My Letter To Gary
by Dirk Hoag on Jun 13, 2007 10:01 PM EDT
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Dear Mr. Bettman,
When the announcement was made a few weeks ago that Jim Balsillie had entered into an agreement to purchase the Nashville Predators, speculation immediately began that a relocation to South Ontario would come in short order, and many hockey fans in the Nashville area jumped to the conclusion that we'd see a "Major League" scenario, whereby the new owner would deliberately undermine local support of the team so as to trigger the escape clause in the team's arena lease. As for myself, I decided to give Mr. Balsillie the benefit of the doubt - surely as a lifelong hockey fan and player, he wouldn't do such a thing after acquiring one of the best young teams in the game, with the Stanley Cup potentially within reach.
I've waited and watched over recent weeks, and was initially encouraged by Balsillie's promise to field a competitive team, giving GM David Poile an ample budget to put together the best team possible. His legal representative Richard Rodier assured any and all questioners that their courtship of the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton was merely a contingency plan, just in case the lease terminated prematurely. Frankly, I agree that such precautions are justified, as the question of whether Nashville hits the 14,000 paid attendance mark might not be answered until late next spring, leaving only a few months to relocate the team for 2008-9, so lining up Copps as a fallback now is entirely reasonable.
Today's news, however, makes abundantly clear that Mr. Balsillie is doing much more than arranging contingencies, and is instead actively working towards the relocation of the franchise. As reported on TSN.ca this evening, effective tomorrow he'll be accepting season-ticket deposits in Hamilton before he even owns an NHL team, let alone one that is available or approved to relocate. Is this the sort of owner you want in the NHL?
Mr. Bettman, this is clearly a case where "actions speak louder than words." Mr. Balsillie has said all the right things about honoring the Predators' lease with the city of Nashville and giving things an honest shot, but this latest development couldn't make it any clearer that he has absolutely no intention of keeping the team here, period. The local business community in Nashville has launched an effort to increase season ticket sales (found at www.ourteamnashville.com) without any input or comment from Mr. Balsillie, who states readily that the franchise is still Craig Leipold's, so he's not in the position to offer comment. Yet somehow he's in a position to start taking deposits in Hamilton for a team he doesn't own, and isn't free to move at this time? That's simply absurd.
As demonstrated in the recent rumors regarding expansion to Las Vegas and Kansas City, there are a number of interested, well-heeled parties that would love to join the ranks of NHL ownership. Admitting Mr. Balsillie into those ranks would only grant license to the most callous and deceitful practices of big-time sports ownership, and potentially undermine other NHL owners who wish to negotiate with their host cities for new arenas. Why would a city enter a long-term deal with an NHL owner if they have reason to fear that they'll act in the manner Mr. Balsillie is now?
I hope you and the Board of Governors take your time and do a thorough review of what Mr. Balsillie is proposing in terms of his purchase agreement and relocation request - and at the same time, remember that no matter what he and his representatives are saying, it's their actions that belie their real purpose.
Sincerely,
Dirk Hoag, aka The Forechecker
http://forechecker.blogspot.com
When the announcement was made a few weeks ago that Jim Balsillie had entered into an agreement to purchase the Nashville Predators, speculation immediately began that a relocation to South Ontario would come in short order, and many hockey fans in the Nashville area jumped to the conclusion that we'd see a "Major League" scenario, whereby the new owner would deliberately undermine local support of the team so as to trigger the escape clause in the team's arena lease. As for myself, I decided to give Mr. Balsillie the benefit of the doubt - surely as a lifelong hockey fan and player, he wouldn't do such a thing after acquiring one of the best young teams in the game, with the Stanley Cup potentially within reach.
I've waited and watched over recent weeks, and was initially encouraged by Balsillie's promise to field a competitive team, giving GM David Poile an ample budget to put together the best team possible. His legal representative Richard Rodier assured any and all questioners that their courtship of the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton was merely a contingency plan, just in case the lease terminated prematurely. Frankly, I agree that such precautions are justified, as the question of whether Nashville hits the 14,000 paid attendance mark might not be answered until late next spring, leaving only a few months to relocate the team for 2008-9, so lining up Copps as a fallback now is entirely reasonable.
Today's news, however, makes abundantly clear that Mr. Balsillie is doing much more than arranging contingencies, and is instead actively working towards the relocation of the franchise. As reported on TSN.ca this evening, effective tomorrow he'll be accepting season-ticket deposits in Hamilton before he even owns an NHL team, let alone one that is available or approved to relocate. Is this the sort of owner you want in the NHL?
Mr. Bettman, this is clearly a case where "actions speak louder than words." Mr. Balsillie has said all the right things about honoring the Predators' lease with the city of Nashville and giving things an honest shot, but this latest development couldn't make it any clearer that he has absolutely no intention of keeping the team here, period. The local business community in Nashville has launched an effort to increase season ticket sales (found at www.ourteamnashville.com) without any input or comment from Mr. Balsillie, who states readily that the franchise is still Craig Leipold's, so he's not in the position to offer comment. Yet somehow he's in a position to start taking deposits in Hamilton for a team he doesn't own, and isn't free to move at this time? That's simply absurd.
