SWOT Analysis - Threats to the Nashville Predators

by Dirk Hoag on Feb 18, 2010 4:21 PM EST

As we wrap up the initial portion of our look at the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats that face the Nashville Predators, today we're going to focus on Threats, those external factors that hinder the team from competing and succeeding in the NHL.

Refresh yourself on the first three parts of this discussion (Strengths, Weaknesses, and Opportunities), and follow after the jump as we enter perilous waters...

What is SWOT Analysis?

SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Oppportunities, Threats) is a common tool used in the business world to assess an operating group and the environment within which it operates, in order to determine what steps are needed to help that organization achieve its goals. Just as one applies this tool to a factory or a sales force, it can be used with a hockey team as well.

Threats

This one should be an interesting list - what are the external forces that hold the Nashville Predators back from performing at their best as an organization? As is usual, I'll start us off with two suggestions, and look forward to your comments below:

The rising Canadian dollar: one condition that must be met to qualify for full NHL revenue sharing is for the Predators to grow their revenue at a rate above the league average. A 10% increase in the Canadian dollar vs. the US dollar can add 2-3% to overall league revenues, however, raising the bar higher due to factors entirely out of the Predators' or the NHL's control. For a point of reference, over the last 12 months the Loonie has climbed roughly 20% against the Greenback.
The "Boots" Del Biaggio bankruptcy: A significant minority position in the team is still held up in bankruptcy court, with no specific timetable for resolution. While David Freeman has said on multiple occasions that this doesn't impact the day-to-day operation of the team, this has to place constraints around longer-term issues like providing guarantees to the Metro Sports Authority, as well as overall financial planning. Thanks to last summer's Phoenix Coyotes saga, the NHL has asserted itself strongly as having the right to approve any purchaser of the Del Biaggio shares, but this is still an issue that lingers in the background.

So fill up the comments with your list of the Threats that lurk out there; over the weekend, I'll compile this list, along with the 3 from earlier this week, into a comprehensive picture of where the team stands today, and where they need to head going forward.

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does

the Metro Sports Authority count?

That is one creepy picture.

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by Chris Burton on Feb 18, 2010 4:31 PM EST reply actions

+1 on the creepy picture. Dirk should have posted a warning at the beginning of the post.

by BuckeyePredFan on Feb 18, 2010 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

Well done

…on the Balsillie pic. That smacked me in the face when I landed here.

I don’t think the Boots share is that big an issue. The disposition of that case, while it might not provide great guarantees to Metro, shouldn’t be hindering what the team can do in the rest of the marketing world. Is it a liability? Sure. But again, driving the message through technology is going to be HUGE, and there is more at stake with waging an Internet-based issue campaign than just getting butts in the seats, or top-tier talent signed. I almost wonder if the team couldn’t request a circuit court to order the bankruptcy court to dispose of the case one way or another by a certain date…but I’m not too familiar with the federal court structure/hierarchy.

I hate to be the one to suggest the “inside job” theory, but honestly, David Poile is one of the greatest threats – I know his hands are tied by a lot of external pressures, so he isn’t a spiteful criminal, but he’s one by default. I’m not sure that what he does every time is what HAS to be done to make ends meet. Fans and bloggers alike have begun to ask some pretty tough questions about Poile’s judgment (AJ, for example).

And the political landscape in the coming year will affect the Preds – the national economy continuing to suck could actually prompt more companies to relocate to TN for our great income tax :-) It hurts the fans who buy the seats, though, so I’m not going to cheer for it.

by stackiii on Feb 18, 2010 4:43 PM EST reply actions

I’ll admit, part of the reason I put the bankruptcy up there is that I don’t consider a huge threat (given the outcome of the Phoenix situation), and I want to leave the field open for the rest of you. There should be plenty of external factors that threaten this team, and I didn’t want to pick off the main points on that list.

More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

by Dirk Hoag on Feb 18, 2010 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

threats

1) attendance/revenue sharing 2) while im not worried about the real base of fans of the predators i do worry about growing new fans. we constantly must/choose to play on such a shoestring budget we have little star power to attract new fans. many of the casual fans want, maybe need, a winner to really get behind the team. leipold understood it, but ran out of patience. im not convinced freeman,et al understand it. maybe just cant help it. i think our biggest threat is ourselves( ownership/metro/fans)

by predswilrule on Feb 18, 2010 8:17 PM EST reply actions

I consider The Tennessean a huge threat to the Predators. Their constant negativity and tabloid-esque reporting on this team have produced a very negative attitude towards the Predators in some sectors. If the paper would help create a buzz around this team instead of following them around waiting for the latest trash it would go a long way towards getting more people through the door. We didn’t have this issue the first 4 years this team existed then Joe Biddle started up with the relocation talk.

I also think that the Boots shares are more of a current threat, but not a long term threat. As long as they’re tied up in court Brent Wilson cannot/will not get involved with the team. Who wouldn’t like to have a billionaire as part of the ownership group?

Our local radio station’s sports director is also starting to spew a lot of negativity about the Preds as well. Talking about a rift between the owners without mentioning any specifics is irresponsible. Until you have something specific to give us, just shut up about it.

by Predaceous on Feb 19, 2010 10:07 AM EST reply actions