[GaReb770]

<p>Once upon a time Atlanta had a hockey team called the Atlanta Flames that used to play at the old Omni.  Calgary took a liking to them and the Flames became the Calgary Flames.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Several years later Atlanta finally got another hockey team that played at Philips Arena.  Until today.  At high noon they were sold to Winnipeg and I assume they will henceforth be known as the Winnipeg Thrashers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have no idea what happens to the Gwinnett Gladiators, a farm team of the Thrashers.  They'll probably become the Halifax Gladiators. <span><img alt="mad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/mad.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>(and of course, just in case there are any misunderstandings, this is all tongue in cheek. <span id="user_yui_3_3_0_8_130688915046316"><img alt="biggrin.gif" id="user_yui_3_3_0_8_130688915046315" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"></span>)</p>
<p> </p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>Well if only more than 2 people would have shown up to watch...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm a bit bemused by it all.  The Winnipeg Jets are the Phoenix Coyotes.  People claiming "We've got the Jets back" are just delusional.</p>

 

[willrun4chocolate]

<p>I do believe that the # of season tickets sold will be directly related to whether or not they name them the Jets.</p>

 

[jcumming]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>willrun4chocolate</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/74043/canadians-are-a-bunch-of-thieves-i-tell-you#post_2001504"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>I do believe that the # of season tickets sold will be directly related to whether or not they name them the Jets.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br><br>
Huh? They will sell 13,500 season tickets and cut it off there. They will be sold by the end of the month. What does that have to do with the name?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The marketing gurus will decide if a changed logo for Jets or a brand new name will bring in more revenue with jersey sales etc. Tradition will probably be a very small factor in the decision.</p>
<p> </p>

 

[willrun4chocolate]

<p>I'm not so sure they can sell 86% of the arena for 5 years, and I still think that there are die hard jets fans that would rather have the team named the Jets and won't buy because of that.  HOWEVER, I might just buy a bunch of Jets/Winnipeg/Manitoba stuff just because I don't like Bettman.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Marketing wise, they should totally change the name.  I still can't get over how much Jets jersey's, flags, hats and stuff were in the streets. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Selfishly if the new NHL team cuts into the Winnipeg CFL market it just gives the Riders a bigger share.  Winnipeg Blue Bombers are the next closes to us with 15% of the market, so those people love their teams!</p>

 

[jcumming]

<p>I think they could sell 100% of the arena to season ticket holders for 5 years...it might be the next 5 years that would be difficult. They do want to keep a couple of thousand seats for individual game and "package" sales which is a good idea.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, remember that David Thomson is one of the new owners and is listed as the 7th richest man on the planet. One TD Bank branch could support the "Jets" and he owns most of them. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think they will choose Jets, but you can be sure it will be a vastly different logo if they do.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'd say the Bombers will dip in popularity on all fronts for a couple of seasons, but they do only play 10 home games so lots of people can still support them as well as the Jets. They just better not play on the same days.</p>

 

[gretriever]

<p>They gave us Rush. We give 'em the Thrashers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Six of one, half-dozen of the other.  <span id="user_yui_3_3_0_8_130711554594718"><img alt="razz.gif" id="user_yui_3_3_0_8_130711554594717" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/razz.gif" style="width:15px;height:15px;"></span></p>