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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
failed to gather new ones and the hockey novelty always
wears off in whatever non-tradtional markets they have
put teams into. Now they want to add two more?
I am nearly beside myself here at the thought of this.
Yes, Jerry Bruckheimer would be a good addition to the
owners circle, but we've seen this story play out before.
Bad hockey markets are bad decisions...every time.
The scary part of all of this isn't the rumoured expansion
cities, but rather the fact that the price tag, that
was already a stretch, has now likely gone way up thanks
to Jim Balsillie and his agenda to gather NHL Board
of Governors' support by raising their respective team
value by over 50% over night.
The first thought that came to my mind was, great,
KC and Vegas get in through expansion, making a clear
path for us to land a relocating team. But now with
the surprising purchase price of the Predators, we are
up against steeper odds. Even through expansion the
fee has skyrocketed into the price range of what was
very recently the ballpark range of a relocation price.
Somehow, someway (spelled Jim Balsillie) the NHL has
managed to increase their memebership value, despite
falling far off the radar in the United States...so
far that re-runs of The West Wing have got it beat.
If we are ignored after all the pro-Winnipeg talk from
journalsits to the league itself, there will be a bashlash
from this sports fan. If there is soon teams with the
names Hamilton, Las Vegas and Kansas City in the title
while we still have the Moose, you should be part of
that backlash as well.
Myself, I'd like to think this is all hocus-pocus,
and that stations like the The Fan 590 in Toronto are
self-absorbed and mis-informed and that they report
stories without concrete proof to back them up. Myself,
I feel Winnipeg has taken the correct steps to staying
patient and following the NHL's route for getting "back
in". I feel we are looked upon as beneficial to
the league again and that our market is repeatedly praised
for its passion for hockey in any form. That's why none
of this expansion talk adds up. We will have to keep
close tabs on the situation and as I mentioned before,
it may be time for the big money in town to break from
their silhouttes and become faces in media.
The vibe is still good, but things are certainly getting
interesting if not bizarre.
June 7, 2007
Congrats to Teemu!
Congratulations to Randy Carlyle and Teemu Selanne
for their Stanley Cup victory. We all wish Teemu could
retire here with the new Winnipeg Jets one day.
June 5, 2007
Bettman RSVP
There should no longer be any doubt that Winnipeg is
considered a hot spot to put a struggling, or shall
we say horribly failing, NHL franchise. That part we
have all proven and need not be concerned with waving
the Winnipeg flag to gain attention. We don't even need
our heavy hitters to make headlines (but read on). That's
because we make headlines on our own, without even trying.
And the media, thank their always-beneficial souls,
have kept on Bettman relentlessly for 3 years now. This
website for four years, as of June 1st may I add.
The national coverage on the recent comments made by
Gary Bettman about Winnipeg were overwhelming. Referring
to a return to Winnipeg as "intriguing" and
"righting a wrong" are huge steps toward not
only a franchise coming back to Winnipeg, but to the
NHL admitting defeat in its footprint across America
plan. They followed the footsteps long enough only to
find out they led back to Winnipeg anyway, like ET following
Reeses Pieces.
It is nice to have the NHL on our side, or at least
speaking highly of us, but there is still loads of work
to be done. Like finding another team willing to officially
part ways with their NASCAR-crazed environment and the
dough to buy it. While I do not feel the benchmark for
an NHL team is set at $220 million just because Jim
Balsillie paid that for his ticket into "le club",
it is probably closer to that range than zero. I'd have
to say that for the first time I may have to call out
the heavy hitters in this city. No vague comments via
Mark Chipman, no more "Mark has my number",
no more "we are in close contact with the NHL".
I understand the process and quite frankly feel that
carrying it out underground is the way to go. But giving
the public some sort of indication as to where the process
stands would be nice. We all understand that a team
needs to become available but we need to know what ballpark
the big money in this town are willing to play in. No
need to worry about the emotional rollercoaster, afterall,
we are already on one.
We know MTS Centre works, we know there is the fan
support, the corporate support and the right financial
team to do this. We know the NHL is clearly in favour
of Winnipeg over the blue leaf-controlled southern Ontario
and we know a current team will eventually follow Craig
Leipold's lead. So how much is too much? What deal is
right? How much does the NHL really like us?
Those questions are anyone's guess but it might be
about time we got some further concrete answers instead
of "possibilities" or "conceivables".
One thing I believe is crucial is something a few of
you have e-mailed me over the past few days. That is
to invite Gary Bettman and a national audience to witness
MTS Centre during this fall's exhibition game between
the Coyotes and Leafs on September 19th. Though it won't
be the playoff atmosphere we had in the past, it would
still be full of energy, especially if Bettman attends.
Imagine the noise and signs in the crowd if we were
using the game to showcase our own cause. I know what
mine would say..."We're not in Kansas Anymore,
Toto" or "NHL footprint leads to Winnipeg!"
