Would new Hawks/Thrashers owners make a real difference?
Found! Visual evidence of an actual Hawks crowd! (AJC photo by Hyosub Shin)
Last week esteemed colleague Chris Vivlamore reported that two groups have inquired about buying the Hawks and Thrashers with the intent of keeping both teams in Atlanta. Which got me to thinking:
The Hawks are 25th in the 30-team NBA in home attendance, averaging 14,613 per date. The Thrashers are 28th in the 30-team NHL in home attendance, averaging 13,031. (Philips Arena seats 18,700 or thereabouts.)
Neither franchise excites the populace. But what if the franchises were handed to an ownership group other than the much-lampooned Atlanta Spirit? Would it make a difference to you, the paying (or non-paying, as the case may be) public?
Ordinarily, I’d suggest that ownership matters little when it comes to buying tickets. (Arthur Blank buying the Falcons was different, but I’d also suggest he was the exception.) But the Spirit has compiled such a worksheet of squabbles and lawsuits and strange personnel decisions that it’s possible these addled owners have contaminated both brands. But if that worksheet were to be wiped clean and a new set of owners to start afresh …
Loading ...Would you be more inclined to patronize their clubs? Or would you look on these franchises and say, “Eh, they’re still the Hawks/Thrashers”?
I’m asking because I don’t know, and I’m not in a position to know. (I get to go to games for free.) So, as we say in pickup basketball: A little help, please. Let me know how you view it. Because you’re the folks who’ll matter.
With that, I’ll hang up and listen to your answers. And, as ever, I thank you in advance.
By Mark Bradley
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135 comments Add your comment
5$ Dawg
March 2nd, 2011
9:43 am
Near the first!
O'Brien
March 2nd, 2011
9:44 am
Mark,
I think new ownership would help initially. But the moves off the court must also bring some excitement, and they must play well at home in order to sustain it.
chaz
March 2nd, 2011
9:45 am
First,
Yes it would make a difference. As they say it all starts at the top. If this new regime shows they are passionate about winning and make the neccessary moves, we as the fans will support them. Arthur Blank showed how to sway Atlanta fans. They need to have him on speed dial.
tarps3
March 2nd, 2011
9:46 am
Would I buy season tickets to the Thrashers if they had new owners?
Yep.
DanTheMan
March 2nd, 2011
9:46 am
I don’t think the fans would be rushing back instantly. You’d get a new infusion of frustrated fans that we just boycotting the games because they despise Atlanta Spirit. The only way for the casual fan to come back is if the new owners invest money to bring the team salaries on par with the rest of the league.
The Thrashers Attendance ranking is mostly always linked with their Salary cap ranking
Mark Bradley
March 2nd, 2011
9:47 am
Not just “near,” 5$ Dawg. Kudos.
JoeMan
March 2nd, 2011
9:48 am
No. I’m a football and baseball fan, and have a hard enough time making it to Falcons and Braves games right now. Between the ticket prices and the travel headache, I can only squeeze in a handful of sporting events each year, and the Hawks and Thrashers aren’t exciting enough to merit my consideration.
Andy
March 2nd, 2011
9:49 am
It would only matter if a new owner put up more money for players. I think there could be a Blankian type affect for the Hawks (I just made up a new word!) but there is no hope for the Thrash. Ice hockey in the south? Worst idea ever.
Realist
March 2nd, 2011
9:53 am
The Hawks lost this city when they traded Dominique. If they had gotten good, young players in return instead of an already-peaked Danny Manning, maybe the fans wouldn’t have had to endure a decade of absolutely unwatchable basketball.
It’s hard to take that much abuse and then get excited about a team led by me-first guys like Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, that has absolutely no shot at winning the East.
That being said, the attendance thing is a little overstated. Mark, if your numbers are correct and the Hawks are only 1,700 seats shy of a sellout every night, that’s only costing them a couple million dollars per year (plus concessions revenue). Certainly not enough reason for a franchise to struggle financially or on the court.
DawginLex
March 2nd, 2011
9:53 am
Nashville has no problem supporting the Predators
PMC
March 2nd, 2011
9:55 am
Absofrigginlutely they would. Especially an individual with money willing to spend the kind of money it would take to improve the teams.
The Thrashers are only a borderline professional team right now. If you’re not making the playoffs in the NBA or NHL…. you’re team is seriously flawed. The Thrashers have been much more focused under Rick Dudley but they are still operating on a miniscule budget relative to the really good franchises. The Thrashers really need a couple of marquee players that they currently do not have.
The Hawks….are not in bad shape, they are simply lacking an owner willing to pay the luxury tax to land the elite point guard that they lack and they need to find 2 NBA quality centers that can play good minutes and defense to help Al Horford.
Sports are entertainment. People are not going to pay to see substandard products. That’s the reason the Heat and Knicks attendence are up wildly this year…..they are freaking interesting.
Who right now would you be willing to pay to watch on either team right now? Joe Johnson? Been there, watched him come up short. The Thrashers, Evander Kane is pretty awesome but he’s young. They need some stars who can be counted on to consistantly score. I like Buff but he should go back to being a sniper and they need to find consistant good defenders to help out the reasonably good goalies we’ve had in this town.
Go with the Falcons model, sell ridiculously cheap upper level seats fill the freaking building and make it exciting…then the people will come back. Right now, it’s not exciting unless it’s the playoffs.
Absolutely a new RICH owner would help. Money is the biggest thing holding these teams back right now.
ProfFish
March 2nd, 2011
9:56 am
Good question. I go to a lot fewer games than I once did. I saw every Flames playoff game that they lost (hint: all of them). Now, I attend a handful of games each year.
It doesn’t have anything to do with the owners or won-loss records. Downtown is just very inconvenient for me. Not unsafe, just inconvenient, as it is for most of the population of the Atlanta metro area. Put the Hawks and Thrashers in a new arena north of 285, and I’d go a lot more often. I’d be a Braves season ticket holder.
All of the Atlanta teams made decisions to stay downtown, and I can’t argue with the reasoning. Unfortunately, the most attractive target market is way north of downtown. Forget us on school nights and for 7:00 start times.
5$ Dawg
March 2nd, 2011
9:58 am
It’s gonna be a good day.
J from the A
March 2nd, 2011
9:58 am
I think the change in ownership might make a difference for those of us who follow the Hawks closely (ya know, the handful of us that are on these blogs everyday + a few others), but for the casual fan, I have to wonder whether they even know much about the Hawks ownership (if they know anything about the Hawks ownership at all).
If they don’t really know much, don’t really have an opinion, a change in ownership won’t make a difference. (Or at least, a change in ownership won’t make a difference qua change in ownership. However, if the change in ownership led to a better quality product, then that would make a difference.)
And I have to say, even for those of us that follow the Hawks closely, a change in ownership might make an initial difference for us. It would be a nice jolt to perk our interests a bit more. But if that change in ownership doesn’t translate into a better product, even this potential difference in interest and excitement would taper off.
Carlos
March 2nd, 2011
9:59 am
Mark, in this economy is the state of Georgia seriously considering using tax dollars to partially finance the Falcons proposed new stadium?
phil
March 2nd, 2011
9:59 am
No.
Fred
March 2nd, 2011
10:00 am
I won’t be attending (free) or buying any tickets as long as the ASG owns the two teams and the arena. As soon as there is a new owner who is passionate about winning and cares about the fans then I will go back to buying tickets to see both teams.
