NLL Insider

RockyNY · #1 10-27-2009, 09:31 AM

Former NLL Commissioner, Jim Jennings, wrote on his blog about Washington and Orlando that he think fan attendance will improved. Im not going to debate that but this is something I want to bring up

http://www.fadoo.ca/blog/display/599

According to the last statement, he mentioned that we should keep eye on future NLL expansion in Canada. Im sitting back and wondering, what expansion does he meant?

Does he see that we may see expansion in (beside Vancouver)

Montreal?
Winnpeg?
Quebec?

Does anyone else think what may be done in the future of NLL?

One major issue of this - we need to find *SOMEONE* that has deep pockets that are willing to do this. It would be nice to have NLL team in Montreal but they just lost MLB team few years ago and was never in consideration for NBA expansion when they decided to expand into Canadian market (when they add Toronto and Vancouver).

So, what do you think Jiim Jennings could possibly meant by that?

Roy

Mtn_Scott · #2 10-27-2009, 10:11 AM

He meant Vancouver, that is all, I hope. We need stable franchises, when we go two seasons without a fold, relocation, or Steve Donner takeover this league will be ready for possible expansion again.

BARKS DAWG · #3 10-27-2009, 10:14 AM

I am sure Van will be back in 2011 as they don't want to compete with the

2010 Olympics

would love to see Montreal and Winnpeg get teams

fingers are crossed

DrewDog · #4 10-27-2009, 10:31 AM

for obvious reasons, I'd love to see Ottawa have another go, but I won't hold my breath.

I don't know what the issues were with the Rebel, though after living here for a while, I find it kinda surprising they didn't do well (after they moved to the city from the boonies) since I see more lax stickers and signs up for kids lax leagues then I ever did in TO.

WingsNut423566 · #5 10-27-2009, 10:41 AM

Can we get all teams on solid footing first. Before even discussing expansion.

swami24 · #6 10-27-2009, 10:42 AM

Just a week or two ago, Quebec City announced plans to build a new arena, to be the home to a NHL team to be moved later (Coyotes?).

DrewDog · #7 10-27-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WingsNut423566

Can we get all teams on solid footing first. Before even discussing expansion.

nothing wrong with some ideal speculation, it is the silly season afterall. not to mention, its not like we can't discuss both. Not that both haven't been discussed ad nauseum.

laxhawker · #8 10-27-2009, 11:32 AM

Population and being a true hotbed of talent makes Vancouver the logical choice, But getting it into the Pacific Colliseum is a must, being a secondary tennant in a NHL arena is difficult to make money unless the NHL owners own the team.
Heres looking forward to the rebirth of an NLL team here, just don't call them the Ravens, it has some curses on that name.

Yedliw · #9 10-27-2009, 01:51 PM

Just throwing it out there.. but what about Hamilton? They have been in the news as a possiblity for getting the Coyotes before the court shot it down..

To those more familar with that area, does that seem like it could be a viable market for an NLL team?

DrewDog · #10 10-27-2009, 02:42 PM

its so close to Toronto and Buffalo it would have problems I'd think.

remember, they had a team for a year and then moved away

XcelLaX · #11 10-28-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BARKS DAWG

I am sure Van will be back in 2011 as they don't want to compete with the

2010 Olympics

would love to see Montreal and Winnpeg get teams

fingers are crossed

Indeed, if not for the Winter Olympics in February Vancouver probably could have landed the Stealth or Jax. And Winnipeg would be an ideal location logistics-wise, since they could be "paired" with Minnesota for scheduling purposes.

Another market I'm surprised no one's mentioned yet is Halifax. Didn't they host the world championship recently?

laxhawker · #12 10-28-2009, 11:08 PM

Winnipeg would probably work well almost an NHL arena and not much else to do in The Peg in winter 'cept watch the moose.

swami24 · #13 10-29-2009, 12:10 AM

Any other old timer remember the potential expansion to Nunavut?

RockyNY · #14 10-29-2009, 02:16 AM

Winnipeg - make me wonder why Jax couldnt move there at the first place.

We already know Vancouver situation but... Winnipeg - how come that was NOT under consideration when San Jose or Portlad franchise was thinking of relocating.

Roy

MILLwasbetter · #15 10-29-2009, 03:34 AM

whenever roy starts a thread i feel like im reading a cliff hanger to a comic book.

i think he meant to look for future expansion in canada, as those were his exact words. what else would he mean?

ND14 · #16 10-29-2009, 03:50 AM

Cities like Halifax and Winnipeg seem like they could work. They're cities of a decent size that don't already have a saturated sports market (Halifax especially). If an NLL team moved into Halifax, they might be the only pro sports gig in town (unless I'm mistaken). The down side is that it's significantly smaller than most other NLL cities.

thebullet · #17 10-29-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND14

Cities like Halifax and Winnipeg seem like they could work. They're cities of a decent size that don't already have a saturated sports market (Halifax especially). If an NLL team moved into Halifax, they might be the only pro sports gig in town (unless I'm mistaken). The down side is that it's significantly smaller than most other NLL cities.

