Friday, November 6, 2009

NHL contraction

I just read an article on www.thehockeynews.com about contracting the NHL. The premise was if certain franchises can't make money, get rid of them. It had several quotes about how that is how capitalism works....
This is stupid. You don't contract franchises, you move them. If the pheonix coyotes can't function in the desert, move them back to Winnipeg or to Hamilton. If after five years attendance drops, move them again. New franchises always do well for a couple years. You could even move a franchise back to one of these places. The people would be so happy to have it back, they would come out in droves.
Columbus isn't doing well, put them in Cleveland for a minute. that doesn't work, move them to Regina. Salt Lake City, Seattle, Sacramento, Kansas City: they could all sell-out NHL hockey for a couple of years. Then, pack up and leave if it flounders.
Places like Toronto and New York will always have the population base to support NHL hockey. But, it is a little tougher getting people in small markets to part with cash. They will do it for something new and exciting.
Also, if the Clippers and Lakers of the NBA can share a building, why can't there be two teams in the Air Canada center or the Bell Centre.
These floundering franchises can make money. The people running the ship just need to be more creative.