Larry
March 2nd, 2011
10:01 am
Mark,
Not without a distinct personality, passion and creativity.
The Hawks and Thrashers need to be totally re-branded and re-casted to stimulate and sustain interest in this city. It will take much more than than a transfer of assets and liabilities to a new owner.
TD Mike
March 2nd, 2011
10:01 am
Blanks has been so successful because he’s been willing to pay for good players and actually cares about winning. The ASG doesn’t seem to care one way or another if the team is actually competitive and they certainly aren’t interested in spending even a penny more than they have to unless it’s to hire lawyers to sue someone.
PMC
March 2nd, 2011
10:02 am
Andy, if Ice Hockey in the south is such a stupid idea then why are the Tampa Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes so good? The Thrashers are only unsuccessful because they are inept as a franchise.
The Thrashers have had one of if not the worst GM’s in the league (perhaps all of sports) and certainly the bottom half of professional ownership.
The real problem with most of the professional teams historically in this city have been ineptitude with the leadership of the franchise (kind of mirrors the city government really)
The Braves, when they got the owner, GM and coach in place with the Superstation…. became the 3rd largest fanbase in the league behind the Yankees and Red Sox and one of the most competitive teams over the last 20 years.
Sports teams in this city have been overseen by and large by all manner of ineptitude and bumbling fools.
Chris
March 2nd, 2011
10:03 am
Thrashers yes, Hawks no. There are no upside surprises forthcoming from the Hawks or really anywhere in the NBA. On October 1 every year, we know which 4 or 5 NBA teams have a shot at a title, and everything else is a sideshow. Hockey championships are much less predictable and therefore more teams can begin the year with a legitimate shot.
Steve
March 2nd, 2011
10:04 am
If the new owner(s) are accountable for their decisions, represent the community, and genuinely act like they are interested in putting forth a good and enjoyable product, they will get more support. I don’t think it is unfair to ask owners to be present at most games, be in a box or sideline seat where fans can say, “Hey, that’s _____, he’s the reason this team is great (or sucks).”
Lying, absence, and general disregard pisses people off. Make the product exciting not only for what is on the court, but also for the benefit that what is on the court will have on the community at large, and the owners will have a winner…that, or make beers and hot dogs competitively priced.
Mark Bradley
March 2nd, 2011
10:05 am
Let me just note one thing: There’s a salary cap in both the NBA and NHL. Only so much any owner could spend.
Although I must also note that the Thrashers and Hawks, as a rule, haven’t come close to touching the cap. (The Hawks are near the luxury tax now.)
Mark Bradley
March 2nd, 2011
10:06 am
Carlos, you’ve asked the $700 million question.
Mr. Phil
March 2nd, 2011
10:06 am
I would probably patronize the teams under new ownership, but I don’t think right away. I would have to see what their first moves were. I refused to buy tickets this season specifically because of Joe Johnson ( see number2sucks.com).
Mr. Phil (not to be confused with "phil" or "Dr. Phil"
March 2nd, 2011
10:08 am
BTW,
Is it just me or are there an inordinant amount of people named Phil who frequent this blog.
Bob
March 2nd, 2011
10:08 am
I’m not sure that new ownership would help. It’s the direction of the teams that hurts attendance. The Hawks have been hurt on their playoff results the last two years. Last year we were led to believe that keeping the core intact would lead to an improved team…and it resulted in a 3 seed and a four game sweep in the second round. So while the team’s record did improve, the end result did not. It’s hard to get excited for the same team this year, new coach or not. It’s especially difficult to get excited for the same team when the other teams in the East added new assets to their teams.
As for the Thrashers, one playoff season in 10 years in your answer. The same was true for the Braves in the ’80’s. Atlanta fans will turn out for a winner.
Boom Dizzle
March 2nd, 2011
10:09 am
New Owners would be make a tremendous difference initially. It’s going to be what they do after the newness wears off will determine how successful it will be.
Everything the ASG (or as Mr. Schultz calls them, Team Pinocchio) has done (more related towards the hockey team) has been second rate. IMO Hockey could succeed here, if the right people are running it…
Even with the Hawks, when you have majority of the top teams spending whatever it takes to compete for championships (Luxury tax and all), the ASG seem content on not going the extra length to do so. It’s sad b/c Atlanta will watch quality basketball, the TV playoff numbers every year prove that.
Mr. Phil (not to be confused with "phil" or "Dr. Phil"
March 2nd, 2011
10:10 am
Inordinate ( I can to spell)
Mr. Obvious
March 2nd, 2011
10:11 am
RE: “The Thrashers are 28th in the 30-team NHL in home attendance, averaging 13,031. (Philips Arena seats 16,300 or thereabouts.) ” – Mark Bradley
Bradley,
Philips Arena seats 18,775 for Hockey.
It seats over 20,000 for Basketball.
Even if you are too lazy to do any research, you can find such information on any number of web sites, not the least of which include AtlantaThrashers.com, Hawks.com and PhilipsArena.com.
Get It Right!
Brett
March 2nd, 2011
10:12 am
Mark,
I think ownership has to show a desire to win! The AS hasn’t show any such desire!
They run the teams on the cheap the same way the run their other business. Unfortunately team success is related to money spent. I think new ownership will help both organizations in the long run! Any new ownership group is going to have to understand it’s going to be an uphill battle initially to get the fans back! They’ll need to show the willingness to put money into the teams. If only would could be in the situation Buffalo finds itself in now!
sugarpikegang
March 2nd, 2011
10:13 am
What if the issue is the facilities’ locale? I know that the Falcons are eager to move away from the downtown area. Would these teams be more appealing in an out-of-the-downtown area facility?
I think so.
Darkhorse
March 2nd, 2011
10:13 am
Yes, with new owners that actually enjoy owning, spending $$ on bringing in more legit NHL players to the roster, and have an understanding on how to market the Thrashers in Atlanta,
E43
March 2nd, 2011
10:14 am
There are many excuses that really don’t even matter. Your either going to watch the game or not. being ranked 25th is sad because Toronto and Cleveland are better in attendance than Atl.Fans with nothing showing you up is just unacceptable.
You either have enough heart to come watch the hawks or don’t. Anything else is just an excuse.
Darkhorse
March 2nd, 2011
10:15 am
….I would return to buying season tix.
As for the Hawks, don’t care much for today’s NBA, but would at least attend a few more games if it looked like the trickle down affect from new ownership was having a positive impact and results on the team.
Thrashers Season Tickets for 9 Years
March 2nd, 2011
10:19 am
As a Thrashers season-ticket holder for almost a decade, the entire Atlanta Spirit Group can all go burn in Hell with Hitler and Ted Kennedy.
After throwing my over-taxed money away on this team that shows no (consistent) heart on the ice, Winnipeg can have the Thrashers and the Hawks, too.
Bruce Levenson and Michael Gearon, Jr. can both go infect each other and then go jump together in front of a MARTA train.
FunkyBobbyJ
March 2nd, 2011
10:21 am
I am a huge Hawks fan, been to three games this year – but they continue to take the wind outta my sails. I do not really care who the ownership is. If they are willing to spend money wisely to put the best product they can on the floor – I’ll get to the arena a few times a year. Like many have said – getting downtown for a week night game is almost impossible from the north side. Fighting to get downtown for a mediocre team – not gonna do that to often – regardless of ownership.
