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June 24, 2009
Already On The Right Path
Well, an interesting summer is ahead of us. I think
we are about to see a real shake-up in franchise stability.
It's a house of cards in so many markets down south
and a real gust of wind is about to blow.
Winnipeg is a very desirable destination for any team
that may need a new home in a year (next season is far
too soon). We have the building and the fans. And we
most certainly have a very well-healed ownership group
in True North Sports & Entertainment. Now I know
many of you want to discuss (to death) the specifics
of that, but I would like to simply leave it at that.
I believe in the path we are taking with the NHL and
I want to see a franchise return via smart business
decisions rather than through a local media circus.
As of late I have been asked to join forces with several
movements that have sprung up out of the blue. For the
most part I will steer clear of merging with another
movement mostly because I have spent over 6 years carrying
out this campaign and I cannot afford to slip. That
is not to say that all others are unorganized or lack
credibility, but I have to protect what has my name
stamped on it. There are those that are always looking
for me to slip as it is. Still not quite sure why.
Should something be very worthwhile I would visit it,
as I do with all requests. But quite frankly, it comes
as no surprise that these things are springing up now.
That's because now there is much less doubt and much
less pipe dreaming. Therefore a person is protected
from being called nuts because this idea has become
very attainable and all the pieces are falling into
place very nicely.
I completely respect anyone who feels they want to
do something or start rallies or events. And all the
power to them, really. But I don't feel that JetsOwner.com
and the original Return of the Jets Campaign needs to
organize anything right now. I know people are dying
to speak up and get excited. But the truth is, we have
been heard and we need to focus more on saving our money
to buy tickets one day and less about how this might
all go down. Lets let the key individuals carry on with
their due process with the NHL. So far it has been the
right approach.
June 1, 2009
Happy 6th Birthday JetsOwner.com!
Although some of the original content from 2003 and
2004 hasn't been loaded onto this site from the old
site, it is incredible to look at the news back then
to the news now. We're well on our way. Thanks to the
thousands of people who logon, from once-a-monthers
to the daily viewers!
May 24, 2009
Tides Have Turned As We Go On Six!
Ah, the local media are finally getting on board. Yesterday
marked the first time that the Winnipeg Free Press,
via Randy Turner, took a look on the bright side, if
not both sides, of the issue of the NHL returning to
Winnipeg. It was a fairly comprehensive piece and it
looked at the things that have occurred to set the landscape
for a re-birth of the Jets.
As for the long time supporters of this campaign, which
turns an astounding six years old next week, it is nothing
you haven't all been hearing JetsOwner.com lay out since
the beginning. You've been on the right path all along.
Sometimes others' quotes are so similar to what is on
JetsOwner.com is makes me wonder.
But still, it is good to have mainstream media "getting"
the picture. I seem to recall the terms "pipedream"
uttered quite a bit over the past six years and as for
the names I've been called personally? Well, lets just
leave that alone. Thankfully, 95% of them are supportive
and humbling. To be honest I never understood why people
didn't see how this could all happen. People smirked
in an uber condescending manner as if to say, "aww,
what you're doing is so cute little fella". Or
"what, are you after 15 minutes of fame"?
Fame? Hardly.
Time and passion? Definitely.
But here we are in 2009 and so much of what I was pipe
dreaming has come to see the light of day.
Yesterday's Free Press special feature contains statements
that are found all through JetsOwner.com's initial content
and blog entries from 2003 to 2009. The similarities
are staggering. From words to number crunching (and
no Randy, not on a napkin, but rather in the office
of high places).
In another Free Press article the same day, an economics
professor in Alberta raises my same analogy of large
population markets like Atlanta and a hockey hot beds
like Edmonton (or Winnipeg) almost word for word. How
Atlanta may be a significantly larger city but there
are more people in Winnipeg that will buy hockey tickets
and therefore it is actually the better HOCKEY market.
Even pointing out that there are so many more sports
in these US cities to compete for people's disposable
income. Now, I know I'm no economics professor, but
really, do I need to be? Two years ago and certainly
five years ago this same guy would have almost certainly
been found quoting that Winnipeg simply couldn't afford
the NHL and that we're just too small.
But you see, what did I tell you? Once the pendulum
swings to our side by at least 51% we then become the
majority thought pattern and then it's all uphill from
there. Well, the pendulum has swung and we're in full
gear now. Mainstream thought is now that this can realistically
happen. Took long enough eh? All I ever wanted form
our local media was a balanced look at the issue but
too often got the negative, stuck-in-1995 song and dance.
Welcome to 2009. It's brighter here.
Now it can be expected that a handful of others will
come out of the woodwork and start a movement of their
own. After all, it's easy now. Nobody thinks they are
nuts. Nothing needs to be envisioned any longer. It's
all set up, ready to roll. Turn-key.
It is an exciting time for all of us believers. We
have been proven correct in all areas of this dream.
Pat yourselves on the back for sticking this out. And
to those that are just starting to believe (and your
emails have been overwhelming), welcome aboard. You
were skeptical, but now you are hopeful. Hope isn't
scary or dangerous like some would have you believe.
Hope is what keeps us going. We are tough, us Winnipeggers.
So start saving your money, if you haven't already.
There is one major step to go. Finding and landing our
team.
The following has been accomplished or checked off
the list since 2003:
1) A new arena for Winnipeg
2) A new league economic structure for the NHL
3) A complete failure of at least "4 or 5 American
teams"
4) A Canadian team led NHL gate revenue
5) A steady Canadian dollar
6) A proven MTS Centre revenue model for NHL sustainability
7) A ROTJ campaign appearance on HNIC and hundreds
of television, radio, newspaper and magazine coverage
from all over North America.
8) A ROTJ t-shirt e-store, website, forum, booster
events and PR stunts.
9) An estimated over 2 million hits to the website.
10) A successful six year old campaign that is closer
to the issues than any other source of information.
11) A turning of attitude in Winnipeg about the possibility
of the NHL returning.
12) A "so far, so good" set of predictions
from JetsOwner.com.
Thanks for being with me for six years. Happy Birthday
JetsOwner.com! I can't believe this all started with
an email to about 20 people after one late night game
of Risk with some friends.
But seriously, I don't want to do this much longer!
Wink.
Cheers everyone! Here's to attaining the final, and
largest, step of our goal.
Here are a few articles from the past few weeks. CBC
Sports, Winnipeg
Sun, and The
Hockey News among others. Thakns to CBC Radio for
having me on and taking calls from listeners, to CBC
National for their piece last Sunday night and to CBC
Newsworld for repeatedly trying to schedule me for a
live spot. We'll get it done one of these days!
And of course be sure to check out my blog at The
Hockey Writers.
