The Globe and Mail/TSN "Why not Canada" series

[jstewismybastardson]

Today Hamilton got a D+ (lol) so you cant say that they are being totally pro Canada biased (maybe just Maple Leaf biased).



yesterday Winnipeg got a B+ even though the big stat that stuck out to me pertained to that ever present corporate support issue :

According to Statistics Canada, 128 companies have head offices in Winnipeg, slightly less than half Calgary’s total. Research firm Environics Analytics reports there are 272 businesses generating more than $20-million in revenue and with more than 100 employees, slightly more than half of Edmonton’s total.

although it was spun as though all these corporations will involve themselves because there is a bigger sense of community.

 

[Automattic]

"PROFESSOR O'REILLY'S SCORECARD for HAMILTON

Market Attractiveness

Economy: B

Demographics: B

Market Size: A+

Corporate Presence: B+

Overall Score for Market Attractiveness: A-

Franchise Viability

Arena and Location: C

Competition and Barriers to Entry: D-

Potential Owner (Jim Balsillie): A

Final Grade: D+"


So, B, B, A+, B+, A-, C, D-, and A = D-? Glad this guy wasn't one of my teachers...

 

[dash]

Why should Hamilton get a NHL team before Toronto?

 

[Automattic]

Why should Hamilton get a NHL team before Toronto?

Holy shit! And holy rep points!

 

[Dupster]

If they can give Colorado, Atlanta, the California Bay area, and Minny a second chance they sure as hell can do it for a city in the country which accounts for 1/3 of the revenue while only holding down 1/5 of the teams.

 

[dash]

Scorecard for Toronto:

Professor Norm O'Reilly's Scorecard for Toronto
Market Attractiveness
Economy: A-
Demographics: B+
Market Size: A+
Corporate Presence: A+
Overall Score for Market Attractiveness: A+
Franchise Viability
Arena and Location: F
Competition and Barriers to Entry: F
Potential Owner: ?

Final Grade: D-

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Scorecard for Toronto:

Professor Norm O'Reilly's Scorecard for Toronto
Market Attractiveness
Economy: A-
Demographics: B+
Market Size: A+
Corporate Presence: A+
Overall Score for Market Attractiveness: A+
Franchise Viability
Arena and Location: F
Competition and Barriers to Entry: F
Potential Owner: ?

Final Grade: D-

havent read this one yet but usually territorial infringement (ie cutting into the Maples Leafs market) is mentioned as a huge point of contention when a new toronto based team is proposed. For Buffalo, yes it might be a worry

in terms of the market, I dont think MLSE will be worried about a new Toronto based NHL franchise taking corporate support away from the Leafs no matter if they continue to suck ass

but I do think a new toronto nhl team would be a huge blow to the Toronto Raptors (another MLSE sports franchise). The corporate dollars would leave that sadsack group en masse

 

[BOSSMANPC]

You guy's forgot the most important category. EVERY free agent want's to play in Toronto, Period! I have that from a good source.

 

[dash]

You guy's forgot the most important category. EVERY free agent want's to play in Toronto, Period! I have that from a good source.

you forgot "for less money" Boss

 

[Dupster]

I think Buffalo would be more worried about another team in Toronto/Hamilton than Toronto.

 

[awaz]

i dont understand the winnepeg thing.. they had a team, and lost it, from what i understand, because they didn't generate enough money to pay the players competitve rates.. maybe the cap would help them, but i dont see the logic in 'well it failed before, lets try again" instead of "lets try this place".. in other words, i dont think a city should get a second chance, when other, possibly more viable, cities haven't gotten a first

 

[BOSSMANPC]

you forgot "for less money" Boss

You're right. Most of them will pay to play there. They must like Grapes.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

i dont understand the winnepeg thing.. they had a team, and lost it, from what i understand, because they didn't generate enough money to pay the players competitve rates.. maybe the cap would help them, but i dont see the logic in 'well it failed before, lets try again" instead of "lets try this place".. in other words, i dont think a city should get a second chance, when other, possibly more viable, cities haven't gotten a first

the number of corporations in Winnipeg that generate $20 mill in sales per year is a real concern

BUT ...

THEN ... the problem back in the 90's was the low cdn dollar and nobody wanted to own the team locally ... it killed the fans that they left

NOW ... the cdn dollar isnt retreating from close to par any time soon and they have the richest man in canada (according to Forbes) wanting to be a part owner of a new winnipeg team

if any city should get a second chance its winnipeg ... fuck they gave atlanta a second chance

 

[awaz]

the number of corporations in Winnipeg that generate $20 mill in sales per year is a real concern

BUT ...

THEN ... the problem back in the 90's was the low cdn dollar and nobody wanted to own the team locally ... it killed the fans that they left

NOW ... the cdn dollar isnt retreating from close to par any time soon and they have the richest man in canada (according to Forbes) wanting to be a part owner of a new winnipeg team

if any city should get a second chance its winnipeg ... fuck they gave atlanta a second chance

fair enough.. basically nobody wanted to own them in winnepeg at the time and the cdn dollar was struggling vs the american dollar, making the lower income even worse? makes sense

and they should have never given atlanta a second team.. terrible decision.. i can tell you first hand that its so hot and humid here that its hard to think about hockey.. although i have seen a handful of thrashers bumper stickers, didnt think i'd see any of those haha

EDIT: if a new team, or a relocated team, turns up in the US and its not in Seattle or Vegas i'm going to be very upset.. Vegas because it's kinda intriguing to me, and i think it could do well if done right, plus the media coverage would go bonkers over the first major sports team in vegas

furthermore, there shouldn't be a new team.. and the relocation should go to canada first..

 

[Dupster]

If Atlanta, Colorado, Minny, and the California bay area can get a second chance, a city in a country that accounts for 1/3 of the revenue while only holding down 1/5 of the teams sure as hell can get a do over.

 

[dare2be]

Where did I hear that before?

 

[Slimpikins]

If Atlanta, Colorado, Minny, and the California bay area can get a second chance, a city in a country that accounts for 1/3 of the revenue while only holding down 1/5 of the teams sure as hell can get a do over.

You keep saying this but its not like there is magically more money to be had from Canadian hockey fans. All that will do is take money that the Winnepeg population now spends on other teams.

Canada is already so bonkers over hockey that I don't see moving another team there generating more fans and money.

That said I would not be against a team moving up north at all, in fact I would prefer it to another Atlanta or Florida but your arguement is BS.

 

[Darkstone42]

Where did I hear that before?

I think post 5.

 

[dash]

I know that David Thomson has a boatload of money, but will the gate revenues at the MTS Centre still be enough for the Jets to ice a competitive team? I would still see them being a "close to the cap floor team".

Having said that, spending money doesn't guarantee a winning team, but being close to the cap floor makes it very difficult to win in the NHL.

 

[BostonAJ]

Is there anywhere in Nova Scotia that could have a team? I read somewhere that the sport may have been born there.