How long can the Trenton Devils last?

[zuma jay]

The T-Devils are near the bottom of the ECHL attendance rankings. I can't imagine that Lou Lamarillo of the parent NJ Devils will continue to prop up the once proud Trenton hockey franchise...

Might as well play the games more cheaply in downtown Newark at the NJ Devils owned Pru Center ... if only 2,500 fans per game are going to show up.

[Hockey]

The Devils clearly do not care if they have to subsidize teams, both the L-Devils and T-Devils have very few fans in attendance.

[SeaToby]

A minor league team can survive as long as their is corporate support, buying the advertising remains the same. Its when the fans and the corporate support dive is when clubs fold.

I keep hearing the ticket prices are too high, yet when a club does reduce the prices attendance does not increase. I think its a matter and shape of the local economy, fan support, and corporate support that makes a difference whether a club survives or bellies up.

The simple truth is the prices are not high, minor league prices are much lower than major league prices. Just about every minor league venue highest lower bowl prices are cheaper than any major league lower bowl prices, and in many cases cheaper than the best upper bowl seat prices. Frankly, either the fans don't care, or are indifferent.


And if an owner, or a group of owners have lost a significant amount of money, they are better off with our tax laws to fold the club than sale the club for very little if any profit.

[SeaToby]

The Devils clearly do not care if they have to subsidize teams, both the L-Devils and T-Devils have very few fans in attendance.

The major league teams have to pay for player development, no one else will. As long as this remains, many minor league teams survive which should fold. Despite the losses of player development, its cheaper to grow talented players than buy them.

[nefan14]

The L-Devils are going to be gone after next season when there contract is up, they only average "1500" attendance, they had a 9 dollar ticket this past week i think it was and they had like 4500 they need to do it more often, if they want to survive, umass lowell gets more people with then the devils, they don't do many promo's advertising is not good. The only reason i go is to watch hockey.

[Jackals0074]

I would not put to much stock into attendence. If team A averages 4500 a night and team B averages 1500 a night and team B plays in a city with four times the corporate sponsorship support team B will have a better shot of sticking around then team A.

[nksports]

I would not put to much stock into attendence. If team A averages 4500 a night and team B averages 1500 a night and team B plays in a city with four times the corporate sponsorship support team B will have a better shot of sticking around then team A.

The only problem is, corporate support dries up quickly if attendance is just 1,500. They aren't paying money out of the goodness of their hearts, they are paying for eyeballs to see whatever it is their product is.

[HockeyRulez]

The T-Devils are near the bottom of the ECHL attendance rankings. I can't imagine that Lou Lamarillo of the parent NJ Devils will continue to prop up the once proud Trenton hockey franchise...

Might as well play the games more cheaply in downtown Newark at the NJ Devils owned Pru Center ... if only 2,500 fans per game are going to show up.

They had nobody really at last yrs Playoff Series vs us. The only time they drew a decent crowd was Game 2 when Elmiras booster club showed up.

[HockeyRulez]

The problem believe it or not is Affiliation. It's Flyers country, they USED to be affiliated with the Flyers.