Author Topic: Canadians, time to pay... (Read 568 times)

Wlfgng · « **on:** January 08, 2003, 01:41:21 PM »

or lose yet another team to the United States.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=577&e=1&cid=577&u=/nm/20030108/sp_nm/nhl_senators_dc

With all the talk of Canadians 'stealing' DirectTV, I'm wondering if they don't pay to see the games anymore but look for 'alternatives' that end up not supporting their teams.

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2003, 01:57:27 PM »

I heard that on the news today. Portland has been trying to get a hockey team for some time... we're supposed to be in the running (first choice if the team leaves).

AKDejaVu

Wlfgng · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2003, 02:52:04 PM »

That must really suck for Canadians to see 'their' teams moving to America. good for us but it's weird that the 'home' of hockey can't support them.
Guys tell me it's the exchange rate that's really killing them.
drag.

Thrawn · « **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2003, 03:01:32 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Wlfgng
That must really suck for Canadians to see 'their' teams moving to America. good for us but it's weird that the 'home' of hockey can't support them.
Guys tell me it's the exchange rate that's really killing them.
drag.

It makes me want to barf. diddlyin' number one team

Ecliptik · « **Reply #4 on:** January 08, 2003, 03:55:47 PM »

It does really suck. All the players are paid in US dollars, but tickets are sold in Canadian, and we can't pay through the nose just to support overpaid athletes.

I live in Toronto, and with the exception of one game a while ago, the Leafs have sold out every home game since some point in the 70's. I'm glad my team isn't going anywhere, but Ottawa is a good team too and I'd hate to see them go. Next it'll probably be the Oilers, which again sucks, I was born in Edmonton.

A pity, especially when half the players in the league (no exaggeration) are Canadian.

BigGun · « **Reply #5 on:** January 08, 2003, 04:15:31 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ecliptik
with the exception of one game a while ago, the Leafs have sold out every home game since some point in the 70's.

That statement is proof that the ticket prices are not high enough. Simple law of economics.

Ecliptik · « **Reply #6 on:** January 08, 2003, 04:40:08 PM »

If you say so, but ticket prices in Toronto are already higher than for any other Canadian team. I think it's proof that Leaf fans are so rabid that they'll still go to every game even during seasons when the team is sucking.

newguy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 08, 2003, 04:57:27 PM »

I think our teams have trouble because of the tax breaks that the US teams get, rather than a lack of support or low ticket prices. I think that we should file under NAFTA for unfair competition

I dont think that we should give them tax breaks though. Thats a lot of money that goes to the communities (although my cynical side says the politicians). Pro sports has gotten out of control with salaries etc., and has become too much of a business venture, and I dont want my tax dollars supporting it. If they cant survive here, then take off to the US. The WHL is just as, if not more exciting than the NHL. It pains me to say all this, especially as it is ''our" sport, but we will continue to play it, and life will go on.
I am a huge hockey fan, have played hockey all my life, but I'm tired of all the crap our city's have to go through to compete and keep our teams. Enough.

newguy
ASSASSIN

ps-I'm about a billion points ahead of Wlfgng right now in a hockey pool

funkedup · « **Reply #8 on:** January 08, 2003, 05:05:45 PM »

The league should do revenue sharing and salary caps.

newguy · « **Reply #9 on:** January 08, 2003, 05:34:28 PM »

that would be a good idea funked, kinda like the nfl, right?

Wlfgng · « **Reply #10 on:** January 08, 2003, 05:40:22 PM »

Quote

That statement is proof that the ticket prices are not high enough. Simple law of economics.

I disagree. I'm a season ticket holder at the Pepsi center and it's always been sold out since day 1.
Ticket price is high. trust me.
Much much much more expensive than Bronco tickets! lol

Quote

ps-I'm about a billion points ahead of Wlfgng right now in a hockey pool

TARD !!!

Sandman · « **Reply #11 on:** January 08, 2003, 05:45:22 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ecliptik
A pity, especially when half the players in the league (no exaggeration) are Canadian.

You sure about that? Seems that there are an awful lot of Euros and Russians.

newguy · « **Reply #12 on:** January 08, 2003, 05:51:45 PM »

He's wrong Sandman, its more like 60%.

bowser · « **Reply #13 on:** January 08, 2003, 07:17:03 PM »

"...That must really suck for Canadians to see 'their' teams moving to America. good for us but it's weird that the 'home' of hockey can't support them. ...".

I live in Ottawa. Fan support has nothing to do with the team's financial problems. Attendance averages about 15-16 thousand in an 18 thousand seat arena. Most American teams would kill for those attendance figures.

The problem is the team debt and interest on it. The team was in debt from the getgo and the interest on the debt since has become unmanageable. If they could get out from under this debt, the day to day operation of the club is solid.

If you look closely at other teams that have moved from Canada to the US, you'll see it had nothing to do with fan support either. Both Winnipeg and Quebec city had great fan support, but ownership can make more money in the US due to the exchange rate, sweetheart arena deals, etc.

By the way, you DO know that Americans steal DirectTV also don't you? Or is that alright with you?

bowser

rosco · « **Reply #14 on:** January 08, 2003, 07:57:17 PM »

The problem "for the Sens anyway" isnt salaries,Ottawa has the lowest payroll in the league, its overtaxation. And that IMO boils down to the people. In 2000 Rob Dryen Lobbied the Feds for a tax break for all Canadian teams. They agreed and then backed out due to the flailing of arms and nashing of teeth from the People. Seems we would rather take no tax from then less tax.

It was an uphill battle from the beginning. They had to pay for the land "toronto had thiers donated" They had to pay for a lot of the infrastructure around Kanata "toronto didnt have this expense" and they have to pay the Provincial Government an Entertainment tax "Sens are considered foreign entertainment", but Jerry Signfeld came to town and was exempt:rolleyes:

You can put any spin on it you want to, but it boils down to the people, who arent willing to stand up for and support the team.