FYI, the building was not sold out prior to Gilett taking over the Habs and the lockout.
Yeah, but this was common around the league, empty seats everywhere. Also, you could have bought the team and turned it around, any new face would have increased interest at that point. The franchise was pathetic back then, GG didn't exactly recreate the game when he took over.
He knew the team needed a familiar face to give the fans confidence, the entire team new Gainey was the solution.
It goes further than GG, not trying to diminish his role , but it was great timing when he bought this team. Where is any team without the support of the fans?
I still cannot grasp in my head how you can pay almost 600 million for a hockey club in the economy when franchise can be obtained for 150 and less. Sure there's the arena but the previous owners almost gave Gillet the arena for free. The whole thing was high robbery.
I still cannot grasp in my head how you can pay almost 600 million for a hockey club in the economy when franchise can be obtained for 150 and less. Sure there's the arena but the previous owners almost gave Gillet the arena for free. The whole thing was high robbery.
Some franchises, yes. The Canadiens weren't (and aren't) one of them. They are a team that consistently sells out, makes money (unlike a lot of other franchises), has a very large reach within the province (and outside the province too), is a major sport monopoly in Montreal and has possibly the most loyal fan-base in the league, meaning as long the organization is run properly, it will make money. The Molson's overpaid, but I wouldn't call it highway robbery.
Some franchises, yes. The Canadiens weren't (and aren't) one of them. They are a team that consistently sells out, makes money (unlike a lot of other franchises), has a very large reach within the province (and outside the province too), is a major sport monopoly in Montreal and has possibly the most loyal fan-base in the league, meaning as long the organization is run properly, it will make money. The Molson's overpaid, but I wouldn't call it highway robbery.
+ the Bell centre is one (if not the one) the most used venue (in North America) for all kinds of shows all year long.
Some franchises, yes. The Canadiens weren't (and aren't) one of them. They are a team that consistently sells out, makes money (unlike a lot of other franchises), has a very large reach within the province (and outside the province too), is a major sport monopoly in Montreal and has possibly the most loyal fan-base in the league, meaning as long the organization is run properly, it will make money. The Molson's overpaid, but I wouldn't call it highway robbery.
It was high robbery. Especially how Gillett paid for it.
