The Ringer Names Eugene Melnyk As Worst Owner In North America...

[coladin]

Not a great business plan, and building his case to move the team. Many say “fat chance”, but he will say he has made long term commitments to players like Chabot and White, and he can’t make it work with those types of numbers. Ottawa has zero subsidies.

He said two years ago about relocation if “attendance becomes a disaster” ...well if this isn’t a disaster then I don’t know what is.

Is he blameless? Of course not. But there have been rotten ownership groups in other cities. In other sports. But the fans still supported the players. This is a dangerous game of chicken with an unstable egomaniac

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Not a great business plan, and building his case to move the team. Many say “fat chance”, but he will say he has made long term commitments to players like Chabot and White, and he can’t make it work with those types of numbers. Ottawa has zero subsidies.

He said two years ago about relocation if “attendance becomes a disaster” ...well if this isn’t a disaster then I don’t know what is.

Is he blameless? Of course not. But there have been rotten ownership groups in other cities. In other sports. But the fans still supported the players. This is a dangerous game of chicken with an unstable egomaniac

He can’t even pay his gambling debt and he’s going to move the team?

 

[coladin]

He can’t even pay his gambling debt and he’s going to move the team?

I don’t think it is a question of “can’t “. Neither with the plane. Not condoning it, but he has money, whether he chooses to spend it is another matter.

Nevertheless, he is building a case

 

[Gil Gunderson]

I don’t think it is a question of “can’t “. Neither with the plane. Not condoning it, but he has money, whether he chooses to spend it is another matter.

Nevertheless, he is building a case

If he makes that case, it implies that he’s going to move it to a market that would increase the franchise value, resulting in a significant relocation fee. Then add on the arena lease to his expenses.

 

[coladin]

If he makes that case, it implies that he’s going to move it to a market that would increase the franchise value, resulting in a significant relocation fee. Then add on the arena lease to his expenses.

A relocation fee that will gladly be absorbed by the incoming city, complete with American-style subsidies and ticket tariffs, and sweetheart deals. That won’t scare the guy in Houston. Or wherever may be most lucrative.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

A relocation fee that will gladly be absorbed by the incoming city, complete with American-style subsidies and ticket tariffs, and sweetheart deals. That won’t scare the guy in Houston. Or wherever may be most lucrative.

Are there any examples of this actually happening?

 

[coladin]

Are there any examples of this actually happening?

Don’t know, but don’t know why it could not happen...do you? It is a 600M franchise, what is another 60M or so relocation fee? I’m sure some county would gobble that up to woo an NHL team.

 

[Mightygoose]

I can't see a city/county offering to cover a relocation fee.

When Calgary had their standoff with the Saddle some replacement and years of the Coyotes instability, no place after offered to pay a relocation fee or build a new arena to lure one of them.

Even with bad attendance, he still owns the CTC so would he really be further ahead being rented in someone else's building? Plus for him to move to a place where someone else owns/controls the place, he would have an agreement and Melnyk has a history of not being able to place nice with others. May not be able to move even if he wanted to.

His other option would be to sell but would have to consider only offers keeping the team in Ottawa first and there is already interest on that front. Question is how much. If they want. 500-600 million, there's not much of a case for that right now.

 

[Ernie]

His other option would be to sell but would have to consider only offers keeping the team in Ottawa first and there is already interest on that front. Question is how much. If they want. 500-600 million, there's not much of a case for that right now.

I think he'll easily get $500m. It's a good market and a new owner will likely get help with a new stadium in a good location. A well capitalized owner should be able to turn the situation around fairly quickly.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

Still won a hell of a lot more this century than neighboring Montreal or Toronto.

Would anyone want to buy the team and keep it there? Relocation likely to be vetoed.

No one wants to play in ottawa if it were somewhere else the cap room and draft picks would be appealing to a buyer.

 

[Cacciaguida]

Still won a hell of a lot more this century than neighboring Montreal or Toronto

Montreal and Toronto also don't have to compete with each other in their own market.
Sens haven't fielded a good team in the last few years. Why should it matter if the team was good 5 years ago?

I brought a friend to a sens game today, and he wasn't surprized they weren't selling. the team is awful.

 

[hui43210]

Having lived in Ottawa for five of the past 6 years before returning to Winnipeg last month, I completely understand why people don't want to go. The owner is a jerk, the arena is in the middle of nowhere, and the team is awful, albeit because of the owner issue.

I don't think they will relocate because I suspect there would be enough interest from potential owners keeping the team in Ottawa. However, I'm uncomfortable with people who say it would be impossible for the team to move. I have read a lot of the threads pertaining to Atlanta circa 2010-2011, and there was much of the same sentiment about the Thrashers, and then people realized that the Atlanta Spirt were essentially doing everything they could to kick them out. Two completely different arena and ownership situations, I am well aware of that, but until this sorry saga ends, I would never say never. Melnyk has done enough to convince me he can make things even worse at any moment.

 

[Ernie]

Would anyone want to buy the team and keep it there? Relocation likely to be vetoed.

This whole relocation talk is silly. In terms of market viability, Ottawa is well ahead of Quebec City and Winnipeg and close to Calgary and Edmonton.