As demonstrated in the recent rumors regarding expansion to Las Vegas and Kansas City, there are a number of interested, well-heeled parties that would love to join the ranks of NHL ownership. Admitting Mr. Balsillie into those ranks would only grant license to the most callous and deceitful practices of big-time sports ownership, and potentially undermine other NHL owners who wish to negotiate with their host cities for new arenas. Why would a city enter a long-term deal with an NHL owner if they have reason to fear that they'll act in the manner Mr. Balsillie is now?
I hope you and the Board of Governors take your time and do a thorough review of what Mr. Balsillie is proposing in terms of his purchase agreement and relocation request - and at the same time, remember that no matter what he and his representatives are saying, it's their actions that belie their real purpose.
Sincerely,
Dirk Hoag, aka The Forechecker
http://forechecker.blogspot.com
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Great post!!!
Bettman's gotta go!
http://www.FireBettman.com
Bettman's gotta go!
http://www.FireBettman.com
by Anonymous on Jun 13, 2007 11:23 PM EDT reply actions
Dear Forechecker,
I understand the frustration of you, a self admitted Nashville Predator fan.
But here's grim reality...
With nothing but an agreement in principal and rumoured intent, the Predators are already have a larger fan base and vastly larger corporate support base over a couple of weeks in Hamilton
...VERSUS...
The Nashville Predators that have struggled with attendance and thus far been completely ignored by Nahsville's various businesses and corporations. The current owner has yet to actually make money, nevermind have a break even year, over the course of nearly half a decade.
No sport franchise and no franchise owner and/or ownership group would, could or should be forced to survive in the environment the Nashville Predators find themselves.
If anything, you should be writing letters of indignation to Gary Bettman about half thought out plans of expanding the NHL brand in non-traditional markets and working out revenue sharing between large market franchises and small market franchsies.
I understand the frustration of you, a self admitted Nashville Predator fan.
But here's grim reality...
With nothing but an agreement in principal and rumoured intent, the Predators are already have a larger fan base and vastly larger corporate support base over a couple of weeks in Hamilton
...VERSUS...
The Nashville Predators that have struggled with attendance and thus far been completely ignored by Nahsville's various businesses and corporations. The current owner has yet to actually make money, nevermind have a break even year, over the course of nearly half a decade.
No sport franchise and no franchise owner and/or ownership group would, could or should be forced to survive in the environment the Nashville Predators find themselves.
If anything, you should be writing letters of indignation to Gary Bettman about half thought out plans of expanding the NHL brand in non-traditional markets and working out revenue sharing between large market franchises and small market franchsies.
by Anonymous on Jun 22, 2007 6:38 PM EDT reply actions
Nobody contests the fact that hockey support is strong in Canada, but I disagree with a few of your assertions:
The support here in Nashville, while not the best in the league, is hardly the worst, and in fact, has been growing significantly coming out of the lockout (come back next week for a piece about that).
Secondly, I wouldn't take the hook & sinker about the stated financial losses. I question whether that includes the firm that manages the arena (also owned by Leipold), which is a classic move by sports ownership. Hide the profits in side ventures, and cry poor for the sports franchise itself.
People make the situation in Nashville look far worse than it truly is, particularly in the Canadian media. Contrary to popular opinion, we don't have the lowest ticket prices in the league, don't give away the most complimentary tickets, etc.
Regardless, the point of my letter was that Balsillie's tactics are built around the active destruction of support for the team here in Nashville, which is a lousy way to do business, and one which the NHL should avoid if the other teams hope to work out public funding for their arenas in the future.
The support here in Nashville, while not the best in the league, is hardly the worst, and in fact, has been growing significantly coming out of the lockout (come back next week for a piece about that).
Secondly, I wouldn't take the hook & sinker about the stated financial losses. I question whether that includes the firm that manages the arena (also owned by Leipold), which is a classic move by sports ownership. Hide the profits in side ventures, and cry poor for the sports franchise itself.
People make the situation in Nashville look far worse than it truly is, particularly in the Canadian media. Contrary to popular opinion, we don't have the lowest ticket prices in the league, don't give away the most complimentary tickets, etc.
Regardless, the point of my letter was that Balsillie's tactics are built around the active destruction of support for the team here in Nashville, which is a lousy way to do business, and one which the NHL should avoid if the other teams hope to work out public funding for their arenas in the future.
by The Forechecker on Jun 22, 2007 6:52 PM EDT reply actions
Hey ya Forechecker. Glad to see an active blogger!
While I hear what you are saying, you haven't addressed the reality of the Predator's situation.
The Predators are not only a small market franchise but they are also in a non-traditional market for the sporting brand. As a Predator fan, you aren't struggling along with a mediocre expansion team. Far from it, you have a viable and competitive team.
It's not just moving the team to Canada where we are fervant about hockey, you could move the Predators to a traditional hockey market elsewhere in the U.S. and it would be instantly more finacially solvent than it has...both with fan base and corporate/business support base... thus far proven to be in Nashville.
