How the Carolina Hurricanes are setting an example for new ownership

[lightsout]

So with the team being up for sale and the immediate future being somewhat uncertain, what with Hurney being on leave and no definitive evidence of who the new owners will be, I am admiring new Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon. Yes, this will tie into the Panthers ownership.

In the few weeks since Dundon, a Dallas billionaire who bought the team after former owner Peter Karmanos sold the team for $500 million, the entire vibe around the franchise has shifted.

For a few years, the Canes have been close to making the playoffs and just falling short. A young core of talent exists now, and coach Bill Peters is doing what he can to push this team into playoff contention while competing in arguably the most competitive and tough division in the NHL. A fan base that is routinely laughed at by fans of other teams, the Canes reputation is PNC arena is not a home game due to fans of the opposing teams overpowering our own fans. Ticket sales are towards the bottom of the league. Not a great look for any team.

What did Dundon do? He started encouraging fans in ways that most owners wouldn't dream. He invited the entire stadium to come to the lower bowl seating without charging extra. A free upgrade. This caused them to fill the lower bowl pretty quick. So you think it's done? Next, after the lower bowl filled, they started upgrading people from their former seats to club level seating. No charge. This being an effort to increase fan excitement and noise in order to help the team.

The old player entry tunnel onto the ice was in the bench area. A standard hockey entrance tunnel. What does Dundon do? Pay for a bigger door in the corner of the ice where players come out surrounded by fans inside the tunnel.

The marketing of the team has also been steadily stepped up since his arrival.

How can this be applied to future owners of the Panthers? We aren't having trouble selling tickets and we're a playoff contender more years than not lately. Marketing is pretty good and support isn't bad, even in a year where we weren't at our best. If you want to see team ownership done right, look no further than Tom Dundon. The guy comes in and wants the fans to claim the team and take pride in it. He doesn't want to give the team a makeover as much as he wants support up and cost down. He wants the product on the ice to drive all of this and since he has taken ownership, the level of play has increased. Now whether that is due to him being the owner or if it's simply the coaches doing a good job of getting guys to step up down the stretch, I'm not certain. But I get the feeling that Dundon's ownership will lead to more good for that organization. If the new owners of the Panthers just get out of the way and push for improved play on the field and improved fan experience, much like Dundon, I think most here will be more than happy.

New ownership can be bad or stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Hopefully the Panthers are paying attention to what is happening in Raleigh.

[Mr. Scot]

I read the thread title as saying how the Panthers were setting a good example.  I was ready to say WTF?

Thankfully, I read that wrong.

 

[lightsout]

2 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I read the thread title as saying how the Panthers were setting a good example.  I was ready to say WTF?

Thankfully, I read that wrong.

 

Sorry to scare you.

[Panther49er]

Funny you posted that.. I’ve been watching my first Hurricanes game of the year tonight. Hopefully they keep pushing and get in the playoffs!

[Mr. Scot]

11 minutes ago, lightsout said:

Sorry to scare you.

Nah.  It's a good post.  Just in the middle of the current hysteria...

 

[ras977]

32 minutes ago, lightsout said:

So with the team being up for sale and the immediate future being somewhat uncertain, what with Hurney being on leave and no definitive evidence of who the new owners will be, I am admiring new Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon. Yes, this will tie into the Panthers ownership.

In the few weeks since Dundon, a Dallas billionaire who bought the team after former owner Peter Karmanos sold the team for $500 million, the entire vibe around the franchise has shifted.

For a few years, the Canes have been close to making the playoffs and just falling short. A young core of talent exists now, and coach Bill Peters is doing what he can to push this team into playoff contention while competing in arguably the most competitive and tough division in the NHL. A fan base that is routinely laughed at by fans of other teams, the Canes reputation is PNC arena is not a home game due to fans of the opposing teams overpowering our own fans. Ticket sales are towards the bottom of the league. Not a great look for any team.

What did Dundon do? He started encouraging fans in ways that most owners wouldn't dream. He invited the entire stadium to come to the lower bowl seating without charging extra. A free upgrade. This caused them to fill the lower bowl pretty quick. So you think it's done? Next, after the lower bowl filled, they started upgrading people from their former seats to club level seating. No charge. This being an effort to increase fan excitement and noise in order to help the team.

The old player entry tunnel onto the ice was in the bench area. A standard hockey entrance tunnel. What does Dundon do? Pay for a bigger door in the corner of the ice where players come out surrounded by fans inside the tunnel.

The marketing of the team has also been steadily stepped up since his arrival.

How can this be applied to future owners of the Panthers? We aren't having trouble selling tickets and we're a playoff contender more years than not lately. Marketing is pretty good and support isn't bad, even in a year where we weren't at our best. If you want to see team ownership done right, look no further than Tom Dundon. The guy comes in and wants the fans to claim the team and take pride in it. He doesn't want to give the team a makeover as much as he wants support up and cost down. He wants the product on the ice to drive all of this and since he has taken ownership, the level of play has increased. Now whether that is due to him being the owner or if it's simply the coaches doing a good job of getting guys to step up down the stretch, I'm not certain. But I get the feeling that Dundon's ownership will lead to more good for that organization. If the new owners of the Panthers just get out of the way and push for improved play on the field and improved fan experience, much like Dundon, I think most here will be more than happy.

New ownership can be bad or stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Hopefully the Panthers are paying attention to what is happening in Raleigh.

Go Canes !

[Carl Spackler]

Totally agree, what Dundon has done is fantastic

[caatfan]

Panther organization and fans should be experiencing owner envy. 

[Panther49er]

....and that’s why I shouldn’t watch hockey. Unfugingbelievable!

[lightsout]

Tough one. But a point in the standings is better than being down two. Think we might've had it in a shootout. Just unfortunate.

[philit99]

I was at the game. Wow just wow, 3 seconds left in OT.

[rhyslloyd]

For anyone who doesn't follow the Hurricanes, it's a predictable pattern of starting slow, getting hot, finishing slow and missing the playoffs.  This year's team has the most talent of any team in the last 5-7 years, but they appear destined to repeat the pattern.  I don't think Bill Peters is much different than Ron Rivera.  He can't seem to get the most out of the talent he has to work with.

[PandaPancake]

So you're saying we need a bar for players to run through like Jerry's world?

[RumHam]

Yeah well if the Canes don't make the playoffs within three years, they'll be moving to Quebec.