A follow up on the declaration that professional hockey might be "fake"
Every year, World Wrestling Entertainment starts to set the stage for its grandest event of the year, Wrestle Mania, at its January pay per view The Royal Rumble. At this event, three months in advance, the framework is established to develop the storylines heading into the big event which the company's executives feel that the ticket buying public will get behind. It's not just about selling out the building, this year in Houston, Texas - but also about success in buy rates on pay per view.
With three months of weekly television to get their fans to buy into their vision, Wrestle Mania is an annual event now in its 25th year.
We have a little more than three months until we get into the 2009 Stanley Cup final, but I believe that Commissioner Gary Bettman has planted those same seeds for the hockey season this year. It's bad news for the teams in the west.
Speaking in Toronto on Wednesday, Mr. Bettman identified six teams which are struggling and for whom he is in talks with potential investors. What better way to encourage spending than by demonstrating that a team is a winning franchise? Of thirty teams in the league, business interests are being focused on six which include Phoenix, Nashville, Florida, Tampa (2004 Cup winners), and Long Island. I would suggest that one of these teams (perhaps not Florida, as the article appearing in Vancouver's 24 hours yesterday would suggest that they may have developed some marketing to turn their business around) will be holding the Stanley Cup aloft in June.
What about Canada? Quoting yesterday's 24 hours:
"Bettman was in Toronto yesterday and didn't miss the front page of the Toronto Sun with a picture of empty seats and a feature on six trouble spots in the league." As I suggested last week, when business is down, that means more attention on the franchise, I would contend that Toronto has just set the wheels in motion to secure themselves a berth in the Stanley Cup finals this year. If their business is bad enough to land a Cup ... I couldn't say.
In the article, no mention of Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton, except that business is doing well. No cup for us this year -- not even a spot in the finals. Sadly, I haven't caught a game on television or at GM Place this year, and the league is telegraphing this one.
Thirty teams in the league, and the drama is already being focused on six. Can the league, with the assistance of the loyal print media bring the fans to buy in with their vision for this year's "Wrestle Mania" of hockey? Only time will tell.
One thing that troubles me about this:
While I understand the fundamentals of sound business, is that the NHL model actually ABUSES their loyal customers. With attention given to the struggling franchises in order to maintain an NHL presence in those markets, it is actually a kick in the crotch to those loyal fans that are shelling out dough religiously for tickets, merchandise, and ridiculously high concession prices in the arenas in support of professional hockey. Unlike pro wrestling, where the influence of the ticket buyers steers the direction of the programming - the National Hockey League, for the sake of building their empire, repeatedly disrespects the fans that support them the most.
To review the original article "Hockey is Fake", Click here
Vance Nevada