This Season

[PHXfan]

Just curious about what is going on around the league. The PHX Flame played their first game last night against the Vegas stars. They lost by 9, but had a good crowd turnout. Somewhere around 700. Play again tonight, we'll see what the fan turnout and final outcome of the game is.

700 is a good number for a debut of a new team in a big city:

What's going on elsewhere? Can we see some numbers?

[Shootmaster_44]

Is 700 enough to keep them afloat though? Troy Burns the new owner of the Saskatoon and Edmonton 2008 teams, says he needs 3-4,000 per game to break even. I mean if 700 is a good sized crowd great, but sounds like its kinda small to be able to turn a profit.

[storm]

I think the article in the paper says the owner wants 3 to 4000 a game but it's not a break even I think thats what he is hoping for as I just reserved my 4 season tickets here in edmonton as they are at 573 season tickets already reserved.

[Shootmaster_44]

I think the article in the paper says the owner wants 3 to 4000 a game but it's not a break even I think thats what he is hoping for as I just reserved my 4 season tickets here in edmonton as they are at 573 season tickets already reserved.

How much are they going for? You're right its his targeted attendance, which is vague sounding.

Here's the article for those interested:

Basketball league franchise to open in Saskatoon next March
Kevin Mitchell, The StarPhoenix
Published: Thursday, April 05, 2007

Troy Burns plans on taking professional basketball into a city still sporting scorch marks from past suitors.

The Edmonton-based businessman said Thursday that an International Basketball League franchise will tip off at Saskatoon’s Credit Union Centre next March. He reached a lease agreement with the arena Thursday, though nothing has been signed yet.

“We want the team to be there for a long, long time,” said Burns, who fronts Sports Management Group Ltd. “Looking at the league, talking to the commissioner, we knew it would work in Saskatoon.” His next task is to convince Saskatoon businesspeople and fans, both victimized repeatedly by failed sports ventures, that he’s in for the long-haul.

That won’t be easy.

Saskatoon’s last pro sports disaster was in 2003, when the Canadian Baseball League crashed in mid-season and left piles of creditors who never received their money.

Three different pro basketball teams have played in four different leagues since 1990. Two of those leagues folded in mid-season, and the last team - the Saskatchewan Hawks - died in 2002 after two dysfunctional years.

Burns, whose group also owns an IBL expansion franchise in Edmonton, plans to move into Saskatoon and take a hands-on approach.

He’s currently employed by the Northern League’s Edmonton Cracker Cats as director of corporate sponsorship and new-business development. He also recently landed franchise-ownership rights in the controversy-plagued World Hockey Association, a western junior league unsanctioned by Hockey Canada.

The IBL is entering its third season and has 26 teams, all south of the border. The low-budget league works itself around geographic clusters and guarantees that no team will have more than one air-travel trip per season.

The league hopes to have at least three Canadian franchises next season; Burns’ teams in Saskatoon and Edmonton, and another in Calgary. They’re trying to finalize a deal with that owner.

IBL commissioner Mikal Duilio was traveling Thursday and couldn’t be reached for comment.

“Looking at Saskatoon, we saw what happened in the past,” Burns said. “I want to meet with the business community and potential sponsors, show them what we’re going to do. We’re hoping we’ll be able to talk to them, and tell them how we’re different from past owners who have been there.

“Anywhere you go, you’re going to have a little bit of resistance. They’re going to be skeptical. But sports marketing is my background, and hopefully we’ll be able to win them over.” Burns enters Saskatoon’s sports marketplace at an interesting time. The Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League plans to play here starting in September, and the Northern League is looking for somebody interested in owning a local baseball franchise.

IBL teams run budgets in the $100,000 range, and Burns said players in smaller-market areas might earn salaries starting at $100 to $300 per game.

He said he hopes to sign five or six Canadian players onto his teams, including those who played university hoops in Canada.

His targeted attendance is 3,000 to 4,000 per game during 12 home contests.

The league’s average attendance through two seasons is listed at 700.

“I’m dead serious about this,” Burns said. “I want to make it work. I feel fans there have been cheated by the past leagues they’ve been in. It all comes down to the business plan.”

kmitchell@sp.canwest.com


© The StarPhoenix 2007

[storm]

The season tickets are 120.00 and 180.00 for 12 home games as all I had to do was give my name and contact details and they would contact me for me to pay for the tickets in the next month or so.

[Shootmaster_44]

That's actually very reasonable. However, I wonder if tickets might be more expensive here in Saskatoon, simply due to the costs of using Credit Union Centre as opposed to Grant MacEwen College (I believe).

[storm]

I do have there prices as a friend of mine from Saskatoon asked me when I got my season tickets as they start at 120.00, 180.00, 240.00 and courtsides are from 360.00 to 480.00 hopefully that helps you out.

[Shootmaster_44]

I do have there prices as a friend of mine from Saskatoon asked me when I got my season tickets as they start at 120.00, 180.00, 240.00 and courtsides are from 360.00 to 480.00 hopefully that helps you out.

That's not terrible. Just curious how they divide the prices. Since the Credit Union Centre is only two levels and courtside, I'm wondering how the 4 price areas work. I'd consider buying season tickets in the lower level depending how much they go for.

[Fez]

Unfortunately, I couldn't attend either Phoenix Flame game this weekend vs. Las Vegas. They got blown out in the 2nd game after keeping it close in the first game on Friday. I hope either Vegas is great, or the Flame can improve their roster. Anyone know how Ceballos did for the Flame?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/06/Iblflame.jpg

[PHXfan]

Ceballos didn't even play. He sat at the end of the bench in a sports coat and didn't seem to have much input in what was going on. Vegas didn't have anyone that I could say would do much damage outside of the IBL, but did play well toghether as a team. Looked like a YMCA pick up game to me.