Mike
March 2nd, 2011
10:22 am
The NBA just doesn’t have the vibe/value compared to the NFL or college football. A week to week buildup for football, plus the fun of tailgating and having the game be an event just offers so much more than a Tuesday Wizards vs. Hawks game at 150 a ticket.
Phil Joe
March 2nd, 2011
10:25 am
Former Club Section season ticket holder. This season we purchased Thrashers tickets for 4 games. Next season considering half season tickets. With new owner half season tickets would be a lock.
YardDawg
March 2nd, 2011
10:26 am
“People are not going to pay to see substandard products.”
***************************************
You mean, people in Atlanta are not . . .
Most cities (other than Atlanta and Tampa) support their teams no matter how bad the product is.
uga_b
March 2nd, 2011
10:29 am
Mark, when Arthur came in he also realized he needed to cut ticket costs and reach out to the fans. It would take that level of commitment again.
ByteMe
March 2nd, 2011
10:30 am
One word: POLL!!!
5150 UOAD
March 2nd, 2011
10:30 am
Start giving unsold ticket to schools so the parents cant take the kids. Maybe if more children and parents became fans more people would then buy tickets.
wombat
March 2nd, 2011
10:30 am
Won’t affect my decision in the least. Back office squabbles are not what’s keeping me out of Phillips Arena.
Hillbilly Deluxe
March 2nd, 2011
10:35 am
If new owners made a commitment to winning, or at least trying to win, the fan attendance would increase. It would take a while to undo the damage that has been done by the current owners but it would happen in time.
If new ownership was about like the old ownership, they’d get a honeymoon period but in the long run people wouldn’t go.
Sports teams are a business and they have to give people a reason to buy the product. Consumers don’t owe them anything. Either they entertain the people or the people find something else to do.
Another Phil
March 2nd, 2011
10:38 am
@Mr. Obvious Bradley was talking about Philips the capacity at Philips @ around 16K with the curtain up over the 400 section, which is the case for most Thrashers and Hawks games.
Mark Bradley
March 2nd, 2011
10:40 am
Good idea, Byte. (See above.)
Mark Bradley
March 2nd, 2011
10:42 am
Capacity, according to ESPN, is listed for both Thrashers and Hawks games at 16,500 or so. Capacity, according to the Philips site, is listed at 18,500. I have now decided to use the Philips version.
alex
March 2nd, 2011
10:43 am
according to Forbes Atlanta second worst sport city in USA. doubt even perfect ownership can change that. example – braves in prosperity years and still no excitement despite big promotions from media unlike hockey, no more comment
Bluelander
March 2nd, 2011
10:48 am
Mark:
It should be noted that those attendance figures are tickets sold. There are often far less “butts in the seats” for both franchises. If you doubt me, try any midweek game of the Thrashers and Hawks (if it is not Boston, Miami or Lakers). What that says is that even the folks who are invested in the teams (season ticket holders) are looking for ways not to come. I think that if the new owner is committed to putting a winning product out there, things can and will change. Instead of blaming the fans for not showing up like the ASG does, new ownership must take accountability for the teams performance, listen to the fans opinions and be visible. Blank is a great example. There is always hope because you know he wants the team to succeed just as bad as the fans do. He will never stand pat. In Atlanta, lets face it, there are not enough hard core fans. That is basically what things have sunk to now down at Phillips. Only the “hard core” is showing up due to the mess that is the ASG. We need a change to stimulate the “casual fan” into believing in these teams again. We have no where to go but up in my opinion. Getting rid of the ASG is the first step.
Joe Friday
March 2nd, 2011
10:51 am
The answer from this former Thrashers’ season ticket holder is yes. But the new ownership must be by a hockey guy, no more 8 headed Medusa’s clueless about hockey, but someone that knows the game and wants to own a team to win. There’s a good solid core in place for the Thrashers. And they’re young. New ownership willing to bring the team salary up to the low $50m range will take the team to the next level. Do some smarter marketing, and watch the fans fill the place up.
Jim
March 2nd, 2011
10:54 am
It’s hard to invest in a new owner/ownership group until they start making moves. We’ve seen the ASG’s moves and know they are inept snake-oil peddlers.
PMC
March 2nd, 2011
10:55 am
Yard Dawg…. That’s simply NOT true at all. There are very very few cities who sell out arena’s for poor teams.
Yes, even the Cubs suffer when they have poor products.
Detroit does a good job supporting the awful heinous Lions but they have a lot more people when they are really good.
The biggest lie in sports is that there are certain towns who are “better” fans than other towns. It’s a huge lie.
Go look at the figures for the Cleveland Cavaliers before and after Lebron. Cleveland has some of the absolute best fans on the planet…they aren’t watching the terrible Cavs in huge numbers.
The Steelers and Packers have some of the most rabid fans on the planet too…. but I guarentee you tickets are much more in demand when those teams are good than if they have a down year.
PMC
March 2nd, 2011
10:57 am
Sports is purely entertainment. Unless the team has been in town for 100 years or has had massive success… they simply aren’t going to have well established fan bases.
It’s up to sports teams to provide products worth watching if they want butts in the seats. ASG has scarcely provided products worth plunking down the minimum ticket price much less court or rinkside.
The Original WDE
March 2nd, 2011
10:58 am
Not in and of itself
PMC
March 2nd, 2011
10:59 am
Very few people are willing to waste money to watch an average to awful pro team play… and that’s the way it should be.
Mr. Phil (not to be confused with "phil" or "Dr. Phil" or "Another Phil" or "Phil Joe" )
March 2nd, 2011
11:07 am
Facts are facts:
The ASG has been inept from top to bottom. The “owners” of these franchises appear to have bought the clubs only to show how much THEY know but have only succedded in showing how much they don’t know. Why has every attempted or proposed move by the former and current GM for these teams had to be approved in advance by ownership.
Arthur Blanks success with the Falcons can be traced back to one thing he seems to have learned. That is that he does not know everything and can not on his own do everything. And most importantly, when you give someone a job let them friggin’ do the job. If you wanted to be the GM and not the owners, you should have filled out an application.
Mr. Phil (not to be confused with "phil" or "Dr. Phil" or "Another Phil" or "Phil Joe" )
March 2nd, 2011
11:08 am
If we can get an ownership that can hire good people and give them room to work, it would be an improvement worth paying to see.
Fan
March 2nd, 2011
11:14 am
If new owners showed commitment to put a contending team together, I would otherwise, neither is worth the cost to attend.
Mash
March 2nd, 2011
11:20 am
I would be more inclined to buy Hawks tickets with new ownership.
The Trashers on the other hand are beyond salvaging. The NHL in Atlanta was a bad idea from the start. It would beneficial to the league and to the Thrasher organization if the team were moved to a Canadian city that actually wanted a hockey team.
matt
March 2nd, 2011
11:21 am
Bring in some proven scores and spend more than the salary floor for the Thrashers and it will show commitment to winning. Sprucing up the Arena and fixing the scoreboards would help as well.
Brendan
March 2nd, 2011
11:27 am
Mark Bradley, I cannot speak for Hawks fans, but on behalf of all Thrasher fans, “YESSSS. IT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!”
Recently, though we are required to hate them as a conference rival, the Buffalo Sabres came under new ownership. Apparently, he’s a local Buffalo guy … with vast reserves of cash. He made a statement to the media. “From now on, the reason for the existence of the Buffalo Sabres is to win the Stanley Cup. There will no longer be ANY FINANCIAL MANDATES on the operations of the Buffalo Sabres Hockey Club.”
