Tulsa Talons Future

[bmuscotty]

Talons' owner says team's return to Tulsa for 2012 season is "50/50"

Tulsa Talons part owner, Paul Ross says the franchise's return to Tulsa for a 2012 season in the AFL is a "50/50" proposition.

Ross spoke with Big Al Jerkens in a phone interview Wednesday.

Ross also said the operating expenses for the franchise have increased some $600,000 this season in the new AFL.

The Talons play an 18-game schedule this season, with nine road games, many of which are played in locations far outside the Midwest. Ross says significant changes will need to be made for the Talons to continue doing business in Tulsa.

Earlier this week, Channel 2 spoke with another Talons part owner, Henry Primeaux. Primeaux responded to rumors that the Talons had been sold to a group out of Houston, calling the rumor untrue, but not ruling out the possibility of a sale after the team's season comes to an end in three weeks.

The Talons were a charter member of the AF2, beginning play in 2000. In a decade in the AF2, Tulsa won more games, 123, than any other franchise and two AF2 Championships.

The Talons joined the new AFL in 2010.

http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/sports/local_sports/talons%27-owner-says-team%27s-return-to-tulsa-for-2012-season-is-%2250_50%22

[Conan71]

Ross says significant changes will need to be made for the Talons to continue doing business in Tulsa.

Handout time.

[Hoss]

Handout time.

It's their fault for spearheading this asinine AF1 league idea and thinking that Tulsa could compete in markets like Chicago, Tampa and the like.  I was telling friends of mine who are HUGE indoor football fans that this proposition is doomed to fail within five years (at least for Tulsa it is..doesn't matter if the league office exists here or not).

[Townsend]

A Friend went to a game this weekend and the Talons merchandise was 50% off.

Sounds like a big clue.

[bmuscotty]

They always put stuff on sale last couple of home games.

[Townsend]

They always put stuff on sale last couple of home games.

Thanks for the correction.  I'm one of the non-regulars to the games.

I do have pics in my office of the wife and me with giant beers from a game.

[stageidea]

I bought season tickets this year and have enjoyed going to the games.  But they haven't had amazing attendance at any of the games this season.    I think the season opener scared away many potential fans.  Hopefully, they stick around for a couple more years but I also wouldn't be surprised if the team moved to another city this year. 

[stageidea]

Well, I saw zero options for season tickets to be renewed at the game this weekend.  Generally, one would see this during the last couple home games.   There was Zero Merchandise to be purchased excluding some over-sized sweat pants.  I spoke with Casey (one of the announcers) he rolled his eyes at me when I mentioned next season. 

I am going to assume that the team is done.  Sad to see them go after eleven years. 

[cannon_fodder]

I thought it was a bad idea to push an effort to take a successful league with low overhead into reviving a defunct league that went broke because of high overhead.  I hope they stay, but...

[Conan71]

It really didn't look like a sound business model and reminded me of the original Ice Oilers.  Travel costs and overhead got too high.

[Hoss]

It really didn't look like a sound business model and reminded me of the original Ice Oilers.  Travel costs and overhead got too high.

Which version of the Ice Oilers?  There have been more than one.  If you talk 'original', the original Ice Oilers got started round these parts in the '20s.

I didn't know you were that old.

[swake]

Which version of the Ice Oilers?  There have been more than one.  If you talk 'original', the original Ice Oilers got started round these parts in the '20s.

I didn't know you were that old.

My grandfather played on the very first Oilers team in 1928 in the AHA.

[Conan71]

Which version of the Ice Oilers?  There have been more than one.  If you talk 'original', the original Ice Oilers got started round these parts in the '20s.

I didn't know you were that old.

Just call me Shadows   Speaking of, he's been silent lately.

Oh, and I was referring to the team which folded in the early '80s

[Hoss]

Just call me Shadows   Speaking of, he's been silent lately.

Oh, and I was referring to the team which folded in the early '80s

Yeah, but it sure made for a hell of a story.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/14497-The-Tulsa-Oilers-were-true-road-warriors.html#

[Conan71]

Yeah, but it sure made for a hell of a story.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/14497-The-Tulsa-Oilers-were-true-road-warriors.html#

What years did Larry Hopkins play for the Oilers?