As expected, Roanoke is dead, Richmond is moving to Chicago and Motor City is looking for new digs. How do you feel about Lansing? That's probably a long shot. They have to know by next week when the schedule info goes to the schedule maker. Let's face it, if the UHL loses Richmond and Roanoke and if MC is able to move somewhere, the UHL is much better off than last year, even if MC isn't able to relocate because travel costs should be cut considerably.
I know some fans will whine about how the UHL is falling apart. Baloney and pull your heads out of the... sand (I so wanted to say something else). Attrition in this case is a good thing. Look around at the other minor leagues and the UHL has been the most stable by far over the past three seasons. Accept it, deal with it. It's part of doing business in the minor leagues so shut up.
It's obvious not that many fans actually cared about these teams or they'd still be there. This is what I mean when I say the season-ticket base is not enough. You have to appeal to the broader audience to actually make money. That's true even with the Komets who have 3,000-plus season tickets. Die-hards aren't enough to to make it work.
If the UHL plays with 12-13 teams next year, depending on Missouri and Adirondack negotiations, that will be 12-13 teams have a tremendous chances to be very strong economically because travel costs are going to be cut dramatically. No longer is Missouri out on an island. No longer will teams have to play in Muskegon one night and in Missouri the next. Instead they'll be stopping by Bloomington on the way, or in Hoffman Estates on the way to Rockford or Quad City. Those are going to be a tremendous savings.
If Adirondack isn't able to get a new deal with its building, then Danbury and Elmira are probably in deep trouble. If not now, then they will be by this time next year simply because of gas prices. Gee, can we blame the UHL for that, too? D--- that Brosal, he needs to buy an oil company so he can stop this! No, what the league needs to do is find a gas company to be the official sponsor.
