The Predators have been sold.

[Barrie 900]

Southern Ontario should have another team. If California has 3 NHL teams, Ontario should too.

I'm starting to like the Kitchener-Waterloo idea, just as long as the arena can be right along Highway 401. Mississauga to London, Niagara Falls to Kitchener-Waterloo has 2+ million people.

Mike Hogan on the FAN590 today said "the TV numbers would be outstanding". The only thing I don't like about it is the trouble it may be for people to get to weeknight 7:00pm games, since most of their fans will be a 30-45 minute drive away. The traffic in Southern Ontario is horrible. However, even if the arena isn't sold out, the tv revenues would cover it.

[Legionnaire11 0]

Has the NHL ever had a presence in Seattle?

sort of. The Seattle Metropolitans played in the PCHA from 1915-1924. They went to the Stanley Cup Finals 3 times, and won the cup in 1917.

so, there is history, but not any history that anyone living there could possibly relate to.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Has the NHL ever had a presence in Seattle? I would think it would be more suitable than even Portland or Vegas. Not to mention it sets up a nice rivalry with Vancouver.

I thought that was the reason seattle is never really considered a viable option. The argument Ive always heard is that it wouldnt have the numbers to support two hockey markets so close together. Apparently, Seattle has a large contingent of Canuck fans.

[Bad Vlad Forever 1]

sort of. The Seattle Metropolitans played in the PCHA from 1915-1924. They went to the Stanley Cup Finals 3 times, and won the cup in 1917.

so, there is history, but not any history that anyone living there could possibly relate to.

true, but really, who in atlanta, florida, or even anaheim has a history with hockey?

[Kp-Wings 3]

They should call em the Las Vegas Cheetahs... :banana:

Uh oh! I smell a pun!

The press conference with Blackberrys is scheduled for today I seen. It'll be interesting to see what comes out of it.

[Legionnaire11 0]

The press conference with Leipold just finished up about 30 mins ago. The big thing that came out of it was that whenever a franchis is sold, the new owner has to sign off that he cannot move the franchise for at least 7 years as long as there is a lease in place.

This is key to preds fans, as long as we average 14,000 paid attendance, then the lease cannot be broken. So, it's up to us. Came close last season but fell short but less than 200. So I think it's entirely possible for the fans here to keep the team in Nashville.

[Kp-Wings 3]

The press conference with Leipold just finished up about 30 mins ago. The big thing that came out of it was that whenever a franchis is sold, the new owner has to sign off that he cannot move the franchise for at least 7 years as long as there is a lease in place.

This is key to preds fans, as long as we average 14,000 paid attendance, then the lease cannot be broken. So, it's up to us. Came close last season but fell short but less than 200. So I think it's entirely possible for the fans here to keep the team in Nashville.

I don't get that. When Winnipeg and Quebec were both sold, the new owners immideatly moved the team. This must be a new thing the NHL is doing or something.

That soundsl like good news on your end. Now it's just up to you guys to start going. With how cheap your ticket prices are, there is no excuse not to go.

[MacK_Attack 108]

What possible Canadian city can support a team? The Nordiques and the Jets had years of opportunity to show they can support a team and they blew it. Hell, the Alberta teams can barely support themselves financially. I can't really imagine any other major Canadian city that could pull this off.

Haven't been paying attention to Alberta recently, have you?

Alberta has oil, and those teams are rolling in money. it's chump change in Alberta to buy a hockey ticket.

When the Canadian teams left (Quebec & Winnipeg), there was no salary cap, no revenue sharing and the Canadian dollar was at all-time lows. There was just no way to stay afloat.

There's "cost certainty" and the Canadian dollar is nearing par (92.25 cents US) with the American dollar. It's completely viable to have a team move to Canada, especially with billionaire pockets funding it. There's far more than enough corporate support in Southern Ontario to have another team.

Marlies?

That situation has been handled with typical MLSE arrogance. They've been served some humble pie over the last two seasons, because people just wouldn't pay $50/ticket to see AHL hockey. They've cut the ticket prices way back, but I don't think it's enough. That, and the Ricoh Coliseum is a pain in the ass to get to via Toronto transit.

Edited May 24, 2007 by MacK_Attack

[Jwo 7]

The press conference with Leipold just finished up about 30 mins ago. The big thing that came out of it was that whenever a franchis is sold, the new owner has to sign off that he cannot move the franchise for at least 7 years as long as there is a lease in place.

This is key to preds fans, as long as we average 14,000 paid attendance, then the lease cannot be broken. So, it's up to us. Came close last season but fell short but less than 200. So I think it's entirely possible for the fans here to keep the team in Nashville.

2,000 not 200.

[Barrie 900]

The press conference with Leipold just finished up about 30 mins ago. The big thing that came out of it was that whenever a franchis is sold, the new owner has to sign off that he cannot move the franchise for at least 7 years as long as there is a lease in place.

This is key to preds fans, as long as we average 14,000 paid attendance, then the lease cannot be broken. So, it's up to us. Came close last season but fell short but less than 200. So I think it's entirely possible for the fans here to keep the team in Nashville.

Wasn't paid attendance in the 12,000's not 13,000's due to free tickets being given away? I heard today on the FAN590 that the organization will need to up paid attendace by 2,000 or so per night to keep the team. I also heard too, on the same station, that the city of Nashville, if they see that losing the Pred's would be a big hit on the local economy, would buy the remaining 2,000 seats to every game if they need to.

There's "cost certainty" and the Canadian dollar is nearing par (92.25 cents US) with the American dollar. It's completely viable to have a team move to Canada, especially with billionaire pockets funding it. There's far more than enough corporate support in Southern Ontario to have another team.

I've heard debates for putting a 2nd team in Toronto. MLSE would NEVER allow it, but it's an excellent discussion!