Thud.
Imagine, just IMAGINE, how that would be received here? After yet another ‘league minimum’ budget to begin the season, the Thrashers are on pace for 74-75 points this season, which even FEWER points than they earned in 2008 and 2009, when the Thrashers embarked on a “hushed up” 4-year rebuilding campaign. That’s right. The Thrashers ownership wouldn’t even ADMIT to rebuilding. They blustered about playoffs, through their ‘mouthpiece’ Don Waddell, saying “I think we’re ‘close, real close’ to being a playoff team,” all the way back to 2008!!
So, Mark Bradley, YESSS. YESSSS. A thousand times YESSSSS, new ownership would make a difference, at least for the hockey club. I’d speculate … that the Hawks would appreciate new ownership, too. The reason they had to fork over HOW MANY Millions for Joe Johnson … can be traced to their own mismanagement of the franchise. How many years … did the Hawks leave Billy Knight in place? And he’d still be here, today, if the AS,LLC allowed Knight to fire Woodson. When they refused, Knight resigned. Then, of course, they did wind up firing Woodson. Eventually. Allrightee, then.
These guys … made their millions in something other than sports ownership. This is one of the most dysfunctional ownership groups I’ve yet seen. I welcome in new ownership, but … I just hope that they CARE. Especially, for the hockey team. When NHL Commissioner Gary Bettmen’s expansion committee studied the dynamics of the Atlanta, GA market place, he obviously saw something he liked. But what Commissioner Bettman FAILED to do … was properly vet an ownership that would CARE for the franchise.
A hot house flower wilts and dies, if left untended. That’s the story of the Atlanta Thrashers. Hockey hasn’t started yet in this city. Therefore, it cannot have failed. When ‘committed ownership’ gets here, watch how fast the seats get sold.
Brendan
March 2nd, 2011
11:28 am
Mark Bradley, I’m in SPAM filters.
5150 UOAD
March 2nd, 2011
11:29 am
When I was a kid dad worked downtown. I would catch the MARTA BUS (not train) #5 Garden Hills from Sandy Springs to meet dad at the Omni Hotel. Georgia Power had offices there and we would go to the games (Hawks and Flames). I don’t and can’t see that happening today. Downtown on a weeknight is just not a fun place to go.
Brendan
March 2nd, 2011
11:30 am
Mark Bradley, I cannot speak for Hawks fans, but on behalf of all Thrasher fans, “YESSSS. IT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!”
Recently, though we are required to hate them as a conference rival, the Buffalo Sabres came under new ownership. Apparently, he’s a local Buffalo guy … with vast reserves of cash. He made a statement to the media. “From now on, the reason for the existence of the Buffalo Sabres is to win the Stanley Cup. There will no longer be ANY FINANCIAL MANDATES on the operations of the Buffalo Sabres Hockey Club.”
Thud.
Imagine, just IMAGINE, how that would be received here? After yet another ‘league minimum’ budget to begin the season, the Thrashers are on pace for 74-75 points this season, which even FEWER points than they earned in 2008 and 2009, when the Thrashers embarked on a “hushed up” 4-year rebuilding campaign. That’s right. The Thrashers ownership wouldn’t even ADMIT to rebuilding. They blustered about playoffs, through their ‘mouthpiece’ Don Waddell, saying “I think we’re ‘close, real close’ to being a playoff team,” all the way back to 2008!!
So, Mark Bradley, YESSS. YESSSS. A thousand times YESSSSS, new ownership would make a difference, at least for the hockey club. I’d speculate … that the Hawks would appreciate new ownership, too. The reason they had to fork over HOW MANY Millions for Joe Johnson … can be traced to their own mismanagement of the franchise. How many years … did the Hawks leave Billy Knight in place? And he’d still be here, today, if the AS,LLC allowed Knight to fire Woodson. When they refused, Knight resigned. Then, of course, they did wind up firing Woodson. Eventually. Allrightee, then.
These guys … made their millions in something other than sports ownership. This is one of the most dysfunctional ownership groups I’ve yet seen. I welcome in new ownership, but … I just hope that they CARE. Especially, for the hockey team. When NHL Commissioner Gary Bettmen’s expansion committee studied the dynamics of the Atlanta, GA market place, he obviously saw something he liked. But what Commissioner Bettman FAILED to do … was properly vet an ownership that would CARE for the franchise.
A hot house flower wilts and dies, if left untended. That’s the story of the Atlanta Thrashers. Hockey hasn’t started yet in this city. Therefore, it cannot have failed. When ‘committed ownership’ gets here, watch how fast the seats get sold.
ColumbiaDawg
March 2nd, 2011
11:33 am
New ownership might result in better management. It can’t possibly worse than what it has been, especially the Thrashers. Fans will start buying tickets when there is a better product on the court and/or ice.
doc
March 2nd, 2011
11:34 am
mark
mark cuban seems to think owners matter and had questioned some of the shenanigans here as being detrimental. i think it would make a difference to have owners committed to winning a championship. once it is known there isnt that kind of drive then the connection is lost and it merely becomes entertainment rather than passion. if it is entertainment then discretionary dollars are used and not thrown away. askg is in it for entertainment only, good team fans ought to come see attitude.
maybe the schedule worked against the numbers along with a noted lack of positive pr news this past summer. the verve was there after the celts series years back. two quick outs in the second round with no change kind of leaves one saying fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. again interesting teams coming in that fence sitters with discretionary dollars may buy into along with transplant fans.
let us see how competitive our guys are before getting too excited about the playoffs. in the end, it is about their performances to make fans believe. somehow these guys think it is the other way around and they are entitled to a fan base. that also may be top down thinking which after hearing gearon ….. it is. so yes it could make a huge difference.
doc
March 2nd, 2011
11:35 am
mark, would you check the blog monster ate a post it seems.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 2nd, 2011
11:36 am
As far as ticket sales, it wouldn’t help a lot immediately (although one of the underrated flaws of the DASG is their complete ineptitude when it comes to marketing). But down the road, a good ownership group would combine a willingness to spend with solid front office hires and a realistic view of their teams’ current situation. Right now the DASG is somewhat willing to spend on the Hawks (they have the league’s 9th highest payroll) but they have hired poor front office people and consistently fall into the trap of overrating their own players and their own success, which leads to them spending $20 million a year on Marvin/Bibby/Zaza while other teams are getting Shaq andT-Mac for the veterans’ minimum.
Jay W
March 2nd, 2011
11:39 am
As a former Atlantan living in Tampa, I can tell you that new ownership of the Lightning has made a HUGE difference here. When Tweedledee and Tweedledum finally left the building, Jeff Vinik came in, brought Stevie Y and Guy Boucher with him. Now, the team is winning, attendance is up and people are talking about the team, rather than the sideshow that was always going on around the team under the previous ownership.
As a season ticket holder, I can say emphatically that yes, the ownership does make a difference. I didn’t bother to go to a game the last few seasons, much less have season tix.
cantondawg
March 2nd, 2011
11:51 am
YES. Look at the difference Arthur Blank has made with the Falcons. Oh yeah, Mark, do you know when Liberty Media is allowed to sell the Braves. I know they basically bought them for tax purposes and have to hold them several years
ss
March 2nd, 2011
11:51 am
Mark,
You wrote a great debateable blog. I am a huge hockey fan, and you made the right comparison. Blank i don’t think knew what he was doing when he started. He got the right people in there, and the falcons will be compeitive for a long time.