May 17, 2009
CBC Sunday News Coverage
CBC National did a decent piece tonight on the fact
that Winnipeg is high priority for the NHL should a
team need to relocate.
A quick comment from myslef dealt with how Winnipeg
is going about things the right way with the NHL by
waiting patiently to get in the front door, through
due process, rather than trying to sneak in the side
door, a la Jim Balsillie.
A Calgary professor was included in the comments, but
unfortunately he only had the same old "in 1995
Winnipeg couldn't bla bla bla" type of things to
say. No substance, no back-up, and stuck in the past
with no mention of WHY the Jets left town. As I say,
it's always to easier to spew negativity with nothing
to back it up than it is to spread positivity with proof.
He stated that the NHL was a billionaire's club and
that Winnipeg was too poor to be part of that. Yeah,
a lot of good these billionaires have done the past
15 years. What a success story.
The real fact is that the NHL is a niche sport that
requires a fan base to survive. Winnipeg is the ultimate
fan base. We fit the mold perfectly. More people will
buy hockey in this city of 720,000 than will in Atlanta,
a city of over 4 million. And so with nobody watching
on TV in Georgia and no real TV deal anyway,Winnipeg
is more ideal. The NHL is a gate driven league. Winnipeg
can sell the gate, and at regular price. No gimmicks,
no deals.
But if he insists that the league is that rich and
we can't play in the big leagues, all I ask is permission
to contact him in 18 months.
Remember, we're not a major market in North America,
but we are a top HOCKEY market in North America, billionaire
or not.
Other contributors to the CBC piece were Mayor Sam
Katz and file footage comments from Mark Chipman.
May 16, 2009
Winnipeg To Get Team First
Finally!
Finally I don't need to ask people to take my word.
It's finally there in writing. Gary Bettman has finally
declared that Winnipeg, not Hamilton and not Toronto,
is the NHL's preference for a Canadian relocation. I
have been trying to get some peolpe to believe that
we are the highest in the pecking order for a few years
now. This Globe
and Mail article confirms it.
We are playing by the rules of the club. We are letting
the NHL broker a future move of a franchise. We are
not bullying our way in through he back door. We are
waiting in line paitiently at the front door. Kicking
and screaming out back won't get us anywhere. It hasn't
gotten Jim Balsillie anywhere on three seperate occasions.
So you had better "Make It Eight" Mr. Balsillie,
because #7 will be in Winnipeg. And sooner than people
anticipate.
May 7, 2009
Blanket Coverage
What a busy 48 hours its been. I have spoken to The
Sporting News, Globe and Mail, National Post, Canwest
Global, Canadian Press and am due for a live TV interview
this afternoon.
CBC Newsworld planned to have me on
this afternonn, but timing just didn't work out. I prefer
live TV because I can say what I want to say without
editing. So once again, I'll have to wait for another
day.
I am very busy with Winnipeg Wine Festival and therefore
can't add much right now. Just wanted to give an update.
May 5, 2009
Firestorm Begins, So Soon? More Like What Took
So Long!
Quicker than expected, but the Phoenix Coyotes have
declared bankruptcy and it only took a North York minute
for Jim Balsillie to sweep in and bid an outragegous
$212 million for the troubled franchise. That is about
triple what Forbes says the team is valued at and for
a not-so-great product on the ice. I guess the CBC will
have comments by the league now, despite it being playoff
time. But time is running out if this team is to play
in a new home by the time the NHL schedule is made in
July.
I don't like that Balsillie inflates these team values,
but other teams that are on the waiting list to skip
town must love this guy. Hey, what can you say? The
guy wants an NHL team. BAD.
What should be interesting while we watch this play
out is the following:
a) Will the NHL stick to its guns and keep rejecting
Balsillie due to his insistance that the team be relocated
to Hamilton, not to mention his tendancies to tick the
league off by playing by his own rules. This of course
brings up the 3-decade old issue of the NHL (and Buffalo
and Toronto) not wanting at team in Hamilton. They still
don't. Is this offer too big and too easy to pass up?
Time will tell. But the Sabres and Leafs will have something
say.
b) Will Winnipeg wait for the next team to move, which
should be sooner than later. Or will we get involved
with this game? I can't us being involved unless Balsillie
is rejected. The NHL will no doubt want Winnipeg to
submit as we are a favoured destination over Southern
Ontario. But $217 million to beat the bid? Almost zero
percent chance.
c) Will this set-off a firestorm of movement this summer?
I think yes. There are teams in just as bad of shape.
They will want to move before there are no longer any
takers. There certainly won't be anymore Balsillie offers.
Of course I can't say for sure, but since nobody has
even come close to the offer for the Coyotes, it seems
that it would ring true. Whatever a Winnipeg offer may
have been I have to believe would be good enough for
most owners.
Get ready for the wildest summer to date since JetsOwner.com
was established 6 years ago. Stay tuned to the boards
for up-to-the minute articles. The supporters of this
site are masters at placing links to articles that I
don't even think the writers have finished yet!!
April 30, 2009
Coyotes, Meet Irony
After being involved in some good pieces in the
Calgary Herald recently, it looks like it's back
to national news coverage for Winnipeg again. With news
breaking that control of the Phoenix Coyotes has been
handed over to the National Hockey League, none other
than CBC: The National plans to cover this story closely.
Further details should arrive on Friday with regards
to the level of coverage, but it is clear that this
story has extreme relevance to our quest to regain a
franchise. Ironic if it were our old franchise, who
finally got their new arena, but in a poor hockey market
and in an even worse location within that market. It
was reported back in February that the league had indeed
helped the Coyotes through some financial issues, mainly
with regards to their rent and other operating fees
owed to the city of Glendale and Jobing.com Arena. Money
was loaned, but it has not been enough to pay their
bills and a clause stipulated that should such a time
arise that the NHL would take over operation of the
franchise. Apparently that time has come.
I can't help but think this is the ideal situation
for Winnipeg largely in part because it would involve
a price tag that is reasonable as the franchise would
be league controlled. A league-owned team in receivership
would have the possibility of being a bargain-basement
price as compared to what an owner-to-owner transfer
might cost. Much of this depends on how many teams are
up for sale at once of course, but thinking in terms
of just a single team, you'd have to conclude that this
Coyotes situation could be best for Winnipeg. Let another
Toronto team or a Vegas team pay the inflated prices
of an Atlanta squad or a Florida squad.
Winnipeg should get our old team back and fix them
up. Doesn't seem ideal to want to re-build a brutal
hockey team, but it might be fate and beggars can't
choosers.
Stay tuned to CBC: The National and to JetsOwner.com
for complete coverage.
February 3, 2009
Les Dales Hawerchuk!
