61 replies to this topic

[kwey24]

I have a lot less regard for the "facts" and numbers presented by numerous Single-A leagues and team owners that I do in the ones minor life presents. Generally, if there is a descrepancy, it's because the Single-A league/team owner doesn't really realize what it's going to take to pull things off (thus why we've seen so many Single-A league and teams fail).

That said, I'd be thrilled if the Queen City Storm joined the FHL for 2012-13 (and made it through the season). However, a budget of $1.2 million is a solid SPHL and USHL budget. There's hopefully no need for that, at this time, for an FHL team (as long as we're talking yearly budget here). If the Queen City Storm are operating off a $1.2 million budget, then I would, like minor life, say that they'd need to average 3,000 fans per game or more to break even (the same figure I always give for most USHL teams and SPHL teams--some require a little less, some more).

At this point, the FHL needs to operate on a model that requires no more than 1,000 fans per game. Perhaps upgrade to a model that require 1,500, or 1,750 in the future, but not yet. I wouldn't want to own a second team in Cincinnati that runs off a business model that requires anything close to 3,000 per game.

If the Storm have compiled a war chest of $1.2 million somehow, that would be fantastic. That would indeed secure the Storm for at least two seasons on a normal FHL budget (and that's if they have almost nobody show up and sell no sponsorship).

In my estimation, the Storm would be very lucky to get $2,000 per 3' x 8' board ad this next season. Even if you sold all the space you had at that rate, you're only going to get about $100,000. There are ice ads, zamboni ads, scoreboard ads, banner ads, and the like, but those will only go for so much, too, and there's only so many of them (and you're selling something to companies with no attendance figures to go off of). An FHL team that can bring in $200k in sponsorships is doing extremely well, in my estimation. (Comments, minor life?)

For Danville's sake, I hope the Storm join. Hey, FHL, contact the potential Michigan owners ASAP!

[j the teacher]

From the Federal League's website...

http://thefederalhoc...-box/news_48037

Since April 1st, Commissioner Don Kirnan has been logging thousands of miles on an extensive road trip up and down the east coast meeting with rink owners and potential new members for the upcoming season. Don has visited no less than six possible venues that fits into the FHL's 3-5 year plan of transitioning from rinks to arena's. We hope to make an announcement concerning new teams and possible relocation of teams at our Annual Meeting in Philadelphia on May 20th and 21st. All teams are required to submit their 12 man protected list by May 1st which requires alot of intense thinking and planning. The expansion Draft will be held during the Annual Meeting

[Mr Ricochet]

Quote

The Expansion Draft will be held during the Annual Meeting

When is the Annual Meeting? Expansion Draft, why the need are they dispersing players from teams that folded? Is there an Entry Draft or are all players acquired through free agency?

[j the teacher]

Quote

.....announcement concerning new teams and possible relocation of teams at our Annual Meeting in Philadelphia on May 20th and 21st

See original quote above for time/location of annual meeting
I am not sure about the specifics of the expansion or entry drafts

[kwey24]

As a note, if there were teams folding, any such draft would likely be called a dispersal draft, and all existing FHL teams and expansion teams would participate in the dispersal draft. An expansion draft would allow existing FHL teams to protect X number of players they have rights to and thus leave some number of players open to being selected in the expansion draft. An expansion draft in minor pro hockey can be of little consequence, since players aren't generally on multi-year contracts and can still sign with other teams in other leagues, but it helps the new teams a little bit in that they can secure the FHL services of players not protected by existing FHL teams (you're not going to pick up superstar players in said expansion draft). Now, in a dispersal draft, you might pick up some players of note in your league (or, at least the rights to them in that league).

I mean, if Akwesasne were to fold, a team could draft Pierre Dagenais, but it'd be questionable whether he'd even report to another FHL team (as a hypothetical example for dispersal drafts).

[Cyclonesdiehard]

It has been almost six hours since the "press conference" was supposed to begin. Unless it is a very long press conference it should be over by now, and a press release should have been released. I am beginning to think this "major press conference" has not happened.

[somebeach]

Cyclonesdiehard, on 02 May 2012 - 05:55 PM, said:

It has been almost six hours since the "press conference" was supposed to begin. Unless it is a very long press conference it should be over by now, and a press release should have been released. I am beginning to think this "major press conference" has not happened.

You are right, the press conference has not happened. What I was told was that a press release was being finalized. Was hoping to have it by now, but still haven't gotten it. As soon as I get it, I will pass it along.

Edited by somebeach, 02 May 2012 - 06:12 PM.

[Fangers]

and now poe has bought the daytonaviators.com domain amongst rumors of that team moving to Dayton, joining the FML...so I'd suspect nothing will be happening in Forest Park...

