The idea of a long distance owner for such a small franchise does not sit well for me. I also get the sense that this 'ownership' is a big ego thing and that it will disappear quickly once the bills accumulate.
There also needs to be money put in to upgrading the S&T Arena. It is currently great for hockey teams that have a 'friends & relatives' fan base. The seating area could use expansion and upgrading. This would cost money.
There needs to be a serious campaign to win back the 'old' fans and establish new ones. Issuing "tickets" for food purchases is not going to do it. This is especially true since the crowds were small enough for everyone to get something between periods. The food concessions were run by White Township, who owns and runs the S&T Arena.
There will need to be a lot of work to make this team have any chance of being viable. I will believe it when I see it.
By RICK WEAVER
Gazette Sports Writer
March 13, 2008
Some people postpone a life of prosperity in pursuit of a dream. Because Fidel Jenkins adopted the opposite approach, he is now fulfilling the dream of being the owner of a professional sports
team.
The 32-year-old native of California who has resided in Dallas the last four years, finalized an
agreement with the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League to purchase the Indiana Ice Miners.
Jenkins, who turns 33 in June, made his money in real estate and homebuilding.
Its been a pretty good ride, said Jenkins, who closed the deal last Friday. (But) owning a sports team has always been one of my dreams.
Jenkins bought the club from Robert Eger, who purchased the Ice Miners on Dec. 29.
Weve inherited debts from the previous ownership, said Jenkins, who declined to give any
specifics.
The Ice Miners won a professional hockey record 26 consecutive games before the league
suddenly suspended its inaugural season Feb. 12. The Miners rarely came close to filling the
S&T Bank Arena, resulting in cash flow difficulties. Ice Miners players said they had not been
paid in six weeks, and the leagues other teams faced similar cash flow issues. Jenkins said he hopes to have all outstanding debts paid off within three months. Jenkins said he will talk
to general manager Josh Lipkin and head coach Brian Gratz, holdovers from the Ice Miners
front office, about their futures with the club.
Once the staff is in place, Jenkins said he will act quickly and focus his marketing efforts on
family, fun and community. Like Eger, he said he will strive to make ticket prices affordable.
The Miners offered seats from $12-15 before Eger enacted sizable reductions. One idea Jenkins is kicking around is a ticket plan in which fans can purchase a sticker for $6-8 and receive coupons for food at the concession stand.
Ticket prices, frankly, for this town I think theyre too high, he said.
The MAHL announced Tuesday the addition of a team based in Dyer, Ind., along the Indiana-Illinois border between Chicago and Gary, Ind.
The team, which will be named the South Shore Shooters, will be coached by former Mon Valley Thunder player/assistant coach Darren Seid.
The league, which started with five teams, intends to expand to eight to 12 teams by the end of March. According to a published report, Valley Forge will not return next season.
The MAHL also plans to reduce its season from 50 games to 40, with games beginning in December rather than October.