Anyone commit to the Indian?

[dougthonus]

I keep thinking I should watch the Hawks, but I've never really found the time. They seem like an exciting team this year, reminiscent of the 04/05 Bulls that had so much hope.

 

[ryguy24]

For a long time, I just thought it was really boring and whatnot (and I wasn't raised a die hard Hawks fan or anything), so i've always just watched and followed passively, but it is an entirely different experience when you actually go to the games. My friend has season tickets (they don't cost that much), so i've got to go a few times, and the atmosphere is really different compared to Bulls games. At Bulls games, there tends to be alot of families and young kids, but it seems like the Hawks games are just filled with die hard after die hard, ranging from kids (who get into it) to 70 year old men decked out in their old school Hawks jersies and jackets. It's definitely alot better when you're there, and it's getting me more and more interested in following them by TV and everything. It just sucks because I really don't know any of the rules, but I guess that will come with watching a bunch of games.

 

[ZombieKevie]

I went to a hawks game 2 years ago, it was my 1st game. It was a fun game, but I just don't understand hockey. Meaning i don't really know the rules and all that. I think my knowledge of is easily compared to my knowledge of baseball. Its pretty sad when i watch baseball, sometimes i dont know where the score is found on the scoreboard. I have no interest in baseball, but I do like hockey. I guess I've just have to wait until i can drink at the games and enjoy myself a little more. Wish i could go to a game with a die hard fan as to explain whats going on.

 

[Jamfan]

I started watching the Hawks last year. Fun team to watch. You need to get out to a game though to truly enjoy it.

 

[dougthonus]

I always enjoy watching hockey when I watch it, but for some reason I just never watch it. I guess I don't really have that much time. My wife loves hockey too though, so we should try to make it out to a game sometime only that it would mean one less Bulls game, and I don't know that I want to sacrifice a Bulls game for a Hawks game.

 

[Dpauley23]

Anybody catch the game today? It was a thriller 1-0 Hawks win. Ive never really been interested in them, but I started watching them this year and this team that could really turn some heads in the playoffs

 

[TheStig]

I'm not a hockey fan at all really. I can't watch it all on TV but it is actually a really cool experience in person. Completely different and much more exciting but if you put it on TV, I will fall asleep.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

Article.



Discuss.

 

[FlaHawkFan]

Huh. Just as we suspected. Yeah, the Hawks are losing money . . .

 

[Shantz My Pants]

I used to think the Hawks had an expensive ticket, but their average is actually less then the ticket prices ahead of them in Forbes rankings.

 

[MassHavoc]

don't forget they are still ramping up. Remember the prices for this year were announced before the cup was won.

 

[FlaHawkFan]

I used to think the Hawks had an expensive ticket, but their average is actually less then the ticket prices ahead of them in Forbes rankings.

We pay more per game for our Canes partial season tickets than we do for our seats at the UC, for very similar (300 level) seats, and the result would have been the same if we had gotten a full season in Raleigh. That surprised the hell out of me.

 

[5Minutes4Fighting]

Yep, the Hawks are losing money big time.



According to Forbes, when Dollar Bill croaked in 2007, the Hawks were worth $179 mil, and now they're worth $300 mil. You do the math.



And Forbes calculates that the Hawks made a profit of $18 mil last year. Not bad for a recession.



Poor Rocky. Hopefully he finds a way to pull through these tough times.



-5Minutes

 

[jakobeast]

The Hawks make money. However, there are clever ways to hide it. The Hawks, as an organization, by itself, loose money. However, when you incorporate the fact they own half the building, which you don't have to, and the parking, again, they don't have to, and so on, they make money.

 

[whalerhawk]

To build on Jako's point, if you actually click on the Forbes slide show, you find this interesting nugget (of which I have bolded)....



Losing money my ass.

