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Funny you should mention World Team Tennis. The rec league version of WTT (not the pro version) is similar to today's minor league basketball (IMO).
Back in the 90's I played in a league that was supposed to morph into a WTT team or two, sort of like today's basketball free agent camps. We payed to play. Also, when it was time to get serious and compete against other towns, it became difficult to find people to travel...just like in minor league basketball. The WTT team folded before it ever got started, just like in minor league basketball. I checked-out the WTT rec league website. Northern Indiana no longer has a WTT rec league, just like...
I think a team would do better at the Sears Centre. The MetroCentre and SC has had teams of the same sport before and the SC ones drew more.(ex. Chicago Storm/Rockford Rampage, Chicago Slaughter/Rock River Raptors) I don't know how the Icehogs drew when the old Hounds played, but we will see the difference in 2011 when there is an ECHL team at the Sears Centre. You may think the Storm folded while the Rampage are still alive, but the Storm started (in a regular arena) before the Rampage and it looks like the Rampage will fold or get sold.
Now I don't think the SC will want a team because they are strongly backing the ECHL team (to be named in the next few days) and want another try at a NLL team. I have links if you want them.
Well, I must admit, after listening to former Lightning Coach Daleo on WXRX radio this afternoon, I'm starting to become a believer in that not only could this happen, but it could suceed. According to coach, things are actually moving along with this. It was interesting how he pointed out that Corey Pearson is long gone from the mEtrocentre, something tells me he was hard to work with and just not that good at his job. With SMG coming in to handle management, I'm sure a workable lease and dates could be worked out. There's no reason why the Icehogs and a D-league couldn't co-exist. There are many weekend nights the arena sits empty while the team is in Texas, Milwaukee, Peoria, etc. With the Raptors looking like they'll never come back and the MISL team for sale, I'm sure SMG will be more then willing to get another tenant in the box. Things are actually changing in downtown Rockford, and for the better for a change. The next couple years could be exciting times.
I remember when Coach Daleo also talked-up a possible return of the Rockford Lightning. I would have to see it to believe the D-League would have a chance in Rockford. I also can't see anyone wanting to alter the existing agreement with the Ice Hogs, especially after the success of their parent team (the Chicago Blackhawks). SMG is only a venue manager. The taxpayers still own the Ice Hogs.
I think a team would do better at the Sears Centre. The MetroCentre and SC has had teams of the same sport before and the SC ones drew more.(ex. Chicago Storm/Rockford Rampage, Chicago Slaughter/Rock River Raptors) I don't know how the Icehogs drew when the old Hounds played, but we will see the difference in 2011 when there is an ECHL team at the Sears Centre. You may think the Storm folded while the Rampage are still alive, but the Storm started (in a regular arena) before the Rampage and it looks like the Rampage will fold or get sold.
Now I don't think the SC will want a team because they are strongly backing the ECHL team (to be named in the next few days) and want another try at a NLL team. I have links if you want them.
These are just my thoughts.
I don't need any links, I've followed the Sears Center since day 1, and the fiasco it has become. Fact is, teams should draw more at the Sears Center since they have a population that dwarfs the rockford metro area, but they barely do if they do. I believe the hounds were lucky to pull in 1000 game and lets not forget the melted ice of opening night.
The Icehogs have been around 11 years, the Lightning were around 20 years. The Sears Centre has yet to show long term support for any tenant at this ( alot of teams have folded in a short amount of time)and would be a tough sell from that stand point.
I remember when Coach Daleo also talked-up a possible return of the Rockford Lightning. I would have to see it to believe the D-League would have a chance in Rockford. I also can't see anyone wanting to alter the existing agreement with the Ice Hogs, especially after the success of their parent team (the Chicago Blackhawks). SMG is only a venue manager. The taxpayers still own the Ice Hogs.
No one said anything about altering anything to do with the Icehogs. They have a 10 year deal with Chicago and I assume there would also be a 10 year deal with the arena. In the end it doesn't matter who owns the team, there are stil lots of nights, weekends included, open and new people with lots of experiance when it comes to making deals with tenants and bokking dates. SMG manages lot of arenas with multiple successful sports tenants.
I think a team would do better at the Sears Centre. The MetroCentre and SC has had teams of the same sport before and the SC ones drew more.(ex. Chicago Storm/Rockford Rampage, Chicago Slaughter/Rock River Raptors) I don't know how the Icehogs drew when the old Hounds played, but we will see the difference in 2011 when there is an ECHL team at the Sears Centre. You may think the Storm folded while the Rampage are still alive, but the Storm started (in a regular arena) before the Rampage and it looks like the Rampage will fold or get sold.
Now I don't think the SC will want a team because they are strongly backing the ECHL team (to be named in the next few days) and want another try at a NLL team. I have links if you want them.
These are just my thoughts.
CorA I wish Chicago well on them wanting NLL for the Sears Centre but as just a fan the follows the Buffalo Bandits NLL. I think the page has been turned with the NLL and the Sears Centre in my opinion. NLL I could see in the old Rosemont Horizen whatever Chicago calls it corporately today I think Allstate Arena because it has the size needed to host a NLL team in my opinion. In the Sears Centre just to small for the NLL and the NLL in my opinion shouldn't have gone to a arena that small to begin with.
The Buffalo Bandits NLL regular season average over 16,000 a game in 2010. I realize Buffalo is one of the exceptions to that rule in the NLL. But look at the NLL they just left Orlando with the Orlando Titans in one season. In my opinion as someone that has followed the old MILL that became the NLL for my 20th season this year in Buffalo with the Buffalo Bandits you need alot of gate. Also the NLL has sponsors and I don't see them making the same mistake twice meaning I feel the NLL in my opinion would want a different arena for a new Chicago NLL team. The potential NLL Chicago owner in my opinion will need deep pockets and a bigger building then the Sears Centre.
Because the NLL yes the players don't get paid alot but it isn't thought off like a D-League or a ECHL in my opinion. There are very few home games and you need to draw crowds 5,000 or 6,000 isn't going to cut it in my opinion. And the old Chicago Shamrox NLL were a failure at the gate at the Sears Centre in my opinion as a NLL league follower and Buffalo Bandits fan. Chicago in my opinion will get another chance in the NLL someday in my opinion because of Chicago's size and population but I don't think it will be at the Sears Centre maybe at the larger Allstate Arena. Let's Go Buffalo
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The above post is in my opinion and I have no proof or link. I am just a Buffalo sports fan.
What are you basing your comment about the Icehogs on? They are in fact a very solid franchise.
And what are you basing your Rockford Lightening comment on? The franchise was active for 20 years before folding. Had the owner not died I'm pretty sure he would of been there till the end of the CBA. Show me how minor league teams outside of baseball stick around in one location for 20 years. You won't find many at all.
It is odd that the Rampage don't do better. Rockford has top flight soccer facilities and youth programs. My guess is the league usually runs games on sunday afternoons locally. But of course, now of the previous indoor soccer teams lasted very long.
Sorry I didn't answer your question yesterday I was answering Ken and forget wasteland. I was basing my opinion on the Rockford Icehogs AHL on the problems they had with paying there PDC fee a few years back to the Chicago Blackhawks I read it was late or something and they had to have a special Rockford council meeting to come up with the money or something which they did.
My memory is foggy because I follow so much and read so much sports stuff it is memory overload sometimes maybe someone else knows what I think I read some where. Ken you know that area better then me? I am from Buffalo sorry for anything I miss posted about and again I am not someone that will hold any cities sports dreams back. Best of luck to Rockford in whatever sports teams they acquire. Let's Go Buffalo
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The above post is in my opinion and I have no proof or link. I am just a Buffalo sports fan.
