Harford Sports

[malikr65]

I was recently reading a Providence sports post and thought that I should start one for Hartford. Hartford used to be home to the Whalers (NHL) and was almost home to the New England Patriots (NFL). For a short time, we were int he running for the Montreal Expos (MLB). Currently, CT is home to the Connecticut Sun but they play more than an hour away from Hartford at the Mohegan Sun Arena. I would love to see them play at the civic center or get there very own arena. I think Hartford deserves a sports franchise and would to see one here someday. Should a new team build a new arena or play at the civic center? If they had to build a new arena or stadium, where would it go? How many people would it hold? Should it have a modern or classic design? Would the Hartford area even be able to host a sports franchise and support it? Any ideas? Please post.

[uconn99]

The Hartford market could support a professional franchise. When the Whalers were in town it wasn't a lack of support which drove the team out, it was the owner. The state and people tried their hardest to keep the Whale in Hartford. Connecticut is a great hockey state, and Hartford is a great hockey city. Anyone who is a NHL fan knows this. I have spoken to hockey fans from all parts of the US, and everyone believes Hartford was and is a Hockey town.

If any professional sports team is going to come back to Connecticut it is going to be in the way of a NHL team. I don't believe the NHL will add another team to the lineup for years to come, so the only hope is a team to move from another city. There really is no need for teams in cities like San Jose, Phoenix (However they just built a brand new areana just for hockey) Nashville, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay. Hockey has no tradition in those cities. Throw out Tampa Bay winning their last title, it still is no Hockey town. Miami has a Hockey team, come on.

Hokey belongs in cold weather cities, not in cities like Miami and Nashville. There was a lot of talk a year or so ago about the former Penguins owner, who I believe use to own the Whalers to bring that team to Hartford. Now I believe it is pretty much dead since Pittsburgh is close to building a new arena.

I think Hartford will see another Hockey team within 5-10 years from a struggling franchise. The city is on the upswing, and a professional team is something the state and city should try to bring back. If a team ever does come back to Hartford it would be housed in a new arena. The civic center is nice but it is getting old and the Huskey basketball program could continue using it for their second home. I could see a new arena being built somewhere near downtown, somewhere where development has yet to begin. A new arena would help a run down area gain life. You could probably count on around 18,000 seats for hockey, somewhere around the numbers the state was planning before the Whalers left town.

Besides hockey, I don't think Hartford has a market for a MLB or NFL team since the Patriots are now set in Foxboro. A slim chance way into the future could be a NBA team if Hartford rebounds huge, and since Connecticut is really now a Basketball state thanks to the Husky programs. A NBA team probably be supported 10-20 years from now, but it is a slim chance.

I hope whoever brings another NHL team to Conneticut calls them the Whalers once again. I miss the Whale!

[uconn99]

If anyone has any hope of getting the NHL back to Hartford, please visit this site and to the petition.

http://www.whalerwatch.com/nhl_return_poll2.htm

[SOCOM]

Hartford's isn't large enough to support either the NFL or MLB, but it is large enough to accomodate the NHL or the NBA.

I believe either sport would do well in the city. People in CT love hockey and obsess over (UConn) basketball.

The arena is an interesting issue. I don't think we could lure a team here using the Civic Center. It's old and it doesn't have nearly enough luxury boxes. It might be possible to refurbish the Civic Center and add more skyboxes, but that would be difficult. A new arena would probably be in order.

I believe if we do see the construction of a new arena, it should not be buit downtown, but rather on the outskirts of downtown. (site 12b anyone?)

My prediction: we'll see the NHL return to Hartford between 2012 and 2014.

[MadVlad]

Hartford supported the Whalers just fine, the Whalers didn't support Hartford. The team was the worst team in league history, yet people still showed to see them lose night after night. Other "better" cities with "more history" have done worse supporting their teams, yet Hartford gets a bad rap because it's small. If Columbus or Nashville didn't support their teams, they'd get the smae rap, but if Chicago or LA don't go, well, they have history. Whatever.

[ctman987]

The Whalers were important to the city of Hartford and to the State of Connecticut. If the Whalers or any NHL team were to come to Hartford the results would be amazing as people would have a reson to come to city, would find out about all the city has to offer and in turn area business owners would thrive making it possible to attract new business (retail and corporate) into the city.

True the civic center is not what it used to be and with the 262 apartments being constructed it is not clear how having a major team play regular games in the same complex where there are luxury apartments would work and anyway downtown should be able to thrive with what it is getting now (apartments, hotels, convention center, retail and entertainment space) and so in my opinion an new arena would be great for the area in the vicinity of the 12B parcel just east of the new proposed public safety complex on High Street. That whole is vacant except for parking lots, Rensselear Technical Institute and the Crowne Plaza Hotel (hotel would be right next to arena as the Hilton is right next to the Civic Center)

Many Conneticut residents are still very unhappy and angered about the promise to bring the Patriots to CT that ended up in them staying in MA and with UCONN football playing in a brand new field at Rentschler Field why make competition.

