Fan forum 19th Dec.
- Thread starter Hynod
- Start date
WD Cool smilie PS
I'm worried about this - we really must be skating on thin ice (and I'm not talking about PI here).
With the team giving the goods on the ice, we really need to do everything we can to get the club on an even keel. Personally, I'll feel a lot better bringing fans to see that team than the team we have been seeing up to this point.
With the team giving the goods on the ice, we really need to do everything we can to get the club on an even keel. Personally, I'll feel a lot better bringing fans to see that team than the team we have been seeing up to this point.
Would love to post positive vibes, but I have to say I fear not only for the club's future but also for the future of the EIHL in its present state. Common sense tells me its almost impossible to sustain the running of a business like the Devils with the lower than normal attendances we are getting. I sincerely hope I'm wrong.
I'll second that!!
We have a strong ENL team at the moment as well and lets be fair, how many of them would turn down the chance to play at a higher level!?
I think Paul Ragan is missing a rather obvious possibility though. lower the ticket prices. People can't afford to come week in week out unless they have a season ticket when the ticket prices are £17.50. Even if they knocked £1.50 off them, it's better than the current price. We're not going to get more bums on seats unless this happens or the Devils start winning and the submarine fans come back (you know, the ones who only surface when the team is doing well and then don't want to know otherwise!)
We have a strong ENL team at the moment as well and lets be fair, how many of them would turn down the chance to play at a higher level!?
I think Paul Ragan is missing a rather obvious possibility though. lower the ticket prices. People can't afford to come week in week out unless they have a season ticket when the ticket prices are £17.50. Even if they knocked £1.50 off them, it's better than the current price. We're not going to get more bums on seats unless this happens or the Devils start winning and the submarine fans come back (you know, the ones who only surface when the team is doing well and then don't want to know otherwise!)
I believe any drop in import numbers is maybe an answer to the continuing loss but it will not win trophies.
For instance, very simply, excluding MBA enticements etc..
The Devils will budget the number of imports to their projected average attendance = 1600 * ticket price = 8 CHL / OHL / College level etc
Belfast / Nott / Sheff, 4500 (+) * ticket price = 8 AHL / ECHL / ex NHL level
If a strict wage cap is enforced and audited, depending on the cap, then it's clear that Belfast, Nott and Sheffield will make their owners a profit.
However if it is not enforced then we are back to square 1.
I haven't included Brits, clearly with more slots open for Brits it will help to develop the game but the top brits will become even more an asset at a higher price.
Summary, Enforced and Audited wage cap = stability for "2nd tier" Elite teams and profit for others
For instance, very simply, excluding MBA enticements etc..
The Devils will budget the number of imports to their projected average attendance = 1600 * ticket price = 8 CHL / OHL / College level etc
Belfast / Nott / Sheff, 4500 (+) * ticket price = 8 AHL / ECHL / ex NHL level
If a strict wage cap is enforced and audited, depending on the cap, then it's clear that Belfast, Nott and Sheffield will make their owners a profit.
However if it is not enforced then we are back to square 1.
I haven't included Brits, clearly with more slots open for Brits it will help to develop the game but the top brits will become even more an asset at a higher price.
Summary, Enforced and Audited wage cap = stability for "2nd tier" Elite teams and profit for others