No NHL Preseason Game in KC Makes Jack a Dull Boy

As NHL training caps are just around the corner, let us remember that Kansas City doesn't have an NHL exhibition game.  Oh, but there is an NBA exhibition game.  So never mind no big deal.  Except IT IS A BIG DEAL.  The last hockey game at the Sprint Center was the October 13th match last year between Notre Dame and Nebraska-Omaha.  And that's the last one for the foreseeable future.  Why?

#1: The NHL lockout
To a small degree, the lockout can be blamed for Kansas City missing out on a hockey game this year.  KC was set to host the Rangers and Avalanche in a preseason game, but it was canceled due to the lockout.  This disrupted a trend of exhibition games at Sprint Center for the past three of four years at the arena.  But, it's not like the NHL's popularity dwindled due to the lockout.  In fact, NBCSN set ratings records, and local ratings were up in many markets. (though it was nice to say we would never watch the NHL again if the whole season was canceled.  Truth is the NHL knows your viewing habits better than you do).

#2: Sly James doesn't understand hockey
You've seen the quote.  Major James doesn't understand the business of bringing a professional sports team to the Sprint Center.  That's AEG's job.  Who brought the Ice Breaker tournament?  NHL exhibition games?  All AEG.  To Mayor James's credit, he has no clue.  But it's not like he's supposed to have a clue.  He's the figurehead, because who do you talk to at AEG about anything happening at the Sprint Center?

#3: Tim Leiweke doesn't work for AEG anymore
Tim Leiweke – KC's AEG representative, former AEG President and CEO, and everyone's favorite anti-hero – left AEG this year to join Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment where he's made a big splash.  Now Dan Beckerman is in charge, a guy with no ties to an arena in the middle of America nor has to throw disgruntled KC constituents a bone now and then because he lied to them over seven years ago.  Kansas City is an afterthought, and though we get the Miami Heat and Charlotte Name Pendings for an NBA exhibition game, this caters to the local college basketball audience around town more than any hope of an NBA team coming to KC.

So, when is the next hockey game in the Sprint Center?  This reiterates that Kansas City does not appear to be in the running for an anchor tenant anytime soon.  Most importantly, though, how long can Sprint Center maintain it's profitability?  With an anchor tenant, the city, arena management, and team ownership all act as checks on the arena, making sure the facilities stay as up to date as possible.  Instead, it's clear the city defers to AEG on all happenings at this arena.  If the arena is no longer profitable and modern, will AEG look to sell it?  If we look at a recent example, it took the city of Kansas City over ten years after the Kings left for Sacramento to give Kemper a much needed renovation.  As we have seen, professional sports ownership typically requests renovations to arenas or stadiums, or threatens to leave.  This is an extreme example, yes, but how long do we really expect this to be a "Top American Arena" or whatever the hell?

Let's look at last year, KC had the highest visibility of hockey in the city since the days of the Blades last year (Ice Breaker, potential Rangers-Avalanche game, the Mavericks).  Instead, we only have the Mavericks to look forward to this year.  A year ago this time the future looked bright.  This year may be a glimpse into our possible future: the Mavericks, and that's it.

Yes, let's enjoy our world class arena with all of it's fun events, and let's enjoy our Missouri Mavericks and the success they have had in just a few short years.  But, it's okay to be cautiously pessimistic of the future of Kansas City hockey.

So, to paraphrase a statement by mayor Sly James, "What would you rather have, events at the Sprint Center or no events.  What do you think would make more money for the city in the long run?"  Maybe shoehorning one hockey event in Sprint Center this year would not have been such a bad idea, and would give the city one more "event" to boast about.

Calling All Kansas City Billionaires: AEG Up For Sale

AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group), the owner and operator of our own Sprint Center, is for sale.  It's not exactly known what will come from this, or if our good friend Tim Leiweke will be kicked to the curb and forced to be an organ grinder just to make a living, but it will mean a change in the management if all of AEG's properties.

The AP article goes on to say that everything is just fine for LA's futile prospects of courting an NFL franchise, what will this mean for Kansas City.  Will we continue to see an exhibition game each year, or even have tournaments like Ice Breaker or any other hockey events?  Coupled with the NHL lockout, and the real possibility that the Rangers-Avs game will be cancelled, has the Sprint Center peaked too soon, and sealed its fate as a decent concert venue for the next thirty years?  The pessimist in us all wants to say 'yes,' and we wouldn't be wrong.  But – and bear with me here – what if this new company, whoever it is, demands more out of a world class venue like the Sprint Center despite owning and operation showpieces around the globe?  What if Kansas City becomes a testing ground, or the crown jewel of the Midwest?  Maybe they won't lure an NHL or NBA franchise (if anything, the NHL is headed for contraction...hopefully not of all thirty teams...), but bring in more sporting events.  Not even just hockey.  A Frozen Four, a March Madness regional, the Big XII, the SEC, youth events, exhibition games, etc.  They can make it happen.  Please do, whoever you are, for the sake of our city's sports sanity.

