Why no speculation about San Jose? They're averaging 3,500 empty seats a game and probably a lot more when you strip away the announced numbers based on ticket distribution.
Winnipeg sold out over 330 consecutive games and yet, the moment they take a hit at the gate, people go on the warpath. I don't refute they need an injection of fans, but their situation is nowhere near that of the Coyotes.
Winnipeg will be alright. A new arena is not going to help much because they should sell out the current arena first. GET THE COYOTES THE HELL OUT OF ARIZONA.
I’m a jets fan so I can speak to what some are the reasons are for poor attendance – the arena is very small and cramped! Seats and concourses are extremely tight and small! – the arena is down town and no one in Winnipeg wants to park or hang out down town, lots of homeless and crime – a lot of the jets fan base is leaving Winnipeg and going out west for new job opportunities the city loses 30g people per year – no fun promo nights and tone deaf responses from ownership, true North sports and entertainment handled the pandemic horribly they did not allow unvax fans tickets to games and also put up signs around the city that said quote “ miss these seats? Get VACCINATED!” I know a lot of people won’t buy tickets because of that ad – finally the Canadian dollar is horrible! The federal government the last 8 year has been printing so much money that every dollar is now worthless, food, gas,rent are all way too high so an average family can’t afford a game where tickets prices are so high and beer is 14 dollars
Arena isn't an issue whatsoever. Lots of bells and whistles. Ownership has done upgrades yearly. It's part of the district. Not the issue what so ever. The Issue is Wpg has less than 15% corp ticket sales, most teams are 50% or higher. This in a small market. Some errors were made in the 2011 roll out. Had they saved 50% for corp, there would have been a public revolt. Can't blame them for that error, but it's a fact. Now, 12yrs later with the economy, public sales are dwindling while corps aren't increasing. The Jets need to get back to 13,000 seasons to make it work as their plan. The news right now is just that. We need to get back to 13,000. The team is still a beloved entity in the area but it's expensive. Facts! Average ticket in Wpg is well more than many other NHL cities.
The walk up sales since Christmas have been much better. The ace in the hole is that our minority owner, is the 21st richest person in the world!! David Thomson. Quite possibly the richest ownership group in North American pro sports. Not saying he needs to flip the bill for the losses, but …
Due to differences between the US and Canadian dollars, doesn't the NHL have plans that prevent Canadian teams from relocating and losing money? O think they drafted up a plan after when the original Winnipeg Jets relocated to Phoenix to become the Coyotes.
I live here. I've had season tickets since May 2011 – there is no problem. The team is not moving. The owner Loves the city and has tons of concert revenue as he owns the building, he has tons of real estate property holdings in the downtown that bring in money. They have invested as much reno money into the rink as they paid to build it. AND his biz partner who is minority owner – David Thompson – is the richest man in Canada and the 21st RICHEST MAN ON EARTH. The team is not moving. The media just makes it a bigger thing since the team moved in 1996. Covid has made even the Toronto Maple Leafs not sell of for Christ sakes.
I doubt it. Attendance not great at the moment but it's not really at the problem stage. If you noticed on the graph, Anaheim and San Jose weren't much better and each of those is drawing from a much bigger pool than Winnipeg and no one seems to be worried about them.
I like the love that you are showing towards the Quebec City expansion option. There's definitely a fervent fan base there. I'd like to see the NHL board of governors show that same love to QC.
Obviously Winnipeg had great attendance for years, but now while not selling out, people aren't buying the premium seats. How would a new arena with more expensive seats fix that? Answer: it wouldn't.
In order to measure attendance they gotta use the percentage of the arena filled up. Not by how many fans have attended game. The jets have the smallest arena (up to nhl standards) so it obviously makes sense they’re last in attendance.
There are a couple of problems with your hypothesis about Quebec City being a lock for NHL expansion. First and foremost, it is expected that the expansion fee will be about 1 billion dollars (US). When you factor in the current exchange rate, that comes to 1.3 billion (CAN). There is no one in the province of Quebec who would be willing to put up that kind of cash. The people of Quebec will not support a franchise if the ownership is from outside the province. One only need look at the experience of the Montreal Canadiens under the ownership of George Gillette for proof of point. The only way NHL hockey returns to Quebec City is through relocation.
This is the mid-1990’s all over again. Same exact discussion. Plus the Jets were a playoff team in 1996 as well. I was at the very last game. I guess history really does repeat itself.
Quebec City will not get a team, with Bettman around, with Bettman hurriedly going to Winnipeg it's really odd. The Jets may be on thin ice, if Chapman cant fix things fast, I have the idea Bettman wants to relocate it to the states somewhere. Well see what happens, but you get the idea, Bettman is all ready to move them.
The Winnipeg Jets are worth $690 million right now. As the Atlanta Thrashers they would be worth around $1.2 billion. The NHL should have purchased the Thrashers and kept them in Atlanta and waited for a buyer.
Quebec is not only location in Canada for trying to get a NHL team. Hamilton and saskatoon. Even a 2nd team in Toronto as well. So yeah not surprised Canada is trying to get 10 NHL teams here.
