Predators Staying Put

[Sabanocchio]

Commissioner Gary Bettman said that the new owner of the Nashville Predators, Jim Basille, has no intentions of moving the franchise from their Nashville home. In order to buy the team, Balsillie will have to sign a consent agreement with the NHL, including a clause that prevents a new owner from relocating the team for seven years.
NHL boss: Preds Stay (http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070529/SPORTS02/705290348/1002/SPORTS)

[Gator2753]

And bburton wipes the sweat from his forehead.:thumpsup:

[JL 103]

Commissioner Gary Bettman said that the new owner of the Nashville Predators, Jim Basille, has no intentions of moving the franchise from their Nashville home. In order to buy the team, Balsillie will have to sign a consent agreement with the NHL, including a clause that prevents a new owner from relocating the team for seven years.
NHL boss: Preds Stay (http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070529/SPORTS02/705290348/1002/SPORTS)

I would still be woried. Your attendance hasen't been too good. I can still see them moving in a few years.

[Sabanocchio]

I would still be woried. Your attendance hasen't been too good. I can still see them moving in a few years.
Yeah, it's not individual attendence that's suffered. It's corporate support that's been lacking. The new owner is a much more astute businessman and IMO, he will work much harder and more effectively on procuring that much needed corporate sponsorship. As it stands, corporate season tickets make up 25% of season tickets sold last year vs. the league average of 60%.

[JL 103]

Yeah, it's not individual attendence that's suffered. It's corporate support that's been lacking. The new owner is a much more astute businessman and IMO, he will work much harder and more effectively on procuring that much needed corporate sponsorship. As it stands, corporate season tickets make up 25% of season tickets sold last year vs. the league average of 60%.


Thats IF he wants to do that. He could keep out the sponsors and make the NHL move the team to Canada.

[Bburton86]

Bettman is a moron.

We watched the NHL go from a top 3 sport before the lockout to being televised alongside bullriding. This is one more reason to give Bettman the boot. He could've come out the day of the deal and stood by Nashville but no, he waited around and let the rumors swirl. And this halfassed support for Nashville is BS. His comment came out in a Canadian hockey show. Where fans had to search the internet and find bits and pieces of it scattered throughout different publications. He needs to come out in the Nashville media or it doesn't have near the effect.

[Sabanocchio]

Bettman is a moron.

We watched the NHL go from a top 3 sport before the lockout to being televised alongside bullriding. This is one more reason to give Bettman the boot. He could've come out the day of the deal and stood by Nashville but no, he waited around and let the rumors swirl. And this halfassed support for Nashville is BS. His comment came out in a Canadian hockey show. Where fans had to search the internet and find bits and pieces of it scattered throughout different publications. He needs to come out in the Nashville media or it doesn't have near the effect.

So the lockout was Bettman's fault and not the owners?
I agree. Some would say the silence is telling. Why else would he wait to talk to the media til after the deal had been approved?

[Bburton86]

So the lockout was Bettman's fault and not the owners?
I agree. Some would say the silence is telling. Why else would he wait to talk to the media til after the deal had been approved?


To say it was his fault would be too much.

But it was under his reign....

[Sabanocchio]

To say it was his fault would be too much.

But it was under his reign....

Sure it was. IMO, There's a good product on the ice now. Plus ESPN had to make room for Nascar. Our woes have to do with Leopold's inability to generate corporate support and KEEP it. Hope the Preds are here to stay. It would break my heart to see 'em go.:crying:

[Bburton86]

Vioella or whatever his name was. He was the first PR guy in charge of corporate support years ago. He is the one that burned the bridges. I'm not sure exactly what he did but he is the sole reason why our corporate support is so low.

[Sabanocchio]

Vioella or whatever his name was. He was the first PR guy in charge of corporate support years ago. He is the one that burned the bridges. I'm not sure exactly what he did but he is the sole reason why our corporate support is so low.It started off awesome. Then severely declined even as we put a better product on the ice. What will you do if they move? Still be a fan? I would have to be I think.

[Bburton86]

What will you do if they move? Still be a fan? I would have to be I think.

Either that or be a Thrashers fan.:brick:

[Sabanocchio]

Either that or be a Thrashers fan.:brick:
I don't think I could root for the Thrashers. It would have to be the Canes I guess. But I'll probably stay loyal.

[Bburton86]

I doubt they'd keep the name though.

Probably turn out to be the Ontario Blackberries or the Ontario Moosefockers.