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.
And there is the issue of if Quebec City fans will pay what the asking price for tickets that will be expensive. It will be something like Winnipeg, 5 year commitments, will Quebecers in Quebec City do that.
Why wouldn't they? If your best argument against a team in Quebec City is an economic comparison with Winnipeg, you haven't looked carefully at those 2 cities.
Though the franchise would get a free pass for a couple years, I'm pretty sure the issue would rise up to a similar or even stronger degree than it does in Montreal...
The issue in Montreal is the clash between fans/media and the org about wanting a more french presence. It won't be an issue in Quebec as everybody will be french.
Im not sure the apparent lack of "turn key" (I hate that phrase) hockey operations would really be an issue in QC. I'm sure any job in NHL operations is highly coveted regardless of rank or position. This should be especially true in the Province of Quebec. With the QMJHL being an established and successful league, I'm sure there are plenty of experienced, quality candidates to choose from to fill most positions rather quickly and effectively.
The Phoenix Coyotes organization lost A LOT of employees in this mess, iirc. I imagine they are operating with a fairly bare bones staff in most aspects from scouting to concessions. They are managing to still get the team on the ice and playing in NHL games like any other club. Obviously not without some kinks in the line, but hey, would QC really be too upset by a mistake here or there? In their maiden voyage? With a guaranteed sell out every home game regardless of any mistake or even blunder? I doubt it. Especially since theyd be essentially just waiting out their sentence in the old Colisee.
Im not sure the apparent lack of "turn key" (I hate that phrase) hockey operations would really be an issue in QC. I'm sure any job in NHL operations is highly coveted regardless of rank or position. This should be especially true in the Province of Quebec. With the QMJHL being an established and successful league, I'm sure there are plenty of experienced, quality candidates to choose from to fill most positions rather quickly and effectively.
The Phoenix Coyotes organization lost A LOT of employees in this mess, iirc. I imagine they are operating with a fairly bare bones staff in most aspects from scouting to concessions. They are managing to still get the team on the ice and playing in NHL games like any other club. Obviously not without some kinks in the line, but hey, would QC really be too upset by a mistake here or there? In their maiden voyage? With a guaranteed sell out every home game regardless of any mistake or even blunder? I doubt it. Especially since theyd be essentially just waiting out their sentence in the old Colisee.
Hockey operations will probably need to be replenished. Marketing is not an immediate problem, Season tickets will probably sell like hot cakes, one way or another.
Without question. Unreservrdly so. I dont even know why youd ask. QC is one of the Birthplaces of the game in North America and its citizenry far from being financially challenged. Next to Hamilton and above Winnipeg, prime territory both corporately and on the consumer side. Why people underestimate the market is a troubling puzzle to me having spent much time and invested in the area for over 25yrs.
Just to add to this, although the original post about this is wrong the general feeling inside and outside the city is the same. Every year people are mad when the Summer Festival prices go up. Some people even dropped out of J'ai ma place when they learned that tickets will be set around the same amount of the Bell Center because they thought tickets would be less than 100$/game for ice level. There was even a hot debate with the Madonna show in September because of the price and I could probably list many many more situation.
Like I said, ticket sales in Quebec will never be an issue but I understand where the "feeling" comes from. When I said that it's even outside, I have several friends in Asia and USA and the first thing news said about the Madonna show is not to worry because tickets will be available since people are usually cheap (which is one of the thing Labeaume wants to change BTW).
Hockey operations will probably need to be replenished. Marketing is not an immediate problem, Season tickets will probably sell like hot cakes, one way or another.
People will want to buy season tickets, sure.
But you need to establish the entire back end to be able to sell season tickets. From salespeople receptionists, to printing the tickets, to selling advertising and luxury boxes.
If they followed the same timeline as Winnipeg they'll have 3-4 months to get the on-ice side of things ready, but tickets have to be available within a couple of weeks. There's not enough time to go out and hire people and set up computer systems in just a couple weeks.
Look - I think there have been quiet assurances given to QC so presumably this is already being worked on. But do not underestimate this problem.
But you need to establish the entire back end to be able to sell season tickets. From salespeople receptionists, to printing the tickets, to selling advertising and luxury boxes.
If they followed the same timeline as Winnipeg they'll have 3-4 months to get the on-ice side of things ready, but tickets have to be available within a couple of weeks. There's not enough time to go out and hire people and set up computer systems in just a couple weeks.
Look - I think there have been quiet assurances given to QC so presumably this is already being worked on. But do not underestimate this problem.
Companies like Billetech and Admission (Ticketmaster) are well established and can pick up the slack for the distribution of tickets. And I wouldn't underestimate the marketing power of Quebecor. Its a very well oiled machine and if Péladeau gets its franchise, he will put all of Quebecor's weight behind it. Of course, other than allow the team to be ready for October, we would be served a unhealty dose of Antoine Vermette's new condo decoration and Shane Doan's wife gorgeous earrings.
Companies like Billetech and Admission (Ticketmaster) are well established and can pick up the slack for the distribution of tickets. And I wouldn't underestimate the marketing power of Quebecor. Its a very well oiled machine and if Péladeau gets its franchise, he will put all of Quebecor's weight behind it. Of course, other than allow the team to be ready for October, we would be served a unhealty dose of Antoine Vermette's new condo decoration and Shane Doan's wife gorgeous earrings.
On an unrelated note, it definitely feels like the floodgates are about to open, things are leaking left and right. The next few weeks will definitely be interesting, especially if the Coyotes are out of the playoffs picture...
ticket prices is not the problem wheter the loges will be filled with companies able to pay 100 000$ or 150 000$ a year for a spot where they can entertain their future or current business partners will be the issue. If theres not enough business in quebec and it's suburbs able to pay such fees money will be harder for quebec in the long run...
But I'm not at all worried.
I was also reading the earlier posts and actually stunned that people dont know about what will be conferences next year and that people were saying that a Quebec team would be in SE. Know that after the playoffs SE wont EVEN exist.
ticket prices is not the problem wheter the loges will be filled with companies able to pay 100 000$ or 150 000$ a year for a spot where they can entertain their future or current business partners will be the issue. If theres not enough business in quebec and it's suburbs able to pay such fees money will be harder for quebec in the long run...
But I'm not at all worried.
I was also reading the earlier posts and actually stunned that people dont know about what will be conferences next year and that people were saying that a Quebec team would be in SE. Know that after the playoffs SE wont EVEN exist.
and that our Confenrence (conference C) will have 7 teams like Confrence D so a Quebec would obviously don't have to bother with the question of standings and we'll get to see 6 games a year between montreal and quebec!
It probably hasn't been talked about because the NHLPA blocked the format change so it's not getting implemented until the season after next
Like I said, ticket sales in Quebec will never be an issue but I understand where the "feeling" comes from...
Your right of course, the price of tickets has never been a problem in QC, the problem is that most of English Canada & the US (promoters & booking agencies) dont understand the market.
People will buy & show up en masse for a wide range of events out there provided the act or event promises to deliver. I wouldnt even begin to think an act like Madonna for example would even begin to satisfy let alone justify high prices with that audience, far better francophone "real" chanteusses' on the market than some Marlene Dietrich wannabe..
But you present something novel & new, bang for the buck, Quebecers will walk from the city to Stoneham to watch it, in a blizzard, at 3am. And when they arrive, open their wallets & hearts. I know from experience.
A return of the Diques is beyond a Slam Dunk. Anyone suggesting QC cant or wont pay the going rate doesnt know #&%! from Shinola.
