VANDERBILT ELIMINATES TENNESSEE
Vanderbilt eliminated Tennessee from the SEC Tournament after the top-ranked Commodores pounded the Vols 15-2 Friday night at Regions Field in Hoover, Ala. The ‘Dores will next face Ole Miss in the semifinals Saturday at 1 p.m. CT on FSN. VU will have to defeat the Rebels twice to advance to Sunday’s championship.
Time to step up and keep the Preds in Nashville…..
This past season the Preds averaged a little over 13,800 fans a game. That’s less than 200 of the 14,000 they’ll need if Craig Leipold invokes an attendance clause for next season. If the number is met the Preds will stay for at least seven more years. A new NHL rule says a new owner cannot move the team for 7 years. If the number is under 14,000 the relocation rule is null and void thanks to the lease agreement the Preds have with the city, and the Preds can leave.
It really doesn’t matter who owns the team…… It is time for everybody to quit pointing fingers and get this done. If a few local companies buy a dozen season tickets each for their employees and/or clients, and 100 or so fans buy season tickets this should be a done deal.
It will take around 8 thousand more tickets sold for the entire season to keep the team in Nashville. As Craig Leipold said today “that’s peanuts”.
Ask Baltimore or Cleveland fans what it is like to lose a professional franchise……..
It STINKS! Let’s all do our part in keeping this great game in Nashville.
……..From Craig Leipold to You…
Craig Leipold
Nashville Predators
501 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203
May 24, 2007
Dear Predators’ Season Ticket Holders:
June 25, 2007 will mark the 10-year anniversary of the awarding of the NHL franchise to Nashville that became your Nashville Predators. It’s been an incredible 10-year journey for me. I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate your strong emotional and financial support of the Nashville Predators. You are a big part of the team’s on-ice success. On behalf of the entire franchise, I thank you.
Ten years ago, I couldn’t call myself a hockey expert. Today, my family and I are as passionate and competitive about the game as the most hardcore fans.
When the franchise began, I said we would run it as a business in order to be successful. We developed a game plan both on and off the ice. We became an integral part of the community, especially downtown Nashville. We made sure we had some fun. And, we indicated that making a huge profit was not a top priority – but we certainly didn’t make plans to lose a significant amount either.
As part of those plans we developed a loyal fan base – every team should be fortunate enough to have a Cell Block 303 and the loudest arena in the league. We built a team that the community could be proud of on and off the ice. We grew our hockey skills exactly as general manager David Poile outlined, using the draft as a foundation and then supplementing at the appropriate times with trades and free agents. We gave back to the community – well over $2 million in grants and in-kind donations through the Nashville Predators Foundation. We created an entertaining in-arena atmosphere for every game night. And, we did it all while keeping our ticket prices near the bottom of the league.
Unfortunately, the success on the ice has not translated to success for me as business owner.
Here are just a few facts as to why:
The Nashville Predators tallied up 216 points in the last two seasons, fifth most in the NHL, yet because of below-average attendance, the team will still have a real cash loss of $27 million during that time. Additionally, that loss is despite receiving the most money in the league from revenue sharing. Over the last five years, the team has lost over $60 million.
We’ve invested heavily in sales and marketing efforts, spending over $50 million in 10 years, most of that with locally-based businesses.
Our average regular season attendance this past season was 13,589, up from the year before, but still 2,000 below the NHL average. A low turnout, combined with a low ticket price results in a poor financial situation.
The new NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement with revenue sharing is not a cure-all. Each local market must still support its local team. In addition, this attendance does not qualify us for our full revenue sharing allocation under the collective bargaining agreement.
While individual fan support has always been strong, we’ve worked aggressively to increase our local business support since Season Four. We’ve tried a variety of approaches with minimal success. Our records show today that corporate support for the Nashville Predators makes up about 35% of our season ticket base. The average in other markets is around 60%. During our first two years, approximately 4,000 businesses owned season tickets. Today, only 1,800 businesses have season tickets.
While my heart and my love of the game tell me we can still be successful, the facts outlined above suggest otherwise. I’ve reached the only possible conclusion and it’s one of the most difficult decisions of my personal and professional life.
Later today, I am announcing an agreement to sell the Nashville Predators franchise and Powers Management to Jim Balsillie. We plan for the sale to be final in early July after a short period of due diligence and approval from the NHL Board of Governors.
I’ve carried the franchise as far as it can go from a business standpoint. It has been well-reported that we have attempted to attract local ownership since 2002. The truth is, we had only one serious inquiry in that time from someone who was interested in a small minority share of the team. Jim Balsillie is interested in full ownership.