Live at The Pyramid on Saturday, February 14th @ 9pm
it's Les Dales Hawerchuk. These guys had to get a shout
out from me. They have been around for several years
now and are ready to rock Ducky's old hockeytown. Click
the poster for their website.
January 26, 2009
Just Go For Broq!
Last year it was Pilot Mound vying to be Kraft Hockeyville's
grand prize winner. This year, the Top Ten list includes
La Broquerie, Manitoba. Be sure to check out their stories
at the CBC
Hockeyville website and cast your vote to see the
home of The Habs reach one of the top five finalists.
This year La Broquerie needs your help! The grand prize
includes hosting a NHL® Pre-Season Game as well as a
CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast plus $100,000
in arena upgrades from Kraft. Your votes will decide
who will be crowned Kraft Hockeyville 2009! Each of
the other 4 lucky finalists will also win $25,000 in
arena upgrades from Kraft plus host a CBC Hockey Night
in Canada broadcast from their community.
January 17, 2009
Covering Winnipeg for TheHockeyWriters.com
I have recently been asked to cover our cause for a
growing hot new blogspot called TheHockeyWriters.com
based out of Montreal. It aims to cover all 30 NHL teams
as well as a handful of other hockey related categories,
such as one I dubbed "Winnipeg 2.0". I have
turned down other blog offers in the past but this one
was intriguing because of the scope of coverage they
aim to tackle. I even designed the logo and tagline!
I had a few ideas and designs but the administer, Bruce
Hollingdrake had the final choice.
I will not simply double-up my postings on JetsOwner.com
but rather link to the blog as it will be more of an
editorial style. Plus, while JetsOwner.com gets another
facelift, it will serve as a great destination. Although
topics on JetsOwner.com may sync up with the blogspot,
posts will never be word-for-word.
A new JetsOwner.com will take some time and I could
have held off telling you about it, but I thought some
feedback would be healthy. Be patient (we're all good
at that right!) things will get snazzy! Especially with
my pal Lauren Robb on the job. Just remember he has
to put his paid gigs top priority.
Anyway, check out the latest
blog at TheHockeyWriters.com.
January 9, 2009
Is It Time For Another Overhaul?
Fellow believers...has it become time for JetsOwner.com
to re-invent itself again? It has been nearly six years
since this campaign began. It just may be time for a
3rd, and brand new, version of this website. Please
voice your opinion on the forum portion of this site.
This website is very slcik, I must say, and was quite
an improvement from my initial atempt in 2003, when
I merely wanted to show the world that I was nuts (apparently!).
But now, with some patience, I believe it can become
even better, but only with Lauren Robb's invaluable
help.
I have chosen reccently to make a link to Manitoba
Mythbusters, rather than to include its content on JetsOwner.com.
This certainly had nothing to do with the website's
content, or the fact that those involved with that website
(Chris and Phil) have done a magnificant job digging
up info and providing insight on the content of that
info. For months, they begged for JetsOwner.com to host
this info and I, admittedly, could not provide the up-to-date
articles that arose from the related topics. They wanted
the articles read, and I completely understand that
desire. So now JetsOwner.com becomes larger in scope.
It becomes larger in depth. It just becomes bigger.
What's happened? I'll tell you what has happened.
Two guys decided that this cause was bigger than one
person, as much as they gave kudos to me for launchng
this whole ordeal. Two guys decided to, rather than
create their own seperate force, join forces with an
already in-place entity. They created a webiste whereby
followers of JetsOwner.com could furhter their education
of many related topics pertaining to the return of the
NHL to Winnipeg.
As one, JetsOwner.com will proudly link to Manitoba
Mythbusters, a seperate yet joint venture with the original
Return Of The Jets Campaign.
We will also aim to re-invent ourselves to yet another
version of this website, the third stylistic change
in six years. Be patient, but I can envision a new look
in the coming year.
To be honest, I want this to be my last verision, becasue
I fully intend for the Jet-O-Meter to reach 100% sometime
soon.
I long for the day when JetsOwner.com's headline reads...
" MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!"
December 26, 2008
CJOB...Remember Me?
Well CJOB is at again. Don't get me wrong, it is always
great to have positive energy behind this idea, but
to listen to Bob Irving the other day from a link someone
sent me (believe me I wasn't listening to it live) was
like reading from JetsOwner.com in 2003! Listen
here (13:00 minute mark).
Some noteable moments were when Mr. Irving declares,
"Mark my words, the size of MTS Centre will not
prohibit Winnipeg from regaining an NHL franchise".
"We will have a chance to get a franchise".
"Four teams will fold in the next few years"
Weren't these actually my words 5 years ago? Even his
ticket prices reflect JetsOwner.com's. Weren't these
my same words when Mr. Irving would not have me on CJOB
despite my level-headedness throughout this campaign?
They were the only major station not to have me on,
both radio and TV, in Winnipeg. Why is that?
What is so hard for that station to just give me some
credit? I have crunched the numbers to justify my beliefs
and I have maintained my inside spot with regards to
information regarding this hot topic. I may have just
answered my own question.
Maybe that is the reason for the refusal to acknowledge
me. I simply have the info before they do. I'm not trying
to toot any horns here, but I would like to give CJOB
listeners a grasp of reality with regards to the Jets
coming back to Winnipeg. I have never misled people
down an overly positive path nor have I flip-flopped
to a negative stance at any point. I have always maintained
a realist viewpoint. Unfortunately, CJOB feels that
a realist view is the negative view.
Or maybe they just really don't know the difference.
Either way, glad to have them on board. It's been a
VERY slow journey for them.
December 10, 2008
Hurray Economic Crisis?
I know it is becoming too much of a CNN tagline, but
this "economic crisis" should speed up the
process of finally doing away with these horrible NHL
markets down south. I know our dollar has dipped some,
but surely not to the level that would jeopardize an
NHL team for Winnipeg. I arrive at this conclusion because
I can only assume that market values for franchises
must be plummeting much like the Dow ticker, therefore
more than off-setting any dollar weakening. The NFL
might be the only league that will come out of this
unscathed, mainly due to extreme popularity, high TV
revenue and a short and affordable schedule.
As for the NHL, could this be the final nail in the
coffin for a league that has been kidding itself for
far too long now? It has become almost scarily evident
now that the economics of this league, which relies
so heavily on gate revenue, does not work in just any
market with population, but rather only in markets that
fully embrace the sport to begin with.
I recall when I was a "nutjob" in 2003, but
the time has come where there are few who don't believe
an NHL can come back to Winnipeg and thrive. Those who
still don't believe it is possible are obvisouly blindly
negative or ignorant to the situation. Notice I said
"possible". If there are those that think
that it will not happen for whatever reason, then fine.
But to say it isn't possible is just plain out of touch.
All that is being written about hockey right now is
its miserable attendance (like that's anything new to
us) in so many of its non-traditional markets. Markets
that never should have had a team in the first place.
