"Save the Jets" Rally at The Forks: Kris King
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A last ditch effort, the "Save the Jets" Rally at The Forks drew over 35,000 people. The "Grassroots Endowment Fund" ultimately exceeded $13 million... Videon May 16, 1995 (Link not available to source) |
"Save the Jets" Rally at The Forks: Teemu Selanne
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A last ditch effort, the "Save the Jets" Rally at The Forks drew over 35,000 people. The "Grassroots Endowment Fund" ultimately exceeded $13 million... Videon May 16, 1995 (Link not available to source) |
"Save the Jets" Rally at The Forks: Curt Kielback
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A last ditch effort, the "Save the Jets" Rally at The Forks drew over 35,000 people. The "Grassroots Endowment Fund" ultimately exceeded $13 million... Videon May 16, 1995 (Link not available to source) |
For the Love of the Game, part 1
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This TSN Documentary examines the passion for the game of Hockey in Canada & the notion that perhaps the NHL is deliberately keeping Canadian teams out of its exclusive club. This 3 part series looks as all aspects of keeping a franchise in Winnipeg thru interviews with all of the main players. Everyone from the Mayor Of Winnipeg, Premier of Manitoba, Owner of the Winnipeg Jets, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman & Most importantly; The Fans. Something to think about while watching this documentary, If Bettman himself states that if there are not enough fans going to the games to make it successful; Why in 2008 are we stuck still watching failing franchises in the Southern States? Winnipeg had the fan base however; our Arena was not suitable for the NHL to provide revenue for Players Salaries, etc however; other cities such as Pittsburgh were in the exact same position but Bettman did much more to keep that team there then he EVER did for our city of Winnipeg. Also; although our Mayor at the time "Susan Thompson" comes off as a true supporter of keeping the Jets in Winnipeg, Just remember that SHE could have...... "In 1996, Winnipeg's mayor Susan Thompson spent $130 million of taxpayer money to prepare for the 1999 Pan American Games instead of building an arena for the Jets. The Pan-Am funds were used to improve roads and clean up Winnipeg for the 16-day event. Years later, the $130 million Winnipeg spent has amortized into nothing. Susan Thompson was thinking short-term instead of long-term. The benefits of an arena and a NHL team can be had for decades, while the benefits of new paint and fixed roads were felt for less then a single decade. Had Winnipeg not had such an incompetent mayor at the time, an arena would have been built long ago, and the Jets would still in Winnipeg." Part 1 of 3. TSN, Inside Sports July 01, 1996 (Link not available to source) |
Blair Mackasey comments on the NHL in Winnipeg
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Blair Mackasey, head scout for Hockey Canada at the time, commenting on the NHL in Winnipeg following tremendous support during the 2005 World Junior Hockey Championship in North Dakota. TSN January 06, 2005 (Link not available to source) |
Québec: Aubut rêve encore aux Nordiques
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A French language article that indicates Marcel Aubut believes that the NHL could return to Quebec City now that a salary cap is in place. He also mentions that Quebec City needs a new 16,000 seat arena in order to potentially revive the Nordiques and references to the MTS Centre in Winnipeg are made. Radio-Canada.ca May 20, 2005 Source |
Just a matter of time
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Sports business analyst says NHL's return to Winnipeg is a 'no-brainer' With the new CBA bringing both revenue sharing and a salary cap into view, a new arena in downtown Winnipeg that can derive much more revenue than the past Winnipeg arena, Mark Chipman has crunched the numbers. While he won't guarantee anything, he also won't rule anything out, as it pertains to the NHL returning to Winnipeg. Paul Friesen, Winnipeg Sun October 05, 2005 (Link not available to source) |
Bench boss is lovin' it
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Gretzky brings his passion to coaching $1 million: the approximate gate revenue from last night's exhibition game between the Coyotes and Oilers. The profits were split between the Coyotes and True North with the Coyotes receiving a slightly larger share. Writer Paul Friesen penned "That's the kind of crowd it would take, at similar prices, every game, to make a big-league team viable here." Paul Friesen, Winnipeg Sun September 18, 2006 (Link not available to source) |
Fans favour Oilers
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Coyotes just aren't Jets The players commented after the preseason game at the MTS Centre: "It's an exhibition game and it did not feel like one," said Doan. "It felt like a regular-season game with the way the crowd was into it. You could see them cheering and holding up signs. This was a unique opportunity that I enjoyed a lot." "It was great and in exhibition games, you don't get that a lot of the time," added Stoll. "I played with the Road Runners two years ago against the Moose and it was a different atmosphere in here tonight. You could feel it and it's good to see that. Winnipeg has always been known as a city that supports their sports." The Wave and the Go-Jets-Go Chant made appearances in the third period as the Oilers beat the Coyotes 5-0. Ken Wiebe, Winnipeg Sun September 18, 2006 (Link not available to source) |
Complementary Tickets and Total Gate Revenues (2006-2007)
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The Globe and Mail found a leaked NHL document from the 06/07 season showing how many freebie tickets were counted in “announced” attendances across the league. It also displayed the total gate receipt dollars brought in on a per game basis for each team. Average ticket price was then calculated. Mike Faille, The Globe & Mail January 01, 2007 (Link not available to source) |
The Fan 590: PrimeTime Sports with David Asper
