I know this isn't really related to the game tonight, but does anyone actually believe this story going around today that the Hawks are losing money?

http://www.chicagobusines...ackhawks-are-losing-money

Maybe JJ has some more insight on this, but I just don't see how they can be losing money after renting out the UC, concessions, parking, etc. Funny how that article fails to mention any of that.

IMO, if you want to raise the ticket prices, just do it. You don't need to give people BS reasons why its happening.
- -Ava-

The hawks lose money. The united center makes money. The wirtz family owns that. They own a lot of things that make them a lot of money-but the hawks re not one of them

FWIW, saw Rocky interviewed on Channel 5 news this afternoon...he claimed Hawks Ticket prices were 2nd lowest in the league when he took over. Said they've been raising them gradually to avoid sticker shock, and hinted that with next year's increase, they're almost in line with where they "should be".
- Ogilthorpe2

I agree they're probably underpriced when you look at how the team has done, what other teams charge, being one of the biggest franchises in the league, etc.

I also agree no one is worried about where Rocky's next meal is coming from

FWIW, saw Rocky interviewed on Channel 5 news this afternoon...he claimed Hawks Ticket prices were 2nd lowest in the league when he took over. Said they've been raising them gradually to avoid sticker shock, and hinted that with next year's increase, they're almost in line with where they "should be".
- Ogilthorpe2

They will raise them every year or two until the ticket prices are in the upper echelon of league tix avg

Remember this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQdhMSEqhfg
- AL SEC0RD

It's like a Saturday Night Live skit.

I know this isn't really related to the game tonight, but does anyone actually believe this story going around today that the Hawks are losing money?

http://www.chicagobusines...ackhawks-are-losing-money

Maybe JJ has some more insight on this, but I just don't see how they can be losing money after renting out the UC, concessions, parking, etc. Funny how that article fails to mention any of that.

IMO, if you want to raise the ticket prices, just do it. You don't need to give people BS reasons why its happening.
- -Ava-

Wirtz PR move during the Finals to justify another ticket increase. Nothing more. They're in one of the largest cities in the U.S., sell out every game, sell a buttload of merchandise around North America. They're not losing money.

FWIW, saw Rocky interviewed on Channel 5 news this afternoon...he claimed Hawks Ticket prices were 2nd lowest in the league when he took over. Said they've been raising them gradually to avoid sticker shock, and hinted that with next year's increase, they're almost in line with where they "should be".
- Ogilthorpe2

Hellllllooooooo Ogi....

Yea, they've been saying it for a while. If they mean they're in the red from those years where they couldn't get people in the building and tickets were next to nothing, I might believe that. I don't believe for a second they're losing money yearly at this point.
- -Ava-

It is hard to believe.

It's like a Saturday Night Live skit.
- Ogilthorpe2

GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZUZ PEACE she's a daft twat.

I agree, less Keith and more Leddy on the PP. But who plays with Leddy on the point? I don't think Sharp is the answer, maybe Seabrook?

How could would our PP have been if Stan had signed Jason Garrison? He's the exact type of shot we need.
- DarthKane

Hossa on the point!

It is hard to believe.
- philco28

If the Hawks as an independent entity, seperate from the rest of the Wirtz empire, are losing money...league is in trouble. Big trouble.

It's like a Saturday Night Live skit.
- Ogilthorpe2

She couldn't have planned it any better . . . . She's now a Youtube star.

FWIW, saw Rocky interviewed on Channel 5 news this afternoon...he claimed Hawks Ticket prices were 2nd lowest in the league when he took over. Said they've been raising them gradually to avoid sticker shock, and hinted that with next year's increase, they're almost in line with where they "should be".
- Ogilthorpe2

I think that comment was true and now tix still aren't as high as some.
My kids were able to buy 300 level for $8 with a student ID....

Inredible start, no finish as the Blackhawks drop Game 2 in OT. My Fox Chicago: FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/11IESN5

Hellllllooooooo Ogi....
- UnnamedSource

Good evening McFly...er Unnamed Source.

If the Hawks as an independent entity, seperate from the rest of the Wirtz empire, are losing money...league is in trouble. Big trouble.
- Ogilthorpe2

Of course, it is. That's why there was a long lockout....

Does anyone know what channel the SD feed is for NBC Sports Net on DirecTV? My HD feed isn't coming through for some reason.

Good evening McFly...er Unnamed Source.
- Ogilthorpe2

lol.....thinking about going to the "under the sea" dance...

If the Hawks as an independent entity, seperate from the rest of the Wirtz empire, are losing money...league is in trouble. Big trouble.
- Ogilthorpe2

Does Wirtz own the UC ?

Just showed Lucic , Marchand , Seguin and Thornton on CBC between the Bruins room and the ice , joking around and looking very relaxed. Hopefully TOO relaxed.

I know this isn't really related to the game tonight, but does anyone actually believe this story going around today that the Hawks are losing money?

http://www.chicagobusines...ackhawks-are-losing-money

Maybe JJ has some more insight on this, but I just don't see how they can be losing money after renting out the UC, concessions, parking, etc. Funny how that article fails to mention any of that.

IMO, if you want to raise the ticket prices, just do it. You don't need to give people BS reasons why its happening.
- -Ava-

It did say just the hockey team - not including any income from the UC or CSN that the is the Wirtz' share.

Also - certainly haven't seen their statements - but I would guess (from sketchy numbers I've seen other places) that the Hawks make money from operations, but because of past operating loans from othe Wirtz companies, may have very high interest costs, which might throw them into a loss position.

And if the numbers were based on the year - it was only half a year, with a lot of expenses being full year expenses.

She couldn't have planned it any better . . . . She's now a Youtube star.
- AL SEC0RD

To "U.S. Americans"...she's an intellectual GIANTESS

The hawks lose money. The united center makes money. The wirtz family owns that. They own a lot of things that make them a lot of money-but the hawks re not one of them
- miked23

Careful about some of this: the Wirtz family owns half the UC (with the Reinsdorf group) and some percentage of CSN.

Does Wirtz own the UC ?
- philco28

Some of it..I think half

Careful about some of this: the Wirtz family owns half the UC (with the Reinsdorf group) and some percentage of CSN.
- StLBravesFan

Interesting.

Some of it..I think half
- miked23

Didn't a Forbes issue claim the Hawks were one of the most profitable teams recently, despite Rocky's claim otherwise?

If the Hawks are losing money you can be it's only on paper to help the other Wirtz businesses.

UPDATE: as of last November, Forbes claimed the Hawks were making a profit of $20.5 million per season.

http://www.forbes.com/teams/chicago-blackhawks/

A Finals appearance certainly isn't hurting that.
- Hemingways

That's operating income.

Don't know exactly what's below that, but certainly interest expense is, and possibly revenue sharing payments to small market teams.

Also, not sure about the accuracy of the Capitalist's Tool.