On May 31st, the NHL announced that the Thrashers were purchased by True North, and are going to move to Winnipeg, but I think its a bad move by the NHL. Hockey isn't like other sports like football and baseball. Hockey needs teams in southern cities, so the sport can grow and expand.
For example in Winnipeg, basically all of the younger children play hockey, but its not the same story in Atlanta, maybe a small amount of children play. Hockey teams need to be in the south so children can watch a hometown team and become interested in hockey.
People are saying that the Thrasher have no fan support, which I agree, you know why? Because since their first season (99-00) they only made the playoffs once, and in America, and in any other sport that is not going to draw fans. Yeah sure, in Edmonton or Toronto they haven't been playing well at all for a few years now and are still selling out every game, you know why? Because its Canada and hockey is Canada's sport. It doesn't work the same way in the United States.
Another thing, what is the point of this move? Winnipeg's arena is going to be the smallest in the league, with around 15,000 seats. Since its Canada and the first year for a NHL team in Winnipeg they will sellout every game without any issues, even though they will probably finish in 4th or 5th place in the division.
The team will average 15,000 all season long, and Atlanta averaged 13,469 in the 10-11 season, so to me it seems like the team is getting moved so there will be an extra 1,531 people at home games. In the 2010-2011 season the Thrashers were 28th in the NHL for attendance, and Winnipeg's 15,000 per game would have 24th in the NHL, behind teams like Nashville and Florida were Canadians like to say should have an NHL team. Speaking of Nashville, the NBC market in Nashville had one of the highest ratings in the United States for game one of the Stanley Cup finals, they had better television ratings than cities that are considered to be "hockey towns", seems like Nashville is becoming a hockey town.
Also another reason NHL teams are need in the south is that people from the Northern United States and Canada move to places like Florida, California, and Arizona because of the warmer weather, I'll use the Penguins for this example, if a Penguins fan moves from Pittsburgh to Tampa, they'll be able to go to two games a year in Tampa, two more games down in South Florida, and even two more games up the road in Atlanta (another reason the move is bad). Like think about this, if you and your family are planning a vacation and you would like to go to a hockey game to watch your favorite team play, where would you rather go on vacation, Florida or Winnipeg? Give me three things to do in Winnipeg, and then give me three things to do in Florida.
In my eyes, this is a bad move by the NHL, but also this is my personal opinion, you guys will all have your own.
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Florida is a state, Winnipeg is a city. That's a rather stupid comparison. If you want 3 things to do in Manitoba, well.. that's pretty easy. Go to one of the many beaches or provincial parks. Go on a Polar Bear or Beluga Whale watching expedition on Hudsons Bay, Visit the mint where they print Canadian money, visit the national historic site the exchange district with tons of cool architecture. Visit the canadian museum for human rights (which granted is not yet compete) attend one of many festivals. Go to the snake pits of narcisse.. Theres lots to do here.
ReplyDeleteWhats there to do in Florida? Go to the beach? Visit Disney World or some theme park? Cape Canaveral is there I guess.
Look, Atlanta failed twice because of ownership issues. It's a shame and hopefully the hockey fans there will get another chance one day. Florida and Phoenix are available. Get yourself a 15 year business plan and get started like Winnipeg's interests did.. But a hockey team like any sports team is a business, not a right that certain cities are entitled to automatically.
Winnipeg deserves a team because for one, its team was taken out of town despite the will of its people, because it has a rich hockey history and such things need to be cultivated not taken for granted. As if, as you say theres nothing to do in Winnipeg. Well then, now theres something for people to do in the cold Winnipeg winter.
Good point, I should have said Tampa and Winnipeg, or Florida and Manitoba. Well can't we agree that hockey in the south is important for the future. Yeah, teams in the south doesn't have top attendance, because it could take a whole generation to start a large fan base.
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