Business of Hockey

[azsouthendzone]

Forbes report just came out on values of NHL teams. Interesting read.

http://www.forbes.com/home/2008/10/29/nhl-team-values-biz-sports-nhl08_cz_mo_kb_1029nhl_land.html

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Forbes report just came out on values of NHL teams. Interesting read.

http://www.forbes.com/home/2008/10/29/nhl-team-values-biz-sports-nhl08_cz_mo_kb_1029nhl_land.html

Wow. Wanna go in 50/50 with me and buy the Coyotes?

 

[abomb]

Westgate City, in part tied to the success of people showing up for hockey games, has been a bust. As a result of their consistent losses on and off the ice the Coyotes have struggled to draw fans to Jobing.com Arena since the building opened in December 2003. If it were not for the huge fee the team would have to pay as stipulated by their lease if they were to move, it would make sense for the Coyotes to bolt Phoenix.

Any ideas what the damage would be on breaking the lease?

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Any ideas what the damage would be on breaking the lease?

I don't know the numbers, but I've heard that the team would have left a few years ago if it weren't for that potential cost.

 

[HooverDam]

I don't know the numbers, but I've heard that the team would have left a few years ago if it weren't for that potential cost.

I recall reading the same. As much as I love the idea of Phoenix being one of the few cities w/ all 4 of the majors, hockey never really made sense for this market. Not only do they have to compete with 3 major sports, but also minor sports, a major college and seasonal stuff like spring training. Unless the Coyotes just went on a multiyear tear, they'll probably never catch on in the Valley.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Any ideas what the damage would be on breaking the lease?

The Coyotes (or their buyers) would owe the City of Glendale a check somewhere in the nine figures. Needless to say, that alone will keep the team put.

 

[chickenhead]

IMO one of the biggest problems in sports: these situations are preceipitated mostly by people who will profit from the deal itself or have some sort of near-term gain in revenue or prestige. The fact that the Coyotes are the least valuable franchise in the league despite being a top 10 market and being the anchor tenant in a new facility is very troubling. It's good for Coyotes fans that they're not going anywhere, but unless they improve dramatically, they may play most of those seasons under a stay of execution, which is no fun.