There's the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL, all I know of though.

McKinley'sCurse · #18 10-30-2009, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WingsNut423566

Can we get all teams on solid footing first. Before even discussing expansion.

But I think part of the process in getting every team on solid footing relies on expansion. For example, a new team in Vancouver would help the Washington Stealth. Also, more teams generally equates to more potential media exposure which benefits everyone.

Expansion, as long as it's not done so haphazardly as in the past, should be welcome. JJ's plan for 24 teams in 5 years was too much, but what about 16 teams within the next decade? Move the 5 currently suspended franchises to mid-sized markets not already loaded with other pro sports teams. Vancouver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, and Winnipeg would all be interesting western markets. In the east, I think Cleveland, Hamilton, Ottawa, Halifax, and Montreal could work provided a carefully researched ownership group is found.

ND14 · #19 10-30-2009, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McKinley'sCurse

But I think part of the process in getting every team on solid footing relies on expansion. For example, a new team in Vancouver would help the Washington Stealth. Also, more teams generally equates to more potential media exposure which benefits everyone.

Expansion, as long as it's not done so haphazardly as in the past, should be welcome. JJ's plan for 24 teams in 5 years was too much, but what about 16 teams within the next decade? Move the 5 currently suspended franchises to mid-sized markets not already loaded with other pro sports teams. Vancouver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, and Winnipeg would all be interesting western markets. In the east, I think Cleveland, Hamilton, Ottawa, Halifax, and Montreal could work provided a carefully researched ownership group is found.

I totally agree with this. Everyone seems to think that the league needs to 'stabilize' its base before expanding, but I've never heard a convincing case that expansion actually hinders this 'stabilization.' As long as the expansion makes sense (ie the ownership is there), why not do it? The more you expand the higher the chance of establishing a new successful franchise (which becomes part of the 'stabilized base,' so to speak).

laxhawker · #20 10-30-2009, 04:48 PM

large cities closer to Canada or within with the infrastructure in place and not too many pro teams in town. Seems to be the concensusfor sustainable expansion, The jury may still be out on Orlando tho, travel time and cst may make it a tough sell both to the people there and the players who have to be back at work for monday.

Jimbo · #21 11-01-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swami24

Just a week or two ago, Quebec City announced plans to build a new arena, to be the home to a NHL team to be moved later (Coyotes?).

For poetic justice reasons, if/when the Coyotes move, it should be back to Winnipeg where they belong. As for Quebec, there are lots of "Soutern teams" available. One of the more intresting issues is the reluctance of the other Canadian teams to welcome more members to the lodge (and decrease their share of the Canadian TV $$$).

Mr. Poopyhead · #22 11-01-2009, 10:57 AM

Winnipeg has the MTS Centre. I feel that with aggressive marketing, the NLL would work there. Lax in MB is still in its' infancy stage, with Jr.A and Sr. B playing an interlocking sked.

laxwatcher · #23 11-01-2009, 01:22 PM

Just a quick update on the situation in Winnipeg. Mark Chipman is the chairman of the MTS Centre, the Manitoba Moose and True North Sports and Entertainment. The MTS Centre has been one of the most successful arenas in the world and has generated an unbelievable amount of revenue. Chipman and Kevin Donnelly are huge proponents of scheduling a ton of events-the arena is the busiest in Canada and 19th in the world. This is where an NLL team would fit in. Not as Chipman's main money maker but as a compliment to the core events: right now those being Moose hockey and the concerts.

The luxury suites are sold out and there is a huge waiting list for them-they are reasonably priced right now but the issue is the ongoing talk the NHL is going to come back, the latest team rumoured has been Atlanta with talks apparently ongoing. Luxury box revenue will be a huge source of revenue (something the Winnipeg Arena was unable to generate). However for this to happen Chipman would like to compliment the NHL with the concerts and more sports. There has been talk he would transfer the Moose to Saskatoon in exchange for a WHL franchise-would give more value to the box holders in addition to an NHL team, and would also give those fans who will be squeezed out by NHL prices. An NLL team would give Chipman even more value for increased luxury box prices. The concept of synergy would work well with the NHL, WHL and NLL in Winnipeg.

The other great news for the NLL would be that Chipman's partner at True North, David Thomson is incredibly rich. He would add instant credibility to the league should his name get attached to the it.

A team at MTS Centre would work well and could probably sell out the lower bowl (8,800) consistently.

Jazzy#21 · #24 11-01-2009, 01:46 PM

the NLL in Sudbury!!!how long will lax last in Orlando before we lose "stablization"?

Shootmaster_44 · #25 11-02-2009, 12:44 AM

I've said it before, but Saskatoon would be an ideal location for a NLL team. Being a 5 hour drive to Edmonton and a 7 hour drive to Calgary, as well as direct flights to Denver, Toronto and Minneapolis make them easy to travel to/from. With the expansion to Credit Union Centre, making it 15,000 seats, is definitely in the range for a NLL team.