Florida Panthers "sale" simply a back door to BankAtlantic Center?
by Donny Rivette on Apr 28, 2009 6:20 PM EDT
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A bit more on this developing story from South Florida Business Journal, regarding the potential merger of Panthers parent Sunrise Sports & Entertainment with Sports Properties Acquisition Corp:
The Panthers have struggled in the South Florida sports market, failing to reach the postseason since 2000 and last winning a playoff game in 1997. Attendance ranked 24th out of 30 NHL teams in this past regular season, at 15,622 per game, far below the league average of 17,460, despite a 1.2 percent increase from 2007-08.
However, SSE books more than 200 events a year for the arena, including Panthers games, and Pollstar, a music industry publication, last year named the venue one of its top eight as part of its Arena of the Year award.
If I read this correctly, I'm translating it to mean the hockey team's on the rise yet remains a goat, but the building is a cash cow, hence interest in the entire operation.
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That's Tampa under Palace Sports
This is not the first time I’ve heard of a Sports Entertainment company taking interest in a team for the Venue before the team itself. Palace Sports and Entertainment tried buying the Lightning in 1998 and then successfully did so in 1999 with the eyes on Tampa’s downtown arena first and foremost. In the eyes of Palace Sports CEO Tom Wilson, it was a ton of untapped potential (the building) with thanks to former Lightning ownership Kouski Green (I mispelled that) deeming the building done simply by the time it was supposed to be done.
Anyway, the point is that the arena being a cash cow might not be a bad thing as long as the company focuses on making all of it’s events a success — including the Panthers. And I don’t mean by having give-away nights to lure more fans. I mean by successfully building the franchise into a draw by way of contention.
The Raw Charge -- the Tampa Bay Lightning weblog at SB Nation.
All about it, JPF.
As for the giveaways, winning will nip that.
by Donny Rivette on May 2, 2009 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions
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| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
55 | 27 | 17 | 11 | 65 |
|
Washington
|
56 | 28 | 23 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
57 | 26 | 25 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
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55 | 24 | 25 | 6 | 54 |
|
Carolina
|
57 | 21 | 25 | 11 | 53 |
(updated 2.13.2012 at 10:29 PM EST)
Eastern Standings
| GP | W-L-OT | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
New York Rangers
|
54 | 36-13-5 | 77 |
|
Boston Bruins
|
53 | 34-17-2 | 70 |
|
Florida Panthers
|
55 | 27-17-11 | 65 |
|
Philadelphia Flyers
|
56 | 31-18-7 | 69 |
|
Pittsburgh Penguins
|
56 | 32-19-5 | 69 |
|
New Jersey Devils
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55 | 31-20-4 | 66 |
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Ottawa Senators
|
58 | 28-22-8 | 64 |
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Toronto Maple Leafs
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56 | 28-22-6 | 62 |
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Washington Capitals
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55 | 28-22-5 | 61 |
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Winnipeg Jets
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57 | 26-25-6 | 58 |
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Montreal Canadiens
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Tampa Bay Lightning
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New York Islanders
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Buffalo Sabres
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