[Cotuit]

Does Hartford have a minor league hockey team?

[HartfordTycoon]

Does Hartford have a minor league hockey team?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, The Hartford Wolfpack. They are the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers.

I agree that Hartford could support both an NHL and NBA team. I would rather see the NBA as the leage is healthier than the NHL and I am more of a Basketball fan. I would be delighted to see either one as one could serve a catalyst for the other one.

[MadVlad]

Does Hartford have a minor league hockey team?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After having steak (albeit grissly steak) for so long, it's hard to settle for hamburger. A lot of people, myself included, can't stomach going to see the Wolf Pack, it just isn't the same experience. I find it difficult to get excited to see the Wilkes-Barre Penguins when it was the Pittsburgh Penguins coming not long ago....

[HartfordTycoon]

After have steak (albeit grissly steak) for so long, it's hard to settle for hamburger.  A lot of people, myself included, can't stomach going to see the Wolf Pack, it just isn't the same experience.  I find it difficult to get excited to see the Wilkes-Barre Penguins when it was the Pittsburgh Penguins coming not long ago....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is what I try to explain to people when they say how our AHL team struggles to attract people as support that we could not support a major leauge franchise. People in our area salivate at the mouth for anything "big league" or national. That is why UCONN Football is selling out crowds in only their 3rd year at IA.

[SOCOM]

After having steak (albeit grissly steak) for so long, it's hard to settle for hamburger.  A lot of people, myself included, can't stomach going to see the Wolf Pack, it just isn't the same experience.  I find it difficult to get excited to see the Wilkes-Barre Penguins when it was the Pittsburgh Penguins coming not long ago....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly. I went to a couple WF games in 2000 and 2001, but I left feeling empty. The level of play was significantly worse than what I thought it would be.

Another topic...I'm in CT this week and I went to the USA vs Trinidad soccer game last night in E. Hartford. It was amazing! The crowd, the atmosphere, the field...everyone had fun and people from out of state were impressed with the Rent. However, the official attendance numbers for the game were 26,000(very good for a Wednesday night) but I am baffled by this. The lower bowl was completely full and the upper bowl was about 60% full. If the stadium holds 40,000, I have no idea how that equals 26K. My guess would have been about 33,000. Did anyone catch the game on TV? (it was on ESPN2)

[HartfordTycoon]

Exactly.  I went to a couple WF games in 2000 and 2001, but I left feeling empty.  The level of play was significantly worse than what I thought it would be. 

Another topic...I'm in CT this week and I went to the USA vs Trinidad soccer game last night in E. Hartford.  It was amazing!  The crowd, the atmosphere, the field...everyone had fun and people from out of state were impressed with the Rent.  However, the official attendance numbers for the game were 26,000(very good for a Wednesday night) but I am baffled by this.  The lower bowl was completely full and the upper bowl was about 60% full.  If the stadium holds 40,000, I have no idea how that equals 26K.  My guess would have been about 33,000.  Did anyone catch the game on TV? (it was on ESPN2)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I passed by the area but did not attend the game. I have gone to alot of UCONN games though, my dad has season tickets. Those are amazing. The Rent is amazing. I can't wait until they fully develop the site. Have you guys been following the plans by the Matos Group. The site will be amazing when it's done.

[Baines]

Hartford's isn't large enough to support either the NFL or MLB, but it is large enough to accomodate the NHL or the NBA. 

I believe either sport would do well in the city.  People in CT love hockey and obsess over (UConn) basketball. 

The arena is an interesting issue.  I don't think we could lure a team here using the Civic Center.  It's old and it doesn't have nearly enough luxury boxes.  It might be possible to  refurbish the Civic Center and add more skyboxes, but that would be difficult.  A new arena would probably be in order. 

I believe if we do see the construction of a new arena, it should not be buit downtown, but rather on the outskirts of downtown.  (site 12b anyone?)

My prediction:  we'll see the NHL return to Hartford between 2012 and 2014.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree that the city is not large enough to suport NFL or MLB and add not NHL or NBA either. I have lived in 3 NE cities and 1 in the SW and two in SE (now Tampa) and I tell you there is no way. Tampa (closer to Providence's size) barely can support the NHL and NFL. I suspect that any NE teams will be close to Boston or Providence (like now) - the two big population centers.

Any new NHL teams will be in southern cities...more money.

