Stadiums and Arenas of Canada part 2

[drummer_god]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

Once people are in their seats and the seat pattern is cover, no one (well almost no one) will notice
This will be 100 times better than the Rogers Centre

Montreal's molson stadium is the same way. No one has ever complained about it.

[Scruff Bucket]

Originally Posted by FrankieFlowerpot

Jets vs Oilers at IGF in October

Hmm .... Would they ever consider playing an outdoor NHL game in Regina, after New Mosaic Stadium becomes operational?

How will it work at IGF? Will Blue Bomber season ticket holders get ticket availability preference over Jets season ticket holders, or will tickets be equally available to anyone who is interested? How has it been done at other venues in the past?

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Scruff Bucket

Hmm .... Would they ever consider playing an outdoor NHL game in Regina, after New Mosaic Stadium becomes operational?

Why would they? There's no NHL team in Saskatchewan and no precedent for neutral location outdoor games.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Scruff Bucket

Hmm .... Would they ever consider playing an outdoor NHL game in Regina, after New Mosaic Stadium becomes operational?

Perhaps it's not an absurd idea... I'm sure the thought of renting out an otherwise normal regular season game vs. a big draw would probably appeal to the owners of several US teams which could pull in several times the gate receipts of an average game by playing it at NMS.

NY Islanders or Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montreal Canadiens or Edmonton Oilers?

I wouldn't bet on it happening but it's not entirely beyond the realm of possibility either.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Why would they?

$$$

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by esquire

$$$

NHL can make money in any of the other Canadian locations that already have NHL teams. I'd be shocked if they even considered it.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by JHikka

NHL can make money in any of the other Canadian locations that already have NHL teams. I'd be shocked if they even considered it.

If it happened, it wouldn't be any of the Canadian teams giving up a home date. It would be an American team with low attendance, in much the same way that neutral site pre-season games almost always involve an American team renting out a game that they'd otherwise barely get peanuts for in their home venue.

In other words, it would have to involve teams like the Islanders, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, even the Stars, etc.

Lack of precedent is meaningless, as you well know the NHL follows the money and Regina is a good hockey market.Maybe not good enough to support a NHL team, but certainly good enough to sell out NMS at a high price point. The only question is whether the fans there would actually embrace the role of being asked to fill some random US team's coffers.

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by esquire

If it happened, it wouldn't be any of the Canadian teams giving up a home date. It would be an American team with low attendance, in much the same way that neutral site pre-season games almost always involve an American team renting out a game that they'd otherwise barely get peanuts for in their home venue.

In other words, it would have to involve teams like the Islanders, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, even the Stars, etc.

Lack of precedent is meaningless, as you well know the NHL follows the money and Regina is a good hockey market.Maybe not good enough to support a NHL team, but certainly good enough to sell out NMS at a high price point. The only question is whether the fans there would actually embrace the role of being asked to fill some random US team's coffers.

If the NFL can hold regular season games in neutral locations such as London, UK then why couldn't the NHL? Any Canadian team would gladly give up a home date if it meant more money. This has already happened at least once. The Canucks and Ducks played a two game series in Tokyo to start off the 1997–1998 regular season. I also don't think hockey fans in SK would care if it was two U.S. based teams. A game that actually counted in the standings would be a big draw.

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by Scruff Bucket

Hmm .... Would they ever consider playing an outdoor NHL game in Regina, after New Mosaic Stadium becomes operational?

How will it work at IGF? Will Blue Bomber season ticket holders get ticket availability preference over Jets season ticket holders, or will tickets be equally available to anyone who is interested? How has it been done at other venues in the past?

Do Blue Bomber season ticket holders get first preference to buy tickets for other events held at the stadium?

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by esquire

If it happened, it wouldn't be any of the Canadian teams giving up a home date. It would be an American team with low attendance, in much the same way that neutral site pre-season games almost always involve an American team renting out a game that they'd otherwise barely get peanuts for in their home venue.

What appeal is there for an American owner to give up one of their home dates to plays in Saskatchewan? If the CAD continues to hover around 0.75USD by the time they organize the event, travel, and expenses via the stadium I bet they wouldn't make much more than they would for a standard home game.

