Too bad that the latest bid to secure a hockey team for Greensboro has stalled.
The coliseum sorely needs a regular tenant between concerts and other special events.
Not to be cynical, but I still question how well a new team would do here anyway, given how poorly the old Generals fared.
But hockey has had a wacky, hot-and-cold relationship with Greensboro.
The old Monarchs set attendance records. Yet, when they moved up to the American Hockey League, they lost their chemistry with fans.
Sports Illustrated poked fun at all the empty seats at Carolina Hurricanes games during their stopover here.
Seems we can't live without pro hockey here. But we can't live with it either.
It also seems that Greensboro is in general -- no pun intended -- a lousy sports town.
Comments (2)
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The weird thing about the Canes is that they usually rank in the bottom 10 in the league in attendance, but the fans who do show up are diehards. I know lots of people from Greensboro and the Triangle who'll make the day trip to Charlotte to see the Bobcats play (and not all of them are UNC alums), but it seems that if you're going to a Canes game, you know your hockey and you know the team. All that stuff about a "dedicated fanbase" you hear from around Raleigh really is true, even if the team hasn't captured the average sports fan's attention.
Posted on January 21, 2007 9:19 AM
Greensboro is alot larger city than many that have minor league hockey, but that turns into a negative to the extent that people have so many entertainment options. The Grasshoppers have proven you can compete in this market with a very professional marketing approach aided by a great facility. The Coliseum is the great facility, so what you'd need would solid ownership with a good business plan.
Looking at attendance figures you're going to need to draw 4,000 a night just to stay afloat and the marketing plan would have to be to hit 5,500 to gain long-term stability. The old saying, in for a dime in for a dollar applies, you want to stay away from the ECHL which is just a bad product.
Hockey wasn't doing that bad when the Monarchs were here. The Hurricanes coming just threw everything off the rails and it's never recovered. It can be done, but it will take deep pockets and good marketing. Get the right ownership and you can get 5,000+. Do it half way and it will be broke in a year.
Meantime, why doesn't the Coliseum work with A&T and UNC-G to put more college basketball in?
Posted on January 21, 2007 6:04 PM