An Idea for Mr. Bettman
Posted on October 10, 2007 - Filed Under ideaDRUNK's ideas
Move the Nashville Predators to Hamilton. Repatriate an NHL team. The writting certainly seems to be on the wall that Nashville is not a ripe hockey market when more Vancouver fans show up to the unveiling of a new uniform than Predators fans at a regular season game.
We have all heard the arguments to move a low-performing American NHL franchise to Canada. Then people mention something about television revenues and trying to push the game in the states. But truly how much revenue could be lost from extracting an awesome team from a market where nobody appreciates hockey? Nashville is a winning team. They play an exciting style of hockey, and still nobody in the area wants to watch it.
Move the team to Hamilton. This will provide the team with a loyal fanbase and almost guarantees a sold out season. Now, I know what people are thinking. The Maple Leaf ownership would never let this happen, as it would canibalize revenue from their franchise. The solution? Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) buys the Predators and moves them to Hamilton.
This does a couple of things:
- Provides the MLSE with additional ticket revenues. They already sell out every game in Toronto. Aside from building a larger stadium or increasing ticket prices even more, how else can they improve their ticket revenue?
- Provides an audience for the Predators. Nobody likes to see an empty stadium during a professional level game. Not the fans, not the players. It’s even depressing for people watching the game on TV. Put some warm bodies in the seats and create a buzz around the team!
- Provide additional rivalries for the NHL. Rivalries are good. They sell merchandise and get entire cities supporting their teams. If you don’t believe me, go to Ottawa during the first round of the playoffs when they’re playing the Leafs.
In summary, by having the MLSE move the team, it eliminates the primary barrier to entry for a team in Southern Ontario. Instead of looking at it as competition, the MLSE now views it as a new revenue stream. And it provides a great team for Canadian hockey fans. Talk about win-win.
- Christian
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