CHRDANHUTCH
Registered User
There is an article in this weeks hockey news on this, saying Bruckheimer is a potential owner, but that he wants an expansion franchise
I think a team in Vegas could work, but it has a huge risk/reward factor. The fact that Vegas is a growing market makes it a place where the NHL could have success, much like Raleigh/Durham and the fact that they have an ECHL team which has been able to survive despite others folding(Atlantic City,Long Beach) shows the potential to support an NHL team. Vegas offers an incredible advertising oppurtunity for the NHL, every inch of the boards in the rink they play in will have casino advertising bringing in money and the team could use the casinos to advertise the NHL.
However, for this to work the NHL needs to make sure a few things happen:
1. Bruckheimer is owner - he has had great success in the entertainment business and would be able to afford to endure some loses to create success. I feel he will be a Mark Cuban type owner and want to do anything he can to produce wins for his team. Also, with Bruckheimer in the enterainment industry he has the power to create a television station much like Ted Turner's TBS, which would televise the teams games nationally as TBS does the Braves (not sure how versus would feel about this)
2. Beat the NBA to Vegas - If the Portland Trailblazers relocate and bring Greg Oden with them then the NHL will not be able to compete for ticket sales, tourism or advertising with a team wit such a budding superstar. However, getting there first the NHL team could own the arena and charge the NBA team rent(as discussed in point 3)
3. NHL team owns arena - for an NHL team to make money they must own the arena and auction off the rights for concessions and recieve money for other teams using the building (possibly NBA, Arena Football, wrestling) and concerts etc.
I think this is a risk worth taking if the team fails then the owner can always move it, just like what is happening in Nashville. 31 teams would not work and would open up potential expansion to Quebec or Winnipeg. The expansion fee paid by the teams will help the NHL owners. NHL fans would go to see their team on the road in Vegas for an excuse to spend the weekend there and the NHL should change the schedule to get Crosby and Ovechkin there at least every other year. I also don't think two additional teams will water down the talent too much. If the NHL wants to make the game relevant in the United States Vegas will open it up to a national audience as well as a growing local audience, and can also provide another Canadian team who will have an automatic fan base.
who said Portland is relocating their Blazers. Seattle is the franchise in the NBA exploring relocation.