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David Asper, Executive Vice President, CanWest Global, speaks with Prime Time Sports about Winnipeg and NHL expansion. David Asper has indicated his interest in being part of an ownership group and is comfortable with the MTS Centre as host. He further indicated that beyond Winnipeg being a rabid hockey market that there is a will to have a team in Winnipeg. The Fan 590 January 23, 2007 (Link not available to source) |
Canwest Global: Local Reaction To Gary Bettman's Support For Winnipeg
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Local reaction to the NHL Commissioner’s support for Winnipeg’s return to the NHL. CEO Edmonton Oilers, Pat LaForge, supports Winnipeg. Global also speculates on potential NHL financials. (Although much was understated or missing.) Claims that $260 million would be required before the first season starts are inflated with no mention how future revenues streams for both hockey and non-hockey events at the MTS Centre may offset a team purchase cost. Canwest Global January 26, 2007 (Link not available to source) |
CBC: Ron MacLean and Gary Bettman, All Star Game, Part 1
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Gary Bettman responds to Ron MacLean’s questions at the 2007 All Star Game in Dallas, Texas. The NHL Commissioner does think that Winnipeg can support the NHL again with the new CBA. CBC, Hockey Night in Canada January 26, 2007 (Link not available to source) |
CBC: HNIC Hotstove
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A week following Mr. Bettman’s supportive comments about Winnipeg, the group of reporters speak about some NHL governors support for it, a potential local ownership group has already reviewed two NHL teams books and concluded that the NHL would work in Winnipeg with the current MTS Centre at 15,003 seating capacity. CBC, Hockey Night in Canada: Hotstove January 28, 2007 (Link not available to source) |
CJOB 680 AM: Gary Bettman's comments at the 2006-07 NHL All-Star Game
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Local media reaction to Gary Bettman's comments at the 2006-07 NHL All-Star Game about Winnipeg's return to the NHL. Paraphrasing Bettman: "Under the current CBA, Winnipeg could probably support the NHL." Both David Asper and Mark Chipman attended the game and festivities in Dallas, Texas. CJOB 680 AM Radio January 28, 2007 (Link not available to source) |
Troubling signs abound for Thrashers
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David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail dives into the numbers from the 06/07 season showing how many freebie tickets were counted in “announced” attendances across the league. The situations seem dire for some current NHL teams, especially Atlanta, with complimentary tickets and gate receipts telling the tale. David Shoalts, Globe and Mail March 29, 2007 Source |
The Day the Jets Died, Part 1: Sudden, Painful Death
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The good old hockey game is the best game you can name' -- Stompin' Tom Connors One of the best summaries of the events surrounding the Jets demise. For some this read will be a painful reminder of not only what was lost but of the politics and egos that became as much a roadblock to securing the Jets' future as anything else. It explains the sometimes public struggle it was to gain the commitment to build a new arena and practically at the same time, to sell the team to another local group. Much of this content was not public during those days. Included at the end of the story is a dateline of critical events. There is simply no better summary of these chain of events in existence, wrote by the Winnipeg Free Press' own Randy Turner. Randy Turner, Winnipeg Free Press March 31, 2007 Source |
The Day the Jets Died, Part 2: Big-league dreams, small-town fears
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PEOPLE SAY HOCKEY IS A RELIGION. IT'S BIGGER THAN THAT.' --Sports psychologist Cal Botterill One of the best summaries of the events surrounding the Jets possible return. For some this read will be a painful reminder of not only what was lost but of the politics and egos that became as much a roadblock to securing the Jets' future as anything else. It explains the sometimes public struggle it was to gain the commitment to build a new arena and practically at the same time, to sell the team to another local group. Much of this content was not public during those days. Alot of the sentiment shared by some of Manitoba's business community may shed light in the future as to their motives and future involvement. There is simply no better summary of these chain of events in existence, wrote by the Winnipeg Free Press' own Randy Turner. Randy Turner, Winnipeg Free Press April 01, 2007 Source |
Fuzzy NHL Winnipeg picture could clear
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You had to wade through the customary allotment of bafflegab and doublespeak, but when Gary Bettman invoked the name of Winnipeg during his state-of-the-union address earlier this week, it appears he did so for one of two reasons. The Vancouver Province's Ed Willes speculates on why Gary Bettman would bring up Winnipeg at his State of the Union news conference. "Mark Chipman, the Moose's owner, has maintained a dialogue with the NHL, studied the books of both Ottawa and Edmonton and he believes he could operate an NHL team on a break-even basis in his town." Willis adds, "Ten years ago, the NHL thought it had outgrown Winnipeg. It appears they've had time to reconsider." Canwest News Service June 01, 2007 Source |
The Big Small Markets
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James Mirtle discusses of how the concept of small and big markets has changed in the last decade. Quoting NHL player agent Ian Pulver, “ ‘small market’ oftentimes acts as a stand in for ‘big market, indifferent to hockey.’” Mirtle agrees and sees the label not appropriate anymore when it comes down to raw population or potential markets. James Mirtle November 08, 2007 Source |
Melnyk supports NHL in Canada
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The Leader-Post, canada.com November 10, 2007 Source |
