Post by GoVoysGo on Nov 27, 2014 15:19:42 GMT -5
Expansion? League Gets Feet Wet on Concept
TFHN - Daniel Ronel, Nov. 27
Toronto, ON • Since the league's commencement in 2012, the YGFHL has seen six teams clash in the fight for the Max Sky Cup. However, the league is due for a "reset draft", which most fans (and video games) refer to as a "fantasy draft". This may be a window of opportunity to expand the league past its Original Six.
Usually, when a professional sports league expands, the decision is met with much controversy and dismay from fans; generally, teams must lock a number of players, and the rest are to be drafted by all the teams (expansion and original). However, with the reset draft, all the rosters are subject to a complete makeover anyways.
According to YGFHL commissioner Larry Buttman, this was discussed in a recent owner meeting. He suggests that anywhere from four to six new teams could become part of the league.
He also explained that expansion would likely require the league to split into East and West conferences. After the concept failed in the league's inaugural year, fans may be questioning the consideration of revisiting the conference setup. A tiebreaker error gave the Flint HoldMaDick (now Dallas Diamonds) the final playoff spot over the Springfield Blues (now Red Deer Blades). Flint played in the West, while Springfield played in the East.
Despite their growing worry, they should not fear. With more teams, there will be a more defined tiebreaker system. It will become more difficult to maintain the league in one group — the incumbent setup — with ten, eleven, or twelve teams. It will be necessary if the league plans on expanding even further; Buttman hinted at expansion resulting in a league total sixteen teams, which may even require divisions on top of the conferences.
Probably a bigger issue stems from a five team expansion (for eleven total teams); there would have to be some substantial changes to the YGFHL. For starters, the league would have to split into conferences due to the quantity of teams, which is problematic, as the conference size ratio would be unequal (6:5). Furthermore, a bye system would have to be implemented. This is a very unpopular topic among the League Board of Owners, mostly because during the bye weeks their respective team does not earn any profit. Also, who wants their team to rest for a whole week?
While the final decision is yet to be made, it is very likely that the Board will vote to pass it, according to Daniel Ronel. He himself is "extremely excited for the future of the league."
Should the concept materialize, there are a few cities that appear to be the frontrunners for new teams. Here are a few of the probable locations, accompanied by a team name that we at TFHN came up with as suggestions. Do not be surprised to see these franchises take to the ice next year:
Cincinnati Bullfrogs: Yes, we know this city reported lackluster attendence. And yes, we really did just "go there" and suggest the team keep its old name. Surprisingly, a lot has changed from last year. The number of hockey fans from around the area (that keep up with the league regularly) has shot up significantly. Sources say people from Cincinnati infrequently attend Grand Rapids and Milwaukee games; I've even seen the occasional Bullfrogs jersey in a sea of purple or powder blue.
Saskatoon Vipers: The Younger Gunz Fantasy Basketball Association (YGFBA) contemplated expansion several years ago, and Jim Ballsilly, a multibillionaire (and former CEO of Research In Movement, now called Blueberry) who intended to start a team in Saskatoon, did some surveys of the people of Saskatoon. His findings claimed that at least 17000 people would see more than one pro sports game (either hockey or basketball) per season. They also claim that the average price range people would be comfortable paying (for ground floor, upper section seats) is $90 - $230. Ballsilly also conducted a name contest for a potential hockey or basketball team; Vipers won for both sports. We chose a deep purple as the primary colour, but that just has to do with my obsession with purple and green colour jerseys (and the lethargy of the rest of the office).
Quebec City Nordiques: And how could they not retain their former name? With a pro-regulation sports venue due for completion around the start of next year, Quebec City should be an obvious frontrunner here. Multiple potential owners contacted Ronel several years ago — when the team was located in San Diego, and reporting losses — concerning purchasing the franchise and moving it to Quebec City. Not only did Ronel want to maintain "at least majority ownership" of the franchise, but also did "not want to move to Quebec." None of the offers he received did not meet either requirement, and he moved to Boise. There is a very large Facebook-based fanbase for the Nords, full of hockey-hungry fans, relishing the chance to revive their hockey team.
Houston Scorpions: I apologize if you cannot read the lightly-coloured text; I felt it was necessary to be consistent. It says "Houston Scorpions", and it suggests a team name that, as far as my memory claims, has never been used before (at least professionally). Greater Houston is the largest market in terms of both "city proper" and "metro" population, in North America, without a hockey franchise. As part of the lease agreement between Toyota Center (which is YGFHL capacity, with 17,800 seats in its hockey configuration) and the Houston Rockets, only a YGFHL team owned by Les Alexander, owner of the Rockets, is allowed to play at the Center.The Rockets have twice explored the purchase of a professional hockey team for the building, with the closest attempt being Alexander's attempted purchase of the Edmonton Oilers in 1998 which was thwarted when a local ownership group came together and matched his offer. Since the announcement of the potential expansion, Alexander claims businessmen have approached him about purchasing the Houston Rockets (in order to start a YGFHL team in Houston), telling TFHN, "It surprises me how strongly people want a pro hockey team here."
Green Bay Sabretooths: It's quite strange how long it took for Wisconsin to field a professional hockey team. In their first year, the Milwaukee Blizzards are doing very well, reporting top six attendance numbers in the YGFHL. It's no rumour that both Milwaukee and Green Bay have always shown strong fanbases for University teams. Green Bay and Milwaukee could easily become a heated rivalry, which is music to the ears both (Milwaukee Blizzards owner) Shmuel Kantor and whoever owns the Green Bay team. We decided to keep the theme of cold that the other Wisconsin franchise adopted.