This is from a story that's going to run next week after I talked to Michael Franke:
What does that mean for the fans, as far a ticket prices?
``Last year I think we did a 38-game plan and we're doing a 40-game plan again this year,'' Franke said. ``Included in that will be the regular season, exhibition games and also will be the possibility of an expanded playoff format which we'll be discussing at our summer meetings. It depends whether you have more teams or just to change up what we're doing right now. Maybe we get into a situation where if you have seven or eight teams, maybe the first team gets a bye and maybe the next four teams play for the first round. We're talking about a lot of different things, but that will be determined in June.
``It also opens up for other things, too, that we may have interest in doing in talking to other leagues. Maybe one of these years we'll get an expanded playoff in that will include the winner of one league versus the winner of another league. You just never know.''
Ticket prices will be going up slightly for season-ticket holders and $1 across the board for all general admission tickets, Franke said.
``We were going to go up $2 and we thought that was too much,'' he said. ``We saw a double digit percentage increases in a lot of our expenses this year from insurance, worker's compensation and travel. Like everybody, you just have to figure out a way to cover your expenses. We're hoping to make up a lot of the difference in group sales and in the fans who buy tickets the day of the games.''
Comments
Usually, they tell me to go to the other place, Dschebig. For you, I'd find a way. I'm guessing they'll have wifi in Heaven.
It has been no secret that Stephen Franke was or is a partial owner of the Bloomington Prairie Thunder. There is some public record of that and the Fort Wayne Frankes have not contested that point.
It has been said many times that Fort Wayne money is helping out in Flint currently, last year for sure. They might not be known as the official owners, but if you follow the money trail, I would bet it ends up here somewhere near the coliseum. It might be called IHL money, but where do you think that the IHL is making money at? I doubt they have a money tree. Bob Perani (previous Flint Owner) gave money to Muskegon 3 years ago to get them out of trouble, that is what is funny in an odd way.
There are plenty of other bloggers out there and Brendan Savage to back this up.
I guess it doesn't matter either way. It is there league and their decision. I just don't want to see our ticket prices reflect the bad attendance and bad support of the other teams in this league. My personal opinion obviously.
I guess that's what I was getting at, Hit....Stephan Franke the individual, not the Komets organization, is supposedly a partial owner of these other teams, according to some public records that we've not ever seen. I could be a partial owner too, for all you know, and still be a Komets fan. So could half the fans in the building. I'm just saying. Now, if the Komets as an organization are paying for it out of season ticket holder money, then I get where you are coming from. But a personal investment....the guy can invest his money where he wants to. Where did he make that money? Sure, it was probably partially, if not mostly from Komet sales. But is he not also part owner of Komet Kuarters? And they sell sticks, pucks, skates, etc, that have nothing to do with the Fort Wayne team? You see where I am going here. Oh well, like you said, it really does not matter anyway. It is what it is, and there is nothing you or I can do about it! But it was a great discussion!!
And yes, that IS funny that everyone is up in arms about the Frankes doing this when Muskegon's owner did the same thing to help Flint. Why is this the first time I am hearing about that? Maybe because I'm relatively new around here, I suppose.
One comment about the ticket prices.....what was the last thing anyone saw drop in price, no matter the reason? Movie tickets, baseball tickets, football tickets (for the same team, not the Firehawks...), clothing, food, diapers....? Why would hockey tickets be any different? I think a lot of things are too expensive already. Unfortunately, that does not mean that the price will go down or stay the same next year because I think that!! Just my opinion.
Flint owner gave money to Muskegon team to help it.....
Whoops....dyslexia strikes again....my bad!
Seems like we have all had this talk before about the future of hockey. When NOT IF the economy flushes down the toilet we will not be worrying about hockey but we will be worrying about food and survival. Enjoy the games while you can.
You're a glass half-full type of guy, eh Tim?
The prices of VCR's have gone through the floor!
Good one Frozen! I am the optomist always I guess!! lol