Does this really come as a shock to people? Apparently
Phoenix, Atlanta and Tampa are seeing 6000-8000 "fans"
in their brand new arenas. S-i-x T-h-o-u-s-a-n-d!
At some point the doors of these arenas will just simply
close.
When the fat needs to be trimmed from sports fans wallets
in the sports world, hockey is the one of the first
to go. It is a niche sport at best in at least 10 American
cities. Niches don't weather an economic storm very
well, especially when compared to sturdy structures
like the NFL, NBA, MLB, NASCAR, NCAA among many others.
Even true hockey fans will be trimming back as is evident
in "HockeyTown USA", Detroit.
The fact is, this crisis may be a blessing in disguise
for little 'ol Winnipeg. That up-front cost I speak
so much about should be coming down while available
teams should be going up. That kind of storm is exactly
what Winnipeg needs. More supply than demand. The footprint
needs to be across Canada, not across the Bible Belt.
I think you'll see several teams looking to our fair
city for new owners soon enough, although never soon
enough for us. As for another exhibition game next fall?
Don't be surprised if a different struggling team, not
named Coyotes, shows up to check us out. Mark my words.
October 26, 2008
Going to the Hamptons
I am pleased to be a guest on NYI
FYI, a show dedicated to the New York Islanders.
I will be a guest with Sean Croft at 9:15 CST (or 10:15
Long Island time) for those of you interested to listen
online. I know there are already some supporters in
the NYC area, so lets gain some more! Click
here to listen live.
October 21, 2008
TO Talk? You mean Terrell Owens, Right?
Actually I don't want to talk about Toronto or any
member of the Dallas Cowboys.
Another morning, another mini-flood of media phone
calls. I got to three of them out of four. It's funny
because in some instances I am not even aware of why
they are calling. This morning was one of those times.
So when I received messages about coming on the air
or camera I quickly googled "NHL" & "Winnipeg"
to find out what was in the news that was so pressing.
This is certainly not the normal way I find out what
is going on, but this morning it was. And so as I clicked
my mouse up came random references to Toronto one day
having a second NHL franchise. Not Hamilton. Not Waterloo,
Kitchener or Dryden either. The actual city of Toronto.
The sexy topic of the week that the Globe and Mail
decided to plant and watch the country water it until
it blossomed into nonsense. Mission accomplished. I
can hear Lloyd Robertson in the other room right now
plugging the story for the upcoming national news tonight
on CTV.
With many topics like this I decline to comment as
they either do not directly pertain to the return of
the NHL in Winnipeg or I just don't feel it has any
legs. I don't feel this Toronto topic has legs either,
but it did relate to Winnipeg, no matter how off base
it likely is.
Listen, if I had a nickel for every "whisper"
from an annonymous NHL board of governor, I'd have enough
money to buy a team myself, or at least Joe The Plumber's
business in Ohio (whereby I'd tax him higher just for
being on my TV too often).
This Toronto talk is just another topic-of-the-week
just as talk of Las Vegas, Kansas City and teams in
Europe is. The mere suggestion that an already tarnished
prospective owner like Jim Balsillie would be able to
storm into the most powerful market in hockey, ante
upwards of $700 million in expansion fees and territory
infringement costs and spawn a second Toronto franchise
while halving the Maple Leafs market share is almost
absurd. Time to get another AHL team and put them in
the St. James Civic Centre. However, I must note that
one of my CBC radio interviews was conducted on a BlackBerry.
Honestly, maybe this was all just a scare tactic to
get the Leafs to resemble an NHL franchise in the first
place.
Once again, Winnipeg will stay out of the headlines
and stay on the slow-and-steady path.
Sure, Toronto could sustain another NHL team, possibly
two more. But that doesn't give the NHL any more revenue
outside of an expansion fee. Hockey fans are already
feeding the NHL there. Winnipeg is an entire market
that has been virtually untapped for 12 years. And if
people truly believe that the NHL is thinking of expanding
any time soon with the economy the way it is headed
then they just don't understand the true state of the
game right now. Notice how we haven't heard much about
Kansas City lately. Why not? My hunch would be some
pretty cold feet from watching a half dozen current
US franchises failing brutally and waiting for even
harder times ahead. What sane person shells out $200
million to place a hockey team in Kansas City, Missouri
in this economic climate? I know, I know, the same type
of person that puts hockey in the desert. But that was
1996 when there was the excuse of it being uncharted,
breakthrough territory. This is 2008, where the only
territory that makes any sense is once again back here
in Winnipeg or any other place north of the border.
While Toronto is north of the border it is far too complex
of a place to put another team, from market sharing
to venue sharing to country venting. That's right. Canadians
would have a collective cow if Winnipeg and Quebec City
got left out in the dark in favour of this idea.
Lets just all sit back and wait until the hockey talk
carousel spins back around to us again so we can enjoy
listening to people out east fail to know anything about
Winnipeg and our corporate abilities with regards to
supporting a hockey team. My apologies to those of you
out east that do know a thing or two about Winnipeg,
but even you would admit that your neighbour likely
doesn't.
Let this talk fade. I'm sure it will be squashed by
tomorrow afternoon.
Fun Fact: Ever notice that the most struggling teams
in the NHL are "red" states? Maybe Barack
should use that in his campaign? If Florida goes "blue"
does that mean that BOTH of their NHL teams will move?
September 24, 2008
Another Ex Game
I will be Calgary Flames radio at 5:25pm
today to discuss various topics. One major point I will
be making will be the fact that tonight's exhibition
game will generate nearly triple the gate income that
the Coyotes generate on average in Phoenix during regular
season play. It will also generate close to what the
Calgary flames generate on average. If this game sells
out, it will have taken in nearly $1.1 million in revenue
by my calculations. Earlier I estimated that a Winnipeg
team could rake in an average of around $930,000. That
was with tickets averaging slightly less than what True
North wants for this year's exhibition game.
Listen here.
Another interesting website has spun-off recently from
solid ROTJ supporters called Manitoba
MythBusters. It focuses on the hard facts and goes
further into JetsOwner.com's number crunching with regards
to gate revenue and various scenarios that can be derived
from league data. Be sure to check it out. Always good
to see more awareness and I am honoured to have started
such a contagious movement.
Keep it up!
July 28, 2008
I Finally Made It On The Simpsons
Yes, I do still exist. Despite this Kent Brockman newscast
I caught the other night.
