From: "Rich Gauszka" 

Hopefully the new ownership will give the Nashville fans a chance. Hockey
has had a hard time coming back after the strike even here in Detroit. In
the midst of the playoffs there were over a thousand empty seats at the Joe
Louis arena. You also know hockey's in deep trouble when the network (NBC)
cuts away from an overtime playoff game for pre-race horse racing
festivities at the Preakness



"Glenn Meadows"  wrote in message
news:46570de0$1{at}w3.nls.net...
> Here's the letter sent out to former ticket purchasers:
>
> Craig Leopold
> Nashville Predators
> 501 Broadway
> Nashville, TN 37203
>
> May 24, 2007
>
> Dear Predators' Season Ticket Holders:
>
> June 25, 2007 will mark the 10-year anniversary of the awarding of the NHL
> franchise to Nashville that became your Nashville Predators.  It's been an
> incredible 10-year journey for me.  I can't tell you enough how much I
> appreciate your strong emotional and financial support of the Nashville
> Predators.  You are a big part of the team's on-ice success.  On behalf of
> the entire franchise, I thank you.
>
> Ten years ago, I couldn't call myself a hockey expert.  Today, my family
> and
> I are as passionate and competitive about the game as the most hardcore
> fans.
>
> When the franchise began, I said we would run it as a business in order to
> be
> successful.  We developed a game plan both on and off the ice.  We became
> an
> integral part of the community, especially downtown Nashville.  We made
> sure
> we had some fun.  And, we indicated that making a huge profit was not a
> top
> priority ? but we certainly didn't make plans to lose a significant amount
> either.
>
> As part of those plans we developed a loyal fan base ? every team should
> be
> fortunate enough to have a Cell Block 303 and the loudest arena in the
> league.
> We built a team that the community could be proud of on and off the ice.
> We grew our hockey skills exactly as general manager David Poole outlined,
> using the draft as a foundation and then supplementing at the appropriate
> times
> with trades and free agents.  We gave back to the community ? well over $2
> million in grants and in-kind donations through the Nashville Predators
> Foundation.  We created an entertaining in-arena atmosphere for every game
> night.  And, we did it all while keeping our ticket prices near the bottom
> of
> the league.
>
> Unfortunately, the success on the ice has not translated to success for me
> as
> business owner.
>
> Here are just a few facts as to why:
>
>
>
> The Nashville Predators tallied up 216 points in the last two seasons,
> fifth
> most in the NHL, yet because of below-average attendance, the team will
> still
> have a real cash loss of $27 million during that time.  Additionally, that
> loss
> is despite receiving the most money in the league from revenue sharing.
> Over
> the last five years, the team has lost over $60 million.
>
> We've invested heavily in sales and marketing efforts, spending over $50
> million
> in 10 years, most of that with locally-based businesses.
>
> Our average regular season attendance this past season was 13,589, up from
> the
> year before, but still 2,000 below the NHL average.  A low turnout,
> combined
> with a low ticket price results in a poor financial situation.
>
> The new NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement with revenue sharing is not a
> cure-all.  Each local market must still support its local team. In
> addition,
> this attendance does not qualify us for our full revenue sharing
> allocation
> under the collective bargaining agreement.
>
> While individual fan support has always been strong, we've worked
> aggressively
> to increase our local business support since Season Four.  We've tried a
> variety
> of approaches with minimal success.  Our records show today that corporate
> support for the Nashville Predators makes up about 35% of our season
> ticket
> base.  The average in other markets is around 60%. During our first two
> years,
> approximately 4,000 businesses owned season tickets. Today, only 1,800
> businesses have season tickets.
>
> While my heart and my love of the game tell me we can still be successful,
> the
> facts outlined above suggest otherwise.  I've reached the only possible
> conclusion and it's one of the most difficult decisions of my personal and
> professional life.
>
> Later today, I am announcing an agreement to sell the Nashville Predators
> franchise and Powers Management to Jim Balsillie.  We plan for the sale to
> be
> final in early July after a short period of due diligence and approval
> from the
> NHL Board of Governors.
>
> I've carried the franchise as far as it can go from a business standpoint.
> It
> has been well-reported that we have attempted to attract local ownership
> since
> 2002.  The truth is, we had only one serious inquiry in that time from
> someone
> who was interested in a small minority share of the team.  Jim Balsillie
> is
> interested in full ownership.
>
> It's time to give someone else a chance to take the Nashville Predators to
> the
> next level in terms of local business support.  Last week's announcement
> that
> the Sommet Group has signed on as a naming rights partner for the arena is
> a
> strong first step in the right direction.  The new energy and leadership
> of Jim
> Balsillie will be another.
>
> Jim Balsillie is co-CEO of Research in Motion, the company which developed
> the
> Blackberry device.  He is an avid hockey fan who still plays
> recreationally. I
> know he is dedicated to putting a great team on the ice.
>
>
> The past 10 years have laid a foundation, but there's still much to be
> done to
> both build corporate support and to win a Stanley Cup.  I know Jim shares
> my
> passion for the game and my commitment to a strong franchise to pursue the
> greatest trophy in sports.
>
> Despite the financial challenges we faced, owning this franchise has been
> the
> thrill of a lifetime.  I've made many friendships here in Nashville.  It's
> been
> an exciting 10 years, and as I move on from the ranks of team ownership,
> I'll
> always remain a fan.
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Craig L. Leipold
>
>
> --
>
> Glenn M.
> "Rich Gauszka"  wrote in message
> news:4655fbee$1{at}w3.nls.net...
>> Glenn Meadows wrote:
>>> Yea, that's the big question mark.  Total shock here in town, especially
>>> since Leopold (current owner) said it's been in the works for a couple
>>> of weeks now.  There are some REALLY pissed off fans, who have already
>>> re-upped for next years season tickets.
>>>
>>> The big question has to do with the current lease at the arena.
>>>
>>> It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.
>>>
>>
>> speculation on the local sports talk in Detroit is a team move to
>> Waterloo or Winnipeg Canada. The new owner appears to be into Ws.
>
>

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