Storyline: With team leadership and community support, we’ll find the next owner. And to that next team we’ll dedicate our time, money, and emotions.
I love hockey and all it embodies, both good and bad. It’s never fun to see teams depleted of revenue. I could give many examples about the so-called true enemies of the game. Yep, those pesky owners that you may or may not see at a game unless it gives them face time and feeds their egos. The same ones that buy a team, at any level, and then declare they are “Hockey People” with some grand knowledge of the sport.
Courtesy: Deadspin
Indeed, where do they get off? They think that owning a team grants them insights and omnipotent power to decide on the talents of players. They interfere when they should just own the team and let hockey people handle hockey matters.
Well, I have a different view. It goes beyond the ‘us against them’ battles. We are fans and that means, without us, no games or teams matter. Right? We know what’s best for the team, even how to run the business. We paid for tickets and bought jerseys. We bleed for the team and follow every game.
Owners? They sit up there and look at fans as money. I feel violated for being objectified by them.
So let me present insights that you can dissect as you see fit. Personal views may vary but, in the end, there’s no team without pesky owners and paying fans.
One of the teams for which I worked many years ago is closing its doors at season’s end. The ownership, different from when I was there, put the closing in perspective. The economy in Anchorage (and most of the state of Alaska) is driven by the oil industry. It will get better–but before it does–the community of fans and youth hockey players are being effected now.
That struggle isn’t new, but the stark reality is that–at some point–the well runs dry. For some teams the struggle has been going on for the past few years. I remember the current ownership as prominent business men. They’re also fans of the team and the game.
Courtesy: PennLive
Wait, did you read that properly? I will rephrase it to ease any confusion. The owners are not fans of themselves, but of the team, of the community, and everything the sport represents. I personally thank them for carrying on and providing direction that many before them worked to achieve every day. At times they did it against insurmountable odds. Those pesky owners!
I fondly remember another owner in Europe who did the best he could for others and the game. Ultimately he was pressured to make changes with which he didn’t agree, but for which his advisers had been pushing him to do. He would travel hours to games and give so much of himself–while taking the constant grind of criticism and ‘free advice’– that comes with the territory. He was not in the game for himself. He gave everything to the game and team he owned. Those pesky owners!
With much respect I hearken to another former team owner and a man with whom I stay in contact. His name is Allan Harvie. This man did everything possible to build, rebuild, and assist Richmond, Virginia, the ECHL, SPHL, and local youth hockey. He battled with others countless times–people who didn’t have the best intentions for the team or for the sport. Harvie is an incredible man, a person whom I grew to respect.
Many years ago I took the 2-hour drive to Richmond to watch hockey. I’m keenly focused on the game when I attend. What I had never seen was a crazy guy with permed-looking hair running around and keeping everyone pumped up and entertained. I had to meet this man, a person who seemed to be the pulse of the game experience. After an introduction and firm handshake he asked my name and wanted to know if I was enjoying myself. He then asked if there was anything he could do for me before introducing himself to other fans within sight.
Um, was this the owner? WOW! Those pesky owners!
Courtesy: NBA.com
When I was younger I had the pleasure of meeting and sitting at a couple games with then-owner of the Washington Capitals, Abe Pollin. He was a great man who would sit with fans and discuss any topic that came up. He gave the sense of actually caring.
This is the same guy that went many years without having successful teams. But he honed his skills like he did everything else … and he did it with class. I later worked with the Capitals when Mr. Poile was the GM and Mr. Pollin was getting older. It was clear that he was leaving the game, but he didn’t go before helping build a state of the art building that would become home to the Washington Capitals and the Washington Bullets/Wizards. Those pesky owners!
I’ve proudly worked with many teams. It truly hurts to see them not succeed. It is a rich man’s game. And while it can be profitable in the perfect storm, ego often outweighs profit and sustainability. Take Neil Smith, who has an incredible hockey mind. Smith helped build the New York Rangers Cup team and had taken ownership/management of the fledgling Johnstown Chiefs. He did all he could to save them, but the economy constrained sustainability. Instead of closing the hockey doors, he changed the front to Greenville, SC. The team and new owners are doing their best to make sure the team is sustainable. Those pesky owners!
A part of me will always be in the game–as it will be for countless others. While I have worked for pesky owners, and have been one of them, too, it’s the game and the people that make hockey my favorite addiction.
Hockey relocations (credit, Wikipedia)
The costs of owning a sports team are prohibitive. Many markets are cutting back on expenses. That’s always looked at before investigating closure or relocation. But the final blow comes when options run out.
The NHL and the AHL have their own struggles and teams move around. Toss in the Vegas Golden Knights expansion and we applaud the new owner, only to criticize the team name or the first selections of players.
Ask anyone who has followed the Toronto Maple Leafs about long-time owner, Harold Ballard. Most will say something a little harsher than, “That pesky owner!” They might be right, too. The team has survived in large part to him and to those dedicated, pesky fans.
To those of you who are losing your team, believe me when I say that you have my complete understanding and sympathy. I hope that a future pesky owner and those pesky fans will be able to sustain the next team.
With proper leadership and incredible support of the community, we can find that next pesky owner. And to that next team we’ll dedicate our time, money and emotions!
@StirlingWright
