I sent this polite email to Geoff this morning. Hopefully he will be better informed the next time he discusses the return of the Jets on air:
Hi Geoff,
I want to begin this email by saying that I love your show, and usually agree with you on most issues. However, I have to disagree with your view on the NHL in Winnipeg.
About myself:
27 years old, born and raised in Manitoba. At the age of 22, I was featured on the front page of the Winnipeg Free Press because I was the largest internet traffic broker in Western Canada. Have since had success in internet pharmaceuticals, and am now employed full time as the Director of Marketing and Prodcuct Development for an internet lender that does 20 MM USD of loan volume per month.
All this to say that although I am young, I am very aware of the business side of professional sport.
Geoff, you used to be a sports guy, I know deep down you already know what I will be saying. But please read anyway.
Why the NHL could work in Winnipeg:
1. People say: "The Jets left because of lack of fan support when ticket prices were half of what they will now be"
My arguement:
The Jets averaged over 13,000 fans throughout its NHL years. I know that does not sound like alot today, but back then it was. Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens only held 15,000 fans. Boston Gardens sellout would be 14,000. Chicago Stadium used to only hold 13,800. Montreal Forum was 15,500. The Jets never led the league in attendence, but they were certainly always average to above average.
The last year the Jets were in the NHL, the team was lame duck, and four times, we dipped below 10,000. Throughout the Jets 692 home games, we only had 14 "announced" attendance of less than 10,000.
Also, throughout the 80s and early 90's, the Jets averaged 13,429 and the overall league average bounced between 12,800 to 14,500.
Here is my source:
www.hockeyzoneplus.com/attend_e.htmAlso, the Jets outdrew the North Stars almost every season. Now, they sell-out every game. If Minnesota or Colorado used your logic of "we didn't support them before, why would we now", they would not have an NHL team today.
When looking at attendance, you have to compare apples to apples.
Grand Forks is 2 1/2 hours away. We've had some huge snow storms the last week. Canada still managed to outdraw the US in EACH of its games played because of the support from Manitoba. It's estimated that 6500 fans drove through blizzards and icy roads to watch this team play. Also, the two largest crowds of the tournament were pre-season games played in Winnipeg (both sellouts).
Before Halifax, Winnipeg set attendance records for the WJHC.
Do you still believe we lack fan support?
Also, you need to consider "hockey fans" not total population. If 20% of Manitobans love NHL hockey, that is 200,000 hockey fans. Say 2% of Raleigh loves hockey, that is only 12,200 hockey fans.
I know you can say 20% of Manitobans vs 2% of Raleigh doesnt make any sense, but the 10:1 ratio is actually very conservative. Hockey Night In Canada gets more viewers in 30 Million homes, than ABC gets broadcasting to 300,000,000 homes. That is where the 10:1 ratio in hockey fans comes in.
2. Canadian NHL teams lose too much money.
My argument:
So does every American NHL team with the exception of Minnesota, Detroit, Philadelphia, Colorado and NY Rangers. As a matter of fact, the 5 teams that lost the most money last year were all American. Furthermore, all NHL teams with the exception of 8 lose money.
Buffalo and Pittsburgh both filed for bankrupcy in the past five years. Pheonix is on the verge of bankrupcy. The Washington Capitals had to get rid of all there high priced talent to avoid bankrupcy. Notice all these teams are American? I haven't even mentioned Florida, Carolina, Nashville, Anaheim or Atlanta ...
Why is that everyone says the league can't make it in Winnipeg, but few mention that the league also can't make it in 22 of its current markets? Does that mean those 22 franchises should lose their teams also?
3. Winnipegers can't afford NHL hockey
My arguement:
Winnipeg actually has higher disposable income per capita than Vancouver and Toronto. Although the average Vancouverite and Torontonian earn approximately 20% more than Winnipegers, their cost of housing is nearly 300% higher than ours. Mortgages and Rent are the largest monthly expenses for the average Canadian family, which leaves Winnipeg second only to Edmonton with monthly disposable income (cities over 500,000).
Source:
www.statcan.ca/english/Pgdb/famil65_96g.htmSame Stats easier to understand:
www.ourbombers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10312&highlight=Geoff, I could go on and on, but someone else built the site below, this is NOT Jetsowner.com, but a different one.
Please, Please, Please click the link below, and read the reasons the NHL could work in Winnipeg. Next time you have a dicussion on air, you will be more informed.
Click this link ->
www.jetsin2005.8m.com/Thanks so much,
Jeremy