The issue is that the NHL has been very consistent in their defence of franchise locations for the sake of stability and franchise valuation. Are the Islanders going to relegate themselves to a neutral venue outdoor game? Not a chance. That team is steeped with history in the Long Island (and now Brooklyn) area. It would diminish their value as a franchise. Of the teams that draw poorly, Florida and Arizona included, what benefit is there from the NHL's point of view if revenue is negligible?

Originally Posted by esquire

In other words, it would have to involve teams like the Islanders, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, even the Stars, etc.

Islanders = Brand new arena lease at Barclays with loads of history. Not going to happen.
Hurricanes = Currently for sale and awaiting that before they start auctioning off home games.
Blue Jackets = Not real incentive and the team isn't struggling.
Dallas = Highest attendance in their recent history this season and no incentive to do so otherwise. 99% capacity met this season, averaging 18,341. Their home percentage is higher than Vancouver and Ottawa...

Originally Posted by esquire

Lack of precedent is meaningless, as you well know the NHL follows the money and Regina is a good hockey market.

If i'm an NHL owner looking at Regina what is this statement based on? Junior hockey?

Originally Posted by esquire

Maybe not good enough to support a NHL team, but certainly good enough to sell out NMS at a high price point.

If i'm an NHL owner looking at NMS what guarantee is there that it does indeed sell out at a high price point? What interest has been shown in Saskatchewan in the past for NHL hockey?

Originally Posted by esquire

The only question is whether the fans there would actually embrace the role of being asked to fill some random US team's coffers.

I'm not saying this idea is a bad one, because it isn't, but i'm saying that this entire premise is based on two things:
Firstly, that the NHL would be willing to do something that it has no history of doing with no guaranteed financial benefit for itself or for the teams involved. The NHL isn't exactly a league that creates revolutionary ideas and runs with them.

Secondly, this idea is only being floated after it was announced that IGF was receiving an outdoor game. It seems to be that if Winnipeg's shiny new stadium gets something then surely the shiny new stadium in Regina should also get that same thing, despite the fact that Saskatchewan has little to no background or affiliation with the NHL.

Originally Posted by Corndogger

If the NFL can hold regular season games in neutral locations such as London, UK then why couldn't the NHL? Any Canadian team would gladly give up a home date if it meant more money.

The NHL has, in the past, but they've all been as an exercise in expanding the NHL's market reach in foreign territories. The NHL unlikely sees much growth to be had in the Prairies, or else NHL teams themselves would be scrambling at the opportunity, or ownership groups would be coming forward for franchises, neither of which have occurred.

Originally Posted by Corndogger

This has already happened at least once. The Canucks and Ducks played a two game series in Tokyo to start off the 1997–1998 regular season.

The entire purpose of that exercise was to grow hockey's footprint in Japan prior to the Nagano Olympics in 1998. Slightly different from the current situation being posited in this thread.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

Do Blue Bomber season ticket holders get first preference to buy tickets for other events held at the stadium?

Yeah, there has to my recollection always been a Bomber ST presale for concerts at IGF, and there have been a few thus far - JayZ/Beyonce, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, One Direction, ACDC... certainly more than at the old venue where big stadium shows happened once every couple years on average.

That said, I'm sure Bomber ST presale will be very limited because of the demand that will exist for HC tickets... I could see it being limited to club seat holders only.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

If the NFL can hold regular season games in neutral locations such as London, UK then why couldn't the NHL? Any Canadian team would gladly give up a home date if it meant more money. This has already happened at least once. The Canucks and Ducks played a two game series in Tokyo to start off the 1997–1998 regular season. I also don't think hockey fans in SK would care if it was two U.S. based teams. A game that actually counted in the standings would be a big draw.

It wouldn't be a Canadian team giving up a home date, it would only work if a low-drawing American team did.