On their way to winning their first Stanley Cup since 1961 the Blackhawks posted record attendance, merchandise sales, television ratings and sponsorship revenue. The team capitalized on its glory by increasing ticket prices 20% for the 2010-11 season. Owner Rocky Wirtz has publicly stated that the team ran out of cash several times during the Cup-winning season and relied on capital calls from Wirtz Corp., the Blackhawks parent company that operates in real estate and owns a liquor distributorship (Rocky's father, Bill, claimed the team lost a total of $191 million for the 10-year period ending 2007). But in reality when half of all revenue from the United Center is included the Blackhawks are quite profitable (the Chicago Bulls own the other half of the building).

 

[R K]

Sure but they don't include that in "Blackhawk Revenue" Evan. So in reality when Bill was running the half full building, half full parking lot, half or under sold concessions, and NO merchandising I'd believe the "Blackhawks" entity alone, was in fact losing money.



No way are they now thats for damn sure.



This doesn't mention Red Top Parking or I believe the Alcohol which is supplied and or owned by "other" Wirtz owned businesses.



I was always told when the UC was built that the Reinsdorf group wanted a share of the parking. Jerry specifically. The Old man said no way and it was retained 100% by them. Also remember it's not just Reinsdorf either. It's a conglomeration of what are called the "Board of Governors". Guys like Eddie Einhorn and many others. Where as the Wirtz Corp owns 51%, controlling majority, out right.



7 years ago, this team was losing money. No doubt about it.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

7 years ago, this team was losing money. No doubt about it.

I think the main issue at hand is management is claiming they lost money during last season and we now have proof that they are lying.



Either way it doesn't bother me as I don't own the Hawks, own any stock in Wirtz Corp., or have season tickets that may get jacked up because the Hawks are "losing money".



"You don't go into owning a professional sports franchise looking to make money..."

 

[whalerhawk]

Sure but they don't include that in "Blackhawk Revenue" Evan. So in reality when Bill was running the half full building, half full parking lot, half or under sold concessions, and NO merchandising I'd believe the "Blackhawks" entity alone, was in fact losing money.



No way are they now thats for damn sure.



This doesn't mention Red Top Parking or I believe the Alcohol which is supplied and or owned by "other" Wirtz owned businesses.



I was always told when the UC was built that the Reinsdorf group wanted a share of the parking. Jerry specifically. The Old man said no way and it was retained 100% by them. Also remember it's not just Reinsdorf either. It's a conglomeration of what are called the "Board of Governors". Guys like Eddie Einhorn and many others. Where as the Wirtz Corp owns 51%, controlling majority, out right.



7 years ago, this team was losing money. No doubt about it.

The Hawks as a solo entity probably ARE losing money. Then again, if you aren't the Phoenix Coyotes, you are probably making something off the building you play in. Almost every team gets some kind of revenue stream from its building, be it advertising signage, concessions, parking, merchandise sales, etc. That revenue is nearly always far greater than the lease payment the team pays to play there. You can't separate the two and say the Hawks are losing money because the UC is a large source of revenue for the team.



No doubt they lost money for a long time there. We aren't questioning that. We are upset that Rocky has gone on record saying he had to go to Wirtz Corp numerous times last year to get cash infusions for the Hawks to make payroll. If you have $120 million in revenue and $17 million in operating income and NO UC REVENUE IS FACTORED INTO THOSE NUMBERS, then how can you say that? Why would you say that? Just to piss off the fans further? You've already raised ticket prices 20-85% for every seat in the building over the past three years. Saying you are losing money when any smart person knows that you aren't when UC revenue is factored in is just plain bad PR.

 

[R K]

Oh I agree with you rather was pointing out when one Wirtz complained he wasn't making money "off the team" it wasn't too far off. While when the new Wirtz claims it, he's flat out lying.

 

[supraman]

This is a bit off topic but screw it, I'ma ask it. Why don't they just build big ass arenas? Look at football The Buccaneers stadium seats like 65,000 people. They do have domes in the NFL so it isn't a matter of getting a roof on it. Why not put as assload of seats in a place and make the money on quantity instead of price. Sure a bigger building will require more maintenance but I think the additional seats will make more than the additional maintenance costs.