Kind of sounds like posturing at this point. This team was just purchased by a new owner earlier this year. I think that the major problem with the team is that the local TV and Radio revenue is well below average and that is probably the difference. The team draws pretty well when they are competitive and with all the transplants down here they come close to sellouts when old teams from the north visit.
The arena itself is really top notch and the parking is excellent too (if you drive a Lexus you get free parking, not really sure why). And across the street is Sawgrass Mills with all its’ shopping and restaurants.
The south Florida market is tough on sports teams and owners. They are really fair weather fans down here, as anyone who tuned in a Dolphins game this year on the television could see (20,000 empty seats even when they started 3-0). The Heat are a special example as any team sells out when they are the best attraction in the world at what they do.
I think this is just the opening salvo in a potential move (the Seattle fan above is right that there is real interest there and there’s been talk of Quebec City getting their team back as well as a second team in the Toronto area, so there are options).
“The arena itself is really top notch and the parking is excellent too (if you drive a Lexus you get free parking, not really sure why). And across the street is Sawgrass Mills with all its’ shopping and restaurants.”
Yeah, but we’re talking about attracting hockey fans, not Real Housewives of whatever lame-ass county the Panthers play in.