The IcePilots Monopoly Continues...

[Minor League Man]

When they signed that exclusivity deal way back a few years ago, they became a cancer to the Pensacola community.

When I heard they were near death, I thought I could breathe some fresh air, because the doors would have opened for other sports. But, I guess it's not meant to be.

Keep ya heads up people...hopefully the next deal will allow other guys in (The current one expires after the '07-'08 season, I hear). I don't usually wish death upon any team, but when that team prevents others from coming in, I have no choice but to support variety.

[rams80]

When they signed that exclusivity deal way back a few years ago, they became a cancer to the Pensacola community.

When I heard they were near death, I thought I could breathe some fresh air, because the doors would have opened for other sports. But, I guess it's not meant to be.

Keep ya heads up people...hopefully the next deal will allow other guys in (The current one expires after the '07-'08 season, I hear). I don't usually wish death upon any team, but when that team prevents others from coming in, I have no choice but to support variety.

Cancer?! Wow...that's strong language there bub...

Look, I know you have a campaign platform of "Chicken in every pot, gun in every holster, and a football, basketball, and hockey team in every barn" (throw in soccer and lacrosse for those burgs larger than 75,000), but has it ever occurred to you that Pensacola might be tapped out for the sports buck with just the hockey and baseball team?

The hockey team is struggling as is. (And no, I don't think its because people are taking revenge for being deprived of the Niffle, AIFA, and what have you). Perhaps Pensacola can't support more than that. Remember...both the arena and the team sign the lease, so if the arena sees no problem with cutting off a potential revenue stream, maybe we should be down with the so-called monopoly.

*goes back to griping about SMG monopoly permanently depriving home town of actual football as opposed to human pinball*

[Geoff]

MLM, I usually respect you, but the cancer comment turned me off as the Pilots are my team. I hate this exclusivity contract and I was initially good for the team. It has only haunted us the past two seasons. It's very obvious that there are people and members of the BOC that don't want the Pilots in the arena. (One local person actually posts a comment on every PNJ article dealing with the Pilots claiming Pensacola wants its Civic Center back. Funny thing is, that thing sat there for months on end, hosted a concert, and then sat there empty again for months on end.) They actually think they can do better with 3 extra concerts which the might get than they can with 36 dates of garunteed hockey. There are football leagues that want Pensacola but some of the BOC don't even wat something that only requires 8-12 dates.

[TheHulk]

MLM, I usually respect you, but the cancer comment turned me off as the Pilots are my team. I hate this exclusivity contract and I was initially good for the team. It has only haunted us the past two seasons. It's very obvious that there are people and members of the BOC that don't want the Pilots in the arena. (One local person actually posts a comment on every PNJ article dealing with the Pilots claiming Pensacola wants its Civic Center back. Funny thing is, that thing sat there for months on end, hosted a concert, and then sat there empty again for months on end.) They actually think they can do better with 3 extra concerts which the might get than they can with 36 dates of garunteed hockey. There are football leagues that want Pensacola but some of the BOC don't even wat something that only requires 8-12 dates.

It actually means more to people like me and Geoff because we are right here in the middle of it; we go to the games. MLM, how in the heck can you possibly know more about it all the way out there in Kansas? Yes, maybe Pensacola can only support hockey. The fans filled the Civic Center on Fan Appreciation Night, so the talk of fan apathy is null. Yes, the owner is a dirt bag, but the town still has hockey for next year and maybe further. I guess for Pensacola it's good to do one thing right than a number of things half-a**. It has proven to be a money maker for the county and city as well. To the tune of $250,000.00 to be exact. Exclusivity or not it's better to have them than not.
Stop the crusade my good man. You're starting to sound like ATL.

[Minor League Man]

I'm sorry.

And It looks like the new lease might not have an exclusivity deal. In that case, I applaud the team.

In which case, what Pensacola can do is cheer on their IcePilots (looks like they might need a new arena).

I hope you all can forgive me...It does look like they love their Pilots, and if it's just that, then so be it (for now, anyway)

[TheHulk]

I'm sorry.

And It looks like the new lease might not have an exclusivity deal. In that case, I applaud the team.

In which case, what Pensacola can do is cheer on their IcePilots (looks like they might need a new arena).

I hope you all can forgive me...It does look like they love their Pilots, and if it's just that, then so be it (for now, anyway)

Apology accepted. Oh, and I'm sorry I said you were from Kansas.

[TheHulk]

It looks like Long Beach is sianara.