Tim Leiweke in the 1980s? Yeah, Tim Leiweke in the 1980s

Did you know that Tim Leiweke – the sports czar (or whatever) of AEG – and his brother Tracey ran the Kansas City Comets indoor soccer team back in the 1980s?  Well, they did.  And here they are in the most 1980s video you will see all year.

AEG, of course, manages the Sprint Center and once ran Kemper Arena (into the ground...literally...almost)

Gary Bettman Reveals the Potential Coyotes Mysterious International Ownership Group

Meanwhile, at NHL Headquarters...

(Charlie Brown teacher voice comes through the phone)

Gary Bettman (on phone): Yes, yes.  I know, Mrs. Scraggs.  And I keep telling you, it just doesn't work like that.  Uh-huh.  Yeah.  Hey, look, I have another call coming in.  How about this, when you can talk to me like an adult, call me back.

(Bettman clicks over to other line)

Bettman: Gary Bettman here, how may I help you?

Mysterious businessman: Hallo!  I am a, err, businessman from Germania, and I am mucho interestante in owning your Phoenix franchise.  Muy muy interestante!

Bettman: Um, okay.  I didn't know we had any international ownership groups interested in purchasing the Coyotes.

Mysterious businessman: Oh oui.  I have always wanted to own an NHL team, ever since I was a little mensch wearing my lederhosen on the frozen pond.

Bettman: Okay, do you have a name, by chance?

Mysterious businessman: All you need to know is that I represent a very importante investment group.

Bettman: And what is the name of your investment group?

Mysterious businessman: Um...its, uh...G....E...A.  Uh...German....Engineering....um...Artichokes...or something.

Bettman: Oookay... well, let's get down to business.  No BS.  What are you willing to offer us to purchase the organization?

Mysterious businessman: Anything you want.  We will do whatever it takes to make the Coyotes the most a la carte team in the league.  A la mode, if you will.

Bettman: You know what, I don't think we will be using your services.  Thanks for the offer, though.

Mysterious businessman: NEIN! NEIN! NEIN!  Achtung, Senor Bettman!  You need someone to own the sporting club, n'est-ce pas?

Bettman: Well, yes...

Mysterious businessman: Yes!  Si!  Da!  You need me!  You will amor me as an NHL owner!

Bettman: (heavy sigh) Mr. Leiweke, I know it's you, so please quit wasting my time.  I have more important things to do.  Plus, I'm meeting Shea Weber for dinner in twenty minutes.

Mysterious businessman: Mr. Leiweke.  Sacrebleu!  I know of no Monsieur Leiweke!

Bettman: Mr. Leiweke, I know it's you, and you already know you cannot own two NHL franchises.  As the owner of the Kings, you are disqualified from the Coyotes...err...sweepstakes.

Tim Leiweke:  Oh, well, haha.  Sorry, Gar-bear.  Just pullin' your leg.  But, for reals, let me own another franchise.

Bettman: No.

Leiweke: Ah man, that's not fair!

Bettman:  I know.

(Bettman hangs up phone)

The NHL Templars Have a Problem, And Only One Man Can Help

Preface:  If you haven't read this post yet, then you are going to have no idea what the hell is going on.  Click the hotlink, read that, then your opinion of how stupid this is will really matter.

NHL Headquarters, Somewhere in Toronto, Last Week

*Knock* *knock*

Via

NHL Grand Master Gary Bettman: Yes, thou art welcome in mine quarters.

(Steward Bill de Daly enters solar chambers)

Via

Bill de Daly: Greetings, Master Bettman.  How does this day find you?

Bettman:  Not so well, kind steward.  For thou see, there art cracks in our once impenetrable sallyport.

Daly: Sir, I just came through the sallyport.  Twas nothing....

An Unexpected Twist in the Struggle for Leadership of the Kansas City School District

(Kansas City School Board office door bursts open)

Mayor Sly James:  Alright, enough wankin’ off!  I’m in charge here!

KC School Board Members:  Umm... what?

Mayor James:  You ethics hating curmudgeons have brought enough bad press to this district with your negativity and unwillingness to cooperate.  You’re just as bad as a gun-toting urban teenager dropped off at the Cinemark Palace by his absentee parents to see the new Muppet movie on a Friday night.  You people disgust me, so I’m taking over.

KC School Board Members:  Umm... no.

Mayor James:  What, you don’t think I can make better decisions than this MENSA meeting?  I cleared the riff-raff out of the Plaza.  What have you done lately other than drive a superintendent out of town and cause the district to lose accreditation?

KC School Board Members:  None of what you just said is necessarily true...

Mayor James:  Are you calling me a liar?  No one calls the Sly One a liar!

KC School Board Members:  Mayor James, we would be more than happy to work with you if the opportunity presents itself.

