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"The egg came before the chicken, so you must listen"
Hamilton, ON • Canada • 22 Years Old • Male
None eggshmeg35 [email protected] [email protected] None
We've seen different franchises move before, mainly from Canadian markets to American, and it has gone quite smoothly. Why are we seeing so much talk about the Predators possible relocation to Hamilton? Did the other franchises that moved have to sell 14,000 tickets in advance? No. Then why does Mr. Balsillie have to do it? Yes I know there are many factors why people don't want a franchise in Hamilton, mainly because it's too close to Buffalo and Toronto, but Mr. Balsillie has driven a bucketful of money to the NHL's doorstep and has asked for a franchise. Also, if California can support 3 teams, and the New York area can support 3, then Ontario can support 3 teams, no doubt. He payed more than three times what the Predators are worth, which brings every other team in the NHL's price up, so only an idiot would decline his offer, right? Then why are we still having so much talk about why he can't have this team? Mr. Balsillie is a businessman and a multi-millionaire, and he knows what he has to do to get his way, even if it means breaking the "rules". He looked back at Hamilton's previous tries at getting a franchise and realized that for some reason the NHL does not want a team in Hamilton, so he has to force his way in. The Maple Leafs won't allow it unless they get a bunch of money, and he won't hesitate to give them some. This man will do whatever it takes to get a team in Hamilton, and he wants the NHL to know that. There's no stopping him, and frankly he should feel discouraged for being forced to take these extreme measures just so he can have a franchise where he thinks he can make money. The NHL Board of Governors has no grounds to deny Mr. Balsillie his franchise, and they should feel honoured that a man would go to these lengths just to be a part of their league.
Filed Under:   eggshmeg   Nashville   Predators   Hamilton   Balsillie  
June 21, 2007 12:55 AM ET | Delete
Bengay was unaware that there was a Columbus fan on this site.
June 21, 2007 4:04 AM ET | Delete
Two things. When Nashville was rewarded an NHL franchise the city offered jaw-dropping concessions and deals and even cash to the team - as I understand it, this was the biggest factor in the NHL going there. The city - not unreasonably - set up protections to stop the team running away in the night. That's why the lease is tougher than others. Secondly, the NHL does not want more Canadian teams. They would like the extra revenue, sure - but their worry is that the more Canadian teams there are the less likely they are to secure this mystical network tv deal. The words windmills and charging come to mind - but still this is their objective.
June 21, 2007 9:18 AM ET | Delete
June 21, 2007 12:10 PM ET | Delete
A columbus fan? I'm a devils fan Bengay. Good points bill, I guess they figure their not gonna make any new fans by moving another team to canada, they're already here, but if they want the game to expand, they need to stretch into untapped markets.
June 21, 2007 7:46 PM ET | Delete
The Hamilton Predators.....that just doesn't sound right...
June 21, 2007 9:09 PM ET | Delete
howabout the HAMILTON HAMSTERS
June 21, 2007 10:03 PM ET | Delete
They would probably rename the team...
June 22, 2007 8:30 AM ET | Delete
How is moving Nashville after only 9 years a good thing for expanding the game? Nashville was an untapped market, and they're bailing after 9 years. What does that say to other untapped markets?
June 22, 2007 12:13 PM ET | Delete
First of all the 14,000 fans is to break the lease. Second, not all Canadian cities are a good move. Ottawa had trouble selling out its arena when they were in first and Edmonton was threatening bankruptcy before the new NHL deal. There is a lot more that goes into moving a franchise than what you think. I love hockey being in Canada I just don't think it should be the Predators. And Vegas...forget it. Worst idea since Kansas City.
June 22, 2007 4:21 PM ET | Delete
Edmonton is and will be a great hockey market......the only reason Canadian teams struggled to survive was the low Canadian dollar. A team in Quebec City or Winnipeg with a strong Canadian dollar would be a profitable franchise. When the 6 Canadian teams account for 35% of league revenue it isn’t because the teams are not supported. As for Nashville they have a solid fan base of 13,000 fans and almost zero corporate support. This in any market (new or old) would be cause for the team to move. To move a team to Hamilton makes more business sense then moving a team to Las Vegas or KC where support would be strong for the first few years and drop once the novelty wears off. Being a Canadian living in Las Vegas I would love a team here but the league needs to rethink it’s business strategy and focus on having 30 strong markets before they move into “untapped areas”. The first step is moving a team to Hamilton where it will be supported by fans and the community.
June 22, 2007 5:30 PM ET | Delete
Hamilton would be a great place to have a hockey team, in my opinion. Who cares I just like having 7 canadian teams.
June 22, 2007 5:30 PM ET | Delete
Hamilton would be a great place to have a hockey team, in my opinion. Who cares I just like having 7 canadian teams.
June 22, 2007 11:17 PM ET | Delete
OMG, then what would we do on Hockey Day in Canada? lol
June 23, 2007 3:02 PM ET | Delete
Can't move a team unless the lease agreement allows for it, which in this case requires the ticket sales to fall below 14,000 on average.
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