I know being extremely busy or out of country doesn't
excuse not having anything to post for months, however
in my defence, I don't like to regurgitate the same
info and viewpoints over and over again. That being
said I believe it may be time to include links to articles
that supporters like yourselves find in the media (credible
media) to provide on-going updates as to where related
issues stand. There are certain supporters who have
excelled at digging up wonderful articles that go straight
to proving our cause to be achievable. On a regular
basis (I know you just rolled your eyes) I would like
to post these links in the main page's content. In the
early days, I used to scan every single blurb that was
found in the media, mostly local, because it was such
a hot topic. Now there are so many outside media sources
mentioning Winnipeg but not directly mentioning this
campaign that it would be impossible, if not unecessary,
to carry out the scanning process. I only wish we had
YouTube from the beginning to have all the awesome TV
clips about JetsOwner.com in the first two years of
this movement. There were so many.
Anyway, this is something I will have to think about
in terms of how I'd like to present it. Another way
might be to build a seperate page that simply lists
links to articles on an on-going basis. Just a page
filled with links and important data. It could go directly
into the current "In The Press" page where
you currently find YouTube and article scans from the
past.
Now for some thoughts.
I do not plan to do anything for the NHL Exhibition
game for several reasons. Firstly, it's kinda been done.
I have done something for the past 4 games and there
isn't really anything that I feel I still need to get
across to people. That doesn't mean there isn't a use
for doing it, it just means that I don't feel it is
necessary at this point. But remember, this idea of
the return of the NHL doesn't begin and end with me.
It is with all of you. Secondly, True North has been
gracious enough in the past to give full permission
to flyer or hand-out something prior to the game, something
they do not let ANYONE else do at their venue. Though
I could have asked again, I have chosen not to. Thirdly,
I will be away the 10 days leading up to the game making
it extremely difficult to properly put anything together.
Believe me, if I had the sponsors and money I'd be handing
out a white pom-pom and t-shirt to every single fan
that walked through the gate. But if I had that kind
of money I'd be involved with the group of people that
will one day bring a franchise back to this city.
Which brings me to all this talk about expansion. While
reports continue to surface that indicate expansion
money to all 30 teams in 2010 ($15 million each which
would indicate two more teams at $225 million expansion
fees) I still fail to understand how this league can
be improved by adding more franchises without first
fixing the dozen teams that suffer miserably right now.
$15 million doesn't go very far. Just ask the Coyotes
who lose that by Christmas each year. All the money
Jerry Bruckheimer has isn't going to pull these teams
out of the mud. That being said, it does look like the
NHL will strongly consider this option. As stated before,
this will not likely be Winnipeg's ticket back into
the league. Our chances still remain highest with relocation.
The fact still remains, hockey will never be feasible
long-term in Nashville, Atlanta, Phoenix, Miami or Tampa
to name a few.
N-E-V-E-R.
Despite the repeated hits they seem to take on the
chin every year, these teams will only be able to survive
so long with poor gate draws, no TV audience and a looming
economic downturn in the US. If you live in Nashville
and do happen to go to some Preds games, what do you
think will be chopped from the family budget first?
NASCAR? Titans football? Not a chance.
Meanwhile the Canadian dollar remains strong and at
par with the greenback and our six teams still account
for over 32% of league revenue. A third of money brought
in comes from a fifth of the league and all north of
the border. That is precisely why so many league officials
and players alike see Winnipeg as the land of opportunity
now. We would fill seats and pay for them. More revenue,
more salary cap.
Winnipeg also continues to go about this process exactly
as the NHL desires. Quietly and with strict protocol.
The same cannot be said for the likes of Boots and Balsillie,
whose backroom shenanigans seem to pile up as quickly
as you know what. Shady characters will not get into
the NHL and our group in Winnipeg is far from shady.
It is solid and is in no immediate rush (although we'd
all like them to be). Ideally, Winnipeg will need several
teams to be ready to move, not just one. If only one
surfaces then the price skyrockets as compared to two
or three teams vying for our attention.
I wish I knew how long this intends to go on for. Believe
me, it has already been 5 years since I began this trek
and I would have thought we'd be looking forward to
training camp by now. But at the same time, I knew just
as well that things could have gone sour and there might
be no hope by 2008. So as I look at the progress, I
remain extremely optimistic that things have come along
quite nicely thus far. As I have said many times, the
next step has nothing to do with us. We have made it
known we will support the NHL again, the whole world
knows. They also know we can support it successfully.
Well some people don't know, but whoever still doesn't
see it is a lost cause by now. It is hard to even argue
that it can't be done. A far cry from the beginning
when all I did was fight uphill to argue that it can.
Below is a photo courtesy of Chris Mackie. Quite a
sharp looking banner in the stands at GM Place.
March 24, 2008
Pilot Mound Needs Your Help!
Pilot Mound, Manitoba has been voted in as one of the
top 5 finalists for Kraft’s Hockeyville 2008!
Starting March 29, 2008 at 11:59 pm EST the voting is
again open to unlimited votes by telephone and on-line.
This continues until April 4, 2008 at 11:59 pm EST.
The winner is announced April 5, 2008 on CBC’s Hockey
Night In Canada.
Remember, this is unlimited so please vote as often
as you can to help us achieve the ultimate title as
Kraft’s Hockeyville 2008 champions!!
The town is now guaranteed $20,000 but are hoping to
win the $100,000 grand prize as well as host a pre-season
NHL hockey game in our new complex. This prize would
definitely help us to open our doors in the complex
by this fall.
To vote by phone dial 1-888-843-5604
and follow the prompts.
To vote on-line go to www.cbcsports.ca/hockeyville
and vote for Pilot Mound.
To view their story you may go to www.pilotmound.com/hockeyville.
Spread the word! As JetsOwner.com supporters, any attention
drawn to our province is certainly a positive. And the
more new rinks the better! Be sure to call or go online
to cast your vote for Pilot Mound to be this year's
Kraft Hockeyville!
February 15, 2008
E-mail glitch!
Wow. It seems my e-mail server has glitched since I
changed to Windows Vista. Since August 30, 2007 I had
not received very many e-mails. I figured things had
just slowed down and nobody had reported not being able
to get a hold of me so I thought nothing of it.
Tonight, after my suspicions, I got it all fixed to
the horrifying ring of 271 inbox chimes. That's right,
two hundred and seventy one backlogged e-mails that
I never recieved!
To all of those who were any of those e-mails, I appolgize
and I will try to get to some of them as soon as possible.
I missed media requests, Wear in the World photos, questions
and much, much more.
One big D'OH!
February 6, 2008
CBC's Mansbridge Talks Jets With Chipman
It's no wonder I've always preferred live interviews
whenever I've spoken to the media. You see live interviews
can't be plucked, altered, edited or spun into a negative
context, a la some local writers we know too well. I
refer to a lengthy discussion on tonight's CBC: The
National that aired nation-wide from right here in Winnipeg
(The CBC is en route to Winkler, MB for this year's
"Hockey Day In Canada").
