Can We Please Stop Putting Teams In Unsustainable Cities?

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

How do we determine what an "unsustainable" city is. One could make an argument that Atlanta and Phoenix are sustainable cities based on population. One could also make an argument that Winnipeg, Quebec City, and Hartford are "unsustainable" cities. It all depends on the criteria.

[e_prime 1,936]

14 hours ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

How do we determine what an "unsustainable" city is. One could make an argument that Atlanta and Phoenix are sustainable cities based on population. One could also make an argument that Winnipeg, Quebec City, and Hartford are "unsustainable" cities. It all depends on the criteria.

Here's what's the definition of sustainable is, to me, when it comes to hockey:  Enough population in a city that will pay for hockey games no matter whether the team is good or bad.  Sure, Atlanta and Phoenix should be able to fill an area, but do people in these cities care enough about the game?  Sure, if the team is decent they'll go support it, but they're not going to games if the team is on the rebuild or just plain sucks.

Plainly. Simply. A franchise needs to have the ability to sustain itself despite sluggish ticket sales due to the team not being a current contender.  

Sure, corporate sponsorships and all of that stuff is great too if you can get it, but if you're a bajillionaire and you can't float a team through some lean years, gtfo.  Yeah, I'm looking at you Eugene. You cheap, undeserving bastard.