Toronto Opinion: Don't boo Bryan because "Miami" as a hockey market sucks
From Digital Journal:
"McCabe's trade out of Toronto has worked out for both teams. He's logging a ton of minutes on the Panthers' blue line and has responded well, as anticipated, to the fact that no one gives a damn about hockey down in Miami."
That last line displays the antipathy and ignorance of many in the self-proclaimed center of the hockey universe. Same old. "Feel sorry for poor Bryan...he's in a lousy hockey market."
Ridiculous and insulting.
about 1 year ago
Donny Rivette
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it is what it is
could the Leafs now be entering the realm of comparison to the ‘haters’ that I call Jet Fans? Let’s not take the high road…instead lets start basing people instead of wishing them well.
It’s all good, we know what we have to deal w/ as far as fans down here. But the over-the-border bashing is un-necessary. Last time i checked, we had won the Eastern Conference much more recently then the Leafs. When was the last time they were in the Finals….? 80’s? nah. 70s….meh beh… (im not 100% sure, but it still aint 1996)
"South Florida Sports Are My Life."
Still mad at LA from 1993.
They just can’t help but take that dig at South Florida.
The Litter Box: Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 6, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
Yes
We are obviously still angry at 1993.
I am not sure what winning the Eastern Conference in 1996 has to do with being a good hockey market. I think it’s pretty clear that The Panthers, while having some wonderfully dedicated fans, do not play in a hockey market.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jan 6, 2009 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
Traditionally speaking,
you’re correct, P. It’s a notoriously fickle market that shifts in the wind depending upon the success (or lack of it) from it’s teams, no matter the sport.
The influx of people from so many areas across North America – and elsewhere – into the Dade/Broward/Palm Beach area has injected a unique set of expectations and preferences into the area.
Not having had the advantage of generation upon generation born into a solid franchise – say, the Leafs or Canadiens, to name two – the tricounty region has been jammed with folks new to hockey. And baseball. And basketball.
The Dolphins, though successful this year based on their record, will always pace the other three, due to their 1.) being football and 2.) having existed since the sixties. The attendance problems of the Heat, Marlins, and Panthers have been covered to death; these clubs are not only fighting each other for eyes, but the area itself: outdoor activities abound.
I think the 1996 conference champions team was mentioned in the vain that if you play winning hockey, the fans will be there. In the grand scheme, I don’t know why eight playoff-less seasons aren’t taken into account more frequently when discussing the South Florida (not just Miami) market as bereft of fans who go to the games. McCabe himself made comments alluding to a “lot of empty seats” or something to that effect, but teetering at .500, with the history this club’s got, what more could be expected?
Folks want to talk empty buildings, I suggest they travel north to Atlanta. Then again, at least Thrasher fans have made their feelings known to a deaf management team. We just keep going.
The Litter Box: Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 6, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
I should have added ‘yet’ to my last comment because when you mention the lack of generations growing up with the team I completely agree with that being the underlying issue behind the struggle of hockey in places like Phoenix, Miami, Atlanta, Nashville, etc.
I would actually say that it’s incumbent on the league and the owners in those markets to follow Dallas’ example and build up the infrastructure of the game AND give them a full generation to build that fanbase.
However, a losing team isn’t really an excuse I like to see tossed around because only one team a year wins the Cup. There will always be rough times and it’s important that fans be around then too.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jan 6, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
I’m all about staying with your club during the dark days, obviously or I, nor any of the other posters would be here.
Looking at NHL attendance average per game (and I won’t get into the tickets-distributed mess, which averages out here), just in Florida’s case, the Cats lead recent Cup-winners Carolina (06) and New Jersey (03), albeit barely. Only a tick over a thousand less than Tampa Bay (04) and freaking Boston. Heck, Pittsburgh (08 Finals) and Anaheim (07) are ballpark too. All of whom have either made the playoffs within the last two years or won Cups in the past four.
And it’s just not feasible to say that the All Powerful Broons are putting only 16,627 in their seats without giveaways, while the “lowly” Panthers are giving away thousands of freebies to hit the 15,510 mark. Boston’s got complimentary tickets, too. It doesn’t work both ways.
Kind of embarrassing on their part. I think we, as a fanbase, look pretty good in comparison.
I love a spirited, healthy debate!
The Litter Box: Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 6, 2009 5:11 PM EST up reply actions
And while we're at it...
Shouldn’t the Bruins be SOLD OUT EVERY NIGHT??? They pace the freaking conference.
They’ll never be accused of apathy, I’m certain. That’s a birthright of the Original Six (with the exception of Chicago, whose every fault can be laid at the grave of Bill Wirtz, right?)
When the club loses, the peeps stay home. When the club wins, the peeps stay home. What’s that, Boston?
Interesting side note: Of the six teams I mentioned, only two have sites on SBNation. Prolly nothing, but still…
The Litter Box: Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 6, 2009 5:16 PM EST up reply actions
96 has nothing to do
with being a good/bad hockey market…south florida fans suck. We have some great, dedicated fans but overall people only care about ‘what can you do for me NOW’
But we also stay in our house..meaning you wont see us on other teams pages trying to stir up discussions about their shortcomings.
"South Florida Sports Are My Life."
You wouldn’t be stirring them up in Leafland. We’re leading the discussions on our team’s shortcomings ;)
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jan 6, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
Comments like that just show the tooldom that dominates most “hockey” markets. It’s jealousy, plain and simple, that we get to see legitmate NHL hockey all year and don’t need earmuffs to do it.
If nothing else, the Montreal crowd shows that there are plenty that will come out to a game, if/when the Panthers become playoff contenders once again.
If nothing else, the Montreal crowd shows that there are plenty that will come out to a game, if/when the Panthers become playoff contenders once again.
And that’s the problem with professional sports: Florida fans are bandwagon fans. Would you say it’s a result of the high number of transplants?
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jan 6, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
Read above for my thoughts
The Litter Box: Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 6, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
PPP
I would say it’s a factor. I am a season ticket holder and usually the fans around me change by the game. And, usually they are rooting for the opposition, because that’s where they used to live.
On the other hand, I firmly believe that when the Panthers start contending, attendance will pick up. Bandwagoning? Absolutely, but I have no problem with that after seeing so many games where we, the Panthers fans, are outnumbered or even with transplants and opposition fans.
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