The only player that stood out for the Flame was the Owner (Stephen Moss-Kelley). He was the only player that showed any sort of emotion and showed that he actually cared to be there. Played a good first game and a hell of a second game. The rest of the team kind of seemed very timid and scared. Although there was a guard that played towards the end of the game that played pretty hard.

If PHX keeps it up like this, I don't see this club lasting very long. Attendance did drop from the first night to the second.

My suggestion to PHX. Get a big man who can board and some players who care.

[hoop fan]

The only person that I saw play hard was the owner. It was their first weekend. We'll see how they do against Seattle.

[Shootmaster_44]

The only person that I saw play hard was the owner. It was their first weekend. We'll see how they do against Seattle.

That's kind of a bad omen for the team. I guess it must be hard to be the coach, if your boss the owner is also a player. Can you imagine trying to yell at him for a bonehead move, while he kindly reminds you who signs the cheques?

[acekicker]

I don't think Ceballos is in enough shape to get out there and run in an uptempo game like the IBL.
What about the one guy from LV who dropped like 5 or 6 3's in the third quarter.


Ceballos didn't even play. He sat at the end of the bench in a sports coat and didn't seem to have much input in what was going on. Vegas didn't have anyone that I could say would do much damage outside of the IBL, but did play well toghether as a team. Looked like a YMCA pick up game to me.

The only player that stood out for the Flame was the Owner (Stephen Moss-Kelley). He was the only player that showed any sort of emotion and showed that he actually cared to be there. Played a good first game and a hell of a second game. The rest of the team kind of seemed very timid and scared. Although there was a guard that played towards the end of the game that played pretty hard.

If PHX keeps it up like this, I don't see this club lasting very long. Attendance did drop from the first night to the second.

My suggestion to PHX. Get a big man who can board and some players who care.

[PHXfan]

I don't think Ceballos is in enough shape to get out there and run in an uptempo game like the IBL.
What about the one guy from LV who dropped like 5 or 6 3's in the third quarter.

I knew he was hot, but 5 or 6. Damn! Nice looking shot as well.
Any info on him? They didn't have a roster for Vegas at the game, nor can I find one posted anywhere !

[acekicker]

I knew he was hot, but 5 or 6. Damn! Nice looking shot as well.
Any info on him? They didn't have a roster for Vegas at the game, nor can I find one posted anywhere !

This is from the Phoenix Flame Website
http://www.phxflame.com/leagues/newsletter.cfm?leagueID=8332&clientID=3161&page=17534


Stars Rain Threes, Extinguish Flame 140-105
The Las Vegas Stars used a 47-point third quarter to break the game wide open en route to dousing the Phoenix Flame 140-105 Saturday night at the Arizona Veterans' Memorial Coliseum. Hollis Hale keyed the run for Las Vegas (2-0) with six three-pointers in the third quarter.

Phoenix (0-2) led by a point after the first quarter but trailed by 12 heading into halftime before the third quarter barrage sealed its fate.

DaJuan Tate led all players with 28 points while Hale added 22 in the win. Stephen Moss-Kelley paced Phoenix with 21 points, including three three-pointers, in the losing effort.

[hoop fan]

Phx looked like they gave up in the 3rd quarter. They put the subs in with the owner and they seemed to play better. The second team shared the ball a little more. Hope the play better this weekend, i can't make the games so i'll have to keep up with them through the paper.

[dmarli]

Looks like the Coliseum rent was too high. They're already moving to Grand Canyon University...

PHOENIX FLAME WILL PLAY REMAINING TEN HOME

GAMES AT GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY



The Phoenix Flame front office staff has decided that the first year professional minor league team will play its remaining ten home games for the 2007 season at Grand Canyon University – located at 3300 W. Camelback Road (35th Avenue & Camelback). The Flame opened up its inaugural season at the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum on April 6th and 7th. The move makes financial sense and will ensure the survival of the team to finish its season and return in 2008.

“Our opening weekend at the Coliseum was a good indication of what is to come here in Phoenix for our program. The fans really seemed to enjoy the product and the entertainment.” said Tony Alvarez – President Team Operations for the Flame. “The choice to move our home games to GCU will be the responsible thing for us to do for our fans, sponsors and our organization. Right now it is most important that we play in a venue that is comparable to our fan base.”

The International Basketball League (IBL) has other teams whom make the switch from playing in large arena venues to college or even high school gyms. These changes pinpoint how IBL teams are able to finish their seasons as scheduled and return year after year. The cost-effective solution will save the Flame nearly six figures in their first season of operation. And with an estimated attendance of 1,000 fans per game, playing in a 2,000 capacity gym will be sure to provide some high energy, IBL excitement.

For tickets or questions, please contact the Phoenix Flame at 602-258-0175. Tickets will also be available at the door. The schedule of games can be found at www.phxflame.com. Ticket prices are Adults $8 and Youth $4.

Perhaps they can use the money they saved to sign some better players. I went to their first game, and they're the first pro team I'd ever seen where absolutely no one knew how to box out.

C'mon Flame, let's turn things around!!!

[AConcernedCitizen]

It's always better to play in a 2,000 seat room and sell it out. Then move.

You can break even on 700, but it isn't easy. It's hard in fact. You need an organisation of volunteers and some sponsorship, but it can be done.