Franchise Down: Atlanta Thrashers

[VodkaFish]

Can the Thrashers be successful in Atlanta if changes are made to the franchise?

[Humpzilla]

Atlanta has never worked, not even for the minor leagues. The NHL just figured the big market would help in the long run.....and no amount of black players on a team will change the fact that the ATL is a Football sports metro. And even with the transplants -- what hockey was back in the day is not what it is today. Hell, the Braves can't even sell out 50-60 percent of the time. Why should hockey be so lucky?

Keep it in the ECHL. That's the best you're going to get with Euros and no rivalries.

[swimmer]

Thrashers are already playing better this season due to the changes in management and of course the new players. The team has been pathetic for a long time so they will have to establish themselves as winning team to draw people in. When they did happen to get lucky and get in the playoffs one year attendance was fine.

The ownership group is a huge part of the blame, there is hardly any advertisement. They JUST got themselves an FM radio station that broadcasts the Thrashers games. I think if the Thrashers play a good season and make the playoffs, the attendance will start going up. It takes time, especially when you've established yourself as a sh*tty team for so long.

[dumby]

Originally Posted by swimmer

Thrashers are already playing better this season due to the changes in management and of course the new players. The team has been pathetic for a long time so they will have to establish themselves as winning team to draw people in. When they did happen to get lucky and get in the playoffs one year attendance was fine.

The ownership group is a huge part of the blame, there is hardly any advertisement. They JUST got themselves an FM radio station that broadcasts the Thrashers games. I think if the Thrashers play a good season and make the playoffs, the attendance will start going up. It takes time, especially when you've established yourself as a sh*tty team for so long.

Advertising my azz, Hockey fans dont need commercials to remind them they have team.

[swimmer]

Originally Posted by dumby

Advertising my azz, Hockey fans dont need commercials to remind them they have team.

Right hockey fans don't. But to draw in casual fans they do. We are talking about Atlanta, not Minnesota.

But even worse are the transplants in the city of ATL who sh*t talk the team about the attendance or whatever and only go to the game when 'their' team shows up. Sad.

[plp1676]

Come on failing twice here is enough

[Redtown]

They are doing better this year and there are still no fans in the seats. Atlanta is not a hockey market.

[Isles4life]

I think that just about every NHL market has the potential to be successful, but Atlanta is a definite exception for me. Yes, they have typically struggled since entering the league, but right now they are icing a pretty good team with a lot of exciting young talent. And the attendance is still horrendous. I don't know much about the advertising or lack thereof done by the organization, but now is the time if ever to push hard try and get some more people in the seats, and it's just not happening for whatever reason. To me, that's a sign that there just isn't sufficient support in the market to keep NHL hockey in Atlanta.

[JKidd]

Atlanta is SEC football and Atlanta Falcons territory.. that simple.

Even during their short lived playoff year, the team was giving away tickets to put people in the arena, and the regular season still seen the Thrashers near the bottom of the league for attendance (based off percentage filled).

Its not a hockey market. I can't believe all the economical advisers and statistic analysts at the NHL HQ haven't been able to see it yet.

[smashem]

The Flame is burning out.

[McDonald19]

It just doesn't seem like a hockey market.

They attendance has never been there.

Move em to Quebec.

[grits207]

I can't see hockey ever being popular in Atlanta, regardless how many black players they have on the team.

[Phila26Flyers]

They need a dogfighting night.

[Machinehead2k5]

Originally Posted by swimmer

But even worse are the transplants in the city of ATL who sh*t talk the team about the attendance or whatever and only go to the game when 'their' team shows up. Sad.

What you said is 100% true. When the Blackhawks, Wings, Penguins, Buffalo, Rangers, and a couple of other teams come to town it's sold out, but they won't come to Thrashers games b/c they suck. If you could pull 10-15% of each of those teams fans and put them in Philips Arena, the arena would be at least 75-85% full every game.

Originally Posted by Phila26Flyers

They need a dogfighting night.

Wrong sport dumbasz.

[lovehakeefights]

Why would anyone care about hockey in Atlanta?

Put hockey where they want hockey and that's it.