The GTA has about 5 million people. If the surrounding area is counted they get up to about 8 million. I don't think you need to stretch a point and count teams within a relatively short area.How many teams in the City of Toronto proper, with its 2.7 mil?
If Moose avg 5000 attendance and $25 a seat for 40 games they take in 5 mil at the gate, + concessions, souveniers, etc. If they maintain a 25 man roster that avgs 100k salary, they spend 2.5 mil. I think they probably run pretty close to break even in the end.
That said, I would just as soon see them locate somewhere else, as long as it is a solid AHL market and not too far away. If I had to choose, I would rather have a successful WHL team.
Well within a big but not massive area, not sure exactly how many KM's total. There is the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Marlies, Guelph Storm, Mississauga Steelheads, Hamilton Bulldogs, Kitchener Rangers and then about 17 Junior A/B teams. Just in Toronto proper they have the Leafs, Marlies and about 5 Junior A teams.
I think the Jets would even be willing to take a minor loss on the Moose as long as the Jets are turning a good enough profit to make up for that loss. Just for the reduced costs associated with travel and the convenience of having your farm team in the same building and city. I think more teams should try it this way. Especially Canadian teams. Own your Minor team, keep them in the same building, that you also own and reap the benefits.
