View Full Version : Will Rochester Leave?
Krazy Kanadian
01-07-2007, 10:46 PM
http://laxmagazine.cstv.com/sports/s-inter/content/122806aaa.html
Unless there is a new agreement on a lease, there's a possibility that one of the older teams in the NLL could leave Rochester. I really hope they don't leave, because they're one of the better teams in the league, and played to about 90% capacity at home games last season (although they play in now the second-smallest venue in the NLL (chicago's is now the smallest)). Do you think they'll stay in Rochester, or move to a stronger market/larger arena?
NLLStormCA
01-07-2007, 10:57 PM
stay where the LOYAL fans are...
you get rid of them in roch, whats next the wings in texas...
WHEELAX2
01-08-2007, 05:23 AM
considering that a lot of their players live a couple of hours north, I highly doubt that it would be an overall intelligent move...
RockStar
01-08-2007, 05:54 AM
If you have to move Rochester as is, I think you either give Detroit or Hamilton another try. A second try in Montreal is also worth consideration.
If you have to move Rochester as is, I think you either give Detroit or Hamilton another try. A second try in Montreal is also worth consideration.
First I would hate to see Rochester move but I agree with the 3 cities you have suggested. Re Hamilton, it would be interesting to see what the impact would be on the Rock. It wouldn't bother me if the Rock played to a smaller crowd in a smaller but always packed arena - the Ricoh Centre for example. The Ricoh is about the same size as the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester and I've always enjoyed the atmosphere there. It sounds like Chicago's situation will be similar. I understand the NLL's desire to match up with NHL owners but playing in front of small crowds in big arenas is not good for growth of the game.
RockStar
01-08-2007, 09:26 AM
Hamilton was a dismal failure the first time, but now, if they moved a decent team like the Knighthawks there, got the games on TV, and hyped the hell out of it, it could probably fly this time.
As far as impact to Toronto's crowd - Won't hurt that much. I think Hamilton would hurt Buffalo more than Toronto.
Hamilton was a dismal failure the first time, but now, if they moved a decent team like the Knighthawks there, got the games on TV, and hyped the hell out of it, it could probably fly this time.
As far as impact to Toronto's crowd - Won't hurt that much. I think Hamilton would hurt Buffalo more than Toronto.
I totally agree with you on your first point but I'm not so sure on your second point. It could hurt by as much as say ... the attendance of a Stealth game (lol).
RockStar
01-08-2007, 09:53 AM
I totally agree with you on your first point but I'm not so sure on your second point. It could hurt by as much as say ... the attendance of a Stealth game (lol).
Truthfully, I don't figure there's more than a couple thou Hamilton-Niagara area fans coming into Toronto for Rock games now
(ever tried to deal with that trek during a wintertime, afternoon rush hour for the typical Friday evening game? You don't want to!!!)
No, I figure as many or more of the lacrosse fans between Hamilton and Niagara are Bandits season ticket holders - Tickets are better value, games are on Saturday nights, and although the distance is bigger, the drive is less painful. Also, the Rock home games are on TV.....if it was a pain for me to get to them, I wouldn't
[QUOTE=RockStar]Truthfully, I don't figure there's more than a couple thou Hamilton-Niagara area fans coming into Toronto for Rock games now /QUOTE]
It's hard to say and we'll never know but you're right, it certainly wouldn't be 3 or 4 thousand changing their allegiance. I think though Hamilton would get a lot of basically Rock fans going to additional games in Hamilton. The trip to Buffalo and even Rochester isn't that bad but the trip to Hamilton would be so much easier.
#15Roadies
01-08-2007, 10:26 AM
"...it could probably fly this time." Not a chance - not in Hamilton anyways. The Bulldogs averaged about 6 k for top notch minor league hockey last year, I doubt the NLL would even wiff that if the average attendance in Rochester is in the 8k range for lacrosse. Seriously, I wouldn't even put a Majorteam in Hamilton unless I needed a huge corporate tax write-off...
Detroit is a better pick. And Montreal could be a decent pick too so long as someone from Quebec runs the team... (are the Express still 'in the dark' or are they officially done?)
WHEELAX2
01-08-2007, 11:22 AM
either way, it seems highly unlikely that they will move the franchise from Jennings' commments in the story.
I'd put it at about a 20% chance.
the arena would have to look at the bottom line.. would they want to squeeze out a well established program and sacrifice revenues? or suck up a little less money up front and keep them there?
it's like a mall getting rid of a store.. what do they do if the space is empty for years?? they are losing out on all the rent money they could have been getting even if it's not as much as they'd like