I can remember being at Steeler vs Portage games back in the day. Steeler players hated Portage players, Portage players hated Steeler players and the fans likewise. Things have tamed down now but I remember one night there was a bench clearing brawl. The players were fighting, fans were fighting and that is real Rock Em Sock Em Hockey. The cops came in that night and shut the game down. They were very popular. In fact, they were so poplar Steeler and Portage fans became friends for a brief moment until things got sorted out. Then everything got back to normal and we could hate each other gain. It all worked out.
For those that may be going to a game, don't worry, it's not quite that bad now but I don't know what it was like at the game Hollywood3 went to.
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There is the odd gong show up north. There was an incident in Swan River in last year's playoffs. Goonism does not go well in places with the shiny new arenas that have been popping up.
There is the odd gong show up north. There was an incident in Swan River in last year's playoffs. Goonism does not go well in places with the shiny new arenas that have been popping up.
Isn't that true. There always be something going on but nothing like it used to be. Playoffs may be a little different but the regular season is a little tame. Lots of reasons for that, players have more to lose now because coaches won't put up with a lot crap and the fans have changed as well. The time period I'm talking about was way before computers and video games.
Selkirk has a relatively new arena. Dress warm cuz it can get a little chilly in the arena but the consession area is heated.
On the contrary, I think there's a very large market that is being excluded by the NHL. Families, children and university students are simply not well represented in the Jets demographics. As an example, you wouldn't believe how many minor hockey teams I saw roaming the MTS Centre during Moose games, you think they're going to be at Jets games now?
I'm gonna have to disagree with this. I am one, and know most of my university friends at least tried for season tickets. Of course I am in a group (I will only be going to half the games), however many university students will be at Jets games.
^It really helped that there were monthly payment plans. But at the time I didn't have the money on hand for the deposit. Sucks when your jobs consist of temporary work, not knowing if you'll have a job the next day. So I wouldn't have been able to commit anyway. I'll just have to hope I can get a ticket or two now and then.
I'm gonna have to disagree with this. I am one, and know most of my university friends at least tried for season tickets. Of course I am in a group (I will only be going to half the games), however many university students will be at Jets games.
Hmm, interesting. Speaking from personal experience, I can say there is little or no chance I would've had the time or money to spend on STs as a student, unless I was splitting 2 seats with 6-8 people. Not living at home while going to University would have something to do with that, plus my course load was usually brutal.
That is interesting though, I just assumed that most university students wouldn't have the time or dough for STs. At least that was the sentiment most of my friends (still in university) expressed. Maybe I'm hanging out with too many nerds...
Who knows? TNSE has demonstrated what they are capable of. If economics warrant it and the numbers are there, anything is possible.
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The only economic question is how much will they gain or lose (probably lose), by committing 36 dates to the WHL that they otherwise could have concerts or other events. The MTS Centre is already supposed to be one of the busiest stadiums in the world.
since its a down time with the NHL All-Star game i figured id bring this thread back up because i really hope TNSE gets a WHL team, i was looking at Brandon Wheat Kings season ticket prices and they were going for $350 a year + GST.....pretty damn good bargain even if they only played during the week days!! so Jet have you heard anything else about this?
I think this will not happen anytime soon, if ever, unless someone builds another venue in Winnipeg.
TNSE/Scott Brown denied this is a possibility due the unavailability of open arena dates. One should actually read that as saying that we can make more money by putting on concerts and trade shows than we can by running a WHL franchise. While a price value WHL ticket sounds like a great deal, in fact the cheap price of the tickets speaks more to the actual value of the asset to an owner, meaning it is not worth much relative to other options.
I think this will not happen anytime soon, if ever, unless someone builds another venue in Winnipeg.
TNSE/Scott Brown denied this is a possibility due the unavailability of open arena dates. One should actually read that as saying that we can make more money by putting on concerts and trade shows than we can by running a WHL franchise. While a price value WHL ticket sounds like a great deal, in fact the cheap price of the tickets speaks more to the actual value of the asset to an owner, meaning it is not worth much relative to other options.
