Semi-Off Topic: The Nashville Predators Sold

by Jimmy on May 24, 2007 9:50 AM CDT in Tennessee Titans News

It was annouced yesterday that the Preadators are being sold to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie. It is now being widely speculated that after the 07-08 season Balsille will attempt to move the team to Canada. He will have the opportunity to buy out the Predators contract with the city of Nashville if attendance does not reach 14,000 per game, which it has not reached in either of the last 2 seasons.

The reason I am mentioning this here is because it has raised an interesting question on the airwaves in Nashville today. Is Nashville a big enough market to support 2 professional sports teams?

The Titans are no doubt king of this town. Two years ago, when the Titans finished with a 4-12 record, the Predators were one of the hottest teams in the NHL's first half. Even with this being the case, the Nashville sports talk shows were dominated with talk of the Titans. People wanted to talk about the upcoming NFL draft rather than the Predators.

The other issue is the dollars the sports fan has to spend, whether it be personal or corporate. The Titans have no problem selling out their games and acquiring corporate sponsorships. The Predators have had a lot of trouble in both of these areas, especially with the corporate sponsors. The dollar only stretches so far, and when the Nashville fan has a choice between football and hockey, 9 times out of 10 football wins.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Predators. I know many of you don't live in Nashville so may not care about this. I would be interested to see what the Nashville readers have to say about this. I would also be interested to see if some of you from other cities know of similar situations. This will provide a good discussion for a painfully slow Titans news day.

Let me hear ya....

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some random thoughts

-I doubt Nashville is big enough to support both the Titans and an NHL team. Heck, I'd say only a few markets in the whole country can support an NHL club.

-If the Predators do move, I would like to see my beloved Memphis Grizzlies play a few home games in Nashville to foster some more interest there. Along with that, the loss of the Predators may make room for more Grizzlies games to be shown on whatever Fox Sports station broadcast in Nashville.

by zackmann on May 24, 2007 9:57 AM CDT reply actions

I will say this

there is virtually zero Grizzlies coverage on the radio and TV in Nashville. The games are sometimes on 104.5 but that is only if there is no Vandy game and no Predators game.

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles

by Jimmy on May 24, 2007 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Just my 2 cents

This is just my opinion and I am sure a lot of folks will not share the same view as I do, but here goes anyway!

The NHL has it's fanbase I am sure, but I personally would rather drink acid than sit and watch a NHL game. I mean come on! I just dont see what could possibly bring a person to like this sport.

I give the guys credit it is physical and demanding on the body. You do have to be in great shape. But for me it is way too slow. I guess I could be a little A.D.D. but it doesnt bother me at all if he moved the team tomorrow!

Go Titans!

by Vincanity on May 24, 2007 10:16 AM CDT reply actions

In my opinion

the games are ok if you go to them. I cannot watch them on tv, and I cannot listen to them talk about it on the radio. I would rather hear what Vince had for lunch than listen to hockey talk.

I just don't want this to be a black mark on the city.

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles

by Jimmy on May 24, 2007 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions

I used...

to follow the Preds until the strike. Last game I saw was a game 3 against Detroit that we won 3-0, but ended up losing the series 4-2, I think.

If I remember correctly, a lot of Preds fans were/are Michigan transplants that are life-long hockey fans, and they're great fans. The team has also consistently made moves to improve, and currently find themselves with a very talented squad.

Me being a native TN boy, I didn't grow up watching hockey, and only became a fan of the sport when I lived in Nashville in order to support the Preds. The strike turned me off the whole sport though...just like the MLB strike did over a decade ago.

the butler

by the butler on May 24, 2007 11:11 AM CDT reply actions

This also

is a great point. Baseball was considered the National Pastime before the strike of 1994. Baseball was able to come back because it was so popular.

The NHL was not all that popular before the strike. The strike pushed all of the fringe fans away. The hard core fans came back but a huge number was lost.

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles

by Jimmy on May 24, 2007 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Publicity stunt

that's all .. they are 'just short' of their goal of the 14,000 you mentioned Jimmy and with all the newcomers to Middle Tennessee it shouldn't be a problem .. the Tennessean.com sports forum had an intelligent post for a change :) and he said it was to drum-up interest just like the numb-nut sports guy on N'ville Fox17..

I frankly don't like Pred's fans hostility as they show(ed) their jealousy of the Titans but all I can say is their sport allows hockey sticks and fists assaulting players up-side-the-head repeatedly without being penalized so I'll take Football anyday but so be it.. this is America..

But i am glad the seasons are scheduled different on that note :)

it's all about downtown and Statewide Commerce and we sure don't want the vendors who've invested $$$ to hurt also..

ornery but honest ...

by Ross @ Music City Miracles on May 24, 2007 10:35 PM CDT reply actions

I like them

Actually, I like hockey, and I'll be sad to see them go. My dad use to take me to see games when I was little ( minor leauge games). But heck, what can I say.

by jmac1383 on May 25, 2007 2:57 AM CDT reply actions