These guys didnt bother to find the right people. When you spend more money going at it in court, thats a problem. Those guys only care about the hawks.
Point is: Yes, They get every right to prove they can run a buisness THE RIGHT WAY. I ve been in atlanta for quite a long time now, and all you have to do here to me show you care and compete. Winning helps obviously, but i think just being able to compete is all it takes.
tonyb
March 2nd, 2011
11:52 am
Speaking as an Atlanta Thrasher fan who attends 75 percent of the games, there is no question in my mind that a new owner will ignite the fan base. You have to understand, this is the worst run franchise I have ever seen in all of professional sports. The fans have had to watch year after year of the team missing the playoffs, the stars getting out of town at first opportunity, and an ownership group that ignores the team and seems, at times, hostile to the fans. I believe there are thousands of former fans who simply can’t bear to watch what has been done to the home town team. If this town had a owner that cared about winning, that cared about the fans, and had pride in the product, Phillips arena would be full for every game. The reason I know this, just look back at the very few times when the team had just moderate success on the ice. The fans came, and it was exciting to be a part of.
Mark, it’s not Hockey that’s a tough sell. It the losing and total loss of hope for the future. That, my friends, is the toughest sell of all.
Bokenator
March 2nd, 2011
11:53 am
I love basketball and like hockey, but as many others have said; its just not worth the hassle to drive downtown on a weeknight to watch a team that has no realistic chance of winning a championship. If the games were held at the Gwinnett Arena I would attend every homegame, but I would be able to get there in 1/2 hour instead of an hour and a half.
Maybe the hawks and or thrashers should occasionally have a game at the Gwinnett Arena and see if they sellout. I bet they would. I know the Gwinnett arena is much smaller (13k?), but my point here is that there would actually be butts in the seats.
sam'l
March 2nd, 2011
11:55 am
Jeez guys……
For at least a couple of years, the Hawks were a dynamically talented team, capable of running up huge leads only to inexplicably lose those leads or find entirely new ways to lose games. (Shot clock in Cleveland, having to replay a game because the “clerks” fouled out the wrong person, having Kidd run into Woodson.on the court). Their frickin mascot Hawk delayed a game and scared the home crowd. And for years, the team comments and coach comments were…..Gee, we don’t understand what happened.
Now, this blog and a supposed intelligent human being Mr Bradley adopts the same attitude. We don’t know what would be likely to haopen. Please help us.
Guys, this city is full of contradictory opinions…..but let’s give the majority of the people a break and assume what they want is a team full of heart who won’t quit, who play basketball with desire and with brains so they can mesh talent and create winning situations.
Any owner who can bring that about and the pride and the type of respect that people in Boston or San Antonio and even the Lakers feel in their team is good. Any owner that cannot is bad.
There is no mystery. We want an intelligent team that plays hard and knows how to think, that mirrors our own sense of courage.
…
Acer
March 2nd, 2011
12:00 pm
Two of my main complains about the Thrashers have to be addressed.
#1: Don Waddell must be fired
#2: Player development has to be improved. Ownership and management need to analyze the current AHL affiliation with the Chicago Wolves. In either way, Atlanta need to gain more influence over it’s AHL team. No matter where it’s located. A San Jose Sharks style complete ownership and management would be nice.
(#3: Fire Chief Scout Dan Marr)
These matters are self-evident for any hockey savy owner.
sam'l
March 2nd, 2011
12:00 pm
I didn’t say Mr. Bradley was evil or cluelless….It’s just that I think he already knows the answer to his posed question.
What I WOULD be interested in knowing from Mr. Bradley is more on the offer, WHO, HOW MUCH, and HOW LIKELY and WHY. Hawks aren’t like a real estate investment used to be….with values going up and up. Gov’t shouldn’t be involved in pushing a team for civic pride…..have to be someone brash like Cuban or Turner……….
Omigod…is it Tyler Perry? or a gangsta rapper? Maybe we could get Artest to come here…….
Brendan
March 2nd, 2011
12:02 pm
doc, a couple of posts got eaten.
drajax
March 2nd, 2011
12:07 pm
New ownership can invigorate a franchise if the owner communicates with the public thru actions and deeds that (s)he want a winning franchise. Its not complicated. The Braves have found attendance and interest waning because the owners don’t seem to care. The Spirit Group may have cared at one time but have killed themselves with their squabbling and lack of resources. Arthur Blank is the standard in this town just as Ted Turner once was. Ted was and Arthur appears to be “sportsman” so winning meant everything to Ted. It meant everything to Steinbrenner, it seems to mean everything to Marc Cuban. Owners like that make a difference.
Speed Racer
March 2nd, 2011
12:20 pm
Doesn’t matter until the winning starts…or at least winning moves by the GM’s.
wxwax
March 2nd, 2011
12:31 pm
The question is too open-ended.
If a new owner came in with great energy and a passion for winning, yes that would make a difference.
But if the new owner is another miser buying teams in distress and hoping to flip them for a profit, then no.
Bluenote
March 2nd, 2011
12:32 pm
Sports franchises need to be owned by sportsmen/women with a passion for tradition, character and winning. As a lapsed 10-yr season ticket holder, it’s been sad to see the Thrashers so horribly mismarketed and mismanaged. Winning solves a multitude of problems. Leisure dollars in the ATL have plenty of options….even for a hardcore hockey family like mine.
As drajax points out Mr. Blank is the gold standard. Someone of his character and integrity is sorely needed. Sadly, it has taken years to establish a reputation for “deal with it” from the current ownership. It won’t be changing in a year.
The good news is with a change of ownership there might be some open doors to management and something positive for the AJC to write about for a change. Here’s hoping.
Mike Jay
March 2nd, 2011
12:33 pm
It could if:
1. they lower tickets nobody is buying.
2. they let you move down to better seats after 1st quarter. This does a few things: It looks good on TV not seeing entire sections empty. Helps generate excitment for the fan base. I know when I see empty seats o ntV I have little desire to go to a game. The excitment/buzz in the building is part of the fun. Impossible to generate that with huge empty sections near the action.
3. Show commitment finacially and smartly. Thrashers are near the bottom in payroll. the Hawks appear willign to spend (up to apoint) but must do it more smartly. Signing JJ to a mx deal when 10 mins of reasearch would let you know that the majority of your fans were done with him. You can NOT give player that kind of contract when he is not helping put butts in the seats. Has nay ’star’ athlete inspoired such apathy in a fan base?
4. Just win baby!
Mike Jay
March 2nd, 2011
12:35 pm
Boy my spelling is awful! Such a short lunch break must type fast!
Dontavius Supremo
March 2nd, 2011
12:38 pm
Baseball cannot come soon enough.
Sage of Bluesland
March 2nd, 2011
12:38 pm
Fire the incomparably incompetent Don Waddell–and I’m listening….Not another dollar of mine goes into his pocket. Period.
Mel from Atlanta
March 2nd, 2011
12:48 pm
Promote DON WADELL to his next higher position. The dude along with the current owners is a LIAR and FRAUD.
JSS
March 2nd, 2011
12:48 pm
Is not whether they will make a difference. It is whether they will not be an impediment… Since the day the Time-Warner negotiated power of the athletic teams away from Turner; the ship has been sailing against the wind.
I’m not going to preach that single owner silliness that flies all over these blogs. I do want “competent and transparent” ownership.
bill Cody
March 2nd, 2011
12:52 pm
I attended 4 to 5 Thrashers game this year will will go to the Panther game this week. I have gone to 2 Hawks games.
