Atlanta Thrashers

[Killion]

did the NHL really "give up" on ATL? or was it 100% on ASG for the move?

but it's safe to say that the NHL didn't even put in nearly half the effort to save the thrashers than they do regularly to save the coyotes.

but barring a miracle, ATL won't be getting another NHL franchise ever again. losing two teams will do that. the support is there but it's just too small

100% on ASG. They never wanted the team to begin with but as it was all or nothing (Thrashers, NBA Hawks & Control of the building) they lied through the sale process & publicly while privately essentially running the franchise into the ditch. Used the NHL's own Relocation mechanisms against them. Claiming they couldnt find a local buyer but then as they controlled the building not surprising as they were demanding an insane amount in rent to prospective buyers thus negating any possibility of a local sale to begin with. They just wanted them gone. Out of the building. Figured they could make it hand over fist with concerts & events absent those 42 dates, costs of running the franchise. The NHL was boxed right in. Had no other option but to facilitate a sale for Relocation. Bettman none to happy about it, some big time finger pointing & acrimony through the negotiations between the NHL, TNSE & ASG.

 

[Big Phil]

Whether or not Atlanta is a "place for hockey", we haven't seen a fair test yet.

It'd be like you giving me a pair of loaded dice, and then blaming my abilities for not being able to win at craps.

It's a hell of a lot harder to be a diehard Atlanta fan than, say, a Toronto fan (even with their recent struggles).

You might not get fooled at all if you'd investigate the facts (many of which have been outlined in this thread).

But never mind that - let's torch the entire South because the Thrashers had a terrible ownership group.

Twice. Remember, it was twice. A total of 20 years of hockey was played in Atlanta starting in 1972. Atlanta was in the bottom three in their final year as the Flames in 1972. Only Hartford and Colorado were below them and they both relocated. The final three years for the Thrashers they were in the bottom 3 for attendance each time.

I realize the ownership was incompetent but you can't say the attendance doesn't have a contributing part to it either.

 

[Doctor No]

I'm aware that it was twice - thanks!

Ar you aware that poor attendance can result from miserable ownership situations? Even twice?

Atlanta fans are an easy target.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Twice. Remember, it was twice. A total of 20 years of hockey was played in Atlanta starting in 1972. Atlanta was in the bottom three in their final year as the Flames in 1972. Only Hartford and Colorado were below them and they both relocated. The final three years for the Thrashers they were in the bottom 3 for attendance each time.

I realize the ownership was incompetent but you can't say the attendance doesn't have a contributing part to it either.

The sports world was different in 1972. The teams truly lived and died on gate attendance, and they were run more on year-by-year budgets than today's long term investment plans. I wouldn't say the Flames had an awful attendance record -- look at their middle-of-the-road seasons before the very end -- but at least you could make the case that the team couldn't suffer operating losses indefinitely.

The Thrashers were a VERY different story. Modern sports teams are supposed to have 30-year business horizons. Atlanta never stood a chance, after ASG bought the team with the deliberate intent to liquidate it.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

I'm aware that it was twice - thanks!

Ar you aware that poor attendance can result from miserable ownership situations? Even twice?

Atlanta fans are an easy target.

Exactly, especially when the ownership group was openly hostile towards the fans. There's a story I recall being bandied about here where the owners had a town hall meeting with the STH and somebody brought up the bathrooms in Philips Arena being in poor repair - doors torn off stalls, stall walls grafittied up, etc. The response from the owners was "Deal with it."

 

[Big Phil]

I'm aware that it was twice - thanks!

Ar you aware that poor attendance can result from miserable ownership situations? Even twice?

Atlanta fans are an easy target.

Oh I'm aware. I just wouldn't have put a team in Atlanta to start in 1999, or ever again. Look people in Canada want the Montreal Expos back. Even as a Canadian, I think it is insane to ever think that way. Montreal had a longer stay than Atlanta, but still.