tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post1526647033964292672..comments2024-02-29T23:31:03.341-05:00Comments on Out Of Left Field: What would happen if....sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-3659607046301644442008-12-28T17:28:00.000-05:002008-12-28T17:28:00.000-05:00That's a tough one, Keith. Basically in my mind, t...That's a tough one, Keith. Basically in my mind, the best way to sell tickets is to win on the ice; teams like Dallas have done well in non-traditional markets thanks to a strong initial roster and continued success. In a better economic climate, a few consecutive playoff spots and perhaps a series win or two would probably drastically improve conditions in Phoenix and the like. At the moment, though, I'm not even sure that winning would be enough; like it or not, the NHL is at least the third sports option in cities like Phoenix, and thus, they'll be hurt more by a recession than anyone else.<BR/><BR/>(Enjoyed the post, by the way).Andrew Bucholtzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156615450275929751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-85822030836607700582008-12-27T20:07:00.000-05:002008-12-27T20:07:00.000-05:00Here's a question for everyone.How would you reinv...Here's a question for everyone.<BR/><BR/>How would you reinvent the NHL economic model so it works as well in Phoenix as it does for other mid-level successful teams? It's not fair to expect Phoenix to be as profitable as Toronto, but how could they or other money-losing franchoses at least break even?Keith Borkowskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420431520714007941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-52832937535509971732008-12-27T16:58:00.000-05:002008-12-27T16:58:00.000-05:00I think the Spits could seriously give the Sens a ...I think the Spits could seriously give the Sens a pretty good game at this point though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-7744216235451312172008-12-27T16:34:00.000-05:002008-12-27T16:34:00.000-05:00The Nittany Lions would get shredded also, and bad...The Nittany Lions would get shredded also, and badly. As good a school as they are, Penn State are one of 119 Div. 1 schools that supplies the NFL with talent. They may may place a small handful of their players in the NFL this year - the rest will never play a down of pro football. <BR/><BR/>Can you imagine DT Shaun Cody of Detroit going buck wild on a 20 year old Penn State guard? How about up against BC Lions centre Angus Reid, generously listed at six foot?<BR/><BR/>It's funny - no one would dare suggest that the Windsor Spitfires or the Manitoba Moose could beat the Tampa Bay Lightning, but that is essentially the hockey version of what is being sold in this debate.Dennis Prousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01117649570711228161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-50155280544647693212008-12-27T15:15:00.000-05:002008-12-27T15:15:00.000-05:00NHL, like the economic bubble, needs to die so it ...NHL, like the economic bubble, needs to die so it can be reborn with viable economics. Losing money in Canada is no better than losing it in the States. There are enough FANS in all these cities to make for decent crowds for a GATE-DRIVEN league. The league will never have the other economic drivers that allow for the "big league" salaries they seem to want to pay (necessitating the "big league" ticket price increases and unrealistic luxury box and tv revenues that make it to the PROFORMAS - but never the year-ends). More teams for Canada?<BR/>Maybe a couple, but we're only 35 million, this league will always need to be based on what's viable for a Phoenix, Miami or Tampa Bay.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-970910193414022592008-12-27T15:08:00.000-05:002008-12-27T15:08:00.000-05:00Thanks Kinger,Ironically, I thought I'd take more ...Thanks Kinger,<BR/><BR/>Ironically, I thought I'd take more flack over the Bob Cole cracks than the coalition reference.<BR/><BR/>Who knew?<BR/><BR/>KBKeith Borkowskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420431520714007941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-65936302517461880992008-12-27T15:04:00.000-05:002008-12-27T15:04:00.000-05:00As an aside, Josee Legault wrote an interesting pi...As an aside, Josee Legault wrote an interesting piece, I believe for the Toronto Star, which describes other feelings I have about the crisis. <BR/><BR/>It was in the Toronto Star 2-3 days ago. I say it's worth a read for an alternative viewpoint.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for reading,<BR/><BR/>KeithKeith Borkowskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420431520714007941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-36899284453171310192008-12-27T15:03:00.000-05:002008-12-27T15:03:00.000-05:00Boy do I long for the days when this was a sports ...Boy do I long for the days when this was a sports blog.<BR/><BR/>Oh, wait...Tyler Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837449412824159700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-75194706476432515912008-12-27T15:01:00.000-05:002008-12-27T15:01:00.000-05:00I love the debate, especially with the Detroit Lio...I love the debate, especially with the Detroit Lions. I say it depends on whether Jarious Jackson or Buck Pierce can run the offence consistently, because aside from the kicking game, Detroit's Lions couldn't beat the Nittany Lions right now.<BR/><BR/>You probably don't know I was a hard core Progressive Conservative before I dropped party affiliations so I could become a reporter, and spent years before that intensely studying the Canadian parliamentary democratic process. I still consider myself a moderate right-winger.<BR/><BR/>My problem with Harper has sometimes been with his policies (more than with past leaders). My concerns about him have always been about his approach to politics, and all the Conservatives did during the crisis just proved I was right about them. I know Harper has driven Conservative-minded people away from the party because of that factor alone.<BR/><BR/>Put Charest or MacKay at the helm, and I don't think the crisis happens in the first place. The Conservatives would have a majority. Sometimes moderation is the key, not the Harris-Harper rhetoric.Keith Borkowskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420431520714007941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-25681593235649785392008-12-27T12:27:00.000-05:002008-12-27T12:27:00.000-05:00I am assuming the Detroit Lions question was asked...I am assuming the Detroit Lions question was asked in jest, because anyone who blogs here would be too smart to really believe that. Let's be clear -- the Detroit Lions would destroy the BC Lions, the Florida Gators, the Philadelphia Soul, etc. This is the NFL, and even the Detroit Lions would roll over a CFL or NCAA team in much the same way Godzilla ran over Tokyo. To pick but just one example, the interior defensive linemen of the Detroit Lions would eat the BC offensive linemen so badly that Amnesty International would be issuing a news release by halftime to denounce the cruelty.<BR/><BR/>In the spirit of the holidays, I will resist pointing out that an overwhelming majority of Canadians opposed the coalition, and blamed the opposition, rather than Stephen Harper, for the constitutional crisis. I'll also resist pointing out the irony that a group of people who tag Stephen Harper as undemocratic supported a coalition that was hatched by a group of unelected backroom boys in a series of shadowy meetings in downtown Ottawa hotel meeting rooms. <BR/><BR/>Happy Holidays from your resident crusty right winger!Dennis Prousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01117649570711228161noreply@blogger.com