14 replies to this topic

[Minneapolitan]

I just heard on a local sports show that the Charlotte Sting might be moving to KC. It was also mentioned how poorly the Bobcats are doing in trying to attract a crowd to the city's new arena, which could eventually trigger a move. The Hurricanes were also mentioned due to the fact that they have struggled since landing in Raleigh. They are still having a hard time filling seats and they just won the Stanley Cup.

Have any of you KC forumers heard about this?

[Durhamite]

Minneapolitan, on Dec 12 2006, 02:07 PM, said:

I just heard on a local sports show that the Charlotte Sting might be moving to KC. It was also mentioned how poorly the Bobcats are doing in trying to attract a crowd to the city's new arena, which could eventually trigger a move. The Hurricanes were also mentioned due to the fact that they have struggled since landing in Raleigh. They are still having a hard time filling seats and they just won the Stanley Cup.

Have any of you KC forumers heard about this?

If they're moving the Hurricanes, they need move to a lot of teams based on average attendance:

http://sports.espn.g...dance?year=2007

I don't think the Bobcats are going anywhere for the time being.  The WNBA is in trouble in general - not just the Sting.

[Minneapolitan]

Durhamite, on Dec 12 2006, 03:18 PM, said:

If they're moving the Hurricanes, they need move to a lot of teams based on average attendance:

http://sports.espn.g...dance?year=2007

I don't think the Bobcats are going anywhere for the time being.  The WNBA is in trouble in general - not just the Sting.

From my understanding the Hurricanes haven't been doing well since they moved to Raleigh and the link you gave supports that fact. It looks as though the team has a hard time attracting fans, especially when they aren't doing well. There's something wrong when 9 teams are selling out every game and 5 others are attracting bigger crowds than the defending Stanley Cup champs.

BTW, I think you're right about the NHL needing to move a few teams.

Hurricanes Attendance
2000 - 01
29th out 30 teams

2001 - 02
24th

2002 -03
19th

2003 - 04
29th

2005 - 06
21st

[monsoon]

It's hard for people to get excited about the NHL in a warm weather state like North Carolina.  Ice skating is virtually unknown, an even less so for ice hockey.   Still, NC is one of the fastest growing states in the country so I can see where they would try to tap into the market.

[Minneapolitan]

I have nothing against the NHL being in southern markets because I want people to see what a great sport it is. However, I think the league may have spread itself a little too thin. The fact that the league has left some hockey hotbeds such as Winnipeg and Quebec and allowed the rapid expansion into the southern markets has really hurt it. It's obvious that it has lost a lot of dedicated fans, which is evident by last year's Stanley Cup finals. The ratings were awful.

I'm curious if even KC could support an NHL team. Is there much interest there?

[Snowguy716]

  Are you sure you're not bitter about the Northstars leaving?

[Minneapolitan]

^ LOL! No, but I'm still pissed Phoenix took my Jets away . Anyway, as I already stated I have nothing against hockey in southern states. Exposure in some of those markets may help the sport in the long run.

[monsoon]

The NHL is really a hard sell here.   Nobody that grew up here can really identify much with it.

[Minneapolitan]

What are the chances of the Hurricanes making a move to Charlotte? I know this isn't the right thread for this question, but being we're on the topic. Do you think a move to Charlotte instead of another market such as KC would be better?

[monsoon]

No chance at all if it would require any city or county investment.    The NHL is zero on anybody's radar screen in Charlotte.

[dxartist]

Minneapolitan, on Dec 12 2006, 05:13 PM, said:

I have nothing against the NHL being in southern markets because I want people to see what a great sport it is. However, I think the league may have spread itself a little too thin. The fact that the league has left some hockey hotbeds such as Winnipeg and Quebec and allowed the rapid expansion into the southern markets has really hurt it. It's obvious that it has lost a lot of dedicated fans, which is evident by last year's Stanley Cup finals. The ratings were awful.

I'm curious if even KC could support an NHL team. Is there much interest there?

Winnipeg and Quebec City maybe hotbeds for hockey, but the Jets  and Nordiques left for one reason.  Economics.  the Jets left Winnipeg due to the fact they couldn't make money outdated Winnipeg Arena didn't and the 94 strike didn't help matters either.  The Quebec Nordiques had financial problems of their own and the owner sold the team to a group of investors.

Which goes to show, even a rabid fan base can't help if there's not enough revenue coming in.

I'm from Missouri and can tell you that Kansas City is mainly a Chiefs town.  The Royals are afterthought. As far as hockey, I wouldn't even know.

Edited by dxartist, 12 December 2006 - 07:28 PM.

[Chazarelli]

I would be cautious about bringing a hocket team to Kansas City.  The Chiefs are kings and the Royals are going to be good again soon, so I don't think there is a need for another team.  

The high schools in the Kansas City area don't have hockey teams (4 years ago), and if they do it's not a big sport.  Being from Kansas City I would rather stick with my Chiefs, Royals, Wizards, Explorers.  If the WNBA team comes I think it would have a big enough draw, but it can never be half of what the Chiefs or Royals are.

[bjeversole]

Minneapolitan, on Dec 12 2006, 08:12 PM, said:

What are the chances of the Hurricanes making a move to Charlotte? I know this isn't the right thread for this question, but being we're on the topic. Do you think a move to Charlotte instead of another market such as KC would be better?

Less than zero.  

The Canes are more popular in Raleigh than the Bobcats are in Charlotte, the Canes have had strong attendance figures so far this season (16,000+ a game) even with a lackluster start to the season, and the Bobcats Arena was not built for big-time hockey (though it is home of the ECHL's Checkers); sightlines for an NHL team in that arena would be terrible.

There is little to no Charlotte-area support for the team, though people across the Carolinas are inclined to be Canes fans if they do follow hockey.

The Canes aren't going anywhere, and as soon as the Bobcats begin winning, they will do fine as well.

I could see our old team in Kansas City; would anyone be that surprised if Shinn ditched a New Orleans still reeling from Katrina and took the Hornets elsewhere?


Long time listener, first time caller.

Edited by bjeversole, 13 December 2006 - 11:09 PM.

[jumboman]

Haha, I was looking for pictures of the Sprint Center (I'm a student in a Steel Design class at N.C. State) and I saw this thread and it made me laugh.  I know this was a long time ago, but even back then, there was negative 44 % chance that the Canes were leaving Raleigh soon.  I guess it doesn't even need to be brought up now because they are one of the top 5 teams in the league and the city (and somewhat the region) loves them!  (They are celebrating their 10th season as the Hurricanes this year!)

Yall could look into the Nashville franchise, I know the owner has been fighting the city to move them, I don't know the status of that.  (I seem to think the city "won" in that they got a guarantee not to move for 5 years)

By the way, the Sprint Center looks awesome!  I wish we had put our arena downtown and it had been unique and noteworthy.

[mgsports]

They are staying in Nashville.
The best chance for KC would be Expansionsame goes for the NBA.
The Sting folded.