I am disheartened by the internal mess of the Spirit Group and the comtinuing of the Group telling us how much meoney they are losing. When they sell the Teams and Arena I promise you that they will make close to 50m to 60m pure profit for the years they owned the franchises and Arena.
A new enthusiastic, positive ownership group would be a God send, put some life into the City like Mr. Blank (Falcons) and Ted Turner (Braves) did for the City.
I believe the Thrashers are closer to a Stanley Cup than the Hawks are to a NBA Championship, why you ask ?? The NBA is a Big Center and a Point Guard driven league unless you have a Superstar like Jordan, Kobe etc–the Hawks have neither and would have to blow the Team up to get a Center & Point Guard. I believe that Horford and Josh are good building blocks but you can’t trade Joe now because of his contract, with these three guys you have 40 Million invested, what will the Salary Cap be with a new Labor Agreement ??? The only hope the Hawks have is to get new ownership and sell Dwight Howard on the advantages of coming home and playing with the Hawks.
The Thrashers are building with young guys who are very good NHL players (Buff, Ladd, Kane, etc) and have the cap space to get a lot better as they grow and develop into a playoff team (similar to the BlackHawks last year). When the Thrasher season started I did not believe they would make the playoffs this year, and was hoping for a entertaining team, which they have been until February.
It is imperative that the Spirit be sold quickly so the new Ownership can sell his high quality players on staying in Atlanta and building Championship teams together (Ownership, Players and Fans). I promise you that this is a money making opportunity for new ownership.
GK
March 2nd, 2011
12:56 pm
I am a former Thrashers season ticket holder – I stopped renewing after enduring the lies and arrogance of owner Bruce Levenson (the “hockey guy”) at a STH Town Hall meeting in 2008. If I see evidence that the new owners aren’t just Atlanta Spirit, Part 2, I would definitely come back.
Bart
March 2nd, 2011
1:03 pm
Yes the Thrashers are 28th/30 in attendance…but they’re 30th/30 in spending ( http://www.capgeek.com/ ). They only spend 64.6% of what the top spending team (currently Vancouver) is putting out on payroll. Sounds as if the owners are getting attendence about two spots higher than what they deserve. If (new owners) would build it, fans would come.
e
March 2nd, 2011
1:05 pm
I think part of the problem with the Thrashers, and the problem that the Braves will run into, is that now that you have minor league teams out in Gwinnett, what’s the point of going downtown if you live in Gwinnett, Hall, Forsyth, Athens, etc? I certainly don’t have enough interest in hockey to pay more than the ten dollars it costs to see the Gladiators play.
Bart
March 2nd, 2011
1:06 pm
Ooops…after Monday’s trade deadline, we jumped the Islanders to 29th in spending (whereas we’ve been in 30th all year prior). Same basic principle applies though. You get what you pay for.
bad product
March 2nd, 2011
1:10 pm
I have up season tickets to the hawks years ago due to bad quality. Premium prices for mediocre teams? Will not work in almost any market except new york, LA or chicago.
Daniel
March 2nd, 2011
1:11 pm
As a Hawks fan, I would say it would definitely make a difference were the “right” ownership to take over. An Arthur Blank-type, one main owner who has deep community ties and a desire for team success would make a HUGE difference. If the new ownership doesn’t fit that bill, then it will make absolutely no difference.
Veteran Fan
March 2nd, 2011
1:35 pm
Realist is right! A change in ownership if it is professional and doesn’t get in the middle of operations would be exciting! The current owners have been too involved in the make up of the Hawks! Josh and JJ would have been long gone in any other city except for the fact that certain of the owners personally like them! By professional I mean understanding that your fans and ticket buyers are the most important part of the equation! Been in Denver on business and the relief in the community that Anthony is gone is tremendous! They felt that another selfish basketball millionaire was holding the franchise hostage to get his way! Well that’s how a lot of basketball fans in Atlanta feel! Change is good and vital to a franchise and a change in ownership couldn’t be any worse!
Tomahawk Choppin
March 2nd, 2011
2:10 pm
The Hawks need a STAR. Joe Johnson isnt a star. He’s an overpaid third best player on a championiship caliber team. If the Hawks had a STAR who was entertaining, that would make a huge difference. Remember how Shaq always had something to say, fans love the entertainment and wanted to see him dominate on the court. If the Hawks could get a cross between a LeBron and Charlie Sheen, that would derfinately put butts in the seats. Heck, maybe even a real center and a good point guard will work too.
As for the Thrashers, heck I dont know anything about hockey. So I dont care about them.
Michael Mahoney
March 2nd, 2011
2:36 pm
I have been reading all of this lately about the Atlanta Spirit. You know, the bottom line is that no franchise will ever be successful in this town because it is the worst sports city in the world. The Braves go the World Series and they can’t even sell Turner out. By the way the Thrashers had an incredible start this season and guess how many people showed up when they had a streak going? About 8000 people. Now they hit the skids and all the experts are all over management about how they can’t put a good product on the ice. The problem is that this lame town can’t put any real fans in the stands. Bottom line is the only thing that will ever sell here is the same old crappy Bulldog football on Saturday’s. And the AJC really helps, I open up the paper and there are seven pages on College football (in the offseason for College football by the way) and a tiny section I need a magnifying glass to read about the Thrashers. I went to the game last night against Montreal. No energy from the fans with tickets going for 20 bucks for lower level. No wonder players can’t wait to get out of this stinking town. All I can say is do yourself a favor and move the team to Winnipeg where the fans show up to support the team.
GT Alum
March 2nd, 2011
2:53 pm
Heck, I’m more interested in going to see the Hawks since they added Hinrich and have apparently become more interested in playing defense.
Ownership that’s actively interested in improving the team and that hires people who can actually evaluate talent would greatly improve interest. I hear the Hawks have finally given up on Marvin and were shopping him at the deadline. Unfortunately, they waited so long every other team in the NBA has decided he’s a bust too. I think it was even last summer I was still hearing other teams had some interest in him. Even if we didn’t get anything of value in return, just getting rid of his contract could’ve helped. But all the Hawks talked about was “the core”.
The Hawks were starting to build interest, but laying an egg like the one the Hawks laid against Orlando in last year’s playoffs will scare a lot of people away. And firing the head coach and promoting one of his assistants while changing out the guys who fill out the rest of the roster isn’t going to win them back.
Bobby
March 2nd, 2011
3:09 pm
Lots of people who gave up on the Thrashers after years of supporting them would come back, definitely.
Nate
March 2nd, 2011
3:34 pm
Mark – Yes, especially if the new owners (on the Thrashers side specifically) adhere to the old adage that you have to spend money to make money. Money well spent equals better players, which should equal more wins, which will lead to more fans. Just look at the attendance figures for the 2006-2007 season when the team made its only playoff appearance. If you build it (a winner) they (the fans) will come (to Philips).
I don’t hold out much hope for the Hawks. They got sucked into big contracts before teams started building teams of 2 to 3 superstars of which the Hawks have none. The Hawks have peaked in my opinion because of that. I don’t see them beating the Celtics, Heat, Knicks, or Bulls in any playoff series.