That is an excellent point, Gump. I think that TN has a 'long vision' goal of this happening. I could see them perhaps modifying the Iceplex to accomodate, but who knows? I do agree though, if this were to happen the team would not play out of the MTS Centre
I'm not sure about the logistics/ecomonics of this, but if they can make it work, I say go for it! I like the WHL style of hockey much more than AHL.
Question is, how would this affect TN's ability to support an NHL team, AHL team AND WHL team all at once? Do they have enough gumption and $$$ to make that work?
I'm not sure about the logistics/ecomonics of this, but if they can make it work, I say go for it! I like the WHL style of hockey much more than AHL.
Question is, how would this affect TN's ability to support an NHL team, AHL team AND WHL team all at once? Do they have enough gumption and $$$ to make that work?
I really think that the AHL franchise is independent of the other 2, seeing it's in St John's. So I think the question is "Will having a WHL team affect the NHL team's bottom line?"
I say no for 3 reasons:
1> You only need attendance of around 5-7k to make it profitable
2> The W gives a good hockey option for families and people who can't afford to go to the Jets games anyway
3> With so many people still on the Jets season ticket waiting list it shows there is more appetite for hockey and I think top tier Junior can fill it to some extent.
This is an interesting rumour, as I've heard that people have tried to get a WHL team in Wpg in the past only to be blocked by the owners in the far West who think it's to much to travel.
The only other thing I've heard but nothing significant in the WHL may look in to two divisions, West Vs. East, have a BC and Washington State division and a Alberta, Sk and MB division.
Who knows, but I like the Jets as is for now but it could be an option for people who cant get in to Jets games!
I remember when the team was first announced and the tickets sold out so fast the question of a WHL team was brokered. I don't remember exactly who answered the question, I think it might have been Scott Brown, but he said that they weren't pursuing that cause they need the MTS Centre days open for concerts etc and that housign both NHL and WHL would take up too many days.
For whatever reason, a stigma has been built up that "Winnipeg is not a WHL city". The Warriors were a major flop when they were here, but much of that had to do with a minor recession period in Manitoba during the early 80s, not to mention an awful team that was poorly marketed. Winnipeg simply wasn't a city that could support two teams at that time.
Nowadays, I have a feeling it could work, and that the WHL could conceivably draw Manitoba Moose-type crowds. The key will be marketing; the team would primarily cater to families and those who can't afford (or weren't willing to pay) NHL prices. At the same time, you would also get a fair number of NHL ticket holders jumping on board, myself among them. I've had a blast anytime I've attended a WHL game, it's great hockey.
It would tie in quite nicely with the SHED development in downtown Winnipeg, getting an extra 36+ dates. It'll be a real tight scheduling squeeze with all the concerts, but they could probably get it done.
pretty much this
good to hear though Jet, that WHL might come here. If it does -- as Hank said -- advertising will be key. We're very much a "Jets" town right now, and though we always will be, we're still on the fanatical side of it right now , not to mention MTS Centre is busier than Rexall or the Saddledome in general.
I think once everything settles down a bit more, we will hear more chatter about this as TNSE may indeed be trying to add onto their portfolio, and if you have vibes that they like the business model of Oilers & Flames with respect to WHL, then there's a good chance there may be something in the works.
It certainly would be a great way to get families or groups of friends out to the MTS Centre (and still advertise Jets at the same time...) as was the case with the Moose, which is no longer possible now that the NHL is back. People who have yet to step into the MTS Centre since its held home to an NHL team may also get their chance to check out the arena; this is an attractive idea to many.
good to hear though Jet, that WHL might come here. If it does -- as Hank said -- advertising will be key. We're very much a "Jets" town right now, and though we always will be, we're still on the fanatical side of it right now , not to mention MTS Centre is busier than Rexall or the Saddledome in general.