It’s time to give someone else a chance to take the Nashville Predators to the next level in terms of local business support. Last week’s announcement that the Sommet Group has signed on as a naming rights partner for the arena is a strong first step in the right direction. The new energy and leadership of Jim Balsillie will be another.
Jim Balsillie is co-CEO of Research in Motion, the company which developed the Blackberry device. He is an avid hockey fan who still plays recreationally. I know he is dedicated to putting a great team on the ice.
The past 10 years have laid a foundation, but there’s still much to be done to both build corporate support and to win a Stanley Cup. I know Jim shares my passion for the game and my commitment to a strong franchise to pursue the greatest trophy in sports.
Despite the financial challenges we faced, owning this franchise has been the thrill of a lifetime. I’ve made many friendships here in Nashville. It’s been an exciting 10 years, and as I move on from the ranks of team ownership, I’ll always remain a fan.
Step 1 in selling the Predators…. Fans can keep Preds here.
News 2 sports has learned that Predators owner Craig Leipold has reached an agreement to sell the Preds to Blackberry founder Jim Balsille. This is the first of many steps before the deal is a done deal. The deal is finalized when the NHL owners OK the sale.
I’ll cut through all the particulars because the only way the Preds can move is if they fall short of averaging 14,000 next season. The Preds cannot move until that happens. They cannot move before the 2007-2008 season. And frankly it is up to hockey fans to buy tickets next season if they want the team to stay.
What do you think. Will enough fans show up next season to save the team from leaving?
By the way, the Preds could hold a press conference as early as Thursday. We’ll have team coverage for you as soon as they announce a date and time. See you then.
Keyshawn Johnson Turns Down Titans & Retires
Keyshawn Johnson has declined an offer from the Tennessee Titans and decided to retire from football in order to pursue a broadcasting career at ESPN.
Johnson said despite still being able to perform at a high level on the field and despite having contract offers on the table, he realized he had accomplished what he had set out to do as a professional football player. “That fact, combined with this current opportunity, allows me to feel good about what I have accomplished as a player and what lies ahead in the next phase of my career,” he said.
At ESPN, Johnson will join the crew of Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown as an analyst. He will also contribute to a new weekly ESPN Radio NFL show hosted by Chris Mortensen and Bill Parcells.
Johnson had visited the Titans on Friday and met with coaches and watched film. He had also expected to receive an offer from the Oakland Raiders.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher, who became friends with Johnson while he played at USC and Johnson was a ball boy, said Monday he thought Johnson’s numbers and production spoke for themselves.
HARVICK WINS ALL-STAR CHALLENGE
Kevin Harvick earned another $1 million payday Saturday night, winning the Nextel All-Star Challenge after Matt Kenseth got caught speeding and brothers Kurt and Kyle Busch took each other out of contention.
That made Jimmie Johnson, a two-time All-Star race winner, the last driver for Harvick to contend with.
But Johnson barely mounted a challenge, staying in line behind Harvick until the final lap at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Johnson made one attempt at a pass, Harvick blocked it, then drove off to his second win of the season.
Harvick’s other victory also was a jackpot — he earned $1.5 million for winning the season-opening Daytona 500.
FIN ST CAR DRIVER MAKE SPONSOR PTS/BNS LAPS STATUS
1 11 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops / Tracker PE 40 Running
2 20 70 Johnny Sauter Chevrolet Yellow Trans. / Haas Automation PE 40 Running
3 1 99 Carl Edwards Ford Office Depot PE 40 Running
4 3 22 Dave Blaney Toyota Caterpillar PE 40 Running
5 9 88 Ricky Rudd Ford Snickers Dark PE 40 Running
6 22 07 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Jack Daniel’s PE 40 Running
7 13 14 Sterling Marlin Chevrolet Pep Boys PE 40 Running
8 26 36 Jeremy Mayfield Toyota 360 OTC PE 40 Running
9 17 96 Tony Raines Chevrolet DLP HDTV PE 40 Running
10 6 26 Jamie McMurray Ford Crown Royal PE 40 Running
11 31 40 David Stremme Dodge Coors Light Cold Activated Bottle PE 40 Running
12 15 66 Jeff Green Chevrolet Best Buy PE 40 Running
13 24 18 J.J. Yeley Chevrolet Interstate Batteries PE 40 Running
14 27 45 Kyle Petty Dodge Coke Zero PE 40 Running
15 8 84 A.J. Allmendinger * Toyota Red Bull PE 40 Running