And for a meaningless exhibition game at full prices.
Sounds like just the right sales pitch to me.
Note: I apologize to the many radio and TV stations
that requested to speak with JetsOwner.com after Bettman's
comments. I was overseas and could not participate.
Thanks to Rob Kerr of The Fan 960 in Calgary for having
me on, yet again. His stance is always fair and from
both points of view and his desire to promote the cause
is always strong.
May 24, 2007
Chalk One Up For Canada
The new era has begun.
The dream of the United States gleaming with NHL hockey
from coast to coast has officially died. "Bet"tman's
hand has been dealt a 2 and a 7 and has now folded.
We have known this day would come for some time, perhaps
since the day the dream began, but we are finally no
longer in the "if" era but now into the "when"
era. When is now.
For the first time, the NHL has admitted defeat and
come to the realization that Dixieland isn't the place
hockey will thrive, but rather Dairyland (aka southern
Ontario) or anywhere in Canada, where hockey is king.
There are endless conclusions that can be drawn from
this newest development regarding the sale of the Nashville
Predators, but one thing is for sure; Canada is the
new "cool" in the NHL and it's about time.
The sale of the Nashville Predators to a Canadian spells
northbound. Especially considering
Jim Balsillie backed out of the Penguins deal because
he wasn't allowed to move that team north and the fact
that he recently purchased 25 acres of land in the Cambridge
area (aka Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge, population: Winnipeg).
Hamilton is likely not in the cards because a new arena
would have to be built anyway and if he has to build an
arena regardless, he is going to build one in a zone where
he doesn't need to pay-off the Leafs and Sabres as well.
Instead of rambling on about of the pros and cons of
this deal for Winnipeg, let me just address some major
issues by taking the negative and spinning a positive
on it:
The Waiting List
While Winnipeg may still be on the waiting list, what
the sale of the Predators has done is dis-lodge a huge
piece of timber from the log jam that has been building
up for years now, just waiting to burst. The flow of
water is finally trickling through the gates and more
logs should follow soon. If teams begin to feel their
time is now to get out while anyone wants them, it will
send a ripple effet throughout the league and arena
leases will begin to crumble along with franchises.
As I said, the new era has begun. This next one will
see several teams pack it up and look for better places
to call home. We've got a home. We've got fans. We've
got corporate support. What we don't have is $200 million
US to throw at the first person that wants it.
The Price Tag
Spending $200 million US certainly seems outrageous
but take into considerationn that Balsillie has boatloads
of money and some people will do what it takes to get
into a prestigous club, even if they have to build a
brand new clubhouse as well. In Winnipeg, it would be
a stretch to come up with $200 million US knowing that
money will never be re-couped. It is up-front cost,
never to been seen again, gonzo. Now for the spin. The
bright side is that this $200 million that has seemingly
set the new market value for an NHL franchise isn't
necessarily the new benchmark. That is because Balsillie
didn't outbid anyone, he simply gave Leipold what he
was asking. Period. This doesn't mean that anyone else
was willing to pay that and it means the next team is
only worth what someone is willing to pay. If there
is another Balsillie out there, then there is nothing
we can do about it. But remember, that money man/woman
would have to be a good fit for the NHL and have a plan
to benefit the league. Balsillie is one of those people,
but it's not like there's many of them to go around,
not for this league.
The Destination
Moving to southern Ontario may be the desired location
for this franchise, but the NHL has certainly warmed
up to Winnipeg as of late and no doubt has allowed our
business leaders inside the loop much like they have
kept Balsillie in the loop recently. There are still
other suitors for Winnipeg. Cross your fingers that
Kansas City gets the SuperSonics of the NBA so we can
scratch them off the waiting list. Should they still
be on the waiting list in the future, don't count Winnipeg
out as equal contenders for the next team to pack up.
Bettman and other NHL officials have been, all of the
sudden, very pro-Winnipeg in various media outlets as
of late. They now see us as a profitable market, especially
when compared to where they reside now. This is something
we have never seen and it bides well for how they feel
not only towards our city and market, but what they
think of our group of potentials investors. You're not
in the loop if you're a joke and we are most certainly
in the loop.
May 23, 2007
Predators Sold! Moving to Canada?
Channel
5 News out of Nashville and Bloomberg.com
have reported that the Nashville Predators have been
sold to Canadian Billionaire Jim Balsillie. Terms have
not yet been disclosed but this development can be good
news or bad news for Winnipeg.
Bad...because the sale price is said to be near the
$220 million USD mark. This is the ballpark former owner
Craig Leipold was looking for and he got it which sets
the market value for an NHL team very high. This is
NOT a good figure for Winnipeg.
Good...if Winnipeg is a place Mr. Balsillie is considering
moving the team. This would assume that he wants it
north of the border and that hamilton is out of the
question. It also assumes that Kitchener-Waterloo was
just a whacky dream.
