Utah Grizzlies (hockey) news

SoccerPrime · 05-20-2005, 05:45 AM

For those that follow hockey in Utah, the Grizzlies left the AHL this week. But they are trying to play in another league, possibly the ECHL or CHL. If AHL is the equivalent of the USL First Div (A-League) in hockey, then ECHL or CHL would be considered USL Second Div (PSL).

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_2746808

I am also interested in this because the former AHL affliation the Grizzlies had with the NHL Phoenix Coyotes may come to Florida (where I am). So obviously I have been following this story with interest.

Enjoy!

DadOf8 · 05-20-2005, 08:13 AM

I haven't been to a Grizzlies game since they moved to the E-Center and I live about 2 miles away from the E-Center. I think the Grizzlies need our support too. Can you imagine if they were to have the same size crowds that RSL gets? That would be spectacular. It's kind of sad that they're going down a step, but I think in the long-run it makes good business sense.

BroncsBomber · 05-20-2005, 10:58 AM

That's interesting. I wonder how that is going to affect The Idaho Steelheads. The pecking order used to be The phoenix Coyotes would send down a player to the Gizzlies and then that would bump a player to the Steelheads. If they are on the same level and the Yotes move to Florida I guess that player pipeline is going to suffer. But, what does it matter. Hockey is slowly becoming extinct...

SoccerPrime · 05-20-2005, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncsBomber

But, what does it matter. Hockey is slowly becoming extinct...

Don't say such nasty things! 😲

BroncsBomber · 05-20-2005, 11:27 AM

I envision when the talking sports heads of the future talk about the big 3 in sports, they will be talking Pointy ball, basketball and soccer.

Hockey had it's chance to carve out a nitch but their ratings rank with celebrity bowling. They got greedy and now they are in hiatus without anybody even noticing.

The average age of a baseball fan is the same age as those collecting social security. They are not gathering younger fans and they are losing the fans of my age group at a rapid pace. I'm in my mid-30's and my sports geek friends average watching only an inning a year at best.

About 50 years ago the top 3 sports were Baseball, horse racing and boxing. The sports landscape has changed and I think it will change some more.

Rover · 05-20-2005, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncsBomber

Hockey had it's chance to carve out a nitch but their ratings rank with celebrity bowling. They got greedy and now they are in hiatus without anybody even noticing.

That says it all. I do follow hockey and I've missed the game but not enough to get all that upset about it. Soccer's my top sport, so not having hockey isn't a big deal.

Of course, they'd priced me right out of being able to attend games in person several years ago. For years to come, the NHL will be a study in what not to do when running a professional sports league.

the Bardguy · 05-20-2005, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rover

Of course, they'd priced me right out of being able to attend games in person several years ago. For years to come, the NHL will be a study in what not to do when running a professional sports league.

I've been thinking about this recently as it seems like RSL soccer is riding a crest of popularity here in Utah. I would love to continue to pay $18 a ticket to attend such a fun opportunity, but I'm pretty sure that they're going to go up sooner or later. So how high does the cost of tickets have to be to price you out of soccer?

Stucki · 05-20-2005, 11:44 AM

That is another of the major advantages of season tickets and Loyalists membership. Tickets are quite a bit less per game.

the Bardguy · 05-20-2005, 11:45 AM

Are they that much less? I thought that being a loyalist gave you a $15 discount on season tickets.

Rover · 05-20-2005, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Bardguy

I've been thinking about this recently as it seems like RSL soccer is riding a crest of popularity here in Utah. I would love to continue to pay $18 a ticket to attend such a fun opportunity, but I'm pretty sure that they're going to go up sooner or later. So how high does the cost of tickets have to be to price you out of soccer?

I can't speak for anyone else, but I have a family of five so I start to balk when the price goes over $30 a ticket. That's at the upper end for most MLS teams, but wouldn't get me a bench in the parking lot in any of the NHL cities I've live in.

MLS would be smart to keep ticket prices close to where they are now for the forseeable future. We've still got a lot of work to do in developing a consistent fan base. All the signs are good so far for RSL, but we're only four home games in and sustainment is the name of the game.

When we get a stadium, expect some ticket price increases. But it's likely they'll build some luxury boxes or club sections, so you'll see a wider range of ticket prices. If you want to fill the stadium, you have to keep GA at a reasonable level.