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ECHL San Francisco Bulls a hit @ merchandise stand
Article looks at some of the obstacles to overcome in ECHL team start up.
$100k estimated for refurbishment actually was millions of $$s spent.
Quote:
Despite the headaches and the expense, Curcio had correctly judged the desire for hockey in San Francisco, and while the NHL lockout might have helped boost business somewhat, it's the merchandise sales that are through the roof. The black, orange and gold jerseys and hats are such a hit, the team cannot keep them in stock. The team's sales goal for the season was the league average of $150,000 - and the Bulls did that in their first two home games.
"We had nothing left at the counters," Curcio said. "People were calling and complaining. We were panicking. We ordered a triple supply for HP Pavilion."
Several thousand tickets for the Bulls' game at HP Pavilion in San Jose on Dec. 17 sold out in minutes, and the Bulls sold 2 1/2 U-Hauls' worth of apparel.
Bulls team colors were combinations of other local teams. Orange, black from MLB Giants. Gold from NFL 49ers.
Interesting. Retro looking jerseys, sort of a 70's vibe to them.... are they playing out of the hp because
of the Lockout as I thought their home rink was the Cow Palace (much spent on upgrades) no?.
Interesting. Retro looking jerseys, sort of a 70's vibe to them.... are they playing out of the hp because
of the Lockout as I thought their home rink was the Cow Palace (much spent on upgrades) no?.
At Sharks invitation, their NHL affiliate, the Bulls (and next most local ECHL team, the Stockton Thunder), changed their 1/16/13 game to 12/17/12 and played it at HP Pavilion. Tickets were free to SJ Sharks and SF Bulls STH (guessing the latter will be getting credit/refund), and about 3400 tickets not taken were made available for free to public. (All 17,652 tickets were claimed; ~12,800 attended) Last ECHL game played in (then current) NHL venue before that was like 1993.
(FTR, the Bulls just announced special jerseys -- classic (circa 1993) Sharks jerseys with Bulls logo -- to be worn at two games in February. http://sfbulls.com/news/bulls-to-wea...-and-10-games/ A number of Sharks fans have suggested they want one.)
If you look at the logo on the player of the left, it sort of looks like a scary animal that is stoned out of its mind. Imagine that drop of sweat, or whatever, as the kangaroos eye, and it is looking up to the right. The horn is the top of its mouth, and the ear is the bottom.
If you look at the logo on the player of the left, it sort of looks like a scary animal that is stoned out of its mind. Imagine that drop of sweat, or whatever, as the kangaroos eye, and it is looking up to the right. The horn is the top of its mouth, and the ear is the bottom.
Can anyone else see it?
I totally can see it now, though it looks more like a stoned bird to me than kangaroo.
Maybe if the Lockout continues the Bulls can play more games at HP. I haven't followed them, but it seems like they are moving in the right direction when it comes to Marketing The last HP Pavilion promotion they had seemed to be a success and it is keeping some of the Bay Area interested in Hockey, even though it's hard with the lockout and the complete success of the Giants, 49ers, and now Warriors.
Doubtful that SSE will host them again @ HP Pavilion (this season). (I can imagine that North Bay Bulls fans aren't that interesting in adding an hour or so to each direction of their commute time to a game.)
During last lockout, (then) SVSE (now SSE) moved AHL game from Cleveland to San Jose (and tickets were like $5). Think of the costs involved -- two teams, league officials; IIRC it was close to $1m. And some very upset Cleveland STH.
At least Bulls fans had the option of actually attending this game. (And a number of the Thunder fans make an effort to attend each game in SF.)
If you look at the logo on the player of the left, it sort of looks like a scary animal that is stoned out of its mind. Imagine that drop of sweat, or whatever, as the kangaroos eye, and it is looking up to the right. The horn is the top of its mouth, and the ear is the bottom.
Can anyone else see it?
I'm seeing a pterodactyl more than a Kangaroo lol.
Not sure why anyone would want to buy anything with that ugly logo on it, but good for the Bulls.
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“The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile, but that it is indifferent. If we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death, our existence as a species can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.” - Stanley Kubrick
Great to hear the Bulls are doing well and hoping they keep it up for many years to come.
If the proposed arena for the Warriors is ever built in SF, any chance the Bulls will move in?
Don't recall the specs for Warrior's ocean front arena (to know if there's an ice plant, or the ability to use one). (And it is in the works, not just "proposed.")
However, with the millions put into renovation, I kinda doubt it (any time soon). (And I think the Bulls have a long term lease @ Cow Palace/state.)
