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"Icemen" Threatening to Leave E-ville if NO City Financial Support
- Thread starter BankShot
- Start date
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southernindianaballer
The Starter Level
Yup - being from southern Indiana I have seen a few reports on this... The mayor just stated that it has become obvious that ice hockey is now an important part of this region's culture - we will find another team or work a deal with the Icemen if they listen.
Basically, much money is being made now. They sell out the stadium once a year around New Year's and have a big celebration... I think the attendance is around 4,500 average so far this year but it will move above 5000 after the sell out crowd is factored in. Money is made on food and drinks (which is actually pretty eatable and drinkable) and the tickets are not cheap.
Both parties don't want to leave money on the table and are crying "poor" to get more. The fact that Evansville is not walking away from hockey says a lot. They basically said, if you don't like it leave - we can find someone else who will love this deal. They are a losing team with good attendance.
BankShot
The Kleuh Level
I read the Courier frequently...what's the deal with this 1,000 comp tickets/game and it's relationship to the vendor profits? How's E-ville to pay off the 'friggin bonds?
Does ISU do this? The empty seats don't show it...
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southernindianaballer
The Starter Level
Good point... A assume that's exactly why Evansville said "See ya later, we can find another team who will love this deal, this stadium, and this region's support." Both entities needs to get a share of the profits... both are assuming risk... I don't know much more than I read... But this region has really, I mean, really, embraced ice hockey. They love it.
BankShot
The Kleuh Level
Ya, I'm kinda surprised about this level of support, much of which is probably aligned w/ "new blood" corporate transfers. Bristol Myers (formerly Mead Johnson) used to transfer frequently from the NE area. I've got two nieces employed @ nationwide SpringLeaf Financial, which is based in E-ville and I'm sure they get "outsiders." When Swonder Ice Rink was 1st built (mid-80's), they programmed children well, having figure skating lessons and youth ice hockey leagues. My 2 nephews from FL accompanied me on a trip to Toronto in 2002 and we stopped by a youth hockey game, standing right behind the teams & coaches. They loved the CONTACT. These "seeds" have obviously now blossomed in E-ville. I've never been inside the 2002 remodeled Arena.
http://www.skateswonder.com/
E-ville Youth Hockey:
http://eyha.us/page.php?page_id=67360#XE1XPh8csttV5IxK.97
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southernindianaballer
The Starter Level
Yea - youth hockey in Evansville is another avenue for the kiddos to be active in a team sport. I have wondered if a pro hockey team could thrive in TH if, that is IF, the Hulman Center gets renovated. It just seems to me several of the 10,000+ students on campus would enjoy the team. ISU has many students from Ice Hockey towns, such as Chicago. College students, I think, would love the major contact in hockey and maybe the TH people would like it too. You know, TH has something EVV doesn't have when it comes to hockey - 10,000+ students on campus with a stadium.
The Wabash Valley - Frozen Timber or Ice Forest, or Timberland, or Trees.... LOL
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BankShot
The Kleuh Level
Some good points about TH/ISU, but given the current fiscal crisis of TH, I seriously doubt the City's ability to procure reasonably priced bonds to be able to finance the improvements. Who knows, maybe a wealthy Muslim from Saudi Arabia (there's 500 on campus now) might throw in a few mill?