The segment by Mike Beauregard and subsequent interview
by Peter Mansbridge with Mark Chipman was a no-bull,
straight-up and accurate portrayal of where we stand
in seeing the NHL return to Winnipeg. This just days
after I've been ranting about how our local media relentlessly
spin this topic deep into the negative.
Too much. Too small. Can't do. No support. Right?
Wrong.
It's strictly math. Numbers. And the numbers add up.
Which brings me back to the beauty of the live interview.
This type of dialogue lets the speaker get across what
he/she wants to relay to the public, in it's entirety.
It does not allow for interpretations based on personal,
if not mislead, viewpoints.
Tonight's
in-depth segment (thankfully YouTubed by
P. Bonomo) began with a well done piece on the loss
of the Jets and the replacement Moose and moved into
a one-on-one between Mansbridge and Chipman. At no point
in time were the words "NHL Too Much" ever
uttered. Instead, quite a positive reflection was given.
This coming from Chipman, a man who is closest to the
situation in every regard and a man who sits in a tight
circle with every key financial player in this storyline.
I suppose I'm to believe that he looked into the eyes
of Mansbridge, us Jets fans and the entire country,
and lied through his teeth?
Hey, that might just sell papers.
Maybe this site needs a daily JetsOwner Girl. Wait,
don't answer that.
January 29, 2008
Credible Website?
It has come to my attention that certain local media
personalities question my credibility. Ironically I
cannot rebut this to any lengthy extent in order to
maintain the credibility that I already have plenty
of.
But what I can say goes something like this.
There is no need to be upset just because for 4 years
this website has been keeping people (albeit less of
the general public I suppose) in tune much better than
the local dailies have. Some of the heaviest hitters
from the business sector to the political arena will
speak with me openly because they have come to realize
long ago that I stand for seeing the highest caliber
of hockey back in Winnipeg and for putting our city
back on the international stage. Not for 15 miutes of
fame that would have ended in the fall of 2003 if that
were the case.
You see, I don't receive generic conversation nor generic
answers. That's because I am trusted.
Furthermore, my figures and information are accurate
and have been verified to be by indivduals I will not
name. JetsOwner.com is ironclad and misleads nobody.
I do not give the public the generic answer and flip-flop
my stance to whatever the vibe of the week is. I understand,
"they" are in the business of selling papers.
If they figure more subscribers want to hear that tickets
are going to be $200 a seat, as ridiculous as we all
know that myth is, then that is what they'll get to
read.
Me? I am in no busness whatsoever and only aim to a)
see NHL hockey return to Winnipeg and therefore b) see
Winnipeg back on the map again with a thriving downtown.
I will not, under any circumstance, get into a war
with local writers who think they're getting the answers.
I am smarter than that and I will keep my eye on the
prize.
One day, I'll get my (and all of you will get your)
time to smirk.
Now regarding the credibilty of my numbers, which by
the way were created a couple years ago now.
When compared to these official Forbes
numbers (via RodneyFort.com), you'll see they are
more than accurate, and therefore, dare I say...credible?
My
numbers arrived at $48 million (ticket revenue)
+ $30 million (other revenue) to form a grand total
of $78 million, which according to the latest Forbes
numbers fall in line with that of Calgary and Minnesota
(markets we can relate to in size and ticket price respectively),
and both of which have healthy payrolls plus "other
expenses" of also near what my numbers arrived
at. This leaves a grand total of break-even, give or
take a few million for both my projections and that
of official 2006-07 NHL season numbers in the above
mentioned markets.
That's why my numbers were given the green light, that's
why certain individuals were blown away that I arrived
at these before any post-CBA era NHL/Forbes figures
were made public, that's why my numbers compare to that
of other team's books and finally that's why I have,
dare I say....credibility.
Sorry daily papers, I don't need to wait for the whole
world to know and then spew out these numbers as my
own AFTER the fact. And us believers don't need another
generic interview with generic answers from True North
and quotes form Paul Kelly that were read by us days
before. That's because we already know what the deal
is. Hey, click on JetsOwner.com to stay tuned. Or better
yet, pick a stance and stick with it. We're all glad
you finally "get it", but we're just sick
of the roller coaster of positions you all seem to take
depending on what the vibe of the week is. That miserable
tendancy is something I call the Pegger Gene, that is
the gene that seems to make a Winnipegger want to piss
on anything progressive.
None of what is going on in the NHL surprises me. Remember
I started this whole thing precisely because this is
what I knew was likley to occur. Whenever somebody asks
me "did you hear Bettman's latests words, or Paul
Kelly's, or various NHL owners or players etc",
I always respond...."and?"
That's because none of it surprises me and I only wonder
what took them so long. That's also because there still
remains the "and" to the story. The "and"
is a team back in Winnipeg. Until then, there will always
be "and".
But please, please stop with the "can't-do's".
They are predictable and just plain misleading.
Thanks for listening. Good to have more people on board...or
are they?
December 9, 2007
Quiet Season, Thus Far
Though continuous positive comments keep flowing through
the media regarding Winnipeg as the next destination
for the NHL, it has been a relatively quiet 2007-08
campaign so far.
When I first began this campaign there was almost daily
news or weekly at the least. But that was when we were
starting from scatch. So much to prove. So many to convert.
Now the topic has been in the spotlight in every corner
of the media circus in this country and beyond. That
is the good news. But talk is cheap as we all know.
If it wasn't, we'd still have a team with an aging Keith
Tkachuk and Thomas Steen as coach!
There is no doubt in my mind that if a team were 100%
available right now, we'd have an equal opportunity
to grab it. Notice I said 100%. There are so many teams
that are "on the brink" but legal logistics
keep them hanging from the cliff. Financially it makes
no sense to stay where they are. In fact it makes no
sense from whatever angle you look at it. Unfortunately
sports franchises aren't easy to pluck away from their
markets even if they do want to desperately leave.
Inevitably they will cut loose, and we'll be there
to snag them. If I said that the timeline for all of
this isn't frustrating me, I'd be lying. But like the
weather, there is nothing we can do to change that.
It's not as if the big money in town is waiting for
us to prove we're interested. They know we are. And
so ranting about wanting a team will not do anything
further to help our cause. What they don't know is how
much they have to pay up front for a team or when they'll
have the chance to throw that dollar figure at a current
"get-me-out-of-this-league" owner.
As fans and supporters we know a few things. We know
the dollar is at par and league economics are in favour
of a Winnipeg return. We know we have the support of
the NHL to return and we know we can sustain a franchise
in MTS Centre despite the fact "the average Winnipegger
earns $661 per week" (sorry Scotty T, but I can't
get over that stat). Here's where I get off track a
little...
Firstly, for Manitoba $661 was the figure three years
ago. It stood at $677 for
2006 and is likely closer to or past the
$700 mark for 2008.