Once again, there you go downing Portland. You're not from Portland and you seem quite biased and ignorant about our city and our arena. We have a very dedicated fan base for the Winter Hawks WHL team out here. Yes, they play at the old Vet Coliseum and yes they could tear it down and build a new arena. The Rose Quarter is not that bad of an area. The city itself could always use some work but isn't as bad as the media makes it out to be and certainly not like YOU make it out to be. Portland deserves both an MLB and NHL team and frankly I have been to the Moda Center, it needs a renovation, but its a pretty wonderful arena with not a bad seat in the house and locals love it. Its also a great concert venue. You just overlook Portland because you frankly have a biased distaste for it….. do better, Ginger
The Jets' owner is simply trying to strong-arm the city of Winnipeg into taking on the cost of building a new arena. Nothing to sneeze at. YAWN.
Salt Lake City would make a good NHL city. Hockey isn't all that popular in Utah as a participation sport, but the minor league team draws plenty of fans as a spectator sport. The city is also one of the fastest growing metro areas in the USA. The team would need a new arena, though, as the Jazz's arena isn't built for hockey and there would be tons of bad seats and the minor league arena only seats about 10,000. Portland would fail as an NHL city. There aren't enough fans in the area to support a team. There may be 2.5 million in greater Portland, but most of them would rather spend their money on fentanyl, pot, craft beer, penis shaped donuts and left-wing social and political causes than hockey tickets and merchandise. Quebec City might be too small. It's even smaller than Winnipeg, and the higher tax burden and Francophone culture wouldn't be appealing to free agents so the team would seldom be competitive.
The jets look like a true cup contender right now. They have so much depth in their line up, starting goalie is fantastic, Win the Stanley cup and you will never hear of this attendance issue again. Go Jets!
42 Comments
Why no speculation about San Jose? They're averaging 3,500 empty seats a game and probably a lot more when you strip away the announced numbers based on ticket distribution.
Winnipeg sold out over 330 consecutive games and yet, the moment they take a hit at the gate, people go on the warpath. I don't refute they need an injection of fans, but their situation is nowhere near that of the Coyotes.
The Jets just need a new arena, somewhere out of downtown. They probably have the WORST arena location in the NHL, parking is a nightmare
Winnipeg will be alright. A new arena is not going to help much because they should sell out the current arena first. GET THE COYOTES THE HELL OUT OF ARIZONA.
I’m a jets fan so I can speak to what some are the reasons are for poor attendance
– the arena is very small and cramped! Seats and concourses are extremely tight and small!
– the arena is down town and no one in Winnipeg wants to park or hang out down town, lots of homeless and crime
– a lot of the jets fan base is leaving Winnipeg and going out west for new job opportunities the city loses 30g people per year
– no fun promo nights and tone deaf responses from ownership, true North sports and entertainment handled the pandemic horribly they did not allow unvax fans tickets to games and also put up signs around the city that said quote “ miss these seats? Get VACCINATED!” I know a lot of people won’t buy tickets because of that ad
– finally the Canadian dollar is horrible! The federal government the last 8 year has been printing so much money that every dollar is now worthless, food, gas,rent are all way too high so an average family can’t afford a game where tickets prices are so high and beer is 14 dollars
Atlanta…"third time's a charm"?….should be three strikes you're out.
Winnipeg isn't selling out because of the Canadian economy. People can't afford to go to games.
Jets ain’t leaving.
Arena isn't an issue whatsoever. Lots of bells and whistles. Ownership has done upgrades yearly. It's part of the district. Not the issue what so ever. The Issue is Wpg has less than 15% corp ticket sales, most teams are 50% or higher. This in a small market. Some errors were made in the 2011 roll out. Had they saved 50% for corp, there would have been a public revolt. Can't blame them for that error, but it's a fact. Now, 12yrs later with the economy, public sales are dwindling while corps aren't increasing. The Jets need to get back to 13,000 seasons to make it work as their plan. The news right now is just that. We need to get back to 13,000. The team is still a beloved entity in the area but it's expensive. Facts! Average ticket in Wpg is well more than many other NHL cities.
The walk up sales since Christmas have been much better. The ace in the hole is that our minority owner, is the 21st richest person in the world!! David Thomson. Quite possibly the richest ownership group in North American pro sports. Not saying he needs to flip the bill for the losses, but …
Due to differences between the US and Canadian dollars, doesn't the NHL have plans that prevent Canadian teams from relocating and losing money? O think they drafted up a plan after when the original Winnipeg Jets relocated to Phoenix to become the Coyotes.
It’s because Trudeau has killed the economy and affordability. More Canadians can’t afford to spend on recreation like hockey.
Quebec City and Portland, OR will not be included in expansion.
I live here. I've had season tickets since May 2011 – there is no problem. The team is not moving. The owner Loves the city and has tons of concert revenue as he owns the building, he has tons of real estate property holdings in the downtown that bring in money. They have invested as much reno money into the rink as they paid to build it. AND his biz partner who is minority owner – David Thompson – is the richest man in Canada and the 21st RICHEST MAN ON EARTH. The team is not moving. The media just makes it a bigger thing since the team moved in 1996. Covid has made even the Toronto Maple Leafs not sell of for Christ sakes.
