Whoa!!!

[nksports]

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3755395

Fresno dead.

Has this ever happened in the ECHL before? It happened once (almost twice) in the CHL: Texarkana and almost Topeka Scarecrows (which eventually was allowed to finish out the season). It happened a couple of times in the ColHL/UHL/new IHL (Columbus Stars last one I know of).

This ain't good news!

[Hockey]

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3755395

Fresno dead.

Has this ever happened in the ECHL before? It happened once (almost twice) in the CHL: Texarkana and almost Topeka Scarecrows (which eventually was allowed to finish out the season). It happened a couple of times in the ColHL/UHL/new IHL (Columbus Stars last one I know of).

This ain't good news!

Yeah it happened before, a month ago in Augusta.

[nksports]

Yeah it happened before, a month ago in Augusta.

I'm talking about earlier history. The league was on somewhat shaky ground when it started, but before this year, I don't recall it ever happening.

[phydeaux72]

Happened a few times in the WPHL.

Abilene Aviators folded midway through their 1999-2000 season.
CenTex Stampede folded midway through their 2000-2001 season.
Waco Wizards folded midway through their 1999-2000 season.

[nksports]

From the ECHL web site:
Attendance Report
Team Yesterday Total Games Average
Stockton 0 56,380 8 7,048
Bakersfield 0 63,375 10 6,338
Florida 0 70,782 12 5,899
Gwinnett 0 80,528 15 5,369
Ontario 0 72,696 15 4,846
Reading 0 65,062 14 4,647
South Carolina 0 50,952 11 4,632
Alaska 0 64,746 14 4,625
Victoria 0 74,955 17 4,409
Charlotte 0 52,152 12 4,346
Las Vegas 0 51,602 12 4,300
Idaho 0 55,261 15 3,684
Utah 0 43,727 13 3,364
Elmira 0 46,168 14 3,298
Fresno 0 52,549 16 3,284
Dayton 0 44,171 14 3,155
Mississippi 0 56,070 19 2,951
Phoenix 0 49,581 17 2,917
Augusta 0 19,053 7 2,722
Wheeling 0 36,101 14 2,579
Trenton 0 32,899 14 2,350
Cincinnati 0 37,570 16 2,348
Johnstown 0 27,407 14 1,958
League 0 1,203,787 313 3,846

If Fresno at 3,284 and Augusta at 2,722 were in trouble, I'd say about everybody from Idaho on down are in trouble.

[Pounder]

Caveats-

It's the norm for attendance to be lower before the holidays. However, that does seem low for the league. I also know that, in Idaho's case, 3,600 announced means probably 1,800 actual, if not less... but Idaho is safe because the corporations and local businesses keep them well alive.

The Fresno owners also own the Grizzlies (AAA Baseball) and Fuego (PDL Soccer).

The Falcons moved back downtown (my girlfriend, who grew up there, keeps referring to how people there regard downtown... or more to the point, avoid it). Somehow, the baseball team overcomes that. I think Fresno was drawing 5K a game at Save Mart Center the last few years (seats 16,000, too big for the Falcons), so the dropoff coming back to a supposedly renovated Selland Arena didn't help. Judging from the readings I've made, there are no luxury suites at Selland... a real problem.

I know the Wheeling owner has sounded an alarm, I know of rumblings regarding Dayton, and I sense Mississippi isn't long for the world. Johnstown seems to be privatizing their arena in order that a buyer will take it on. Phoenix is run by Suns ownership, and probably exist to spite the Coyotes... they may stick around due to stubbornness. Cincinnati is owned by the arena operators, and while that's no guarantee of salvation, they have half a shot. Trenton is owned by the New Jersey Devils, which most people think makes them safe, but I'm not sure the NHL is in good shape right now. I think Las Vegas has problems. Victoria is keeping an eye on WHL openings and AHL rumors. I believe Charlotte plays in a building too big for them.

[SignGuyDino]

Charlotte may indeed play in a building too big. They need to go back to Cricket Arena since apparently Arena Racing USA may be out there.

[HockeyRulez]

From the ECHL web site:
Attendance Report
Team Yesterday Total Games Average
Stockton 0 56,380 8 7,048
Bakersfield 0 63,375 10 6,338
Florida 0 70,782 12 5,899
Gwinnett 0 80,528 15 5,369
Ontario 0 72,696 15 4,846
Reading 0 65,062 14 4,647
South Carolina 0 50,952 11 4,632
Alaska 0 64,746 14 4,625
Victoria 0 74,955 17 4,409
Charlotte 0 52,152 12 4,346
Las Vegas 0 51,602 12 4,300
Idaho 0 55,261 15 3,684
Utah 0 43,727 13 3,364
Elmira 0 46,168 14 3,298
Fresno 0 52,549 16 3,284
Dayton 0 44,171 14 3,155
Mississippi 0 56,070 19 2,951
Phoenix 0 49,581 17 2,917
Augusta 0 19,053 7 2,722
Wheeling 0 36,101 14 2,579
Trenton 0 32,899 14 2,350
Cincinnati 0 37,570 16 2,348
Johnstown 0 27,407 14 1,958
League 0 1,203,787 313 3,846

If Fresno at 3,284 and Augusta at 2,722 were in trouble, I'd say about everybody from Idaho on down are in trouble.

I don't know the size of league arenas and I know this is old, but Elmira only sits 4,000(I think the smallest in the league)Since joining the league in 07-08 they have Tied or led the league in sellouts(including this season with...12)