Rockford on there way out?

[MichiganMayhem]

What's up everyone? I read that the Rockford Lightning maybe sold is this true? I thought that we in Muskegon would be the first ones to go cuz we only average 1,000 a night. Does anyone have any more info?

Michigan Mayhem Rock!!!
(Or at least I think so)

Let's Go Mayhem!!!
Let's Go Fury!!!

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Yeah, Rockford is toast. They haven't been able to secure any good dates at the MetroCentre for years now. None of the teams on or near Lake Michigan are on rock solid ground for that matter. Gary depends on governmental support and Michigan is now asking for this same type of financial backing.

1,000 per night might not be bad. The BIG problem is when only 250 of the 1,000 actually PAID to get in.

An excerpt from the Rockford Star:
Some business owners along State Street took the news in stride. Mary Olson, owner of downtown’s Paragon on State, 205 W. State St., said that she never liked to see businesses go under, but that Lightning games had little affect on her restaurant.

“I see fans from the IceHogs before and after the (hockey) games, but not the Lightning,” she said.

Kurt Lukan, owner of the Subway restaurant, said much the same.

“Anytime you lose a downtown business it hurts,” he said, but added that the IceHogs generated more business than the Lightning.

_____________

Hmmmmm. Maybe those busloads of Rockford fans that follow their team to Gary should have patronized the bars and restaurants of downtown Rockford more often instead of stopping at the Gary Casino boats to blow all their cash. Just a thought.

[one way]

ken- you have again proved to the entire world that you are in idiot and you again do not know what you are talking about- first you say that snap hunter is less selfish with gary than he was with rockford. that night snap scores 53 points- thats allot of points on allot of shots- sounds pretty selfish to me! Then you say rockford fans should patronize their restaurants and bars. Well, when rockford sends a bus load down to gary- that helps gary- you should be thankful for that- based on your attendance- you guys need all the help you can get. It looks like you guys are in trouble as well- if rockford and michigan leave- who are your steelheads going to play???? secondly, before you open your big mouth- check out how many weekend dates the lightning have this year and last year. ZERO. Kind of hard to go out to a bar or tuesday and wednesday night when I have to get up and go to work --- maybe you do not have to work- but families cannot do that----remember Ken- God gave you two ears and one mouth- think about it

[Tha Man]

Ok so Rockford is the first one to step to say they can't keep bleeding money. Hold on though those who think there teams are safe. The next ones to go are Michigan, Gary, and Yakima. Each one of those markets are also having problems with money.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

one way,
I've been taking multi-vitamins daily to improve on this "idiotcy thing" I have. I should be cured (or significantly smarter) by early summer...hopefully.

Until then, you might want to "re-read" my previous posts (my most recent is re-posted below). Please pay special attention to language such as, "Maybe those busloads of Rockford fans that follow their team to Gary should have patronized the bars and restaurants of downtown Rockford more often...". MORE OFTEN being the operative term.

Yeah, Rockford is toast. They haven't been able to secure any good dates at the MetroCentre for years now. None of the teams on or near Lake Michigan are on rock solid ground for that matter. Gary depends on governmental support and Michigan is now asking for this same type of financial backing.

1,000 per night might not be bad. The BIG problem is when only 250 of the 1,000 actually PAID to get in.

An excerpt from the Rockford Star:
Some business owners along State Street took the news in stride. Mary Olson, owner of downtown’s Paragon on State, 205 W. State St., said that she never liked to see businesses go under, but that Lightning games had little affect on her restaurant.

“I see fans from the IceHogs before and after the (hockey) games, but not the Lightning,” she said.

Kurt Lukan, owner of the Subway restaurant, said much the same.

“Anytime you lose a downtown business it hurts,” he said, but added that the IceHogs generated more business than the Lightning.

_____________

Hmmmmm. Maybe those busloads of Rockford fans that follow their team to Gary should have patronized the bars and restaurants of downtown Rockford more often instead of stopping at the Gary Casino boats to blow all their cash. Just a thought.

I suppose one could hit the bar and restaurant circuit BEFORE the game and not stay out too late. Just another thought.

...and yes, Snap Hunter seems less selfish this year in Gary (there goes one of those operatives again--LESS SELFISH). His defense has vastly improved too. The stats speak for themselves.

[Pounder]

Apparently, the Rockford fans at the bars and restaurants need to suck it up and drink and eat more IN THE ARENA.

The same is very likely true of Gary, Michigan, Yakama, and Idaho. At least Idaho actually has a bar with a view of the arena... inside, no less.

Rockford is kind of an average draw in this league, so please pardon me for untimely metaphors for saying that they could be the canary in the coal mine. If Rockford's hurting, I do not like the chances of the rest of this league. Perhaps Sioux Falls and Bismarck can find replacements within bus distance.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

An excerpt follows:

Keeping team in town still a possibility
Weekend dates at the MetroCentre would be a major factor for any potential buyer.

By MIKE DEDONCKER, Rockford Register Star

“The question is do we want to take it over and, in the short term, rely on considerably better dates from the arena,” Ciarrachi said. “In the long term, it might rely on moving the team to a new arena at the ballpark site.

“I would be interested in keeping the team in Rockford, but you cannot survive with the kinds of dates the team has been receiving from the arena. You can’t even put together an attractive mini-package with promotions without some weekend dates.”
_____________

Ciarrachi should forget about the short-term plan. Even if he gets considerably better dates (and I doubt he will), then you've still got the MetroCentre. An arena built during a time when Rockford hoped to attract the Bulls and the Bucks to play a few regular season games there. No thought was given to luxury skyboxes as extra revenue makers back then.

Allowing the team to "go away", then return years later in a new 4,500 seat arena at the new baseball site is the way to go.

[minorleagueguru2]

I hope they survive. I think they can. It seems as though they have solid ownership. Maybe a move would be in place instead a total break up of the team.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I hope they survive. I think they can. It seems as though they have solid ownership. Maybe a move would be in place instead a total break up of the team.

Rockford is toast. They're done. The ownership was solid at one point, but now the Timpe family is solidly behind folding the team. Let's just hope the Gary Steelheads can survive. I have a feeling Gary will be back next year, but I won't know for sure until the playoffs.

I recently read a Rockford newspaper article about why the Rockford minor league teams are all losing money. Lack of fan amenities (luxury boxes, club seating) at the MetroCentre and the old baseball park are major culprits according to the article.

Oh really? Big surprise! No team in this day and age (minor or otherwise) is going to make money without those creature comforts. However, the Rockford Lightning may return some day under new ownership whenever the MetroCentre gets a refit. That day won't be soon though.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

...I told you Rockford was a crispy critter way back during the winter. The following is an excerpt from Mike DeDancker's June 28th Rockford Register Star's article:

Lightning flickers out


Rockford Lightning head coach Chris Daleo has convinced the CBA to extend the deadline for a potential new ownership group to keep the team in the league this season from July 1 to July 16.


However, Daleo said, the group has not met to take action on buying the Lightning franchise and appears to be ready to let the team go dormant for at least one season. MetroCentre General Manager Corey Pearson said Saturday no one has contacted the arena seeking dates for basketball this fall.
....................

Coach Daleo convinced the CBA to extend the deadline? The COACH had to do this? Translation: A potential new ownership group does not exist.

Hopefully, this additional news will convince Gary to steer clear of the CBA.

[not so fast]

Well I will say this, Rockford was a great place to see a game. The Arena was great, the quality of play was great, the fans got into the games. Hopefully pro basketball will return there. I know some fans there, that were truly wonderful people, and they truly supported that franchise.