Here in Des Moines Iowa we got Iowa Wild--AHL--Tied to Minnesota Wild of the NHL and the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL. Which to my understanding is a mid-tier league where, to my understanding, you go to get experience then you decide college or pros. Not a hockey fan so don't quote me.
Athens local here. We're extremely excited about the Rock Lobsters getting started. However, the new Classic Center Arena cost the city a TON of money to build. And when they proposed a hockey team they over negotiated for an ECHL team and based their ticket prices to be in line with the Gladiators and Ghost Pirates. A season ticket for Athens is MORE money than the Atl Glads. The FPHL is two leagues below the ECHL, and host 8 fewer games a season. So for more money, you have less competitive hockey, fewer games, and a brand new fanbase. The cheapest season ticket option, which should be the lowest price available, starts at $550. That's just a few cents shy of $20 a game. That's fine and all, but Columbus hosted FPHL Semi-finals playoffs this year for $13 at the door. Rinkside season tix for Columbus is $700 per to our $1100. Cheap hockey was never going to be on the table for Athens. Knowing that nobody all season long will get in the door for less than $20, I have my own doubts about the success of this franchise.
That is too bad to hear, but I'll still get in a game. I think it likely that there will be games scheduled on the same day for one of the UGA clubs and the Rock Lobsters so I could make a day of it ... still relatively cheaply.
@CtznArcn I think the arena will offer a good enough experience to match the price point, but for us season ticket holders, it's very steep to support the team for the whole season. You should definitely consider visiting opening day in late October. Great weekend to be in Athens with the Wild Rumpus Halloween parade likely taking place the same night.
The thing is with baseball and to a slightly lesser degree with hockey and comparing them both to football is the system they have. Football doesn't. Could it? That's the million dollar question. Would a farm system work in football? That's another million dollar question.
You have to know your market size. You don't put an AFL team in your 3rd largest city. Nor do you take your team from your 3rd largest city and try to put it in the AFL. This is assuming said sport is even popular in the area. Smaller market leagues can work. Just got to know how to work them.
