Interesting to hear what Bettman had to say about the Panthers organization and the BAC. I think even if another "traditional hockey market" wanted us, it would be hard to break the lease we have, and expensive. Im interested to see what is going to happen with this "mega complex" Cohen wants built at the BAC.
Interesting to hear what Bettman had to say about the Panthers organization and the BAC. I think even if another "traditional hockey market" wanted us, it would be hard to break the lease we have, and expensive. Im interested to see what is going to happen with this "mega complex" Cohen wants built at the BAC.
While I do believe that the Panthers likely will stay in South Florida long-term, it's not because Gary Bettman told me so. Love them or hate them, we do have Yormark and Cohen to thank for generating enough revenues so as to not be a complete financial burden.
However, the Panthers need to start winning and drawing a crowd. That Islanders game I went to saw the stands about half-full. On the weekend. During a free ticket giveaway.
While I do believe that the Panthers likely will stay in South Florida long-term, it's not because Gary Bettman told me so. Love them or hate them, we do have Yormark and Cohen to thank for generating enough revenues so as to not be a complete financial burden.
However, the Panthers need to start winning and drawing a crowd. That Islanders game I went to saw the stands about half-full. On the weekend. During a free ticket giveaway.
I think the economy, coupled with fan apprehension has a lot to do with that. We didn't renew our season tickets this year because of these reasons:
1. Gas prices - we have to drive across the alley
2. My husband was utterly disgusted with the management of the team
3. We spent our "fun" money on a boat instead
I am glad to hear the Panthers will be around for a long time. I don't know who I would cheer for if they moved. Certainly not Tampa.
This just wreaks of distraction to me. The league starts talking about putting a 2nd team in Toronto and that very same day, this report comes out. Seems very, very fishy to me. Its either trying to diffuse a situation before it starts or there have been discussions about moving the team. Considering the concerts and other attractions at the BAC basically are paying for the team to stay in the building, its conceivable that the league recognizes the weakness of the franchise in the marketplace.
Or to summarize better, the team itself costs the league money but this teams' owners are making money, how does that help the whole league? So beware a commissioner saying a team is going to stay because it could be just to distract and appease a fan base while other plans are made.
This just wreaks of distraction to me. The league starts talking about putting a 2nd team in Toronto and that very same day, this report comes out. Seems very, very fishy to me. Its either trying to diffuse a situation before it starts or there have been discussions about moving the team. Considering the concerts and other attractions at the BAC basically are paying for the team to stay in the building, its conceivable that the league recognizes the weakness of the franchise in the marketplace.
Or to summarize better, the team itself costs the league money but this teams' owners are making money, how does that help the whole league? So beware a commissioner saying a team is going to stay because it could be just to distract and appease a fan base while other plans are made.
Don't worry man ! When we'll hang up this Cup banner next September, there won't be any more doubts concerning this franchise's future !
This just wreaks of distraction to me. The league starts talking about putting a 2nd team in Toronto and that very same day, this report comes out. Seems very, very fishy to me. Its either trying to diffuse a situation before it starts or there have been discussions about moving the team. Considering the concerts and other attractions at the BAC basically are paying for the team to stay in the building, its conceivable that the league recognizes the weakness of the franchise in the marketplace.
Or to summarize better, the team itself costs the league money but this teams' owners are making money, how does that help the whole league? So beware a commissioner saying a team is going to stay because it could be just to distract and appease a fan base while other plans are made.
I've heard Bettman say the same things about the Panthers and the South Florida market over and over for a while now. This isn't new from him.
I've heard Bettman say the same things about the Panthers and the South Florida market over and over for a while now. This isn't new from him.
Agreed he has said it over and over...but why is that? Maybe because most logical people see how weak the market is down here when the frachise is still giving tickets away for free and attendance remains low. The Marlins were playing good baseball for most of this past yr, challenging for the playoffs, and they couldnt get anyone to come out, what makes Bettman think anyone will come out for the Panthers if they're successful? And like I said, the timing of him saying it is dubious after the rumors about a 2nd team in Toronto. I'm not saying the team is moving at all...just seems extremely odd to say this (AGAIN) when it doesnt need to be said. It just seems like Bettman covering his ass if the team does end up moving...so he could always say, I never wanted the franchise to move, and he doesnt look like the bad guy. Sorry, I'll never trust Bettman after the whole lockout BS.
Agreed he has said it over and over...but why is that? Maybe because most logical people see how weak the market is down here when the frachise is still giving tickets away for free and attendance remains low. The Marlins were playing good baseball for most of this past yr, challenging for the playoffs, and they couldnt get anyone to come out, what makes Bettman think anyone will come out for the Panthers if they're successful? And like I said, the timing of him saying it is dubious after the rumors about a 2nd team in Toronto. I'm not saying the team is moving at all...just seems extremely odd to say this (AGAIN) when it doesnt need to be said. It just seems like Bettman covering his ass if the team does end up moving...so he could always say, I never wanted the franchise to move, and he doesnt look like the bad guy. Sorry, I'll never trust Bettman after the whole lockout BS.
There's some validity to what you're saying, but my gut feeling says this is just a routine affirmation of what Cohen has been saying for several years.
With rumors circulating about that 2nd Toronto presence, I think Bettman is saavy enough to anticipate a typical knee-jerk reaction to those rumors. Namely, which teams would be prime candidates to move there.
