Could The AHL Work in VA Beach?

[BK Triple Threat]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...irginia-beach/

I don't know how the Allentown ordeal is going but its interesting whos behind this.

[Rumblick]

Construction is already under way in Allentown, and I can't see the AHL screwing the Norfolk Admirals, who are less than 20 miles from the Va/ Beach waterfront.

[No Fun Shogun]

Well, the rumor yesterday was that the Sacramento Kings were looking at Virginia Beach as a potential landing spot. But that being said, I doubt it. Why have two AHL teams in the same market?

[BK Triple Threat]

Originally Posted by No Fun Shogun

Well, the rumor yesterday was that the Sacramento Kings were looking at Virginia Beach as a potential landing spot. But that being said, I doubt it. Why have two AHL teams in the same market?

Rivalry! It depends on the market and size really I think. Aren't Rockford/Chicgo/Peoria all pretty close?

There was also a rumor awhile back that Baltimore was looking at building an arena on their water front.

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Originally Posted by No Fun Shogun

Well, the rumor yesterday was that the Sacramento Kings were looking at Virginia Beach as a potential landing spot. But that being said, I doubt it. Why have two AHL teams in the same market?

for the uninformed fan, VA Beach is part of the Norfolk territory, now Scope isn't getting younger, so it wouldn't surprise us if a new arena goes there, that's why Hampton Roads was dropped when the franchise switched leagues, upon a push from Norfolk city council, remember the early days of the Norfolk Admirals when the VA Beach Mariners soccer team floundered then left....

there are VA Beach residents who do attend Norfolk games....

[AdmiralsFan24]

Originally Posted by BK Triple Threat

Aren't Rockford/Chicgo/Peoria all pretty close?

Not as close as Virginia Beach and Norfolk. Rockford and Chicago are an hour apart. Peoria is 2+ hours away from both.

[Govment Cheese]

Virgina beach is on average less than a 30 minute drive to Norfolk. There will not be two AHL teams in the Hampton roads area.

[No Fun Shogun]

Originally Posted by BK Triple Threat

Rivalry! It depends on the market and size really I think. Aren't Rockford/Chicgo/Peoria all pretty close?

Not really. The Wolves and IceHogs are over an hour and a half away from each other while Norfolk and Virginia Beach are about a half hour away. And Peoria's even further out, close to 2.5/3 hours away from either.

And, let's face it.... there are substantially more hockey fans in northern Illinois than southern Virginia. Think I can say that without attracting much controversy.

[BK Triple Threat]

Originally Posted by CHRDANHUTCH

for the uninformed fan, VA Beach is part of the Norfolk territory, now Scope isn't getting younger, so it wouldn't surprise us if a new arena goes there, that's why Hampton Roads was dropped when the franchise switched leagues, upon a push from Norfolk city council, remember the early days of the Norfolk Admirals when the VA Beach Mariners soccer team floundered then left....

there are VA Beach residents who do attend Norfolk games....

Good point, I never said it HAD to be a new team.

[randyc]

I agree with the others. There is only enough support for one team. Downtown Norfolk is more centrally located which allows fans from the Western part of Hampton Roads and those who live on the Peninsula (Newport News/Hampton) to easily get to the games. Scope would be 12 miles from the new facility.

Virginia Beach would be on the very Eastern portion of the region.

My 20 minute drive to a game would turn into a 45 minute trip to the Beach.

Probably won't happen anyway.

[fordaith]

Only way I see the Ads playing in Va Beach if it's for a couple seasons while Norfolk builds a replacement for Scope. We have a hard time putting 6500 in the Scope's 8050 seats, I don't think it would be fun at all to see 4500 in a 22,168 seat arena.