Predators predict they'll turn profit

by James Mirtle on Feb 3, 2009 11:32 AM CST Comment 13 comments

A Predators franchise that reported $70 million in losses under Craig Leipold is on target to make money for the second straight season under new ownership, majority owner David Freeman said.

The Predators are forecasting a tiny profit of $145,000, but — considering the team's player salaries jumped by about $10 million this season — it's one of a few figures that appear to indicate the franchise is weathering current economic hardships.

— The Tennessean

Good for the new ownership group. There have been some very modest gains, up to a "paid attendance average of 13,744" — which is "a 6 percent increase over last season's average of 12,975" at this point in 2007-08 — but gains are gains.

The biggest problem this season just might be the team's performance on the ice, as it's looking unlikely the Predators will be in the playoff hunt.

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That’s great news. I’ve never had a beef with Nashville, seemed to have a descent following… but Florida and Atlanta, that’s another story.

Don't be afraid to take a few steps back, but you better keep moving forward.

by wlittle on Feb 3, 2009 11:37 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

1) Does that include revenue sharing? Does it include money from tix the owners self purchased?

by Fauxrumors on Feb 3, 2009 11:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

It will include revenue sharing, yes.

by James Mirtle on Feb 3, 2009 11:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

but i heard

that now that the owners have seen the increase, freeman and co. will no longer need to purchase the tickets

by thawardasa on Feb 3, 2009 11:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Predators Predict...

Was hoping you’d post this article. The Preds fans get little respect around the league but the new owners do a lot more to market the team than Leipold ever did and with the help of revenue sharing they’re making it work.

As an Oilers fan living in Nashville, I know it’s never going to be a hockey town like other places, but it’s better than Phoenix, Ft. Louseydale and Atlanta.

by oilerdago on Feb 3, 2009 1:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I’m all for posting good news when it’s there, but there’ve been mostly bad news stories out of Nashville for a while now.

Oilers are there at the end of the month — bet you’re excited. I may come down for that game.

by James Mirtle on Feb 3, 2009 3:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve been there for a game. Presentation’s a bit cheesy (or rather, it was two years ago), and large swaths of the rink are painted in that ghastly yellow colour, but it’s a fun time nonetheless.

by Doogie2K on Feb 3, 2009 6:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The mustard yellow is horrible...

but I love the Sommet Center. Cell Block 303, aka the loudest NHL section, starts all of the chants, and although rude (for example after every player is announced the arena yells "Sucks"), it is one of the ways to get us into the game. These are the chants if anyone wants to check them out

by thawardasa on Feb 3, 2009 6:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sincere question: does anyone still do “Fang Fingers?” There’s something about that that reminds me of nothing if not the shark chomp, and that died a swift death early on. I know back in ‘06, the scoreboard still called for it, but I don’t know if it’s been kept as part of the kitsch or if it’s been retired.

Oh, another thing: the random classic movie clips and 3D-rendered intro were awesome. Seriously.

by Doogie2K on Feb 3, 2009 11:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ha yes...

We still get the prompt for fang fingers when each power play starts, though really only the kids actually do it. Many new traditions have started though, like when the Preds win, the team gathers at the center of the ice and raise their sticks. This new local ownership was probably the best thing that happened, because the fans really get involved a lot more than before. For example, with Leipold, the only time a Preds commercial could be seen would be during, well, a Preds game. On Sunday as the Super Bowl was ending, we actually saw a Preds commercial with Taylor Swift. After we got our new jumbotron last season, the graphics at the Sommet have improved a lot. I guess its something about Nashville sports, because both the Tennessee Titans and the Nashville Predators both have those classic movie clips to pump the crowd up.

by thawardasa on Feb 3, 2009 11:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Any initiative that includes Ms. Swift should be applauded.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Feb 4, 2009 9:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, I’m all for something that gets the kids involved. Today’s kids are the diehards, tailgaters, and minipak/season-ticket holders of 20 years from now. Besides, I have season tickets for a junior hockey team here, which is a very kid-oriented venture.

I also consider it perfectly intuitive that you would advertise something in a place where it isn’t already. I’ve never seen an NHL commercial outside an NHL telecast on American TV, and that makes no sense to me.

by Doogie2K on Feb 4, 2009 10:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs