Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

How the Carolina Hurricanes are setting an example for new ownership

lightsout

By lightsout,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

lightsout Grand Master

lightsout

Posted
Posted

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ras977 Newbie

ras977

Posted
Posted
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 !

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rhyslloyd Enthusiast

rhyslloyd

Posted
Posted

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • rayzor
      Snow in the high country

      By rayzor · Posted

      i think i go in the opposite direction of most. my ideal retirement is living in some old downtown area in a flat above some shop or something.  life out in the country was just something i got real tired of. My kids actually miss some of living out there, which i understand. that was where they grew up for the most part. 40 acres with a 2.5 acre pond. it was beautiful, but also way too much (and too expensive) for me to keep up with. 
    • MHS831
      Chuba Missile Crisies

      By MHS831 · Posted

      FLASHBACK: I remember back when ESPN was just starting--he was their anchor.  They used to show stuff like Rodeo and field hockey--I remember laughing when he went to a commercial mocking a cycling competition in Utah (or something similar--I made that up) and I laughed.  I told my dad, "We may have us a new anchor when we get back from commercial."  When they came back from commercial, Berman was looking very serious and he said, "Any comments by me do not reflect the views of ESPN....The men and women who cycle are dedicated athletes and we are honored to shine light on their sport." (Paraphrasing).  Dad laughed hysterically. My first memory of him--and that was like 1980.
    • djp14
      Canes vs Rangers 7pm(Happy Thanksgiving eve)

      By djp14 · Posted

      Might not have a team without them. Although that probably applies to the Panthers, too.
×
×
  • Create New...