I think once everything settles down a bit more, we will hear more chatter about this as TNSE may indeed be trying to add onto their portfolio, and if you have vibes that they like the business model of Oilers & Flames with respect to WHL, then there's a good chance there may be something in the works.
It certainly would be a great way to get families or groups of friends out to the MTS Centre (and still advertise Jets at the same time...) as was the case with the Moose, which is no longer possible now that the NHL is back. People who have yet to step into the MTS Centre since its held home to an NHL team may also get their chance to check out the arena; this is an attractive idea to many.
but could it not work if most of the games were during the week and would it be possible to have a double header on a saturday? 12:00 noon WHL game followed up by a 6:00PM NHL game? man that would be intense!!
I'd be surprised if a WHL team could generate more revenue than the concerts it would conflict with or enough for it to be worth it. Either way, I agree with the posters who said it won't be an option until they build the Jets brand for a few years and/or pressure test it (ie. it survives a weak CAD). Unless they're confident that the Jets will sell out every game for a decade or so, why risk undercutting your own big-ticket product with a cheaper competitor? The market for the Jets is small enough without shifting potential/future sales to a less profitable asset.
I'd be interesting in following a WHL team if we had one and while it wouldn't lessen my excitation for the Jets, it would take away entertainment dollars that I would otherwise have spent on the Jets. Rather than seeing a dozen Jets games a year, it's more likely I'd see 10 and have season tickets to a WHL team.
I'd be surprised if a WHL team could generate more revenue than the concerts it would conflict with or enough for it to be worth it. Either way, I agree with the posters who said it won't be an option until they build the Jets brand for a few years and/or pressure test it (ie. it survives a weak CAD). Unless they're confident that the Jets will sell out every game for a decade or so, why risk undercutting your own big-ticket product with a cheaper competitor? The market for the Jets is small enough without shifting potential/future sales to a less profitable asset.
I'd be interesting in following a WHL team if we had one and while it wouldn't lessen my excitation for the Jets, it would take away entertainment dollars that I would otherwise have spent on the Jets. Rather than seeing a dozen Jets games a year, it's more likely I'd see 10 and have season tickets to a WHL team.
how often are there concerts during the week tho? plus having a WHL team would give us other potential opportunities likes hosting those WHL vs Team Russia games. I dunno id love to see them make a run at owning a WHL team.
I'd be surprised if a WHL team could generate more revenue than the concerts it would conflict with or enough for it to be worth it. Either way, I agree with the posters who said it won't be an option until they build the Jets brand for a few years and/or pressure test it (ie. it survives a weak CAD). Unless they're confident that the Jets will sell out every game for a decade or so, why risk undercutting your own big-ticket product with a cheaper competitor? The market for the Jets is small enough without shifting potential/future sales to a less profitable asset.
I'd be interesting in following a WHL team if we had one and while it wouldn't lessen my excitation for the Jets, it would take away entertainment dollars that I would otherwise have spent on the Jets. Rather than seeing a dozen Jets games a year, it's more likely I'd see 10 and have season tickets to a WHL team.
That actually ends up being a win win situation for True North. They still get your dollars and they open up some NHL tickets for more people.
Makes great sense when one considers the MTSC is used another 40~ nights. Economy of scale would make running a WHL team in Winnipeg very affordable. Same event staff, marketing an sales staff, concession staff, etc. Coop marketing with the Jets.
That actually ends up being a win win situation for True North. They still get your dollars and they open up some NHL tickets for more people.
Right now it's a good situation but if the Jets aren't selling out, it's a losing situation. That's the risk. If you assume the Jets will sell out for decades, it's not an issue. I feel there's still some uncertainty long-term in the sense that TNSE has no control over the Manitoba economy or the Canadian dollar. I also think that with the size of the market you need to keep people focused on the success of the Jets. Keeping people desperate to get their hands on Jets tickets is a good strategy IMO.
I'm not saying a WHL team wouldn't work though, just that there is risk involved.
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