Early polls have 80% of fans in Nashville believing
the team will relocate to another city under the new
ownership.
Whether it is safe to assume that Kansas City, with their
own group of big money, is out of the running for the
Preds is anyone's guess.
We will have to stay tuned for further developments.
May 7, 2007
Political Arena Not Necessarily Good Building
The morning began with a phone call from Hugh McFadyen.
He wanted to invite me to come down to his grand announcement
regarding a way to help with the purchase cost of an
NHL franchise. All I could think was...here we go. Personally,
I would prefer this topic not be debated in an election
campaign only because that leads to the media, which
in turn leads to mis-communication and far too much
generalization. On the other hand, it does put it in
the headlines again.
The reason I have reservations about using the political
arena as a platform is that it carries a lot of fluff
with little substance. To be honest, I was quite content
with the way things were going behind the scenes.
Then the other phone calls poured in, the media and
the private sector, trying to find out what just went
on this morning. As my day was busy enough, remember
I have a regular job, I had to turn down most interview
requests. For those who care to listen, here is what
I told the few stations I did speak with (Global and
CBC).
First of all, while it is nice to be thinking outside
the box with ideas like creating "Jets bonds"
and "Whiteout to Win lotteries", we have to
be careful when dangling these types of carrots in front
of our group of potential Jets-owners. It gets their mindset
into the gear that they'll be getting help from government
and our public investments. While I am not against it
by any means, it is a huge step to promise it. I believe
the private sector can handle this venture on their own.
In fact I know they can. Revenue generators like lotteries
are great ideas but lets see what our heavy hitters can
do on their own first. Don't get me wrong, if these ideas
ever came to light, I'd be right there in support of them.
It's just that the process is going on underground right
now and lets also not forget that the Jets left on the
Conservative's watch the last time. I know, I know....that's
the past. Just a reminder.
McFadyen's theme of "Friends Don't Let Friends
Move To Alberta" was effective in my mind and his
focus on halting the out migration of our youth rang
well with me too. All in all, I think it was a good
message and outside-the-box thinking. Then again, it
is an election campaign which could just mean inside-the-box
political manoeuvring. Smart to lure Thomas Steen to
the gig.
Enter Gary Doer tomorrow who will likely rebut that
he has been involved with many behind the scenes talks
with key players in this fight to get our NHL team back.
He will be telling the truth too. He has been well in
the loop throughout the process. Stay tuned for his
thoughts.
The real story may stem from the price tag of $145
million for the Edmonton Oilers (or $130 million USD).
This is not the $175 million that has been thrown around
and may not sound like news, but it is. This squashes
the belief by some that NHL teams are worth x-amount
of money just because Forbes Magazine appraises them
so. The truth is, teams are worth what someone is willing
to pay for them and the Penguins were worth $175 million
WITH A BRAND SPANKING NEW ARENA ATTACHED TO THE DEAL.
The Oilers, who are successful on and off the ice, have
been offered $130 million USD. The number is going down
and this is good news for Winnipeg. What is a team worth
that is unsuccessful and in dire need of a new place
to call home? $110 million? $120 million?
Time will tell. Lets just hope that time is sooner
than later. The waters remain very warm...with or without
political campaigning.
May 5, 2007
Winnipeg Fans Still Legendary
It seems that not only does Winnipeg still find itself
included in current NHL polls with current NHL teams,
but we also win those polls!
When polled regarding the richest playoff fan participation,
Winnipeg fans took the win over Detroit, Calgary and
Edmonton....and we haven't been in the league for 11
years! Sad that nobody could strip us of this title
in all that time. Imagine MTS Centre packed to the roof
trusses with white clad fans and white shakers at playoff
time. The noise in that intimate building would be overwhelming
for any opponent. Can't wait.
April 10, 2007
The Real Record Setting
The NHL announced this week that it set league records
for attendance in 2006-07. The words "set records"
brings a few other things to mind. Like record setting
give-aways.
For instance, the Montreal Canadiens matched their
league record season attendance of 872,193. Wonderful.
Too bad the NHL had already given away more tickets
by January 31st, only a little more than half way through
the 2006-07 campaign. 881,135 freebies to be exact.
That's on pace for 1.4 million complimentary tickets
given to "fans" to come out to NHL buildings.
Wow, no wonder their smashing attendance records!
All of this mind-boggling data can be found in this
ticket report courtesy of The Globe &
Mail (and retreived by supporter "Wagner3")
which analyses complimentary tickets and gate revenues
over the past two seasons. Notice where the Canadian
clubs rank in give-aways.
Edmonton, dead last, only feels they need to part with
207 tickets per game on average. Meanwhile, Atlanta
and Florida need to give away over 2,800 per game. And
that doesn't include tickets that are significantly
reduced in price.