Hawkanoid
March 2nd, 2011
4:17 pm
Atlanta…Imagine if we could buy alcohol on Sunday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TOM_UuQzc0
foncused
March 2nd, 2011
4:33 pm
Three comments:
1. Absolutely. There would be a new honeymoon period. Both teams would need to put a quality product on the ice/floor to maintain that honeymoon
2. Philips Arena has gone from a shiny diamond to a turd. The TV’s don’t work. The old Omni scoreboard doesn’t work. The building is dark especially in the Thrashers Nest. The place is not particularly clean. They don’t have speakers in the bathrooms so you miss the action if you have to go. You used to be wowed . . . now, not so much.
3. As far as the Falcons new stadium. People need to learn and understand State law. The stadium proposal is being funded by Hotel Motel taxes. State law dictates what you can and can’t do with Hotel Motel tax dollars. While 3% of the tax can be used for “administrative” costs, the majority of the tax must be used to promote and attract tourism, etc. There is a complete list of do’s and don’ts in Georgia Code O.C.G.A. § 48-13-51. Please educate yourselves.
Jeff97
March 2nd, 2011
5:00 pm
New ownership would make a bigger difference with the Thrashers than the Hawks. The Hawks are at least a more competitive team and are closer to being an elite team. New ownership especially in the begginning would be huge especially if they have an immediate impact similiar to what has occurred in Tampa and to an extent in Chicago. Remember, about 5 years ago the Blackhawks had a really bad owner who would not even show their home games on TV and they were drawing 12,000 per game. They get new owners and now are selling out and won a Stanley Cup, and this happened in an Original Six City….If we get new owners willing to spend money initially, upgrade Phillips (we need a new HD jumbotron) and spend money on players, the teams will improve and it has been shown that people in Atlanta will come out for winners.
Mitch4404
March 2nd, 2011
5:15 pm
It would definatly make a difference to me as a former Season ticket holder and Would help rebuild the trust in the organization which now is at a all time low among Season ticket holders and hockey supporters Whoever comes in will need to have deep pockets not only for on court and on ice aquisitions but also marketing both teams.
grumpy old hockey fan
March 2nd, 2011
5:21 pm
Yes. If an owner spends the money to provide an honest, talented product, people will fill the seats.
ryan
March 2nd, 2011
6:12 pm
To the new owners bring Dwight Howard home and also go after Chris Paul create a buzz for Atlanta don’t make the same mistake cheap ASG did or us fans will not be so forgiving .
Iron League 13
March 2nd, 2011
6:31 pm
I’ve been here for 30 years and the last time anyone cared obout the Hawks was definitely back when they had Dominique Wilkins and I don’t think that’s saying too much. It’s always funny to me when people say this isn’t a hockey town, cuz sure as Hell isn’t a basketball one either. Tech has a vastly more rabid fanbase for their hoops program FOR SURE and that’s of course a very specific demographic of people too. I don’t know what to say, the Hawks would likely have to win it all or come close before they would fare better.
That said, yes, I’m a hockey guy, but the proof’s in the pudding. When the Thrashers had a nice little streak in November/December of 2010 the attendance rose, the Bruins game I was at was well over 17,000 on a weeknight. About a week into the current skid in early January and POOF all that fan interest just up and vanished like. So far as hockey (an amazing sport, IMHO) is concerned, yes entertaining winning hockey draws pretty good. It goes without saying what , Time Warner, the F.A.S., LLC and YES even the NHL has allowed to have happened to this tragic franchise.
I do agree with a full on re-branding of the Thrashers FULL ON name look, everything let’s forget the past. I don’t see the point for the Hawks, but I do vote that they go back to the Dominique era look and watch em sell more merch too.
Someone else brought up the arena being downtown, well not that I don’t think it shouldn’t be closer to where the large bulk of paying customers reside, but anyway that won’t happen for a decade or so and needs to be built by the teams, not the tax payers. Anywho wants to get hasseled buy bums walking with their toddler from the car to the venue. I chased a fake parking attendant who ran off with my money around the Tabernacle and across Luckie, had an altercation with a thug that wanted to yell at me for no reason on Walton and got bit on Ponce (used to live in the city). Don’t tell me it’s safe, that’s BS.
Iron League 13
March 2nd, 2011
6:34 pm
Enter your comments here
eugene
March 2nd, 2011
6:49 pm
A city like Atlanta only supports winning teams. If the Hawks were perennial contenders in the NBA finals, the games would sell out. Same with the Thrashers. You could say bring in new owners, but who’s to say new ownership will be any more competent than the current ownership?
simpleminded
March 2nd, 2011
7:46 pm
ABSOLUTELY will be buying Thrasher season tix once the “SPIRIT” is EXORCISED!!! We are just waiting for the day that a new local owner is announced.
I’ll go so far as to say that hockey fans here will even be patient if the owner says, “Hey look, we are in this for real and for a long time. We won’t promise a championship in a year or even 3, but we will promise to show we care, to learn the names of our players, and to be there for our fans.”
All we ask is not to have our hockey team be treated like the red-headed stepchild.
AtlFlamesFan
March 2nd, 2011
7:58 pm
No doubt about it. I have been involved in hockey since the Flames came here in 1972. While I go to almost every home game, I personally know many FORMER Thrasher STH who are sick and tired of throwing away money to owners who don’t care about winning. Getting rid of Don Waddell is also a must. Whether or not he is to blame does not matter. He has been the face of ineptitude and many fans will not come back unless he is gone.
Mat"T"
March 2nd, 2011
8:08 pm
Mark,
I am a huge Thrasher fan living in Athens. So I will never buy season tickets. However, I will make it a point to attend at least 8-10 games a year with new owners. Right now I am attending only a couple of games a year.
Falafal House
March 2nd, 2011
8:38 pm
Enter your comments here
Falafal House
March 2nd, 2011
8:41 pm
Thrashers will be leaving for the peg.. deal was in place well over a year ago… NHL policy has it that they have to attempt to find local buyers before entertaining relocation. You will see these perspective buyers come and go and this team will be sold to TNSE. Then we can all pretend to be surprised. Yotes will stay in phx… for a few more years before moving to QC. Take it to the bank.
Suburbs
March 2nd, 2011
9:20 pm
can they move the hawks to the Gwinnett arena? it’s too dangerous to go to atlanta with all the homeless, thugs and rif raf around the phillips arena. I haven’t been down there in a year.
Iron League 13
March 2nd, 2011
10:05 pm
Suburbs – No The Arena at Gwinnett is FAR too small, about 13k max, again far too small. No offense to those that ask this or want this but also WAY too pigeonholed by location. That’s a THREE interstate/hwy ride for much of the burbs like Marietta or Kennesaw. Besides the monolithic improvement in family friendly environment over downtown (see my last post that’s not sarcastic) it’s just not possible.
ashtray
March 2nd, 2011
11:09 pm
Hey Flop House, if the “deal was already done” then the NHL will be sued out the a$$ by potential local buyers for collusion and deception. ASG has already lost tons, daddy Turner found out about underhanded selling as he had to dole out $280 million to David McDavid for circumventing the rules and selling to his goon squad Octotards.
Ask Balsillie about circumventing the written rules….
If there’s a “done deal” I’ll be among the first in line to sign up for a class action suit against all 8 owners (yeah, you too Belkin), Gary Bettman, Winnipeg, the NHL, and any new owners. The news will come out and illegal business practices is frowned upon in this country. PS…. enjoy the high temp of -19 today while the high in Atlanta is almost 70. The NHLPA will probably protest the move too. Who’s gonna wanna play in front of a bunch of Moose?