I'm sure he'd rather see his expansion plan in the SE succeed. Making this statement about our team only helps that cause. Granted, the onus is on Panthers ownership to produce an attractive product, and this could very well be a subtle way of Bettman washing his hands of any impending mess.
A comparison to the Marlins is a bit of a stretch, IMO. They have had several things working against them... the venue they play in isn't baseball friendly, the weather isn't always cooperative, and the almost annual firesales that team has experienced (even after a successful season) has soured loyalty.
Agreed he has said it over and over...but why is that? Maybe because most logical people see how weak the market is down here when the frachise is still giving tickets away for free and attendance remains low. The Marlins were playing good baseball for most of this past yr, challenging for the playoffs, and they couldnt get anyone to come out, what makes Bettman think anyone will come out for the Panthers if they're successful? And like I said, the timing of him saying it is dubious after the rumors about a 2nd team in Toronto. I'm not saying the team is moving at all...just seems extremely odd to say this (AGAIN) when it doesnt need to be said. It just seems like Bettman covering his ass if the team does end up moving...so he could always say, I never wanted the franchise to move, and he doesnt look like the bad guy. Sorry, I'll never trust Bettman after the whole lockout BS.
1. The Panthers had success until they destroyed the on ice product. Even a Canadian team would suffer with the horrible front office mismanagement the Panthers have endured for several years.
When the team starts to win, the building starts to fill. To paraphrase a popular political catch phrase "It's the on ice product, stupid".
2. I hate making references without links, but I don't have the time to look this one up. A few years ago a study was done of the South Florida sports market and it found (to people's surprise) that it was actually a far better hockey market than it was a baseball market.
South Florida can match Dallas & Colorado's success, but you can't put a lousy, unentertaining product (of any kind) out there (even for free) in South Florida and expect people to come.
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FLORIDA PANTHERS 2011-12 SOUTHEAST DIVISION CHAMPIONS 2012-13 BASEMENT DWELLERS
1. The Panthers had success until they destroyed the on ice product. Even a Canadian team would suffer with the horrible front office mismanagement the Panthers have endured for several years.
When the team starts to win, the building starts to fill. To paraphrase a popular political catch phrase "It's the on ice product, stupid".
2. I hate making references without links, but I don't have the time to look this one up. A few years ago a study was done of the South Florida sports market and it found (to people's surprise) that it was actually a far better hockey market than it was a baseball market.
South Florida can match Dallas & Colorado's success, but you can't put a lousy, unentertaining product (of any kind) out there (even for free) in South Florida and expect people to come.
Agreed! This is more of a hockey market than a baseball market. Baseball was partially put in Miami to try and get the hispanic community to come out and support them, and it has not worked. The Marlins have suffered from attendance figures because, A - they play in a horrible stadium for baseball. While its a nice looking stadium, the Marlins really need a roof to cover them from the killer heat, humidity, and rain down here. And B - the hearts of the fans were removed from them twice in less than a 10 year span, so its hard for someone to root for a team who changes its identity every year. Example: 17 players are eligible for arbitration this offseason, and we will see a different Marlin team on the field...again.
The Panthers are similar because of what the frog said, mismanagement. Before Martin, we had no identity whatsoever, and no direction to match. Our prospect pool was pathetic, and the product on the ice was just as bad. This, along with the million things to do in South Florida, and the area being a fare weather area for that matter, leads to a team having to be creative in its marketing. The team now has a direction, its own AHL affiliate, and a GM who knows what it takes to build a winner. Im sure that once we get the wins outnumbering the losses in the column, that the building will be filled more than what the average is in the league. That was evident last season, while during that seven game streak, we had amazing crowds at the games, even during weekday games. All we have to do is keep winning, and you will see the difference.
And besides...its a lot different when you are talking about filling an arena with 19k people, and a stadium with 40k +.
Agreed he has said it over and over...but why is that? Maybe because most logical people see how weak the market is down here when the frachise is still giving tickets away for free and attendance remains low. The Marlins were playing good baseball for most of this past yr, challenging for the playoffs, and they couldnt get anyone to come out, what makes Bettman think anyone will come out for the Panthers if they're successful? And like I said, the timing of him saying it is dubious after the rumors about a 2nd team in Toronto. I'm not saying the team is moving at all...just seems extremely odd to say this (AGAIN) when it doesnt need to be said. It just seems like Bettman covering his ass if the team does end up moving...so he could always say, I never wanted the franchise to move, and he doesnt look like the bad guy. Sorry, I'll never trust Bettman after the whole lockout BS.
Besides the reasons Ratmanfu and pb1300 gave for why the Marlins get such terrible crowds, I will add my own personal opinion that baseball is godawfully boring to watch. Fun to play, boring to watch. Hockey is the ultimate spectator sport. Why would anyone come out to see the Panthers? 1996. Even when we have a smidgeon of success rise up between long periods of mediocrity, like pb1300 alluded to with that 7 game win streak, the building gets a lot more packed. I've no doubt if the Panthers become a winning team, the building will sell out on a consistent basis, or close to it. Never underestimate the power of the South Florida bandwagon fans. Nobody but the diehards are going to go out to see a team lose over and over, but if the team starts winning, the building will be flooded with bandwagoners, you can pretty much take that to the bank.
Also, I think maybe Bettman felt it DID need to be said, to quash any potential rumors of the Panthers being uprooted. This way he gets it out in the open and kills any stories before they begin.
Maybe Bettman is covering his butt, it's possible. Or maybe, god forbid, he's actually telling the truth. Are people still aloud to do that?
Just a little eh'.