Secondly, should it not be mentioned that while Albertans
earn over $100 more weekly on average, Manitobans don't
have to pay the $70,000 more on average for a new house,
in most cases much more than that. Why wasn't cost of
living taken into account when mentioning our weekly
income.
Thirdly, and most importantly, who cares!? What the
average person earns means little to a sports franchise
(besides, a $1400 bi-weekly earning can still leave
you plently of disposable income to catch some NHL action).
But the real key is are their enough people that earn
more than $700? That answer is...of course there are.
If there are 30,000-40,000 Manitobans that earn more
than $700, and by definition of the word "average"
for the labour force in Manitoba there easily that many,
then everything is just fine.
I don't feel like researching every current NHL city
for weekly incomes but I would suspect that the Nashvilles
and Columbus' are in the same average income boat. After
factoring in the cost-of-living index, I'd bet even
big markets compare. And so what does this stat mean.
Again nothing.
Thanks for letting me rant a fill some space. News?
No. Fact tracker. Yes.
September 24, 2007
Another Successful Blitz
Thanks to all of you that helped hand out campaign
magnets last Wednesday night before the NHL game. We
got 8,000 of them out to fans attending the game. Also
worthy to note, there were two excellent colour banners,
professionally made courtesy of some loyal supporters,
to hang up in the seating bowl area. As of yet, I have
not received cofirmation that those banners saw the
light of day, or in this case the lights of MTS Centre.
I sincerely hope this was not due to True North staff
dis-allowing them to be hung. At last year's game there
were several extensive banners displayed. We will stay
tuned for that news.
As for the game, to be honest I left in the second
period. A bunch of Leafs fans getting their rocks off
and flashing logos of old Jets rivals to get the crowd
to cheer wasn't my cup of tea. To be honest, I can't
believe we continue to support this game as much as
we do considering the profits go to the franchise that
took our team to the desert and since then have had
nothing much better to do than sue colleges for the
use of the "Whiteout" term and fire the best
play-by-play announcer in pro hockey. I mean really,
the Coyotes should focus more on winning games so they
can actually get to the point where they even need to
use the term Whiteout.
The fact is, this city is so hockey hungry that it
repeatedly shells out any price tag for any form of
hockey that visits that building. From women's junior
hockey to NHL pre-season-going-through-the-motions hockey.
Thanks to The Fan 590 in Toronto for
having myself and Lauren Robb on the air the day of
the game. Good questions, good response time. I love
that because I always have so much to say. Also thanks
to Global TV for covering the magnet
handout. Most importantly...thanks to Trackitback
for their continued support of this campaign!
September 17, 2007
Hand-out Helpers To Meet Before Game
Those who wish to help hand out campaign magnets before
the game on Wednesday should meet at 6pm SHARP outside
the main entrance to Tavern United directly across from
MTS Centre. We will aim to begin handouts at 6:30pm
and run up until game time, or 45 min - 1 hour of handout
time.
Please Contact
me now if you wish to help out. This will be straight
forward and take hardly any time to carry out.
September 10, 2007
Campaign Fridge Magnets: Newest Stunt!
Another NHL Exhibition game, another stunt. JetsOwner.com
is pleased to announce that it has struck a deal to
produce 10,000 fridge magnets for distribution prior
to the NHL Exhibition game between the Toronto Maple
Leafs and Phoenix Coyotes on September 19th at MTS Centre.
That's right...10,000!
We have already received the green light from MTSC
brass to go ahead as we did last year and man the doors
before the game to give out the magnets. Last year we
did more elaborate flyers, this year straight forward
magnets. They will merely include a slogan, the website
name and the sponsor, Trackitback, one of Winnipeg's
up-coming business success stories.
Just like last year, we will need a dozen helpers to
assist in handing out these magnets prior to the game.
All that is required is about 45 minutes of your time,
something I know you all are willing to give. Grab a
friend and come down a little early to help give these
magnets to people as they walk into the game.
"Here ya go, enjoy the game" Simple as that!
Please e-mail me your pledge to help with contact info
as soon as possible! Serious inquiries only please.
You'll be in your seat by the time the puck drops. Although
I know most of you don't care about that but rather
about the cause and continuing to push the message to
anyone and everyone.
Contact me
now!
July 13, 2007
Asper Weighs-In On NHL Talk
As if we haven't heard this before (but some choose
to keep forgetting), David Asper clearly stated on CJOB
radio that he is there for Mark Chipman if he can prove
that a team is viable in this market and in MTS Centre.
When asked by a caller about whether getting so involved
with the CFL's Blue Bombers and a new stadium hinders
the chances of involvment with bringing the NHL back
Asper simply replied "no". He went on to joke
that his now teenage sons have made it clear that he
is absolutely to be part of bringing the NHL back to
Winnipeg, if given the chance. Listen to the clip on
the CJOB
Audio Vault. Choose July 10, 7:00pm, 14:20 mark.
This website has always maintained that that chance
will come. It has never led anyone astray and remains
a solid, level-minded source for direction with regards
to the Jets coming home. It is quite a process but the
progress that has been made is quite positive. Just
this year alone has seen small leaks of "official"
information from key local investors as well as excellent
vibes from the NHL with regards to Winnipeg as an option
for the league again.
The size of MTS Centre has repeatedly been verified
as a non-issue (though that never seems to stop people
from debating it) and we are taking the right approach
by keeping a low profile and following the steps the
NHL has laid out.
In a nutshell:
Teams struggling: check.
Financial viablilty: check.
NHL's approval of Winnipeg: check.
Verification of MTS Centre: check.
Money in place when opportunity arrives: check.
Overwhelming coast-to-coast support (ie polls): check.
Cost to bring team here: unknown.
Timeline: unknown.
That sure beats when the list ended with "unknown"
in almost ever category 3 years ago.
June 28, 2007
Balsillie Out, Boots In?
It is difficult to determine what the deal falling
through with Jim Balsillie means to us. It may sound
strange on the surface, but I believe this is good news
for several reasons. Don't take it as the NHL not wanting
a team in Canada. It is more of an issue of them not
wanting a team in Southern Ontario. You see, the league
wants to grow in fan base and the Golden Horseshoe is
already more than secure in that category. In other
words it does nothing for the NHL to have another team
in that region, they still would have the same number
of fans. In Winnipeg, granted, we also have a great
fan base already but the difference being we don't already
have a team in the region to cater to those fans. We
also fall well outside the Maple Leafs 80-kilometre
buffer zone.
So here are the reasons this is good news.
1) A major competitor has been removed from the list,
Kansas City. However much we know this experiment will
fail, KC was being considered for expansion in the future.
