Not Surprising - Kerzner's SPHL Augusta Riverhawks facing questionable future

[CrazyEddie20]

Kerzner failed in Pee Dee, failed in Winston-Salem, but yeah, let's give him another shot.

The Class-A apologists will keep saying that these markets "deserve hockey" and that Class-A hockey "has a place on the landscape" despite the fact that we see stories like this year after year.

The four most recent SPHL expansion members are all drawing less than 2,500/game. While the RiverKings are owned by a charitable trust that can lose money on the team, the other three teams are owned by businessmen - businessmen who may use hockey as a tax write-off, but don't want to hemorrhage money either.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/sports/hockey/riverhawks/2013-01-27/riverhawks-future-remains-doubt

Click to read more...

 

[lennysundahl]

The SPHL's done a good job of keeping things stable, especially for this level of hockey. Augusta has been a persistent trouble point, however; they've never drawn over 2000/game in the league. Louisiana hasn't drawn well either, though at least they've bumped it back over that 2000 mark. The Mississippi teams should be okay--Biloxi is a slight worry, but they just re-upped their lease through 2014. On the whole I'm not too worried, but this is minor pro hockey after all...

 

[CrazyEddie20]

The SPHL's done a good job of keeping things stable, especially for this level of hockey. Augusta has been a persistent trouble point, however; they've never drawn over 2000/game in the league. Louisiana hasn't drawn well either, though at least they've bumped it back over that 2000 mark. The Mississippi teams should be okay--Biloxi is a slight worry, but they just re-upped their lease through 2014. On the whole I'm not too worried, but this is minor pro hockey after all...

2,000/game still loses money in the SPHL, a lot of money when you are on the geographical fringe of the league. Considering that most minor league attendance figures are (often grossly) inflated, these teams are likely in a lot more trouble than you think.

 

[lennysundahl]

2,000/game still loses money in the SPHL, a lot of money when you are on the geographical fringe of the league. Considering that most minor league attendance figures are (often grossly) inflated, these teams are likely in a lot more trouble than you think.

Won't dispute that--2,000 has always been my danger zone as far as announced attendance goes; the SPHL safe zone seems to be around 3,000. Augusta isn't that much in the fringe though--certainly closer than Knoxville and Fayetteville, as the core of the league anymore is around the Gulf Coast.

 

[Sports Enthusiast]

Never thought theyd last long after folding in the E. Isn't their economy still pretty bad?

 

[lennysundahl]

Never thought theyd last long after folding in the E. Isn't their economy still pretty bad?

10% unemployment in the city, 9% metro. Has actually lost jobs in the last year. But then there's this...

Team owners Bob and Diane Kerzner have agreed to the framework of a deal with Augusta Entertainment Complex.
Monty Jones Jr., general manager of the arena, said a deal should be finalized within a month. He and the team have been in contact regarding an extension for a couple months.

There is an out for the Kerzners if they don't reach certain unspecified ticket goals though. They did say STH needs to be closer to 800 (right now ~550)...