CorA I wish Chicago well on them wanting NLL for the Sears Centre but as just a fan the follows the Buffalo Bandits NLL. I think the page has been turned with the NLL and the Sears Centre in my opinion. NLL I could see in the old Rosemont Horizen whatever Chicago calls it corporately today I think Allstate Arena because it has the size needed to host a NLL team in my opinion. In the Sears Centre just to small for the NLL and the NLL in my opinion shouldn't have gone to a arena that small to begin with.
The Buffalo Bandits NLL regular season average over 16,000 a game in 2010. I realize Buffalo is one of the exceptions to that rule in the NLL. But look at the NLL they just left Orlando with the Orlando Titans in one season. In my opinion as someone that has followed the old MILL that became the NLL for my 20th season this year in Buffalo with the Buffalo Bandits you need alot of gate. Also the NLL has sponsors and I don't see them making the same mistake twice meaning I feel the NLL in my opinion would want a different arena for a new Chicago NLL team. The potential NLL Chicago owner in my opinion will need deep pockets and a bigger building then the Sears Centre.
Because the NLL yes the players don't get paid alot but it isn't thought off like a D-League or a ECHL in my opinion. There are very few home games and you need to draw crowds 5,000 or 6,000 isn't going to cut it in my opinion. And the old Chicago Shamrox NLL were a failure at the gate at the Sears Centre in my opinion as a NLL league follower and Buffalo Bandits fan. Chicago in my opinion will get another chance in the NLL someday in my opinion because of Chicago's size and population but I don't think it will be at the Sears Centre maybe at the larger Allstate Arena. Let's Go Buffalo
I agree, I always wondered why the Sears Centre was used instead of the Allstate Arena. I guess it was because the arena is new.
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Originally Posted by wasteland
I don't need any links, I've followed the Sears Center since day 1, and the fiasco it has become. Fact is, teams should draw more at the Sears Center since they have a population that dwarfs the rockford metro area, but they barely do if they do. I believe the hounds were lucky to pull in 1000 game and lets not forget the melted ice of opening night.
The Icehogs have been around 11 years, the Lightning were around 20 years. The Sears Centre has yet to show long term support for any tenant at this ( alot of teams have folded in a short amount of time)and would be a tough sell from that stand point.
I believe the ice melted because the arena was not completely completed and there was not enough time? The Notre Dame hockey tournament seemed to do well and the ECHL team has over 15000 votes for the name the team contest. You are right about the Hounds attendance and their failures, but the new team has more than a year to prepare and get season tickets.
One reason the Sears Centre has not gotten long term support is because it is only 4-5 years old. It seems the Chicago Slaughter get good support for IFL standards as they averaged over 5000 a game. If the ECHL team gets good support, it would be easy to sell, considering the Sears Centre has had better success since it changed ownership.
I do not think a basketball team would succeed at the arena, though.
Sorry I didn't answer your question yesterday I was answering Ken and forget wasteland. I was basing my opinion on the Rockford Icehogs AHL on the problems they had with paying there PDC fee a few years back to the Chicago Blackhawks I read it was late or something and they had to have a special Rockford council meeting to come up with the money or something which they did.
My memory is foggy because I follow so much and read so much sports stuff it is memory overload sometimes maybe someone else knows what I think I read some where. Ken you know that area better then me? I am from Buffalo sorry for anything I miss posted about and again I am not someone that will hold any cities sports dreams back. Best of luck to Rockford in whatever sports teams they acquire. Let's Go Buffalo
Umm, I'm in the Rockford area, Ken is in Indiana.
The city paid any fees due to the Blackhawks because the city owns the team. There has never been any payment problems.
The city paid any fees due to the Blackhawks because the city owns the team. There has never been any payment problems.
Wasteland I knew Ken was from Indiana. My mistake on Rockford Ice Hogs AHL then but I thought there was some city meeting a few years back about coming up with fees owed the Chicago Blackhawks that were late a couple of years back. I guess my mistake then sorry about that wasteland I must be thinking of something else like I said I read alot of sports stories I sometimes mix stories up due to human error. Let's Go Buffalo
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The above post is in my opinion and I have no proof or link. I am just a Buffalo sports fan.
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