Heres the deal... Sault Ste. Marie is talked about as a "have not team" their location is considered a distinct disadvantage. Yet , based on the statistics I posted on page 1, they have the highest average division standing over the last 5 years over any team in the OHL, and they are second to London over the last 10 years (2.2 to 2.4) tied with Barrie.
If the Soo can pull off that kind of consistency without league interference then there is no reason for the league to get involved. Eventually teams will either have to change what they are doing or they will bleed so much money that ownership will have to sell.
SSM has a new building that provides “opportunity” to generate advanced revenue.
When a facility has private boxes and comfortable seating, it is more welcoming and people tend to respond more favourably.
My issue is “ability” to generate the type of revenue required to operate at a high level year in and year out.
Some towns only have 35,000 people. On the surface, that isn’t very much. But, in those towns they are the only entertainment option (other than Cineplex). The goal for those towns is to make it habit forming and part of the culture. Owen Sound has done a tremendous job and so has SSM in that regard.
Teams like Hamilton will struggle because they have virtually no opportunity to create an atmosphere conducive to a great hockey experience. In addition, it is tough to sell Private boxes etc in those types of situations.
Barrie doesn’t have a high seating capacity but has a new building with premium seating and a restaurant etc. They have the ability to generate advanced revenue that makes up for the fact they are unable to sell 4500 tickets per game. Even Owen Sound realized they needed to develop the opportunity for advanced revenue and they did an extensive renovation to accommodate that.
The OHL needs 20 facilities with the ability to generate advanced revenue. Teams cannot live on regular ticket sales alone unless they can sell 4500 consistently. That really needs to be a priority for the league.
There is a big difference between franchises that simply do the best they can and those that squander opportunity. You and I have zero sympathy for those that squander opportunity. I do, however, have sympathy for those that do the best they can and it isn’t good enough.