How would you rank the Seattle area (3 county Metro) as a hockey area? (Tacoma: tenants, university)

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

87112, I totally agree, just doesn't seem feasible here. I think the Sounders have taken up that "I'm going to check out the cool new sport" banner. The fact that they have delivered an exciting successful product means that those fans (like me) are hooked.

Yes, in part because so many immigrants to the area are coming from countries where soccer is the king of all sports. You will also notice a lot of cricket playing at Marymoor Park in Redmond, again because of immigrants, in that case from India.

[mketwk]

Just out of curiousity, are there any good mens leagues in the area? I grew up in WI playing hockey and have been interviewing for a job in Seattle for after graduation. If I end up out there I would love to keep playing if possible.

[homesinseattle]

Mketwk. Big hockey league culture in Everett, 25 miles north of Seattle. http://xfinityarenaeverett.com/IceRi...ey.ashx?p=1132

[CrazyDonkey]

I think that the NHL could be feasible here, if sited in a shared basketball/hockey arena with good transportation links. Hockey fans and soccer fans aren't the same people. The demise of hockey here was as much a matter of the Sonics owner, Barry Ackerley, locking the NHL out by ensuring that the renovated KeyArena was a basketball-only facility by limiting capacity short of NHL requirements, and relying on luxury box revenue to make up the difference. Ironically, it was that action that led to losses that precipitated the Sonics leaving town.

[mhays25]

The core fans might be largely different people, but teams depend on non-core fans.

The people of this region have a limited amount of money for entertainment and to some extent it simply gets divided among whatever options exist. Another team might mean more of that money goes to tickets overall, but it's still dividing the same money. (Except the net effect of bringing more money from out of town vs. what would have happened otherwise, but that should be a fairly low number)

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by mhays25

The core fans might be largely different people, but teams depend on non-core fans.

The people of this region have a limited amount of money for entertainment and to some extent it simply gets divided among whatever options exist. Another team might mean more of that money goes to tickets overall, but it's still dividing the same money. (Except the net effect of bringing more money from out of town vs. what would have happened otherwise, but that should be a fairly low number)

You're not taking population growth and/or income growth into account. Both have been significant since the Sonics left town.

When Seattle's professional sports teams have fallen into the red, it has been due to 1) uncompetitive teams and/or 2) inadequate facilities. A state of the art arena requires more than one primary tenant.

[mhays25]

None of that differs from the post you just quoted. Maybe you meant to quote something else?

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by mhays25

None of that differs from the post you just quoted. Maybe you meant to quote something else?

You stated, "The people of this region have a limited amount of money for entertainment and to some extent it simply gets divided among whatever options exist".

I was merely commenting that population and income growth within the region, both of which have been significant, could potentially allow support of both an NBA and NHL franchise, especially if sharing a state-of-the-art venue with good transportation links. That does differ from what you posted, or I wouldn't have posted it.

Population and income are dynamic, not static, factors. The flexibility and quality of the venue can expand the numbers and types of fans drawn to it. Ultimately it comes down to the ability of the "experience" being offered to incentivize the expenditure of the time and money required.

[mhays25]

If you think that differs from what I said, study logic and English.

Of COURSE population growth and economic growth could impact the equation.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by mhays25

If you think that differs from what I said, study logic and English.

Of COURSE population growth and economic growth could impact the equation.

Except, you never said it.