you if you show up in team colors/jersey at the game, you will KNOW what true hospitality and brotherhood are like. Leg11...... and others...... one thing to consider is that Cambridge and Toronto are 60 miles from each other....... Kings and Ducks...... a measly 26 miles.

Since for next season, Reebok will have all new uniforms, a la the All Star uni..... Anyone hear anything for the re-design? Couldn't come at a worse time for Detroit, - and I am not looking forward to having to replace jereys I have had for years......

I had heard some of the older teams were holding out.... so was hopeful. Just not able to find anything re Wings in particular. Yay! The Stevie we have is a little different fabric.... from years ago.... and if the new is similar.... it should be nice..... probably worth the $10. Whew! Nice to know insiders

How bout we keep Cheli, Bert, Dom, Danny, and hopefully Matty. Lose Lang and add Anson Carter? He is on th UFA list, has grit, and has never really had a chance to settle anywhere but Michigan State....?

Get a new TV.... You're 700 miles from Hockeytown and have met all your new friends via conversations that started..... "Go Wings!"