What this says to all of us, and especially to those
who STILL insist on debating MTS Centre's capacity,
is quite clear. Once you tally up the freebies, the
discounted tickets and the empty seats that still remain
after those incentives, what you are left with is a
figure far less than MTS Centre capacity anyway. 17,000
seats less 2,800 freebies, less 1,000 half priced seats
(equivelent to 500 paid), less 2,000 empty seats equals
11,700. Now who has the AHL market?
The report also further validates the numbers that
JetsOwner.com has come up with in regards to gate revenue
per game. $930,000 for a Winnipeg team still sits nicely
with Calgary ($991,252) and Edmonton ($1,020,499). Notice
in the chart how the Canadian clubs now sit high in
the rankings when revenue is the focus.
Quite simply, we're holding this league together. That
will show even more when they realize the TV ratings
with Montreal and Toronto out of the playoffs, the league's
two largest TV markets in real numbers.
As for the Coyotes honouring Dale Hawerchuk? Sad. Sad
because they are desperately trying to pull any stunt
to get people out to Glendale for anything other than
shopping. Unless of course the Cardinals are playing.
Trouble is, they don't know who Dale Hawerchuk is. They
don't know what he did, when he was drafted or why his
number is being hung to the rafters along with those
other guys that wore #25 and #9. Welcome to Coyote country,
home of the longest trail of red ink around.
"Ahhh-ooooo
Werewolf in London
Ahhh-ooooo!"
April 3, 2007
Dangerous Idea (That We All Like)
The Winnipeg Free Press recently posed the question
of whether you would support the raising of the PST
by 0.5% for two years in order to raise the capital
to purchase an NHL team. Here's the scary thing with
a proposal like this...
Now the private sector has a taste of not paying a
cent to get a team here and when the idea gets overwhelmingly
shot down (and it will) they can use that as an excuse
to back away from moving forward, even though we all
know that those responding "no" to the tax
idea poll are nearly all non-hockey fans and therefore
have no real impact on the sustainability of a team
anyway.
Would I pay another 0.5% in PST for an NHL team?.....heck
yeah. But the Free Press should know better than to
give CJOB an entire day worth of negative phone calls
to air. To be honest it's irresponsible. At a time when
health care has so many issues there is NO WAY any government
is going to pass raising the PST to fund the purchase
of an NHL team. If it were that easy, it would have
happened 11 years ago. And if it did happen...where
was that plan 11 years ago?
This is a private sector venture and while I think
government should give breaks to help out a future franchise,
there is no hope of raising taxes for one. That is the
death wish for any project.
We'd all do it in a heartbeat though...wouldn't we.
Now for new streets, a new stadium and a domed St.
James all we need to do is raise the PST 3%.
March 20, 2007
One Week Strike on "Got Fans" Section
Why? It's as simple as this. Apparently I am to believe
that on a Tuesday night in Raleigh the Hurricanes drew
18,639 paying customers to watch them play the Panthers.
And then I am to believe the same paying crowd came
out two nights later vs. the Devils despite the No.
1 ranked Tar Heels playing their first match in the
NCAA Final Four Tournament that night.
Runner-ups?
Tampa Bay consistently claiming that 21,300 people
pay and attend their games.
Atlanta and Florida telling us that they have over
18,000 paying and attending nearly every game
I feel bad for picking on the same teams week-in and
week-out simply because they provide REAL attendance
figures. Hence my strike for one week.
March 15, 2007
Buffalo Duo On Our Side
You may remember Andrew Kulyk and Peter Farrell from
their visit to our city during one of their many voyages
to critique pro and amateur sports facilities. Their
critique of MTS Centre can be found on their website
www.thesportsroadtrip.com.
Recently they have launched a different kind of website
that includes a range of blogs and articles. Their latest
installment of their theme Puck
Stop is a focus on Winnipeg and includes interview
clips from myself and Teppo Numminen. Good of these
guys for continuing the push in the US. They get it
in Buffalo.
I'd also like to take the time to thank all of the
radio stations that have had me as a guest over the
past couple months. I don't report on all of them. That
includes stations in London, Calgary, Montreal, and
Halifax. I will soon be appearing on Saskatchewan radio
and I'll try to up keep you in the loop on that one.
If you haven't yet purchased a t-shirt, be sure to
grab one online! They are in home and away formats and
come in all sizes. For a limited time beginning
March 16th, they will be $5 off. Lets get more
of these on the streets!
February 11, 2007
The Numbers Add Up
Not that my
calculations haven't already been validated,
but something struck me as I read Mark
Spector's exclusive report in the National
Post regarding the NHL's true attendance and revenue
figures. The detailed report spent some time discussing
Nashville's current revenue situation, among others,
strictly regarding gate revenue. It revealed that the
Predators pull in an average of $525,000 US per game
from the gate (ranked 23rd | 