[Legionnaire11 0]

no, it's 200. trust me, the Nashville sports council released the official numbers since it's their money (taxpayer money) that would have to buy those tickets.

check the attendance numbers for yourself, average attendance was like 15,200. take out 1,400 comps/freebies and you get the 13,800. Whoever is reporting 12,000 is a bit off and probably wants to paint the picture to be as bleak as possible.

[Barrie 900]

no, it's 200. trust me, the Nashville sports council released the official numbers since it's their money (taxpayer money) that would have to buy those tickets.

check the attendance numbers for yourself, average attendance was like 15,200. take out 1,400 comps/freebies and you get the 13,800. Whoever is reporting 12,000 is a bit off and probably wants to paint the picture to be as bleak as possible.

Fair enough, you would know better than I would anyway.

[Kp-Wings 3]

no, it's 200. trust me, the Nashville sports council released the official numbers since it's their money (taxpayer money) that would have to buy those tickets.

check the attendance numbers for yourself, average attendance was like 15,200. take out 1,400 comps/freebies and you get the 13,800. Whoever is reporting 12,000 is a bit off and probably wants to paint the picture to be as bleak as possible.

I guess everyone wants the Predators to move then, because just about every hockey website reports 12,000. I've always thought that's what it was too.

But yeah, you would know better then anyone else here. I trust your word.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Wow this is quite surprising considering they were the favorites to win the cup this year. Even with the disappointing first round exit, I would expect to see the team guaranteed to stay in Nashville at least until 2015

[Legionnaire11 0]

okay, offical number is 411.

13,589 is the number that Leipold gave in his letter to season ticket holders. He put out all of the financial stats in that letter, divulged a lot of numbers that were hidden for a long time. Admitted to losses that were a lot higher than any of us originally though (about $70M overall). So I have no reason to doubt his number of 13,589 and the number from the sports council that does their own independant audit that was within 200 away from that (I think they had sais 13,883).

[lfd250 1]

no, it's 200. trust me, the Nashville sports council released the official numbers since it's their money (taxpayer money) that would have to buy those tickets.

check the attendance numbers for yourself, average attendance was like 15,200. take out 1,400 comps/freebies and you get the 13,800. Whoever is reporting 12,000 is a bit off and probably wants to paint the picture to be as bleak as possible.

Your arena holds 17500 give or take but that is what I read. Lets just hope the new owner doesn't figure out if he comps 3501 tickets a game he will be able to move the team. It's not like he needs the money and does need time to build an arena. My wife and I like going to Nashville for games, so I hope you stay. Good luck on getting players to sign.

Edited May 24, 2007 by lfd250

[Jwo 7]

okay, offical number is 411.

13,589 is the number that Leipold gave in his letter to season ticket holders. He put out all of the financial stats in that letter, divulged a lot of numbers that were hidden for a long time. Admitted to losses that were a lot higher than any of us originally though (about $70M overall). So I have no reason to doubt his number of 13,589 and the number from the sports council that does their own independant audit that was within 200 away from that (I think they had sais 13,883).

Heres the letter that was posted on the Nashville Predators message board.

http://boards.nashvillepredators.com/forum...?showtopic=6139

Our average regular season attendance this past season was 13,589, up from the year before, but still 2,000 below the NHL average.

I think he took out the comp number of tickets for finding the number below the nhl average.

Edited May 24, 2007 by Jwo

[MacK_Attack 108]

I've heard debates for putting a 2nd team in Toronto. MLSE would NEVER allow it, but it's an excellent discussion!

A Kitchener team would essentially be a 2nd Toronto team. Putting them just down the road avoids being in the Leafs territorial zone.

The NHL is the only major North American sport that doesn't have two teams in its biggest market.

[Kp-Wings 3]

nm

Edited May 24, 2007 by Kp-Wings

[Legionnaire11 0]

The NHL is the only major North American sport that doesn't have two teams in its biggest market.

ermmm... New York?

[lfd250 1]

I think he was saying Toronto is the NHL's biggest market not NYC. Because NYC actually has 3 NYI, NYR, NJD.

Edited May 24, 2007 by lfd250

[Kp-Wings 3]

ermmm... New York?

Toronto is a much bigger hockey market then New York. While New York does have the Rags, Isles, and Devils, they all play second fiddle to other sports teams in that area. The Leafs, even though they suck (no offense Mack), are the undoubted #1 team in Toronto, and Toronto is one of the biggest cities in Canada.

edited for grammar

Edited May 24, 2007 by Kp-Wings

[MacK_Attack 108]

The Leafs paid the most to revenue sharing (in excess of $10 million), which makes them the biggest market.

In terms of MLSE, I think a team coming in pushing the Leafs for corporate dollars and ticket sales could only help MLSE sit up and take notice. I think it'd be for the better for the Leafs, and especially for the fans.

[Guest jaytan]

Has the NHL ever had a presence in Seattle? I would think it would be more suitable than even Portland or Vegas. Not to mention it sets up a nice rivalry with Vancouver.

I've lived in Seattle, and I live in Portland.... There's a lot more Canucks fans up there, but more importantly, they don't have a suitable arena. The Key Arena sucks bad enough that they might lose their basketball team. Down in Portland, hockey is popular as well (Seattle and Portland both support their WHL clubs better than most cities), the Rose Garden is a great arena, and there's more distance from other franchises. There's a lot of population, and I bet there'd be corporate support. I don't know if the market would be saturated with NBA and NHL in town at the same time, but I think it would be a decent market and finally bring the NHL to the American Northwest.

But I doubt it will happen.

[MacK_Attack 108]

To further the Kitchener move.....

http://www.cambridgetimes.ca/cam/news/news_792440.html