16 25 7 Robby Gordon Ford Jim Beam Black PE 40 Running
17 19 4 Ward Burton Chevrolet State Water Heaters PE 40 Running
18 21 78 Kenny Wallace Chevrolet Furniture Row Racing PE 40 Running
19 29 34 Kevin Lepage Dodge Front Row Motorsports PE 40 Running
20 32 55 Michael Waltrip Toyota NAPA Auto Parts PE 38 Running
21 28 00 David Reutimann * Toyota Domino’s Pizza / Burger King PE 33 Running
22 2 6 David Ragan * Ford AAA PE 20 Out of Race
23 7 41 Reed Sorenson Dodge Target PE 20 Out of Race
24 23 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge Dodge Dealers / UAW PE 20 Out of Race
25 16 49 Mike Bliss Dodge Paralyzed Veterans of America PE 9 Out of Race
26 30 37 Boris Said Dodge Huddle House PE 9 Out of Race
27 12 10 Scott Riggs Dodge Valvoline / Stanley Tools PE 2 Out of Race
28 4 38 David Gilliland Ford M&M’s / Shrek the Third PE 0 Out of Race
29 5 42 Juan Montoya * Dodge Texaco / Havoline PE 0 Out of Race
30 10 15 Paul Menard * Chevrolet Johns Manville / Menards PE 0 Out of Race
31 14 13 Joe Nemechek Chevrolet Haier PE 0 Out of Race
VANDERBILT SWEEPS LSU
Dominic de la Osa went 3-for-3 including a game-winning two-run homer to lead Vanderbilt to a 6-2 win over LSU Saturday afternoon at Hawkins Field.
The Commodores swept the three-game set to improve to 46-10 overall and 22-8 in SEC play. The overall win total is the best in school history, ahead of the 45 set in 2004, while the 22 conference wins is the most by a SEC team since South Carolina won 25 in 2000.
“Give me the ball” In Titans gear!!!!!
The Titans confirmed with me late this afternoon that Keyshawn Johnson will meet with team officials Friday. I say get it done and get it done ASAP.
Here is why I say get it done:
Johnson is still an above average possession receiver. He caught 70 passes last year with Carolina. Titans WR’s returning this season totaled 45 receptions in 2006.
Johnson would help develop those returning WR’s who haven’t had a veteran mentor of Johnson’s status.
Vince Young needs a veteran “go to” guy.
He’s good TV on and off the field (selfish TV reason).
Now, there is one BIG challenge. The 34 year old Johnson says he is not in a “rental mode”. He wants commitment. What he means is he wants at least a 2-year deal. Furthermore, he says he’s not playing for $2.5 million. The Titans will have to pony up at least $5 million for 2 years. Is he worth that. I think so.
What do you think?
Junior Busted………Docked 100 Points
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was docked 100 points by NASCAR today. His crew chief Tony Eury Jr. was fined $100,000 and suspended for six weeks. NASCAR found an illegal bracket on Little E’s Car of Tomorrow (COT) before Sunday’s race in Richmond. Eury said the bracket was one of three used on the COT this year, but it just happened to be one of the old-style brackets.
The bigger issue is NASCAR cracking down (Michael Waltript-Daytona) and costing Junior 100 championship points. Even with the Chase format Junior can forget about a grand finale with DEI.
This is just another classic example of NASCAR writing the rule book as they go. Why would they dock Junior 100 points for an illegal bracket? Eury had the bracket put on. Do you think he said “Hey Junior, do you mind if I slap on this illegal bracket?”
NASCAR just lost more ratings. No Junior in the Chase means bad numbers come fall. Sad thing is, the Chase is on News 2 and ABC.
Don’t penalize the driver NASCAR. It’s time for you to buy a clue.
Pacman, he just keeps getting better……..
Please read the following and get ready to shake your head. Mind you,,,,,,,,Pacman told NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last month before his suspension that he would be under a self imposed midnight curfew. He received the speeding ticket at 12:45am Monday.
I want to laugh, but then I think……… This guy is not going to have a good ending.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Nashville police ticketed Titans
cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones for speeding four days before his
meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to appeal his
season-long suspension.
Jones was stopped at 12:45 a.m. Monday on Interstate 65 heading
into downtown after an officer clocked him on radar at 79 mph in a
55 mph zone. He was driving the 2004 Cadillac XLT sportscar he
bought at police auction last fall with “PAC-MAN” embroidered
into the seats.
Police spokesman Don Aaron said Friday that Jones also was cited
for not having a driver’s license with him.
The cornerback was in New York on Friday to meet with Goodell
for the second time since April 3. The commissioner needed a week
after the first hearing to suspend Jones for the 2007 season for
conduct detrimental to the NFL. Jones called that penalty too harsh
and appealed to Goodell for leniency.
