I have no idea regarding the profitability of any ECHL franchise, much less one located in a Dallas suburb. I do know that there are far more opportunities for people to spend their entertainment dollar in this area, than in any of the other the cities making up the ECHL.
I don't know about that. Orlando seems to have a few things to do other than Solar Bears games. Even lowly Reading PA is only an hour from Philadelphia -home of the Flyers, 76ers, Eagles, Phillies, South Street nightlife, museums, etc. Also about an hour from Hershey and Allentown who both have AHL teams, and there are minor league baseball teams in all three cities. We also have our share of restaurants, movie theaters, concerts, an orchestra, one of the top drag racing tracks in the country. It is only a short trip to NYC. Lots of local folks will take a day trip to see a Broadway play or go to a Yankees, Giants, Devils, Rangers, Nets, Knicks, etc game, or just go sightseeing. Also, PA has legalized casino gambling now, so plenty of options around without having to make the 2 1/2 hour trek to Atlantic City that was necessary a few years ago. There are also bowling leagues, darts, axe throwing, high school and college sports and other stuff I'm not aware of or thinking of right now.
Many other ECHL cities are the same. Downtown Wheeling isn't too exciting, but most of their fans aren't from Wheeling. They live in western PA or eastern Ohio, and are close enough to Pittsburgh or another city that they have entertainment options.