SharksDownUnder
Registered User
we'll play hockey when it's snowing, blowing, on the street, tennis court, gym and it doesn't matter if you have a net, pylon, two boots, or 2 empties (pregame Molson's)... we are born to play.I in the Eye said:Us Canadians are born with a 'love for hockey' gene that Americans just do not have... It has nothing to do with constant and consistent exposure to a team and sport we (and perhaps our Fathers and Grandfathers) have grown up and grown old with... 'Love for hockey' cannot be learned... You are either born with it, or you're not... Just like some people are born with a 'bitter' gene for having the team they love(d) get moved...
I don't agree with all that has been posted.... but hockey is a business and if it can sustain itself in carolina, nashville, colorado, anahiem, florida, atlanta, arizona or dallas.... so be it.
when hockey leaves a "hockey" hotbed... it's often from an economic issue that makes sense to go... (arena's are a HUGE revenue source... hockey is just a tenant/franchise) Just ask mister Tim Leiweke and the Anschutz group in LA (they've built an insane empire since 1999 and it's not because the LA Kings are in a hockey hotbed or have won anything).... hockey is a franchise and a bloody great one! It's ultimately a solid tenant for a real-estate development strategy. What do you think MacDonald's has made their fortune in.... land. Burgers are a means to an end... just like hockey. But if we are talking hockey.... Canadian's live & dream it.
In fact for some owners... they don't care (seem to care) if they actually are losing money... because the revenue they are getting from the team for the arena rental is making them serious cash on the ledge / plus the multipliers for business values to leverage for their next biz/franchise/whatever.