Bluejackets possibly the next Phoenix?

[Wings_Toledo 233]

I received an e-mail today from the BJs' mailing list (no idea why) with a link to this poll:

http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/poll/index.html

Upon reading the comments, it seems that the Bluejackets are losing money and want to try to have the team be publicly owned. I don't know how Columbus residents would feel about having to foot the bill for the team.

Anyway, does anyone think this could potentially turn into another Phoenix Coyotes situation?

[InKennyWeTrust 126]

I live about 30 minutes outside of Columbus- the Blue Jackets will never be as popular as OSU Football, but they're making inroads and I think it would be devistating for the city to lose them.

Could it happen though? Yeah- Ohio's geting rocked pretty hard by the economy (not as much as Michigan, but some of the smaller municipalities are above 15% unemployment and climbing.) People just aren't going to go to games unless there's something to watch, and Rick Nash isn't a good enough reason on his own. Another playoff run this year would help out, but who knows.

[eva unit zero 271]

Move 'em up to Ann Arbor.

[Guest ZetterbergFourty]

I received an e-mail today from the BJs' mailing list (no idea why) with a link to this poll:

You're a closet Jacket's fan that's why. heh

[Marty Barry 230]

I-270 circles the city down here and it's kinda like the bubble hockey game. A bubble around I-270 and everyone inside has known 1 thing for 100 yrs. - buckeye football! It will never change, they don't want anything else just buckeye football. It's sad. The Crew won a championship and nobody cared. I don't see the Jackets staying here too much longer. 365 days a year it's "f*** Michigan!!! go bucks!!!" When I moved here I didn't give a s*** about college football. Now I am a fan of everybody who plays against ohio state. I can't help it, I've had buckeye football crammed down my throat since I got here. f*** the buckeyes, they suck, woody sucked, and tressel sucks. Have a nice day, and Go Jackets. They kinda grew on me and are my 2nd favorite team.

[CanadaBoy 151]

Hamilton Blueberrys

[acidroach420 25]

I received an e-mail today from the BJs' mailing list (no idea why) with a link to this poll:

http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/poll/index.html

Upon reading the comments, it seems that the Bluejackets are losing money and want to try to have the team be publicly owned. I don't know how Columbus residents would feel about having to foot the bill for the team.

Anyway, does anyone think this could potentially turn into another Phoenix Coyotes situation?

Unless the Jackets have a good season in the next few years, I could see it becoming a issue. As has been said, most of Ohio, especially Columbus, is go buckeyes. Being from northwest Ohio, the people that I know that like hockey are wings fans and really don't care at all about the jackets. Columbus doesn't need the Jackets, but where would they go?

[HockeyTownHouligan 57]

I wish Maine would get a team or even Wisconsin but you might run into the same problem as Ohio. Its all about the packers and beer and cheese. No one would ever cheer for a pro hockey team

[HockeyTownHouligan 57]

I wish Maine would get a team or even Wisconsin but you might run into the same problem as Ohio. Its all about the packers and beer and cheese. No one would ever cheer for a pro hockey team

[F2B&G 15]

I wish Maine would get a team or even Wisconsin but you might run into the same problem as Ohio. Its all about the packers and beer and cheese. No one would ever cheer for a pro hockey team

There are hockey fans in WI (due mainly to the Badgers), but it's first and foremost a football state, so any interest in pro hockey seems to be covered by two existing franchises (CHI and MN). The only city in Wisconsin that could potentially support a team is Milwaukee, and it's close enough to Chicago that the 'Hawks would likely object and claim that they've got the southern WI market cornered.

I would guess that the BJs probably aren't going anywhere, at least in the near future. If Bettman & Co. managed to pull enough strings to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix, you can be damn sure they'll do it again if C-bus really is in trouble.

Edited February 2, 2010 by F2B&G

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

I wouldn't shed a tear.