I doubt it. Attendance not great at the moment but it's not really at the problem stage. If you noticed on the graph, Anaheim and San Jose weren't much better and each of those is drawing from a much bigger pool than Winnipeg and no one seems to be worried about them.
I like the love that you are showing towards the Quebec City expansion option. There's definitely a fervent fan base there. I'd like to see the NHL board of governors show that same love to QC.
Obviously Winnipeg had great attendance for years, but now while not selling out, people aren't buying the premium seats. How would a new arena with more expensive seats fix that? Answer: it wouldn't.
In order to measure attendance they gotta use the percentage of the arena filled up. Not by how many fans have attended game. The jets have the smallest arena (up to nhl standards) so it obviously makes sense they’re last in attendance.
That's arena with already built for the Manitoba moose at the AHL before Winnipeg even got a hockey team back
jets going to quebec got to keep them in canada
get an nhl team in halifax we do like hockey in the maritimes
Salt lake city is a good spot for a future NHL team.
Surprised they haven’t gotten a new Arena
Kansas City could be a good NHL location.
Please Ik I’m in the minority and it makes little sense but please give me my thrashers back
I really hope the Jets stay, a relocation would be extremely unfortunate.
I'm confused. Quebec city is roughly the same size as Winnipeg. I don't see it as a viable option.
Houston?
There are a couple of problems with your hypothesis about Quebec City being a lock for NHL expansion. First and foremost, it is expected that the expansion fee will be about 1 billion dollars (US). When you factor in the current exchange rate, that comes to 1.3 billion (CAN). There is no one in the province of Quebec who would be willing to put up that kind of cash. The people of Quebec will not support a franchise if the ownership is from outside the province. One only need look at the experience of the Montreal Canadiens under the ownership of George Gillette for proof of point. The only way NHL hockey returns to Quebec City is through relocation.
This is the mid-1990’s all over again. Same exact discussion. Plus the Jets were a playoff team in 1996 as well. I was at the very last game. I guess history really does repeat itself.
Quebec City will not get a team, with Bettman around, with Bettman hurriedly going to Winnipeg it's really odd. The Jets may be on thin ice, if Chapman cant fix things fast, I have the idea Bettman wants to relocate it to the states somewhere. Well see what happens, but you get the idea, Bettman is all ready to move them.
The Winnipeg Jets are worth $690 million right now. As the Atlanta Thrashers they would be worth around $1.2 billion. The NHL should have purchased the Thrashers and kept them in Atlanta and waited for a buyer.
Cool logo…..first time I’ve seen it.
Quebec is not only location in Canada for trying to get a NHL team. Hamilton and saskatoon. Even a 2nd team in Toronto as well. So yeah not surprised Canada is trying to get 10 NHL teams here.
The Jets Arena was originally built for at the time IHL's Moose then when Jets came back the Moose moved away with a name change then came back .
The arena in Winnipeg with originally built for the American hockey league
Once again, there you go downing Portland. You're not from Portland and you seem quite biased and ignorant about our city and our arena. We have a very dedicated fan base for the Winter Hawks WHL team out here. Yes, they play at the old Vet Coliseum and yes they could tear it down and build a new arena. The Rose Quarter is not that bad of an area. The city itself could always use some work but isn't as bad as the media makes it out to be and certainly not like YOU make it out to be. Portland deserves both an MLB and NHL team and frankly I have been to the Moda Center, it needs a renovation, but its a pretty wonderful arena with not a bad seat in the house and locals love it. Its also a great concert venue. You just overlook Portland because you frankly have a biased distaste for it….. do better, Ginger
When the f*** is Houston going to get a team?! I live 45 min from downtown
The Jets' owner is simply trying to strong-arm the city of Winnipeg into taking on the cost of building a new arena. Nothing to sneeze at. YAWN.
Salt Lake City would make a good NHL city. Hockey isn't all that popular in Utah as a participation sport, but the minor league team draws plenty of fans as a spectator sport. The city is also one of the fastest growing metro areas in the USA. The team would need a new arena, though, as the Jazz's arena isn't built for hockey and there would be tons of bad seats and the minor league arena only seats about 10,000. Portland would fail as an NHL city. There aren't enough fans in the area to support a team. There may be 2.5 million in greater Portland, but most of them would rather spend their money on fentanyl, pot, craft beer, penis shaped donuts and left-wing social and political causes than hockey tickets and merchandise. Quebec City might be too small. It's even smaller than Winnipeg, and the higher tax burden and Francophone culture wouldn't be appealing to free agents so the team would seldom be competitive.
Okay….Buffalo and San Jose have 83% and 80% full capacity….wanna move their teams too?
Most likely to nhl might get 4 Canadian team and salt lake city. Because they only need 5 new teams here in the future.
The sky is falling , the sky is falling , THE SKY IS FALLING !!!!!!
The jets look like a true cup contender right now. They have so much depth in their line up, starting goalie is fantastic, Win the Stanley cup and you will never hear of this attendance issue again. Go Jets!
😂😂😂😂😂 ha as a Thrashers fan