Falafal House
March 3rd, 2011
12:11 am
You will see shortly how this plays out… Illegal business practices are frowned upon in this country? You’re kidding right? Thats how 99% of deals are made today. ATL is done. No fans. No support and NHL has a seamless way of making sure they get what they want… Look at the yotes in PHX.. they found a sucker of a council, sold them some fear and almost has them handing over 200 million to finance an illegal deal… yes, it is -19.. guess what i’m doing? Playing hockey outside!
Tim
March 3rd, 2011
2:54 am
Yes…an owner who is in attendance at games and excited about the team would entice folks to come to the games. Arthur Blank and Ted Turner are good examples of what works in Atlanta.
MJC
March 3rd, 2011
4:19 am
I’m tired of people saying that the Hawks just need to go out and get a good center and point guard. Guess what? There isn’t a bunch of them just hanging around waiting to be signed by a team.
Dwayne
March 3rd, 2011
8:28 am
My ideal weekend would be to catch a Hawks and Thrashers game. Do you realize the money that would take just for me? I live 250 miles south and would make the drive 3 times a year, if the duel weekend games are available. Plus hotel, food and gas for 2 nights. BUUUUUUT, not with these inept owners. They are idiots, the Atlanta Spirit A$$ Clowns, Octotards(when there were
now they are the Sucknificant Seven Dwarfs.
JDFA
March 3rd, 2011
8:29 am
NEW OWNERSHIP +SOME TOP MANAGEMENT CHANGES
flintrock70
March 3rd, 2011
9:38 am
1)Make it easier to get there
2)Clean up the surrounding area
3)Sell upper level ticket for super cheap like AB did at the Dome.
moriler
March 3rd, 2011
10:34 am
1) Move the arena to the center of the northside where the money can reach the games. Nobody wants to come downtown and deal with traffic, parking, and other BS anymore — especially trying to make it by a 7:00PM start time! MARTA trains don’t reach far enough and the bus system is a joke.
2) Lack of attendance is because of lack of winning. Lack of winning is because current ownership are a bunch of tight-fisted, litigious weenies who won’t spend money — Thrashers are at the salary cap FLOOR and almost always have been. Atlanta won’t come to see loser teams; we have the Braves and Falcons to spend money on instead. (”Blank”)
3) Don’t feed the Weeniepeg trolls, they’re just sad because they still won’t have a team next season… or the season after that… or any season until the NHL expands to 32 teams. Which won’t be soon.
da' boomer
March 3rd, 2011
11:16 am
hockey-wise the following things MUST be done to make hockey matter in atlanta:
1. fire done waddell
2. own their farm system. this relationship with chicago is not working. we need the entire farm system to be on the same page as to the system they play. it allows us to ‘plug and play’ to players we bring up. seems to work for detroit. i hate ‘em, but you cannot argue with their success.
3. scouting system – indentify they players that work in this system. we have missed a lot of boats and considering all of the early round picks, it is astounding how few have stuck
4. move the team to the ‘burbs. philips stinks for hockey due to the big blank wall on one side. thanks stan kastem..you douche. as for the burbs – pure and simple demoegraphics
5. FIRE DON WADDELL
Zombie Steve
March 3rd, 2011
11:16 am
A new ownership must show the same commitment that Blank did when he bought the Falcons… otherwise, it doesn’t matter who owns these teams.
jimcee
March 3rd, 2011
11:21 am
If new owners emerge they MUST engage the Atlanta business community (Coca Cola,Home Depot,UPS,Delta Airlines etc.) and work with them to put forth a fresh message that they are commited to the city,fans and surrounding area.Having an NHL and NBA franchise is a privilege that many other cities pine for and won’t get.If Atlanta were to lose its second NHL franchise in history it sends a message that the city is not nearly as dynamic as it purports to be.Cities that are exciting,thriving places don’t let multimillion dollar businesses flee…they do everything they can to keep them.There are hockey fans in Atlanta as past season’s attendance figures show but coupled with the Great Recession of 2008-2010,a distracted ownership group and a lacklustre on ice team they have lost a lot of fans.Is it too late, I don’t think so but it will take a lot of time and money to get the fans back.
MannyT
March 3rd, 2011
11:45 am
New ownership can make a difference. Some folks have more resources to pay for stars. Look at NJ Nets vs NO Hornets. One has a new owner that wants to make a splash. The other had an owner essentially get the NBA to take over the team. Which do you think is more likely to make a splash in terms of excitement or attendance over the next few years.
Tommyt4
March 3rd, 2011
11:49 am
Simple answer: my chances of re-upping my Thrash season tix after another lost year and the recent pompous and foolish statements of Mr. Gearon: not great. Chances of re-upping under new ownership: 100%
kj
March 3rd, 2011
12:18 pm
New owners and better teams can’t change the fact that it’s a beating to go downtown for a weeknight game. 7pm games are too early but traffic sucks after the game too so at least you get home a LITTLE earlier but if you decide to take Marta, you have to put up with the scurvy on the train and then hope you don’t get mugged at Chamblee (insert your station). HD then looks like the better option!
I’ve lived in several hockey towns: Detroit, Buffalo, Columbus, Dallas and ALL are easier to get there and back and not make you regret going to a game. I’m afraid the fact that driving anywhere in the ATL sucks will forever make strong attendance futile.
Zelmo Beatty
March 6th, 2011
7:21 am
Go Hawks…..and take the Thrashers with you! Neither team excites the local populace because neither team has any post season relevance. I think we’re all just tired of losers in this town and cannot invest emotionally or financially any longer.
NOMORESPIRIT
March 7th, 2011
9:45 pm
longtime Atlanta fan, as much as i’d love for this to change it won’t. Atlanta doesn’t care and why would this change for a city that could care less?I love my Atlanta teams but it’s hard to believe in a team when your 99% sure of failure. And basketball is different than any other sport. People care more about a player than a team. Get a huge marquee player and the fans will come for basketball. I won’t but more people will come.
East Point Bob
March 7th, 2011
11:51 pm
PMC, I agree with you 100%. I would likely return with new ownership, one who would FINALLY Fire that inept Liar waddell, The Main reason this team stinks no better than the expansion years. He alone has hurt this franchise more than anyone will ever know. No new owners, Not going to the worst located arena in the USA for sure !
Howard
March 9th, 2011
10:02 am
A few points. First it wasn’t that long ago that the Commissioner of baseball was very critical of Atlanta fans for not supporting the Braves. Along came 1991 and things changed. The fans will support a winner.
Thrashers: We were season ticket holders a few years ago (the year after the Thrasher’s went to the playoffs). The team got rid of a lot of there better players that summer. Additionally, the atmosphere changed. The Thrashers did away with a lot of promotions including the games in Phillips like spinning the wheel to win prizes. Seems like they also did away with the organist. Even the things on the screen have gotten stale. Bottom line is this ownership group tried to own a professional franchise on the cheap.
With regard to the Hawks. I was a big Hawks fan when the decided to ditch the older players and start anew. Watching the young players grow was fun. I bought tickets occasionally and watched on TV all the time. When they went after Joe Johnson I was disappointed. But I hung in there. This year I did not go to any games and hardly watch on TV. They spent all their money on JJ and now have no hope of having a good point guard or a big center who can complete with the big centers in the league.
Bottom line, if new ownership came in and (1) knew what they were doing and (2) were willing to invest (i.e., lose money at first) I think it would make a big difference and people would show up.