Of course, it comes down to there being someone out there who'd be willing to roll the dice on essentially "buying" a game from the Hurricanes or whomever at whatver price makes it worthwhile for the team, on the gamble that they'd be able to sell enough tickets to earn a tidy profit. There are easier ways to make money which is why I don't think it will happen. But if someone with the skills and knowhow decided to give it a try (say, the Saskatchewan Roughriders or whoever Sask's equivalent to TNSE is), it could work.

[esquire]

Hikka, you are delusional. The NHL would play a regular season game in Kim Jong Un's backyard if the cheque was fat enough.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by esquire

Hikka, you are delusional.

Your thoughtful response is noted.

Seriously, New Mosaic could host an outdoor game in a second, but as of March 2016 I highly doubt it.

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by esquire

It wouldn't be a Canadian team giving up a home date, it would only work if a low-drawing American team did.

Of course, it comes down to there being someone out there who'd be willing to roll the dice on essentially "buying" a game from the Hurricanes or whomever at whatver price makes it worthwhile for the team, on the gamble that they'd be able to sell enough tickets to earn a tidy profit. There are easier ways to make money which is why I don't think it will happen. But if someone with the skills and knowhow decided to give it a try (say, the Saskatchewan Roughriders or whoever Sask's equivalent to TNSE is), it could work.

The Canucks gave up a home game in Tokyo and would so in Regina. Even sharing the gate with the other team would leave them better off because of the inflated ticket prices that would be charged. I just don't see any team having difficulties selling out a game that counts in the standings. This would be huge in Saskatchewan.

[esquire]

^ Yeah, fair enough, it could be a Canadian team in theory, I'm just fairly certain it would be a lot cheaper to rent a game from a lower-drawing US team. Besides, if you get a good-drawing opponent in there like one of the Canadian teams it wouldn't matter that the opponent was the Devils or whomever.

[Dalreg]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Why would they? There's no NHL team in Saskatchewan and no precedent for neutral location outdoor games.

Wasn't that many years back that all NHL teams played a couple of regular season neutral site games. Saskatoon hosted games at then Sask Place in 1993 and 1994.

Granted these games weren't "outdoors" but they were held in a then 12,000 seat arena so Regina making a bid for a game isn't so far fetched....

[Andy6]

Originally Posted by esquire

If it happened, it wouldn't be any of the Canadian teams giving up a home date. It would be an American team with low attendance, in much the same way that neutral site pre-season games almost always involve an American team renting out a game that they'd otherwise barely get peanuts for in their home venue.

In other words, it would have to involve teams like the Islanders, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, even the Stars, etc.

Lack of precedent is meaningless, as you well know the NHL follows the money and Regina is a good hockey market.Maybe not good enough to support a NHL team, but certainly good enough to sell out NMS at a high price point. The only question is whether the fans there would actually embrace the role of being asked to fill some random US team's coffers.

The last thing the NHL would want is to associate its U.S. brand (even more than it's already forced to) with small-time Canadian cities that few fans in their U.S. markets have ever heard of (which includes most of the existing NHL cities in Canada, let alone Regina). I could see Winnipeg vs. Calgary in Regina, though.

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by Andy6

I could see Winnipeg vs. Calgary in Regina, though.

I still don't see why the Jets or Flames would pass up on getting the maximum possible revenue by having Regina host a game - especially with the CAD being so low and they could use all the revenue they could get.

A normal regular season game I can see, but not an Outdoor game.

Outdoor games in neutral locations aren't going to happen... in Canada or the US.

[osmo]

Lots of folks over estimate the love the NHL has for Canada. We are just a ATM to them. The NHL will play a outdoor game in China before they do in Regina.

NHL has zero incentive to pump promotional money into Canada as we are drunk off hockey and will take anything. We are just their whore. Remember when the NHL screwed Rogers with playoff schedules? Giving terrible dates all to appease NBCSN that nobody watches versus setting up a big TV ratings day here in Canada.

$5.2 billion and you can't even get a Saturday night playoff game. What a joke. Even the NFL has more respect for their rights holders for whom it is very hawkish with typically.

Plus with all due respect to my hometown. Regina is small place. 60+ USA metros are larger than Regina. Why would the NHL not go to any of those places first. Tulsa, Oklahoma to damn Billings are all larger than Regina. Why not go there?