Mayor James:  Oh, so you’re going to play that game, eh?  Well, it looks like you have left me no choice.  If you won’t listen to me, then it’s time to bring in the big guns, the folks who really know how to run things.  Boys get in here!

(window on the opposite side of the room slowly opens and two men slunk into the room)

I Like the NHL, But I Live in Kansas City. Please HELP!

Via

Have you recently come down with hockey fever for some reason, but you are unsure about which NHL team to cheer for during the upcoming season?!?!  Well, your ol’ friend Dr. Flubber is here with the remedy.  Over the next couple of days (or week or two) I will be listing the top 5, count ‘em FIVE, NHL teams for the locals to follow this season.  Maybe you will find a favorite team and start a long-lasting relationship, and get married to this team and live happily ever after.  Or not.  It is what you make of it.

There are no predictions.  No previews.  Just a simple way for Kansas Citians to get acclimated to some NHL teams that either have some connection to KC, have unstable ownership/low fan support, or other qualities area residents are used to in their sports viewing.  Basically, a team or franchise that could fit well in the city’s sports landscape.

Of course, this may be all for not since the entire area is full of Penguins fans, as evidenced the other night.  Hey, how about cheering for someone other than the Penguins.*  It will make you interesting at parties and junk.**  The first possible choice after the jump!

*The Penguins, obviously, are not one of the teams.

**Cheering for one of these teams will not necessarily make you interesting at parties.

Comparing the Big XII's and NHL's Impact on Downtown Kansas City

I don't want this to devolve into a discussion on college athletics on a hockey blog, and all of the hearsay and rumors and nonsense that changes almost daily, but I know it will.  So, just bear with me.

Just as a general common sense thing, let's list the top sports revenue things in KC in no particular order:
1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Kansas City Royals
3. Sporting Kansas City FC Wizards etc. etc.
4. Big XII Conference events
5. NASCAR/racing

One of those things occurs in downtown Kansas City occasionally.  Can you guess which one?

Continue for the answer.

Oh, So This Is Why KC Sports Fans Hate Tim Leiweke...

Much of the fallout from the Islanders' failed arena plan has focused on what happens next (read: where will the Islanders go now)?  The Village Voice in New York tackles this question, citing a 2009 article in KC's Pitch.

From the Voice:

Kansas City has a new arena, but as our K.C. sister publication the Pitch revealed, it's not likely to throw a sweetheart lease deal at a hockey team. That's because AEG, the management company that runs the publicly owned Sprint Center, would have to give up "a very sizable chunk of the arena revenues" to lure an NHL (or NBA) club, K.C. budget director Troy Schulte told the Pitch, making a full year of concerts sound great by comparison.

Despite the age of the article, it is still relevant today.  Why in 2011, when the Sprint Center has established itself as a profitable arena, would AEG offer a Penguins-esque offer circa 2007 to an NHL team.  Then, the arena was just a NEW arena with HOPES of getting a tenant of some sort.  What many sports fans in Kansas City are slowly beginning to realize is that AEG isn't just going to lure a team out of the goodness of their heart anymore.  It's all business, baby!  

Leiweke doesn't owe us anything, but in our eyes he does.  Look at Mellinger's articles.  To his credit, he speaks as a KC sports fan.  He also wants to cover another team (job security), but it's also easy to root for him to expose AEG for its KC lethargy.  I must kind of agree with Chris Suellentrop's poor assessment of Kansas City that even he disagrees with, but KC does have a step-child mentality, a history of striving to be the 'big' city while denying much of what still holds it back from that distinction in the eyes of the rest of the USA (i.e. "Cow Town," even though the city was built from the stockyards out).  We're cultured ("Sophisticated-- God, we're sophisticated!") folks here in the Midwest, but the biggest putdown from outsiders is that we're a bunch of slack jawed farmers...and for some reason we hate to be seen as inferior (ed. note: in my experience farmers are good people, so no putdown here).  So, AEG's want to make the most money in this instance is seen by Kansas Citians as KC being too small of a market (thus, inferior to say...Columbus, Nashville, or St. Louis).  Instead, AEG is just happy to make the money they are making from an arena that maybe, just possibly was not supposed to make this much money off of concerts.  And the bitch of the whole thing; Kansas Citians deep down assumed it wouldn't be this profitable, but they still want a team.  Concerts don't put you on the map (or make you a 'travel destination' which is a term going around a lot these days), sports do.

This doesn't absolve Leiweke for his failed promises and a lack of effort to bring a team, but it certainly explains the city sports fans' growing impatience with anything new to report about an NHL or NBA team looking at the Sprint Center since about 2008.  KC is a good place, maybe not a 'hockey town' (yet), but its downtown business owners should be getting a better story from those that control the entertainment that comes to their district.  No, AEG does not owe them anything, but someone deserves an explanation, dag nabbit.

Jump for the 2009 Pitch article.