Last month THN posted a story about how ineffective NHL fans are.
As much as I hate to admit it, Brian Costello, The Hockey News, is probably right.
Fans fall short in 'People of Power and Influence'
Admittedly, the fans are just as important as the players and the owners. It would be impossible to have a multi-billion dollar industry without unconditional representation from all three sectors. The players provide the entertainment, the owners the infrastructure and ways and means, while the fans foot the bill for the entire project.
The popular misconception is it’s the owners who front the bill for everything. While it’s true the owners assume the risk, provide the initial capital and cover any shortcomings, it’s the fans who provide the bulk of the revenue. How important is that?
But importance should not be confused with power and/or influence. While the fans have plenty of the former, they have none of the latter – at least not in a meaningful, unified way.
If the fans had any significant power or influence, there wouldn’t have been a lockout in 2004-05, ticket prices would be affordable in all 30 markets and strong hockey regions such as southern Ontario would have multiple teams because the demand suggests it.
Even though there are millions of hockey fans out there, they have limited influence because of the lack of a unified voice. That’s not a criticism of fans, that’s just the way it is.
Admittedly, the fans are just as important as the players and the owners. It would be impossible to have a multi-billion dollar industry without unconditional representation from all three sectors. The players provide the entertainment, the owners the infrastructure and ways and means, while the fans foot the bill for the entire project.
The popular misconception is it’s the owners who front the bill for everything. While it’s true the owners assume the risk, provide the initial capital and cover any shortcomings, it’s the fans who provide the bulk of the revenue. How important is that?
But importance should not be confused with power and/or influence. While the fans have plenty of the former, they have none of the latter – at least not in a meaningful, unified way.
If the fans had any significant power or influence, there wouldn’t have been a lockout in 2004-05, ticket prices would be affordable in all 30 markets and strong hockey regions such as southern Ontario would have multiple teams because the demand suggests it.
Even though there are millions of hockey fans out there, they have limited influence because of the lack of a unified voice. That’s not a criticism of fans, that’s just the way it is.
Bold is my emphasis.
Costello suggests joining the NHL Fans' Association, http://www.nhlfa.com/. That's a good idea in my opinion. I've been a member there for about four years.
NHL fans need a unified voice, and this is as close as we can get right now.
Power to the fans, right on!
Costello suggests joining the NHL Fans' Association, http://www.nhlfa.com/. That's a good idea in my opinion. I've been a member there for about four years.
NHL fans need a unified voice, and this is as close as we can get right now.
Power to the fans, right on!
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