Recent rumblings from the hockey world have been targeting a new area. Markham, Ontario. Is a NHL team possible there? Yes. Would it be sustainable? No. The Toronto Maple Leafs are the most valuable team in the NHL according to Forbes Magazine. As much as us fans want to think otherwise, the NHL is a business. The main purpose of a business is to make money. A new NHL team in Markham would hurt the sales of tickets in Detroit, Ottawa, Buffalo, and Toronto especially. The Toronto Marlies would almost automatically have to relocate due to the impossible situation to make money. The Toronto Maple Leafs would ask for an INSANE amount for a relocation fee. Sources estimate it to be at least $60 Million (just like Winnipeg) and $20 per ticket. This circumstances make it impossible for a team to survive.
What would a new team in Markham do socially? Markham is a rapidly expanding area with a lot of new immigrants coming in each year. A team in Markham would show them a part of Canadian culture. Something we hold dearly to our hearts, hockey. Even though there are social benefits the economic worries are just too much to overlook. After all, the NHL is a business.
What do you think? Could Markham sustain a team? Comment Below!
No comments:
Post a Comment