The Business of HockeyDiscuss the financial and business aspects of the NHL. Franchise sales, valuations, TV contracts, ratings, expansion, relocation, the CBA and work stoppage discussion goes here.
On one hand looking at the population of the city...I'd say no fricken way...
But then again...
People in Saskatchewan are almost as hockey crazy as Manitoba is. Every small town in the province revolved around the hockey rink, it's really a huge part of that lifestyle.
Saskatoon is a nice city, and it has quite a few modestly sized cities surrounding it with Regina, Moose Jaw and Medicine hat all within driving distance for a weekend game.
16000 is a big number for their arena, but I don't think that they would have an issue with selling out the arena.
I highly doubt that the Yotes would be moved there, there's a few cities that would be by far better off and I'm not sure if there is even another team that is up for relocation.
All that being said, I personally believe that the NHL could handle another two team expansion, as long as the teams were placed in the right locations.
Just my thoughts let me know what you think.
I personally think thsy Saskatoon is getting a little ahead of herself here, and if another team was going to hit Canada it should go to Quebec city first followed by Halifax.
I would love it for selfish reasons, but I just don't think we are there yet. I have no doubt the rink would be full every game, but I don't see the corporate dollars here yet to sustain a team for many years.
On one hand looking at the population of the city...I'd say no fricken way...
But then again...
People in Saskatchewan are almost as hockey crazy as Manitoba is. Every small town in the province revolved around the hockey rink, it's really a huge part of that lifestyle.
Saskatoon is a nice city, and it has quite a few modestly sized cities surrounding it with Regina, Moose Jaw and Medicine hat all within driving distance for a weekend game.
16000 is a big number for their arena, but I don't think that they would have an issue with selling out the arena.
I highly doubt that the Yotes would be moved there, there's a few cities that would be by far better off and I'm not sure if there is even another team that is up for relocation.
All that being said, I personally believe that the NHL could handle another two team expansion, as long as the teams were placed in the right locations.
Just my thoughts let me know what you think.
I personally think thsy Saskatoon is getting a little ahead of herself here, and if another team was going to hit Canada it should go to Quebec city first followed by Halifax.
They are able to do that with the Roughriders of the CFL because they play 9 regular season games a year when the majority of the games are on the weekend, big difference from having to do it 41 times a year with games being played during the week.
If the city keeps growing population wise I could see it down the road. I just don't think there ready and I think the NHL probably has many options they consider safer and better for growing the game.
I would love it for selfish reasons, but I just don't think we are there yet. I have no doubt the rink would be full every game, but I don't see the corporate dollars here yet to sustain a team for many years.
Apparently there are interested parties. I'm just saying we could see the Saskatoon Berries sooner then later.
Apparently there are interested parties. I'm just saying we could see the Saskatoon Berries sooner then later.
If they could find sound corporate backing, then I do feel like they could support a team.
For the people saying "some nice players have come from there" or whatever, that has nothing to do with it.
What has more to do with it is the money in the province, both personal (very good right now - best in Canada) and corporate, and whether or not they could fill the rink. We could. Easily. 16000 would be a very simple task for the first five years at least.
Population is not the issue. The arena would be full every night.
Corporate money is the only issue here.
LOL at comparing Saskatoon to Glendale. Saskatoon is arguably the the most hockey-mad town in the world. That's like saying Green Bay shouldn't have a football team, either, based only on population.
