And that seems to have worked out alright. Although, reference Octo's post above about how any city in America will like a winner. We'll see how well the Avs weather these next few seasons rebuilding, but I think they're fortunate enough to have built hockey into the culture of the city, being a dynasty for a dozen years.
I don't see anything wrong with going back to Winnipeg. Seriously, if you can't go back to Winnipeg and make it work then contract the league. I'm going to keep emphasizing how much culture plays a part in maintaining a solid fan base (aka consistent revenues). In Canadian and "traditional" Amercian markets it is built in, you don't have to manufacture it with a random Stanley Cup win and mega marketing projects (ie: Seen Stamkos?). The city of Winnipeg is larger and richer than it was 15 years ago... the Canadian dollar is also worth much more than it was then. Could things change for the worse again? Of course, but things can't get much worse than they are in Phoenix, Atlanta or Nashville right now.
PS: Phoenix sold out the home opener... although, upper bowl seats were $15.... I'm paying that much for an upper bowl seat at a QMJHL game tomorrow night.
Posted on Oct 9, 2009, 9:08 PM from IP address 99.192.60.43