Never_Retire_Steve 35 Report post Posted June 28, 2011 Why is Hartford never in the discussion for relocation? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Datsyerberger 279 Report post Posted June 28, 2011 Why is Hartford never in the discussion for relocation? No suitable arena, saturated market, little corporate support... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CaliWingsNut Report post Posted June 29, 2011 I KNOW I've seen a more recent article because I searched for Jerry Bruckheimer wondering why he was at the NHL awards this past week. I remember reading he has a deal in place and they are constructing a new joint arena and basically Buttman has all but assured Jerry that Vegas is next on the radar for an expansion team. This is an outdated article but just for the sake of "where all this vegas talk is coming from" http://www.sportsbus...m-In-Vegas.aspx I've seen rumors about this before in the past. There are some issues with the concept. Such as the city having a largely migrant population (out of luck gamblers, "cocktail waitresses", cooks, and maids don't tend to stick in one place for too long). It's also been hit with real estate issues due to it's massive growth (much like Phoenix). However, even with a migrant population, nearly 2 million in the metro area is nothing to scoff about. They aren't all migrants. Casinos (pending it's not in one, which I think would be a mistake) would be an amazing source of advertising and sales. The gambling would be ridiculous, I could see every seat in the stadium w/ a personal game info / electronic slot machine. You may not find a giant hardcore team fan base, but I could see this as very lucrative. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WorkingOvertime 536 Report post Posted June 29, 2011 I KNOW I've seen a more recent article because I searched for Jerry Bruckheimer wondering why he was at the NHL awards this past week. I remember reading he has a deal in place and they are constructing a new joint arena and basically Buttman has all but assured Jerry that Vegas is next on the radar for an expansion team. This is an outdated article but just for the sake of "where all this vegas talk is coming from" http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/06/Issue-175/Leagues-Governing-Bodies/Jerry-Bruckheimer-In-Talks-For-NHL-Team-In-Vegas.aspx Jerry was at the awards because he loves hockey- watching and playing. His home in KY has a very nice rink (I know many people who have played with him there). He would be a great owner, but I don't think Vegas is the best place for relocation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hiei 192 Report post Posted June 29, 2011 (edited) No suitable arena, saturated market, little corporate support... XL Center is not suitable because the sightlines in it suck and the building as a whole is outdated. The risers for the stands go nearly straight vertical. Sending them Joe Louis Arena would be an upgrade. Otherwise, Quebec is building, and has a company/owner ready to buy. KC...well, just with the Royals and Chiefs the market is saturated. Their last few forays into hockey have ended badly, but that was at Kemper Arena which is in the railyards, and they have the new Sprint Center, in the middle of Downtown. Probably generate better revenue there overall, but i'm not sure it'd be enough. Golden Horseshoe deserves a team. Hamilton/Kitchener/Waterloo. Unfortunately, Balls-silly and MLSE will see that never happen. Seattle needs to renovate or replace KeyArena. Portland OR would be ok, depending on Paul Allen's whim since he owns the Rose Garden. Houston TX: 4th Largest City, HORRIFICLY BAD attendance for the AHL team though. Grand Rapids anyone? Edit: Then there's the Pipedreams of Regina, Saskatoon, etc. Edited June 29, 2011 by Hiei Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted June 29, 2011 Move the team to Seattle, they have no Basketball team. Once the NFL season is done, they have no sports until the Mariners start up in April. Seattle and Phoenix are about the same size, and they'll probably get better tv ratings in a northern US city, which will be better for Bettman's pipe dream of a huge tv deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,803 Report post Posted June 29, 2011 Move the team to Seattle, they have no Basketball team. Once the NFL season is done, they have no sports until the Mariners start up in April. Seattle and Phoenix are about the same size, and they'll probably get better tv ratings in a northern US city, which will be better for Bettman's pipe dream of a huge tv deal. I've often wondered if Seattle or Portland would be willing to support NHL teams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragonballgtz 273 Report post Posted June 29, 2011 They should have just gave the team to the RIM guy. Although I am sure he has his hands full with RIM now a days. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshy207 156 Report post Posted June 29, 2011 I saw somewhere recently that Bettman told Balsillie he wouldn't be opposed to him owning a team in the future, as long as he played by the rules. But, like someone said earlier in the thread, RIM/Blackberry is struggling and falling way behind its competitors, gotta wonder if Balsillie would still have the money to be a successful owner... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted June 29, 2011 Las Vegas is not a suitable site; too much muscle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hatethedrake! Report post Posted June 29, 2011 Balsille called Bettman to express interest in buying the Coyotes again but his blackberry dropped the call. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertWing 11 Report post Posted June 29, 2011 I've often wondered if Seattle or Portland would be willing to support NHL teams. Seattle wouldn't. Portland might, but they need Paul Allen (unless someone else wants to build an arena). So far, Paul Allen has been against putting an NHL team in the Rose Garden Arena because it would take away from the Blazers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CaliWingsNut Report post Posted June 29, 2011 Seattle wouldn't. Portland might, but they need Paul Allen (unless someone else wants to build an arena). So far, Paul Allen has been against putting an NHL team in the Rose Garden Arena because it would take away from the Blazers. Maybe we should see how he feels when they strike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilmrt 636 Report post Posted July 3, 2011 Well, this is interesting...it looks like Seattle, which many people here said wouldn't work...is trying to get an NHL arena and team. This was in the Seattle Times as well, but here is the article from KIRO TV: KIRO 7 has confirmed, from various highly placed government and community sources, that discussions are in the works to build an arena on the Eastside that would house a potential NHL team, with the ability to transform the venue into a basketball arena, and bring NBA basketball back to the greater Seattle area.KIRO 7 sources indicate that Chicago businessman Don Levin has been in town recently meeting with various stakeholders about the new arena. This would be out of the city limits of Seattle, avoiding all the political gridlock which has stopped this from happening in the past. So, the Coyotes (Metropolitans?) could be staying in the West after all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IllinoisRedWingsFan 49 Report post Posted July 3, 2011 (edited) Don Levin owns the Chicago Wolves the AHL Affiliate of the Canucks formerly the Thrashers. Edited July 3, 2011 by IllinoisRedWingsFan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hiei 192 Report post Posted July 3, 2011 So because Rocky Wirtz turned Hockey into front page news in 3 years, every Chicago businessman wants to cash in too? Reinsdorf? Hulsizer? now this guy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