Ottawa has the highest median family incomes in the country. Lots of double income families with good government jobs. The problem isn't with the market. The problem is the owner.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/otta...nt-charity-quietly-grounded-in-2019-1.5309471

 

[BKIslandersFan]

This whole relocation talk is silly. In terms of market viability, Ottawa is well ahead of Quebec City and Winnipeg and close to Calgary and Edmonton.

Ottawa has the highest median family incomes in the country. Lots of double income families with good government jobs. The problem isn't with the market. The problem is the owner.

If government is the biggest employer then it’s not gonna translate to corporate dollars.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

If government is the biggest employer then it’s not gonna translate to corporate dollars.

Well Quebec City is another government town with about half the population of Ottawa so...

 

[Voight]

Having lived in Ottawa for five of the past 6 years before returning to Winnipeg last month, I completely understand why people don't want to go. The owner is a jerk, the arena is in the middle of nowhere, and the team is awful, albeit because of the owner issue.

I don't think they will relocate because I suspect there would be enough interest from potential owners keeping the team in Ottawa. However, I'm uncomfortable with people who say it would be impossible for the team to move. I have read a lot of the threads pertaining to Atlanta circa 2010-2011, and there was much of the same sentiment about the Thrashers, and then people realized that the Atlanta Spirt were essentially doing everything they could to kick them out. Two completely different arena and ownership situations, I am well aware of that, but until this sorry saga ends, I would never say never. Melnyk has done enough to convince me he can make things even worse at any moment.

The thing with relocation too is for one, QC isn't too far away I.E. players would still be in the same country and timezone, not like they'd have to move out west and if their families wanted to stay in Ottawa is not terribly far by car or plane. They could easily stay in the Atlantic division too, so you wouldn't have a situation like when the Jets played in the old SE division for a couple years. The arena is brand new so moving a team into there would be no issue.

Well Quebec City is another government town with about half the population of Ottawa so...

Just spit balling, but you'd also have some corporate companies based in or solely operating in Quebec who would be there for potential sponsorships/luxury boxes.

 

[Mightygoose]

According to sources in this article, the ST base is around the 3500 mark. I'm sure there are many AHL and major junior clubs with larger ones.

Peaked around 13K during the Stanley Cup final years (2007)

Stigma around Senators ownership creating concerning low attendance - Sportsnet.ca

They probably won't even sell out Saturday night games against the Leafs at this rate.

 

[member 157595]

That’s not sanitary

Melnyk would only care about that sort of thing if a lawsuit were filed. He's definitely the type to dare Sens fans to speak out and then further punish them later on.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Melnyk would only care about that sort of thing if a lawsuit were filed. He's definitely the type to dare Sens fans to speak out and then further punish them later on.

Seems like it would sit more with the regulatory bodies.

Imagine how many people get sick from something as simple as not having warm water for hand-washing in a public arena. Gross.

 

[Mightygoose]

More time coming to you shortly.

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/lawsuit-b...4641233#_gus&_gucid=&_gup=twitter&_gsc=kGYJTr

I think this will still take some time but Melnyk's legal teams will exceed the Sens payroll soon

 

[TheLegend]

More time coming to you shortly.

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/lawsuit-b...4641233#_gus&_gucid=&_gup=twitter&_gsc=kGYJTr

I think this will still take some time but Melnyk's legal teams will exceed the Sens payroll soon

The only winners in this one will be the lawyers.

 

[Jets4Life]

Two criteria for top notch owner:
1) Spends whatever is needed to create a championship caliber club, on players, front office, etc. Keeps spending even if he is running losses (because the best owner is a guy worth $50 billion and does not give a crap about losses).

2) Does not meddle in club management decisions. Hires well regarded coaches and roster managers, gives them all the resources they need, and lets them do their jobs.

A problem in one of these areas will mean long term trouble for fans. Melnyk completely fails both these criteria and even gets a crossover bonus failure point since he meddles in the roster to the objective of saving money instead of the usual I think I'm smarter than my manager reason.

Thank God for David Thomson....

 

[SpezDispenser]

Not a great business plan, and building his case to move the team. Many say “fat chance”, but he will say he has made long term commitments to players like Chabot and White, and he can’t make it work with those types of numbers. Ottawa has zero subsidies.

He said two years ago about relocation if “attendance becomes a disaster” ...well if this isn’t a disaster then I don’t know what is.

Is he blameless? Of course not. But there have been rotten ownership groups in other cities. In other sports. But the fans still supported the players. This is a dangerous game of chicken with an unstable egomaniac

He moves nothing without the full support of the NHL. He's a loser and a joke around the league at this point, they'd never let him.

 

[SpezDispenser]

This whole relocation talk is silly. In terms of market viability, Ottawa is well ahead of Quebec City and Winnipeg and close to Calgary and Edmonton.

Ottawa has the highest median family incomes in the country. Lots of double income families with good government jobs. The problem isn't with the market. The problem is the owner.

100%. Market has turned on Melnyk without question. You don't trade the guys he's traded in the last couple of years and not expect backlash - well, here it is.