Leopold Wants Local Investors for 40% of team

[fromthetop2]

Craig Leopold wants to get local ownership into the mix (up to 40% stake).

 

He believes that will be the only way the corporate community will support the team through ticket sales.

 

I am getting a little tired of the constant talk of Nashville not stepping up. The local fans are doing their part. Why not talk about the corporate sponsors who ARE stepping up. I've been to my fair share of games, and the crowds have been pretty decent for the most part.

 

To me, part of the larger problem is that the national media (TV and ESPN) virtually ignore the sport, and when they publicize it, it is the same 'ol same 'ol (Boston, New York, Philly, NJ, maybe Red Wings or Blackhawks). Outside of the Wings, all of those teams stink. Never stories about Western teams, or Nashville who now leads the league in points. Without the national buzz, their can't be local buzz.

 

No buzz is created, so how can the local fans/companies compensate enough to overcome it? It would be like them ignoring the NFL (no TV, no ESPN, only showing highlights of East Coast teams). Do you think it would be conceivable the other markets would eventually sag and show disinterest?

[Solomon]

Did I hear correctly today that ESPN is going to get back into the hockey business? I thought I heard that in passing on radio today, but I may have just dreamed it.

[muffin]

They need the help of investors.

[dandy82]

QUOTE(fromthetop2 @ Jan 19 2007 - 04:04 PM) 826338011[/snapback]

Craig Leopold wants to get local ownership into the mix (up to 40% stake).

 

He believes that will be the only way the corporate community will support the team through ticket sales.

 

I am getting a little tired of the constant talk of Nashville not stepping up. The local fans are doing their part. Why not talk about the corporate sponsors who ARE stepping up. I've been to my fair share of games, and the crowds have been pretty decent for the most part.

 

To me, part of the larger problem is that the national media (TV and ESPN) virtually ignore the sport, and when they publicize it, it is the same 'ol same 'ol (Boston, New York, Philly, NJ, maybe Red Wings or Blackhawks). Outside of the Wings, all of those teams stink. Never stories about Western teams, or Nashville who now leads the league in points. Without the national buzz, their can't be local buzz.

 

No buzz is created, so how can the local fans/companies compensate enough to overcome it? It would be like them ignoring the NFL (no TV, no ESPN, only showing highlights of East Coast teams). Do you think it would be conceivable the other markets would eventually sag and show disinterest?

 

 

 

 

I'm a season ticket holder and I believe enough individual season tickets are sold.... It is the corporate ticket that lags.... Corporate sales were good early in the Preds career to get them here, but now the corporate participation has left....

 

The small market teams need for thr NHL to get the game back on ESPN and off of Versus for the exposure, but I do not forgive the local companies who gave support and then abondoned the Predators organization.... There are plenty of companies in middle tennessee who could use the preds in their advertising, promotion and business associates.

[Lions4ever]

QUOTE(fromthetop2 @ Jan 19 2007 - 04:04 PM) 826338011[/snapback]

 

To me, part of the larger problem is that the national media (TV and ESPN) virtually ignore the sport, and when they publicize it, it is the same 'ol same 'ol (Boston, New York, Philly, NJ, maybe Red Wings or Blackhawks). Outside of the Wings, all of those teams stink. Never stories about Western teams, or Nashville who now leads the league in points. Without the national buzz, their can't be local buzz.

 

 

 

 

The really sad thing is that Chicago and Philly (both with 13,900 or less average) have dropped attendance well below Nashville's 14,200 average but neither of those teams would ever think of moving cities. I think Leipold is hoping the attendance drops below the contract stated amount of 14,000 a game so he will have a bargaining chip for next season when he will have the option to break the contract if it remains below that amount for 2 seasons in a row. He has the best co-op agreement in the entire NHL already but still he wants more.

 

I agree until the NHL is nationally hyped attendance and corporate support will be a problem. I wonder how many Tennesseans are aware that our Nashville Predators not only lead their division and the Western Conference, but also the ENTIRE league in wins and points at this point of the season. How can we expect corporate support when our own hometown folks don't know that we are the best team in the National Hockey League right now? DO you think that ANYONE (fan or not)in Nashville didn't know who Vince Young was and how the Titans were close to making the playoffs? Just the difference a smart marketing guy like Bud Adams can make in the financial health of his team. As much as I don't care for Adams, the NHL could use some guys like him.