[somebeach]

Fangers, on 21 May 2012 - 04:37 PM, said:

and now poe has bought the daytonaviators.com domain amongst rumors of that team moving to Dayton, joining the FML...so I'd suspect nothing will be happening in Forest Park...

I am thinking the same thing as you Fangers. Repeated attempts to contact the Storm's owner aren't returned, so I can only assume they are going in that direction. I was invited to the press conference by the owner, only to be told they were working on a press release. The only thing I was told was it wasn't the NPHL or the FHL, but that was several weeks ago. I am in the dark on this as well. I guess my attentions will return to the Queen City Steam (I was offered a job with the Storm but haven't heard anything so I would only guess that is a dead issue). I am the Public Address announcer for the Steam as well as U.C.'s hockey team. Also heard some other interesting things about the rink (don't know if it is true so I am not posting it). Don't want to post it just yet, not until I get more info.


FYI......Queen City Steam home opener is Saturday, September 15th against Toledo, if you are interested Fangers. Schedule hasn't been released yet but that date has been filled in by SportsPlus.

Edited by somebeach, 22 May 2012 - 04:28 PM.

[minor life]

LOL, sorry, but no one should have expected anything other than this. Somebeach, I know what youre hearing, and its true.

[the zone]

minor life, on 22 May 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

LOL, sorry, but no one should have expected anything other than this. Somebeach, I know what youre hearing, and its true.

Man you guys have no clue. Just keep writing all your BS. Those guys at the Zone get it and know what the customer whats.

[minor life]

Of course they know what customers want. People want arenas, hope to see it happen. People also want timely press conferences, timely press releases, and professional operations. The Storm have not exhibited any of the preceeding traits thus far.

[the zone]

minor life, on 22 May 2012 - 05:19 PM, said:

Of course they know what customers want. People want arenas, hope to see it happen. People also want timely press conferences, timely press releases, and professional operations. The Storm have not exhibited any of the preceeding traits thus far.

Minor Life

You do not get it. These guys are working day and night to open a top of the line sports complex. i do not think your concerns really matter to them.

Edited by the zone, 22 May 2012 - 05:49 PM.

[somebeach]

the zone, on 22 May 2012 - 05:10 PM, said:

minor life, on 22 May 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

LOL, sorry, but no one should have expected anything other than this. Somebeach, I know what youre hearing, and its true.

Man you guys have no clue. Just keep writing all your BS. Those guys at the Zone get it and know what the customer whats.

My post was because I hadn't heard any news from the owner in quite a while. Shortly after this post he contacted me and we had quite a long conversation clearing up a lot of things. I have known him for a few years and my son worked for him when he owned SportsPlus. I worked voluntarily when the Storm were first here and I plan on working for the team again.

[minor life]

Zone, no one doubts the arena will be a good one at all. You misunderstand. The announcement of a major press conference and then nothing. The announcement of a press release and then nothing. This is being generated by The Storm and not the arena. Those type of major mistakes are what will doom any team operated by the person making these major mistakes. You dont announce and announcement and then fail to announce something, its the first mistake and not how you build a team in this business. Make an announcement when you have something, not when you think you might have something.

[Fangers]

the zone, on 22 May 2012 - 05:10 PM, said:

minor life, on 22 May 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

LOL, sorry, but no one should have expected anything other than this. Somebeach, I know what youre hearing, and its true.

Man you guys have no clue. Just keep writing all your BS. Those guys at the Zone get it and know what the customer whats.

I was talkng about the hockey team (aka the big joke)...not the arena...tho wthout a major tennant it will be tough sledding...there are only so many figure skaters to take up daytime ice, only so many hockey teams needing ice...They may be able to convince one of the local youth orgs to call their place home, but the last split has left little depth in th youth hockey world here...

And all you do is tell us we're clueless, but haven't provided anything but poorly written posts that provide nothing to back up what you say...

[the zone]

Fangers, on 22 May 2012 - 08:18 PM, said:

the zone, on 22 May 2012 - 05:10 PM, said:

minor life, on 22 May 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

LOL, sorry, but no one should have expected anything other than this. Somebeach, I know what youre hearing, and its true.

Man you guys have no clue. Just keep writing all your BS. Those guys at the Zone get it and know what the customer whats.

I was talkng about the hockey team (aka the big joke)...not the arena...tho wthout a major tennant it will be tough sledding...there are only so many figure skaters to take up daytime ice, only so many hockey teams needing ice...They may be able to convince one of the local youth orgs to call their place home, but the last split has left little depth in th youth hockey world here...

And all you do is tell us we're clueless, but haven't provided anything but poorly written posts that provide nothing to back up what you say...

