RedFX 48 Report post Posted January 11, 2008 He didnt spend anything until the last 2 seasons, and even then they were near the bottom of the league in team salary. When Leipold bought the Predators he admittedly did not know much about it. He has no hockey history, when he put that team in Nashville he was thinking he would have a gold mine, which of course its not. The support there is still laughable, regardless of what some of the resident Predator fans will say in here. They still aren't drawing that well, the last time Detroit was in they didnt sell that out (less than 15K) and the home game after that with Colorado they didn't draw 10K. Still some struggles down there. Blame that on the price spike. Before he left, Leipold started the Premium and Premium-Plus game system. This system raises ticket prices for the games that tend to draw the highest crowds. Premium games are 30-40% higher than normal, and the majority of those are against Central Division foes, or teams like Colorado, Dallas, Anaheim, or San Jose. There are 6 Premium-Plus games; opening night, the finale, and all four Red Wings games. These have always been sellouts, so ticket prices are nearly double what they have been. For instance, against the Wings, lower bowl tickets now cost $140 each, whereas last year, those same seats were $75. Naturally, this system created a huge uproar, and as a result, alot of people stayed home this time. This was the first time in the Predators history that they have not sold out a home Wings game. The system was erased by the new owners this week, and attendance has gone up since then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2probert4 8 Report post Posted January 12, 2008 Blame that on the price spike. Before he left, Leipold started the Premium and Premium-Plus game system. This system raises ticket prices for the games that tend to draw the highest crowds. Premium games are 30-40% higher than normal, and the majority of those are against Central Division foes, or teams like Colorado, Dallas, Anaheim, or San Jose. There are 6 Premium-Plus games; opening night, the finale, and all four Red Wings games. These have always been sellouts, so ticket prices are nearly double what they have been. For instance, against the Wings, lower bowl tickets now cost $140 each, whereas last year, those same seats were $75. Naturally, this system created a huge uproar, and as a result, alot of people stayed home this time. This was the first time in the Predators history that they have not sold out a home Wings game. The system was erased by the new owners this week, and attendance has gone up since then. Youre right about the price spike, but for years there were Wing fans driving/flying in for the weekend games, Mickey Redmond used to have some decent packages for a Nashville weekend, so lots of the games had the Winged Wheel more often than not being the dominant color in the Sommet Center. First 2 rows in Nashville were 95 dollars when I lived there, but they've changed all of that. Their prices are still cheaper than many teams. I've walked up to the door before and bought Wings tickets at game time, there have been other games that barely sold out if they actually did. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GordieSid&Ted Report post Posted January 13, 2008 He wont spend there, as was the case in Nashville. What a joke, I guess now you can trash one organization and just go somewhere else and get a team. Leipold did at one time own the Milwaukee Admirals. Hard to spend money on something that sucks so bad and isn't making any money to begin with. I'm guessing its easier to spend money if your team is profitable. Duh? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GordieSid&Ted Report post Posted January 13, 2008 Without question, the Nashville faithful is less than pleased about this. And by less than pleased, I mean everyone here wants his heart on a plate. After gutting the team and raising ticket prices more than 40% because he was in a bad financial situation, he goes and pulls this deal out of his hat. To the people of Nashville I'd say who gives a f*ck what you think if I were Leipold. The guy lost millions of his own money trying to run that team in a MARKET that can't support it. I don't see the people of Nashville giving Liepold 15 million a year to cover his losses. Therefore they can shut the f*** up. The guy is a business man. He bought a team he thought would be profitable. They weren't. So he cut his losses and did everything he could to stop bleeding money from his own wallet. He saw an opportunity to buy a team that has a monstrous following, sellout after sellout and looks like it has no chance of faultering from lack of fan support. Good for him. I love the armchair quarterbacking by the Nashville fans. Liepold loses 15 million a year and they want him to add more and more salary. Why the f*** would any rational person do that? No, he did what any sane person would do. CUT YOUR LOSSES and get the hell out of a loser situation. The Nashville fans are pissed because Leipold buying the Wild proves that the Preds didn't suck because Liepold doesn't care about hockey. No, they suck because that market sucks and should stay focused on making country music and not trying to support a National Hockey League franchise. Of course the truth hurts so that's why Nashvegas fans are pissed. It's like Liepold dumped the overweight ugly girl for the supermodel. Oh well, tough titties Nashville fans. Get over it and support your team. Maybe if they make some friggin money the owner won't look to get the hell out of there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GordieSid&Ted Report post Posted January 13, 2008 He will spend it just like he did for many years in Nashville. Only difference is in Minny, he will get much more ROI than he could have ever dreamed about getting in Nashville. Minny is a hockey city, Leipold is a hockey man. Look for Minny to do a lot of good things in the future. The 'trashing' of the Preds, if there was one, was due to the lack of local support. It goes beyond the lack of ticket sales. There was little support for the Preds. In fact, until it was announced that the team might be leaving, the 'support' it received was laughable. somebody who gets it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2probert4 8 Report post Posted January 13, 2008 To the people of Nashville I'd say who gives a f*ck what you think if I were Leipold. The guy lost millions of his own money trying to run that team in a MARKET that can't support it. I don't see the people of Nashville giving Liepold 15 million a year to cover his losses. Therefore they can shut the f*** up. The guy is a business man. He bought a team he thought would be profitable. They weren't. So he cut his losses and did everything he could to stop bleeding money from his own wallet. He saw an opportunity to buy a team that has a monstrous following, sellout after sellout and looks like it has no chance of faultering from lack of fan support. Good for him. I love the armchair quarterbacking by the Nashville fans. Liepold loses 15 million a year and they want him to add more and more salary. Why the f*** would any rational person do that? No, he did what any sane person would do. CUT YOUR LOSSES and get the hell out of a loser situation. The Nashville fans are pissed because Leipold buying the Wild proves that the Preds didn't suck because Liepold doesn't care about hockey. No, they suck because that market sucks and should stay focused on making country music and not trying to support a National Hockey League franchise. Of course the truth hurts so that's why Nashvegas fans are pissed. It's like Liepold dumped the overweight ugly girl for the supermodel. Oh well, tough titties Nashville fans. Get over it and support your team. Maybe if they make some friggin money the owner won't look to get the hell out of there. You have good points, but they had better attendance in the first few seasons of existance. I think him getting the Wild was a thank you from Bettman for not selling to Balsillie. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
imisssergei 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2008 Something I think a lot of people are missing here is a simple business practice. When you are selling a business, you want to make it as marketable as possible. Understanding that there was a lot of interest in the team to be bought already, you have to look beyond the surface. Leipold knew the team was going to be sold, it was just a matter of to whom. As we are all aware, buying a team isn't like going to the store and picking out a shirt, it takes months to get details worked out. So there is no doubt in my mind that before Leipold sold the Preds, he also knew he would be able to buy another team. So he got rid of some larger contracts, and guys who could bring back pieces to help build the future. All this adds up to him saving some money (which no one can blame him for) and putting himself in a much better position to buy the new team. Leipold may not have a history in hockey, but neither did Illitch when he bought the Wings. Everyone can agree that the Wings are doing ok. Leipold LOVES hockey. He wants to see his team win. No, he didn't spend money on the payroll until later on, but he did spend a ton of money getting the franchise going. Remember, it's not cheap, especially when you are receiving a negative ROI. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