[SOCOM]

I agree that the city is not large enough to suport NFL or MLB and add not NHL or NBA either.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I suspect that any NE teams will be close to Boston or Providence (like now) - the two big population centers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the laughs.

[Cotuit]

Thanks for the laughs.

[SOCOM]

I have to respectfully disagree Cotuit. The evidence shows that Hartford could indeed support one pro sport, either the NBA or the NHL. The NFL and MLB would not work for obvious reasons.

It's all about the money, Hartford's TV market is not big enough to support a pro team

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hartford's TV market is larger than a few cities that already have one pro sports team, even some with two.

[Cotuit]

Hartford's TV market is larger than a few cities that already have one pro sports team, even some with two.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But are those cities wedged between Boston and New York?

[SOCOM]

But are those cities wedged between Boston and New York?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, of course not. But honestly, NY and Boston being 2 hours away is somewhat of a non-issue regarding the NHL. The Whalers had a huge following, even in the New Haven area(not to mention thousands of hardcore fans in western MA). They averaged 13,000+ fans for a team that was probably the worst in NHL history. In 18 years, the Whale made the playoffs a total of 2 or 3 times. Just imagine if the Whalers had managed to win a few here and there.

I stand by my assertion that Hartford could easily support the NHL and may even be able to support an NBA team (not both, one or the other). It would be hard to change my mind on this issue, because quite frankly, the facts support my argument.

[MadVlad]

Your numbers are all off guys. Hartford is the largest nedia market (number 27) without a pro franchise, and no one else without one is even close. I think being in between NY and Boston is a bonus, not a setback. You apparently were never at any Whaler home games, there would be plenty of fans from other cities, even teams like Pittsburgh and Washington would have fans at our games since it's not that far away. Bruins, Rangers, Islanders, Devils, and Sabres game there were LARGE groups. It works to our advantage, not disadvantage. Hartford can easily support a team, and to illustrate Providence as a larger community, well, that's just plain off. City population-wise, yes, metro area, approx the same, media market, not even close. Hartford hands Providence it's hat in the media market game, and they don't count Springfield (20 minutes away, go figure). So add another almost half mill. to that media market, bringing us up to about 21st country-wide.Sprtingfield doesn't have their own pro sports franchise, unlike Boston to the north of Providence, so Springfield would have no issues going to Hartford for games, just like they always did with the Whalers. There are as many Whalers fans in Springfield as there are in Hartford....

[HartfordTycoon]

Your numbers are all off guys.

[beerbeer]

There are three and a half million folks in Connecitcut. They would have easily supported the Patriots or the Jets in Hartford.

Providence is basically a Boston suburb with many of the residents commuting to Boston for employment, they could have supported the the Patriots in a Foxboro kind of way but they would never be able to support the Jets.

It would be tough for either city to support a team in their own right. But considering that UConn draws 40,000 a game for football, Hartford might have a better chance.

[MadVlad]

If the WNBA was smart, they would have waited the year for an owner and placed the Sun in the Hartford Civic Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum (I like how the official name sounds...).

[HartfordTycoon]

If the WNBA was smart, they would have waited the year for an owner and placed the Sun in the Hartford Civic Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum (I like how the official name sounds...).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

True, but I am kinda happy for the Indians. They have a pretty good thing going on. The drive really isn't bad and the Arena, truthfully is much nicer and newer than the Civic Center. We need brand new arena, not a band aid approach. If we build it, will they come? (NHL, NBA, WNBA) I think the WNBA would make alot more money in Hartford though.

[SOCOM]

Thanks guys. I knew I wasn't crazy!

It is remarkable that UConn football averages about 38,000 fans each game, considering the football program is only 4 years into division I-A and still a mediocore team. I bet this season we'll still sell out most games, even though its a "rebuilding year".

[malikr65]

I have never been to the Mohegan Sun Casino but most of you guys say the drive isn't bad but I would still like to see the Sun play at the Civic Center or at a brand new facility in or near downtown. Playing way out there just makes them feel like they are not CT's team. And also, from watching Rentchsler (did I spell it right?) Field on TV, it kind of looks like the seats are bleacher style. Are they and if they are does that bother anybody? I personally think that they should have individual seats but that would probably have skyrocketed the price. I would love to see an arena football team in hartford. I enjoy watching it on TV when the NFL is in the offseason. Also, I think Hartford and the metro area are more than big enough to support a NBA & NHL team at the same time. We should take the Whalers back from North Carolina and convince a dead end NBA team ( LA CLIPPERS) (ATLANTA HAWKS) to come play in Hartford. But i definitely think that they would need a new arena to play in. Maybe they could build one in East Hartford. Even though I would rather have them in Downtown Hartford, where could an arena fit? I still wish that Uconn's stadium was built in Hartford rather than across the river.