Do you believe that the new Winnipeg Jets will be stable for the many years to come?
by Adrian George on 27/01/12 at 6:19 pm
Question by : Do you believe that the new Winnipeg Jets will be stable for the many years to come?
I read they have the smallest market and the smallest arena in the NHL.
Best answer:
Answer by Jerry D
Smallest market -true, Smallest arena-true, but they have so many fans, and a waiting list for season tickets above 10,000. The ownership group is ran by millionaires. I heard the guy who bought them is the 17th richest man in the world. So yes, they are stable in a sold house every game for the next five years.
Add your own answer in the comments!
meerkat~the original...
Jan 27th, 2012
It’s hard to know that without them having played a season yet. It didn’t work last time. I think the people of Winnipeg really want it to work this time, though.
viphockey4
Jan 27th, 2012
As long as the Canadian dollar remains stable against American currency and they keep the salary cap as part of the CBA they should be fine. They do have the burden of the smallest market….Atlanta was a major market so market size alone is a poor indicator of potential success. Hockey is king in the Winnipeg/Manitoba metropolis and fan support was never an issue the first go around. Lack of ability to compete with the 40% loss of value to the American dollar was the stake in their heart. The biggest obstacle they face is being a good draw for potential free agents and winning over the few major corporations in the area to support them through the almighty sponsor dollars that define success in pro sports today. They have a quality ownership group, support of the local government and if memory is correct they have one of the most favorable tax bases for business in Canada. As long as corporate Winnipeg/Manitoba stay on board and the salary cap stays reasonable there is little reason to think they cant maintain a stable franchise long term.
Russ
Jan 27th, 2012
Ticket sales =/= success
Season ticket sales =/= success
Winnipeg is a hockey market, and never had troubles with ticket sales. They had difficulty finding corporate sponsors and never saw real advertising money, which accounts for much more of the income of the team.
Also, you do not get to be the 17th or whatever richest man by making bad business choices. If Winnipeg starts bleeding money like it used to, it will move fast.They will reap the benefits of the move off of merchandise sales and initial success, and hit the road.
Personally, I think they will be around for another decade, then be yet another team. That is just my opinion though, and I am not expert. A lot relies on whether they can be successful in outside markets, selling merchandise and do TV deals all through Manitoba and really Canada.