Tulsa mentioned in possible NHL move

[perspicuity85]

Tulsa was mentioned as a possible destination for the Pittsburgh Penguins.  It's definitely not likely, but it's nice to hear someone from outside Tulsa consider T-Town as a major league city.

Article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2722259

[rwarn17588]

It'd be sort of a compliment, if the NHL wasn't in such a shambles.

[RecycleMichael]

Interesting story.

The owner of Express Services is very wealthy and he likes hockey enough to talk about buying a team. That is the kind of opportunity that might just work.

There is a big difference between minor League hockey and the National Hockey League. The game is so much faster at the higher level.

There is also a big difference in ticket price. OKC blazers have $9 tickets and the cheapest Penquins ticket is a third balcony seat for $35.

I am just not sure if Oklahomans are ready to pay major league prices for major league games over a whole season.

[deinstein]

We'd have horrible attendance, but I'd be one of the...5,000 or so there. Every game. It's just not a good idea though...

[^][}:)]

[Breadburner]

All that talk is dead....Okc is off the Pens radar as well as Tulsa which was never on it....

[pfox]

I prefer the NHL to the NBA, fwiw.

I think we could support a team. Very little competition for the sports dollar here in Tulsa, plus it opens up the league to NW Arkansas as well...I like the thought.

TU hoops, Drillers, OU Football.  That's about all that's worth mentioning.

[USRufnex]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070103/ap_on_sp_ho_ne/hkn_sprint_center_penguins

quote:"The future of the franchise in Pittsburgh has been in question since last month when the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission rejected a slot application by Isle of Capri Casinos, which had promised to build a $290 million arena for the Penguins if its bid was approved."
-----------------------------------
"We are meeting with officials in Kansas City today as part of our effort to explore all of our options regarding a new arena," Lemieux said in a statement on the team's Web site. "We have heard many great things about their new building, which is scheduled to open in time for the start of the 2007-08 NHL season."

Pittsburgh plays in the 45-year-old Mellon Arena, the NHL's oldest venue, and would have to stay there for several more years even if a new arena deal in Pittsburgh could be reached. The franchise's current lease expires in June.

The $276 million Sprint Center is under construction and set to open in the fall. The facility, which will seat about 18,000, is searching for an anchor tenant but has already sold out its 72 luxury suites. The arena is a public-private partnership between the city and Anschutz Entertainment Group, which also manages the NHL's Kings and STAPLES Center.

Kansas City is believed to be the first city to extend an invitation for a visit to Lemieux and the Penguins' ownership team. Other cities that have expressed interest in the Penguins are Houston; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Portland, Ore.; and possibly Oklahoma City.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07012/753298-61.stm

quote:Despite the much heralded rent-free offer in Kansas City, Mr. Ganis views it as an "above average deal and that's it. The reason for that is it's not a great market.

"As it stands right now, I don't see it as a great relocation opportunity other than a building being under construction right now. But it's a thoroughly mediocre market," he said.

If Mr. Ganis thinks Kansas City, a metro area without an NBA team, is "a thoroughly mediocre market," what would he say about Tulsa?

[deinstein]

Whatever, Tulsa Oilers are the best thing going!

[B)][^]

[USRufnex]

Based on what?

[sgrizzle]

I was told by a hockey talent scout in Wisconsin that Oklahoma, especially Tulsa, has always been a inexplicably popular area for hockey. That is how we've had the oilers for so long and even 2 minor league hockey teams at one point recently.

Chances are, you might find more people willing to buy hockey tickets than soccer, even with beckham fleeing into the U.S.

[deinstein]

quote:Originally posted by USRufnex

Based on what?

Hockey being the second greatest sport ever, behind the greatest of all...lacrosse.

[^]

[deinstein]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

I was told by a hockey talent scout in Wisconsin that Oklahoma, especially Tulsa, has always been a inexplicably popular area for hockey. That is how we've had the oilers for so long and even 2 minor league hockey teams at one point recently.

Chances are, you might find more people willing to buy hockey tickets than soccer, even with beckham fleeing into the U.S.

That guy fed you a spoon full of poop.

No one here really cares about hockey, except a few of us geeks who like superior sports.

[swake]

Tulsa has had pro hockey since 1928. The early years of the Oilers were in the American Hockey Association, a league that competed with the six team (at the time) NHL. Tulsa even played for The Stanley Cup champions in 1930 as a one game inter-league "championship".

[deinstein]

Wikipedia rules, huh?

[)]

[swake]

quote:Originally posted by deinstein

Wikipedia rules, huh?

[)]

That's not where I got my information