I think the league can fix the schedule should the need arise. It's probably already being considered as a backup plan.
The Jackals saying that the league and other teams could face significant losses just seems like an attempt to get people in their corner and garner support.
I think the league can fix the schedule should the need arise. It's probably already being considered as a backup plan.
The Jackals saying that the league and other teams could face significant losses just seems like an attempt to get people in their corner and garner support.
Perhaps, i'm not a businessman and I don't play one on TV. I don't wanna say that i'm siding with it but as a non business like person i'm curious anyway.
Kenneth Otis, an attorney for the ECHL, the league in which the Jackals play, told Warren the league was the “catalyst” that got EDA, Chemung County and STED to sign the May 17 agreement.
“The idea of the (agreement) was to say ‘hey, time out,’ Otis said. The ECHL asked for it because of the uncertainty that arose after Chemung County began foreclosure proceedings on the arena for unpaid back taxes, which EDA was supposed to pay under the 1999 agreement.
The May 17 agreement gave the ECHL the assurance it needed in order to include the Jackals in the 2012-13 season, said Otis. They made a schedule, and teams sold tickets and advertising, he said.
Otis noted that 13 member teams would incur hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages if the Jackals can’t play.
It will be unfortunate if Elmira loses its team. It appears to me that Afr was using some "creative bookkeeping" to keep things going. I hope that sanity prevails and they do what it takes to keep the Jackals operating in Elmira for 12-13 and are able then to figure out something going forward.
If the new owner of the arena thinks the Federal league or some US based junior league is an adequate replacement for the ECHL - he's sadly mistaken.
I'd always hoped that the Sabres would affiliate with Elmira and create a real WNY hockey stronghold with the Sabres, Amerks, and Elmira. Seems like that is fairly unlikely now - though the Sabres do need to find a home for several players under contract.
It will be unfortunate if Elmira loses its team. It appears to me that Afr was using some "creative bookkeeping" to keep things going. I hope that sanity prevails and they do what it takes to keep the Jackals operating in Elmira for 12-13 and are able then to figure out something going forward.
If the new owner of the arena thinks the Federal league or some US based junior league is an adequate replacement for the ECHL - he's sadly mistaken.
I'd always hoped that the Sabres would affiliate with Elmira and create a real WNY hockey stronghold with the Sabres, Amerks, and Elmira. Seems like that is fairly unlikely now - though the Sabres do need to find a home for several players under contract.
In all honesty i'm not certain I care anymore if we are done or not. If we aren't, i'm done going to games anyway more than likely. Don't feel like giving Afr or Freeman any cash.
• The Jackals can use the arena for free for the 2012-13 season, including the playoffs, according to Freeman.• Elm Arena would pay all utility and insurance bills, building maintenance and other costs of running the arena, Freeman said. Utility costs for the arena during the hockey season are about $350,000, he said.
• The Jackals would get to keep all of the money from ticket sales, from the souvenir shop and from game night promotions.
• Elm Arena would receive money from food and drink sales, suite tickets, advertising revenue, and other income such as admission fees for the recreation rink.
To my understanding, Buffalo is one of the teams that Elmira is looking to affiliate with this year.
Terry Pegula, you are needed in Elmira....
In all seriousness, buying the team would do two things: 1. probably cement the Jackals staying put in Elmira for some time to come and 2. give the Sabres some headway into that area of New York. Theoretically, you could follow a Sabre draft pick from Elmira, then up to Rochester, and finally to Buffalo.
I kind of agree with Afr. Getting ticket sales isn't all that much. While yes the souvenior shop gets customners not many either. It costs money to operate a team, it's not free. Having a free rent may be nice but it's not guranteed to be any kind of savior either.
In all seriousness, buying the team would do two things: 1. probably cement the Jackals staying put in Elmira for some time to come and 2. give the Sabres some headway into that area of New York. Theoretically, you could follow a Sabre draft pick from Elmira, then up to Rochester, and finally to Buffalo.
It's so easy to spend someone else's money, but I've been an advocate of this strategy as well - for the same reasons. I would think that long term this really would bring much of the Southern Tier into the fold as Sabres fans, as well as Amerks fans. The travel distance between the three cities would be great not only for player movement - but for fans as well.
With the Sabres approaching the 50 contract figure every year - not counting AHL contracts - it seems like they'll have 3, 4 or 5 guys to place somewhere in the ECHL every year. Their Buffalo Sabres university philosophy would be enhanced by having consistency down to the ECHL level, IMO. That goes for players, trainers, coaches and front office personnel.
But Terry Pegula has tied up a bundle in the Sabres, Amerks, the Webster block construction project and Penn Sate Hockey. I'd be surprised if they went the ECHL franchise route as well.