You can only lay so much blame at an owner or ownership group's feet. If a fan base and corporate sponorship base doesn't develop, than how can you force the issue?
How much time can anyone or any group expect to loose money?
How much time is reasonable for a franchise to continue to not turn a profit and/or not break even?
Like many other cities...both Canadian and American...it is with the grim prospect of loosing their franchise, has both corporate and regular fan support suddenly been whipped up.
But where has it been thus far?
What guarantee is there that after the fervor of possibly loosing the franchise that the situation won't return to what it has been...a viable franchise that is simply trapped in a market place where the NHL and Predator brand simply have not attracted the support base to be finacially viable?
Running a successful 21st century North American sports franchise is an expensive venture, nevermind when it is plagued with the issues of being a NHL franchise.
I don't in anyway envy the position you are in nor do I send a pox on you either.
I think the whole situation for the Nashville Predator faithful stinks and that if any blame is to be laid it should be laid at the feet of Gary Bettman and his cronies.
Again I say this is largely the fault of not clearly thinking through expanding the NHL brand into non-traditional markets. It takes decades and an owner willing/who has the resources to not only pay for a competitive team but also who is ready to loose money for years.
The more frightening part of this situation is that the Predators are not alone. There are a few other NHL franchises that continue to struggle in their own non-traditional markets and we could see them shuffled off to other viable markets in the coming years.
If there is any consolation I can offer you is what this hockey fan knows is certain, Gary Bettman will decide not on what is best for the sport of hockey, what is best for the NHL brand or even what is best for Nashville Predator fans. His decision, like so many others, will be based on whether or not a Predator relocation will ultimately threaten his position as league commish.
I look forward to your reply!
While I hear what you are saying, you haven't addressed the reality of the Predator's situation.
The Predators are not only a small market franchise but they are also in a non-traditional market for the sporting brand. As a Predator fan, you aren't struggling along with a mediocre expansion team. Far from it, you have a viable and competitive team.
It's not just moving the team to Canada where we are fervant about hockey, you could move the Predators to a traditional hockey market elsewhere in the U.S. and it would be instantly more finacially solvent than it has...both with fan base and corporate/business support base... thus far proven to be in Nashville.
You can only lay so much blame at an owner or ownership group's feet. If a fan base and corporate sponorship base doesn't develop, than how can you force the issue?
How much time can anyone or any group expect to loose money?
How much time is reasonable for a franchise to continue to not turn a profit and/or not break even?
Like many other cities...both Canadian and American...it is with the grim prospect of loosing their franchise, has both corporate and regular fan support suddenly been whipped up.
But where has it been thus far?
What guarantee is there that after the fervor of possibly loosing the franchise that the situation won't return to what it has been...a viable franchise that is simply trapped in a market place where the NHL and Predator brand simply have not attracted the support base to be finacially viable?
Running a successful 21st century North American sports franchise is an expensive venture, nevermind when it is plagued with the issues of being a NHL franchise.
I don't in anyway envy the position you are in nor do I send a pox on you either.
I think the whole situation for the Nashville Predator faithful stinks and that if any blame is to be laid it should be laid at the feet of Gary Bettman and his cronies.
Again I say this is largely the fault of not clearly thinking through expanding the NHL brand into non-traditional markets. It takes decades and an owner willing/who has the resources to not only pay for a competitive team but also who is ready to loose money for years.
The more frightening part of this situation is that the Predators are not alone. There are a few other NHL franchises that continue to struggle in their own non-traditional markets and we could see them shuffled off to other viable markets in the coming years.
If there is any consolation I can offer you is what this hockey fan knows is certain, Gary Bettman will decide not on what is best for the sport of hockey, what is best for the NHL brand or even what is best for Nashville Predator fans. His decision, like so many others, will be based on whether or not a Predator relocation will ultimately threaten his position as league commish.
I look forward to your reply!
by Anonymous on Jun 22, 2007 7:53 PM EDT reply actions
It looks like the issue isn't even going to land at Bettman's feet, as Leipold has informed the NHL that his deal with Balsillie is OFF.
Basically, I believe the disastrous accounts of the financial situation here in Nashville have been wildly overstated. Paid attendance has risen steadily here over the last few seasons, despite ticket price increases. Whether or not Nashville can support hockey long-term is a question best answered by the terms of the lease - if attendance drops too low, the team can move, plain and simple.
That hasn't occured yet, but many wanted to write things off in anticipation of that happening. Leipold has made his decision to kill the deal with Balsillie, so clearly he sees potential here in Nashville still.
Thanks for writing...
Basically, I believe the disastrous accounts of the financial situation here in Nashville have been wildly overstated. Paid attendance has risen steadily here over the last few seasons, despite ticket price increases. Whether or not Nashville can support hockey long-term is a question best answered by the terms of the lease - if attendance drops too low, the team can move, plain and simple.
That hasn't occured yet, but many wanted to write things off in anticipation of that happening. Leipold has made his decision to kill the deal with Balsillie, so clearly he sees potential here in Nashville still.
Thanks for writing...
by The Forechecker on Jun 22, 2007 8:37 PM EDT reply actions
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