2) A major owner has been taken off the list of potential
buyers. This is the second time Balsillie has failed
at gaining membership into the NHL and that likely means
he is now black-listed in the Board of Governors minds.
Although you have to hand it to him, he did fight for
Canada through Hamilton and to that I say "cheers".
It would be great to have him champion a team here in
Winnipeg. In fact I almost gaurantee that it would go
smoothly if it were here he was wishing to place a team.
However, his tactics thus far have ticked too many key
people off and his destination plans only soured the
deal.
3) It proves the NHL will never go into Hamilton, removing
yet another candidate. It's not like we scratched one
competition and left another remaining. These cities
are both gone from the list. If a billionaire like Jim
Balsillie, however rebel-like he was, can't get a team
into Hamilton with a $100 million over-bid then it doesn't
look good for this city ever again.
4) The cost of a franchise has come half-way back down
to actual levels. By halfway I mean it still needs to
drop to the $140 million-ish range to be even at the
high end of what these failing teams are worth and to
be at levels any group from Winnipeg is going to cough
up. Luckily, the $190 million Boots DelBiaggio is still
considered to be an over-bid.
We will have to see if any of this story proves to be
true or if it is just a tactic to get Balsillie to offer
a binding agreement to purchase the Predators. You can't
blame him for not jumping at finalizing anything, especially
when the league seems so intent on nixing any movement
to Hamilton. What warm-blooded Canadian who has turned
himself into a billionaire wants to be forced to own
a hockey team in Kansas City, Missouri?
June 15, 2007
Where Are We At?
I have deleted some content from the prior post because
it came across too negative for the liking of many people.
That's not how intended it to sound.
Okay, as for today...where do I start?
Firstly, I have to call out The Fan 590 in Toronto
and others like them who we have to learn not to rely
on. They speculate aimlessly and get "facts"
from multiple "official" sources whose information
ends up contradicting itself. They keep discussing Vegas
like it is some sure shot market (yeah I'm in Vegas
for four nights and I'm from Little Rock, Arkansas and
I'm going to spend one of them at a hockey game that
the casino left tickets to on my bed) and then spend
3.5 seconds trying their best to dismiss Winnipeg. Only
some of their guests via telephone ever have anything
grounded to say, like putting a team in either Kansas
City or Las Vegas over Winnipeg is absurd. Do you think
the NHL feels those markets are more viable long-term
than Winnipeg is? Not a chance. But the fact remains
that there are guys like
Jerry Bruckheimer who want into "the club"
bad enough that they'll pay whatever it takes to get
in. And that's not the kind of recklessness anyone from
Manitoba is used to taking part in.
This is about money. All sports are. It was about money
when the Jets left in 1996 and it's still about money
now. If two billionaires are prepared to throw a total
of $400 million at 30 owners to be part of their gang,
that is where the final two teams will end up. When
I say final I mean final expansion (we've heard that
before).
Just remember one thing, if those two cities are to
land expansion teams, even if that timeline is uncertain
they will know they are likely to get one and therefore
be out of the running for relocation. There are only
a handful of cities interested in being part of a league
that boasts a 1.1 television share during the most important
time of the season. Winnipeg, for one. Then light interest
from the likes of Houston and possibly Seattle or Hartford.
I know this has gotten more complex, but that is something
we have no control over. We have an ideal building that
can generate ample revenue. We have hockey crazed fans.
We have the support of the NHL to have us back. But
they cannot control how much people are willing to throw
at them. Frankly, I having a hard time believing ANYBODY
is willing to pay ANYTHING. I must admit, I never saw
this coming. But our time will come because there are
far too many teams in trouble and they can't all find
a Jim Balsillie to pay $100 million over the appraised
price of their franchise. Leipold got lucky because
he was the first one willing to jump ship and the first
one with the convenience of having an out-clause in
his lease agreement.
Finally, speaking of Balsillie, it will be interesting
to see if he even gets the blessing of the NHL Board
of Governors. He has rocked the boat far too much already,
and is showing signs of being a rebel in a club that
is used to being very much in control and very much
a tight family. Clearly he has overpaid for the Preds
in order to win over the other owners by raising their
franchise values, in theory anyway. But when a guy hasn't
even gotten his membership card yet and already has
had negotiations with a city and arena for plans to
move a team he doesn't even own yet, it ruffles a few
feathers. Those are key feathers. Afterall he needs
75% (not 51% Fan 590) or 23 teams to vote in favour
of his purchase, now well knowing he intends to move
the team on his terms. That means if 8 teams dislike
his vibe, it's at no-go. Stay tuned, Hamilton could
be in for a real let-down once again. If he doesn't
get accepted, he could back-out or look at Kansas City
as an option. Whatever the case, it has become very
apparent the NHL doesn't want a team in Hamilton and
neither do the Leafs, who are essentially the league
anyway. We know this because of the Penguins ordeal
where the NHL placed tight stipulations on keeping the
team in Pittsburgh, mostly because they knew Balsillie
wanted to do the very same thing he is doing now, despite
telling the league otherwise just weeks ago. Balsillie
has also played the "challenging the competition
laws" angle which sends the message that he is
the type to take on the NHL at every turn. Looks like
he may have showed his hand a little too early. Now
the decision for the Preds sale has been bumped back
in light of all of this maneuvering. If this sale also
falls through (a la Penguins) Balsillie will not be
taken seriously anymore and would likely fade away.
This is about to be an ugly game of chess.
Truthfully I kind of admire how ballsy (no pun intended)
he is being but either way it won't have much effect
on Winnipeg's chances. If this guy were from Winnipeg,
we'd have a team today. The corporate support would
be put to the test and once it passed along with the
fan support, we'd have an RIM Centre sign being made
for the outside of our arena. The NHL wouldn't have
an issue because we're not in the Golden Horseshoe's
TV market (hell we're not in anyone's TV market!). Winnipeg
money would only have to buy in as a minority and the
building would be paid for and ready to roll.
Sound too good? Well Mr. Balsillie, ask Gary Bettman
where he might want to put a team in Canada. He'll hook
you up with the right people.
You'll be "intrigued" too.
Checkmate.
June 9, 2007
Bizarre Times
With rumour that the purchase price for the Nashville
Predators is now approaching $240 million, it has become
time to be concerned. While that price does not necessarily
raise the next purchase price, it does increase those
odds and also likley raised any expansion fee significantly.
The mere mention of expansion is bad enough considering
this league needs to re-shuffle where teams are as it
is, but to Kansas City and Las Vegas?! This is an absolutely
ridiculous concept and it is destined to follow the
same failed path as Phoenix, Miami, Nashville and on
and on. I can't imagine how true fans, most of whom
are Canadian or old-school American fans, would react
with anything but disgust and resentment. These fans
are all the NHL has left, after TV contacts have repeatedly
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