A growing number of believers have been asking the same questions.
Are we gonna see the new owners spending money on the roster? Will we at least let GMDM catch a glimpse of the Cap ceiling? What can be done about more revenue while we wait for a competitive team? (why they’re asking me, I haven’t a clue…but it got me thinkin…yeah, yeah… me and thinkin ain’t exactly pals, but here we go anyway).
Since we have been perrennial bottom dwellers and tightwads there really isn’t any where to go but up… ummm thats the good news. yes the new owners are going to have to invest some cash if they want to make this team successful.
Now people might think that means go out on a player grabbing spree. I really don’t think so. 1. Not too many superstars are going to want to come here. 2. It takes more than superstars to make a winner. 3. The problems aren’t ALL on the ice.
So keeping that list in mind, yes they need to invest in a couple of prime, grade A roster players (preferrably 2 that people won’t shake their heads and go.. who? and rush for NHL.com to check stats). And definitely not a couple whose former team’s fans, high five and fist bump when they’re leaving. I like what GMDM is building here, I think, with his hand at the helm we can be competitive. Don actually ‘gets it’ I just think he’s had to add 1/2 steps into his master plan because of dollars and it would be nice if he could take a leap frog or 2 under new ownership.
The bad news for some folks is… I see most of the smart money changes coming behind the scenes. Real marketing (rather than cheap marketing during the games or on a few billboards), marketing that tries to replace the whiney folks who think 25 miles is too far to drive with folks right in the Wvalley who aren’t yet fans. Marketing that targets other niche sports fans like maybe those poor folks who lost their Roadrunners, who follow the WNBA and maybe those few insaniacs who loved arena ball and lacrosse need a new sport to follow.
Spend some money on Arena management staff who can hustle up some business for that beautiful bldg with the awesome views and the great acoustics.. (Demi Lovato and David Archeleta filled that place the other night)… more please. Non-hockey revenue… maybe a slice of the pie by filming some of these acts live and sellin the production to cable? (I hear those Jonas kids are pretty hot right now are they comin to Phoenix anytime soon? Somebody call their manager.)
Maybe some money might go into production? If FSN doesn’t want to pony up the airtime how about partnering with the Kings, Stars and maybe another team that gets no national TV love to form a limited pay per view package (showing the games local/national stations don’t want to pay for) a mini-Leafs TV if you will.
What do we need the City of G to give the new ownership to help right this listing franchise? Not that I am privy to the whole agreement or anything but will you forgive me if I say… Honestly, not a whole lot…
Parking forgiveness of course would be a huge help. No fees for 3 years would probably be unrealistic but awesome, saving the team well over 5 – 6 million during that time. Allowing the team to restructure its parking in such a way as to actually begin charging fees for all front lot parking during events like other sports teams. Once parking for prime lots has been established, the fees to the CoG could be resumed with both entities ’sharing’ the revenue.
Interest rate could be lowered on the lease for 3 years much like the housing market’s loan modification programs.
Restructuring the team’s association with the Westgate project (Ellman isn’t progressing on his planned development, racking up late fees and other deliquencies that may be impacting the team) Not sure how this is playing out but the team/arena was financed hand in hand w/ the development of Westgate Center so I am assuming that portions of the team/arena revenue is being siphoned off to pay for Westgate’s mishandling.
Hey! you asked I answered… wanna hear the reasoning behind all that?
Using the 3 year mark (I’d rather use 5 years but time is not a luxury we have at this point) to give new ownership a chance to use those monies to fund a competive product by spending said monies on higher caliber roster (at least 1 or 2 crowd draw name players), to regroup the Arena’s non hockey event capabilities and to restructure parking. At the end of the 3 years, the CofG could recoup the parking revenue thru the new fee split going forward and wouldn’t have really lost any revenue from the moratorium on parking fees. Since a competitive product on ice and the AllStar game in 2011 would raise interest and allow higher prices for tickets, the interest modification could be lifted after the 3 year period and the shortfall could be paid back to the CoG in installments at say .. the 15, 20 , 25 and 30 year marks of the contract. Thereby the CoG wouldn’t actually be losing any revenue from the interest, eliminating the Goldwhasis Institute’s objections and giving all parties the chance to get on their feet.