Fangers

Let's see 98%booked out of prime time ice with 15 major turnaments 5 Showcases, Schools Ie:gym classes and two major tenates. I thinks these guys know what they are doing. This place is a sports complex not just an ice rink

[echl rocks]

the zone, on 23 May 2012 - 06:51 AM, said:

Fangers, on 22 May 2012 - 08:18 PM, said:

the zone, on 22 May 2012 - 05:10 PM, said:

minor life, on 22 May 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

LOL, sorry, but no one should have expected anything other than this. Somebeach, I know what youre hearing, and its true.

Man you guys have no clue. Just keep writing all your BS. Those guys at the Zone get it and know what the customer whats.

I was talkng about the hockey team (aka the big joke)...not the arena...tho wthout a major tennant it will be tough sledding...there are only so many figure skaters to take up daytime ice, only so many hockey teams needing ice...They may be able to convince one of the local youth orgs to call their place home, but the last split has left little depth in th youth hockey world here...

And all you do is tell us we're clueless, but haven't provided anything but poorly written posts that provide nothing to back up what you say...

Fangers

Let's see 98%booked out of prime time ice with 15 major turnaments 5 Showcases, Schools Ie:gym classes and two major tenates. I thinks these guys know what they are doing. This place is a sports complex not just an ice rink

I stopped by the Cincinnati Mall to check on the progress of "The Zone".

First, the mall is absolutely dead. Less than 10% occupied-it's a bizarre ghost town. It has now failed under 3 different major plans in the 23 years since it opened. It's an extremely odd location to pick to build a $7 million skating complex. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever.

I went into one of the few remaining stores and asked about the "arena." I was handed a copy of a "Middletown Journal" article dated 11-17-2011. It mentioned the partners (Nick Poe, Kerry Roell and Ken Roell) and said the Nantucket Promotions LLC had signed a 25 year lease for the site. It said construction would start January 4 and end no later than late summer.

A security guard directed me to the site. There were some very rough drawings of what the development would look like. That was it. No work had been done. None.

The notion that something is"98% booked out of pime time ice with 15 major tournaments, etc., etc." seems pretty far fetched to me. There is nothing going on. The site is just an abandoned mega retailer's former store (Bigg's-no relation to former Cyclone legend Don. lol). It's 7 months since the press release and 5 months since construction was supposed to begin. The "No later than late summer" completion date is an impossibility.

It seems to me that "The Zone" is a mirage.

Edited by echl rocks, 10 June 2012 - 03:18 AM.

[the zone]

echl rocks, on 10 June 2012 - 03:07 AM, said:

the zone, on 23 May 2012 - 06:51 AM, said:

Fangers, on 22 May 2012 - 08:18 PM, said:

the zone, on 22 May 2012 - 05:10 PM, said:

minor life, on 22 May 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

LOL, sorry, but no one should have expected anything other than this. Somebeach, I know what youre hearing, and its true.

Man you guys have no clue. Just keep writing all your BS. Those guys at the Zone get it and know what the customer whats.

I was talkng about the hockey team (aka the big joke)...not the arena...tho wthout a major tennant it will be tough sledding...there are only so many figure skaters to take up daytime ice, only so many hockey teams needing ice...They may be able to convince one of the local youth orgs to call their place home, but the last split has left little depth in th youth hockey world here...

And all you do is tell us we're clueless, but haven't provided anything but poorly written posts that provide nothing to back up what you say...

Fangers

Let's see 98%booked out of prime time ice with 15 major turnaments 5 Showcases, Schools Ie:gym classes and two major tenates. I thinks these guys know what they are doing. This place is a sports complex not just an ice rink

I stopped by the Cincinnati Mall to check on the progress of "The Zone".

First, the mall is absolutely dead. Less than 10% occupied-it's a bizarre ghost town. It has now failed under 3 different major plans in the 23 years since it opened. It's an extremely odd location to pick to build a $7 million skating complex. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever.

I went into one of the few remaining stores and asked about the "arena." I was handed a copy of a "Middletown Journal" article dated 11-17-2011. It mentioned the partners (Nick Poe, Kerry Roell and Ken Roell) and said the Nantucket Promotions LLC had signed a 25 year lease for the site. It said construction would start January 4 and end no later than late summer.

A security guard directed me to the site. There were some very rough drawings of what the development would look like. That was it. No work had been done. None.

The notion that something is"98% booked out of pime time ice with 15 major tournaments, etc., etc." seems pretty far fetched to me. There is nothing going on. The site is just an abandoned mega retailer's former store (Bigg's-no relation to former Cyclone legend Don. lol). It's 7 months since the press release and 5 months since construction was supposed to begin. The "No later than late summer" completion date is an impossibility.

It seems to me that "The Zone" is a mirage.

ECHL, I know they are behide do to a building issue, They have done a lot of demo work to get ready for the roof to come off and that starts to happen late next week. Yes they said July but had to change that to fall a few months ago.

[Cyclonesdiehard]

This project has epic fail written all over it.