RiverHawks Future Again in Doubt

[chilly666]

The next two months could be crucial to the Augusta RiverHawks in more ways than one.

While the Augusta RiverHawks fight for playoff contention, team owner Bob Kerzner has remained in contact with the staff of James Brown Arena about a lease extension, but has yet to commit beyond this season.

Kerzner said he recently spoke to arena general manager Monty Jones Jr. and has maintained contact regarding an extension on the team’s lease, which ends after the season. However, a new deal to extend the team’s time in Augusta hasn’t been put on the table.

“We’ll see what happens in February and March,” Kerzner said. “We’ll have to evaluate whether to proceed with the program after that. We can have an agreement drawn up like a snap. We see eye-to-eye. We just have to get more people in the building.”

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[PilotsFan]

Originally Posted by chilly666

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I dont have high hopes for Augusta, their attendence has been terrible lately. Reading posts from locals there doesnt seem to be a lot of marketing going on which we all know at the minor league level is a big thing. This owner does not have a very good reputation in the minors so according to some this is no surprise.

IF the SPHL loses Augusta I hope we at least get Bossier which has been a rumor for several months so we'll see.

[Rando]

i looked at the first three home games for the riverhawks and saw that the attendance was 4878, 3144, and 1878 but all three games were loses. in fact, they did not get a "w" until the eight game again the havoc. i think that a slow start along with poor marketing has been the downfall of the hawks. they are on pace right now to finish last in the league which definitely does not draw much enthusiasm from the local fans. even when they were at or near the top of the league the past few years they still have not drawn much fan support. i'm sure there is another city out there hungry for minor league hockey if this city doesn't step it up. augusta has some great fans, i hope for them that they don't lose this team.

rando

[Indicastein]

Augusta, GA--The Augusta RiverHawks have announced that they have entered into negotiations with Global Spectrum for a multi-year lease that would see the team play in Augusta, GA for the next two seasons. RiverHawks' Owners Bob and Diane Kerzner, President Mark Richards, and Vice-President Ken Vezina have been involved in discussions with Monty Jones Jr., General Manager of the Augusta Entertainment Complex, and both sides have agreed to the framework of the deal.

“We feel we are quite close to striking a deal that will potentially keep hockey in Augusta for at least the next two seasons,” said Richards Tuesday. “We have enjoyed a solid relationship with the Global Spectrum staff at the James Brown Arena, and feel this is the right community for the RiverHawks franchise. Both sides absolutely want to get a deal done as quickly as possible.”

In the agreement, the Kerzners will have the right to nullify the lease should the RiverHawks not reach a certain benchmark numbers. Should the Kerzners not feel that there has been enough movement towards those benchmarks for the 2013-14 season, they will have the option to step away from the lease in May 2013.

“In speaking with Mr. Jones Jr, season ticket holders, sponsors, and other members of the Southern Professional Hockey League, we feel that a team's stability is largely tied to the number of season ticket holders it has,” said Richards. “To be a viable franchise in this market we need to secure in the ballpark of 800 season ticket holders, which is a modest increase from where we are currently and is very achievable over the next handful of months. Should we not hit that number, it would be very difficult for this organization to be viable in Augusta, but we are confident that it will be reached.”

In order to reach the number, the RiverHawks organization is beginning a comprehensive season ticket sales drive, featuring many paths to help fans become season ticket holders. The team will offer Full, Half, and Partial season ticket plans, along with Flex-Date and Flex Pack offerings. The focus will be on local companies along with the large number of individual fans who have enjoyed RiverHawks hockey, but for whatever reason have not signed on to enjoy the benefits of being a season ticket holder.

“Our walk-up attendance is extremely strong compared to the rest of the SPHL, and it is a testament to the support that exists in Augusta for the RiverHawks,” said Vezina. “However, the challenge is to take these fans and make them part of the RiverHawks family of season ticket holders. That applies to individuals and to businesses. Fans can save a lot of money and enjoy some very exciting benefits by signing up for one of our season plans, and I am very confident that we will reach our goals once the benefits have been clearly communicated to those fans.”

[chilly666]

that doesn't mean anything...that doesn't mean the team still will be around especially when the quote below is in there

In the agreement, the Kerzners will have the right to nullify the lease should the RiverHawks not reach a certain benchmark numbers. Should the Kerzners not feel that there has been enough movement towards those benchmarks for the 2013-14 season, they will have the option to step away from the lease in May 2013.