The following post was submitted via email, and was written by Logan Davis, in response to the poll we’re running as of this writing, “What other pro sport would you support coming to Portland?”
First, let me state that I am excited about the Timbers joining MLS (and the PGE Park renovation). They are going to play a crucial part in bringing the league to the next level.
With that being said, the cost to the city of bringing NHL to here is significantly less than bringing MLS here was. Portland already has a hockey venue in the Rose Garden and they can already juggle the time it takes to change the venue basketball court to a rink pretty well (although the Winterhawks occasionally play at the Memorial Coliseum as well).
Not only that, but look at the city’s history of hockey – the first American professional hockey club was here, we’ve already had the first U.S team to compete for the Stanley Cup (granted…this was in like 1916..) and we have the Winterhawks that have a small, but dedicated following. The type of fans that get into soccer can easily transition into hockey fans as well – NHL games have the same type of atmosphere (rowdy, loud, and with lots of beer) – and Portland’s only competing market that has hockey is in BC. Compared to NFL (Seattle) or MLB (Seattle) where the closest competing team and market are just a couple hours away.
The NHL isn’t expanding any time soon, but with teams like Phoenix and Atlanta perpetually getting 1st round draft picks and losing money from ticket sales it would make sense to try and get one of these teams to relocate. It worked for Carolina (from Hartford..a traditional hockey market) and Colorado (who stole the Nordiques during a rough patch in the 1990s). But if the right people tried selling Gary Bettman (commissioner for the NHL) on hockey in Portland – especially with the recent and projected success of the Timbers in the MLS – then we could be looking at an amazing sports city.
I mean, who wouldn’t be down for that? Okay, provided Portland didn’t name them the Rosebuds again…
Related posts:
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
It would be great getting a NHL franchise. I would eat that up. I don’t care much for soccer, but hockey now we’re talking. I just hope we get a better team of players. I hate watching the Hawks lose all the time.
Buckeroos!