Posted by: Richie Bernardo

1. Main Findings
2. Ask the Experts
3. Methodology

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Overall Rank	City	Total Score	‘NHL’ Rank	‘College Hockey’ Rank
71	Fairfield, CT	3.37	23	54
72	Springfield, MA	2.33	23	55

Ask the Experts < >

• Ronald J. Rychlak Professor of Law, Jamie L. Whitten Chair of Law and Government and Faculty Athletics Representative in the School of Law at University of Mississippi
• Julie D. Lanzillo Assistant Professor and Director of the Sport Management Program at Neumann University
• Joseph A. Pederson Assistant Professor of Sport Administration in the Department of Kinesiology at Samford University
• David Gargone Director of Sport Management and Associate Professor of Business at Misericordia University
• Craig Coleman Director of Athletics at Robert Morris University
• Cole G. Armstrong Assistant Professor of Sport Management in the Department of Kinesiology at San José State University
• Christopher L. Newman Assistant Professor of Marketing at University of Mississippi
• Bonnie Tiell Professor of Sport Management at Tiffin University
• BerNadette Lawson-Williams Coordinator of the Online Sport Management Program and Associate Professor of Sport Management in the Metropolitan College at Johnson C. Smith University

Ronald J. Rychlak Professor of Law, Jamie L. Whitten Chair of Law and Government and Faculty Athletics Representative in the School of Law at University of Mississippi Should fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel be treated and regulated as gambling? Yes, I think daily fantasy sports wagering is pretty much the same as online casinos. There is consideration (the bet), and uncertain outcome, and a reward or prize. Granted, there is a level of skill involved in picking which players will perform best, but the same can be said about any kind of sports batting -- most of which (outside of Nevada) violates not only state law but federal law. I can see an argument for opening up sports book in new states, but online gambling is perhaps the riskiest kind of gambling. Denying that daily fantasy sports is a form of gambling is ignoring the very real threats that have traditionally caused states and the federal government to regulate or prohibit these activities. Julie D. Lanzillo Assistant Professor and Director of the Sport Management Program at Neumann University What are the biggest challenges facing the business of professional hockey today? Many of the challenges facing professional hockey are those that have plagues the industry for some time. The exchange rate between the U.S. and Canadian dollars is a constant (or fluctuating) problem. While this can be said for other leagues, the NHL has a larger number of teams north of the border than other pro leagues. The league, its teams and players all feel the impact of this. Players are aware of the results on their salary and teams can feel the hit with the salary cap. The other problem I see is the sport’s exposure. College hockey does not get the coverage that collegiate football and basketball receive, and in many ways, college baseball as well. While college soccer has minimal television exposure, it can be argued that a significantly larger number of youth participate in soccer as compared to ice hockey, so while it is not media exposure, the participation exposure is skewed in favor of soccer. And where golf once had Tiger Woods to increase its exposure to youth and minorities, professional hockey has not been able to deliver the same type of star power to generate interest among the youth, who will develop into those future professionals. Do you have any tips for how hockey fans can enjoy the sport without breaking the bank? This same argument can be used for other professional sports. With the continued development of technology and access, fans have many more ways to interact with their favorite teams and players. Whether it is through social media following, consuming the sport through digital media, or supporting minor league hockey organizations, there are considerable outlets available for fans to enjoy the sport. In evaluating the best cities for hockey fans, what are the top five indicators I believe expansion in Canada is less likely than U.S. expansion, for the currency issue discussed above. This is probably number 1. For U.S. potential expansion locations, I believe the model that MLS has used could be mirrored. Minor league teams in the USL and NASL (in soccer) have evolved into MLS teams in recent years -- Minnesota United, Atlanta Silverbacks, Montreal Impact and Orlando City SC. The barrier to this issue is that the NHL has a clause that owners are not allowed to have a stake in more than one team. Part of the MLS growth was due to the financial subsidization of Philip Anschutz, who had pieces of many of the original teams that now comprise MLS. So, the remaining top 5 indicators would include some modifications to league structure:

• Evaluate existing minor league cities for positive trends in attendance, revenue, population growth.

• Allow owners to have a stake in multiple teams.

• How close does an expansion city sit to an existing NHL team and what trends have they been experiencing in attendance/revenue? Case in point, Raleigh’s Carolina Hurricanes have suffered fluctuating attendance and revenue figures in recent years. What does this mean? Is that region of the U.S. not a candidate for NHL expansion? Does that mean Virginia Beach and Charlotte are not viable candidates?

• An expansion city needs an ownership group that is committed to building the organization on and off the ice. Using the Tampa Bay Lightning as an example, when Jeff Vinik purchased the team in 2010, there was noticeable investment on many fronts: roster, marketing, arena improvement and neighborhood redevelopment around the venue.

Joseph A. Pederson Assistant Professor of Sport Administration in the Department of Kinesiology at Samford University What are the biggest challenges facing the business of professional hockey today? Coverage and cost. Coverage -- Professional hockey struggles to compete for dedicated coverage from national sports media. Hockey relies heavily on regional sports networks and local coverage. Cost -- In addition to keeping the live-viewing experience affordable (a challenge faced in all sports), hockey participation has arguably the highest socioeconomic barrier. Specialized equipment, ice time, and league-fees contribute to high costs that can dissuade many from participating. Developing affordable grassroots opportunities for people to become involved in the sport is imperative for long-term prosperity. Do you have any tips for how hockey fans can enjoy the sport without breaking the bank? Look for a minor league team that plays in your area. Across 3 minor leagues (AHL, ECHL, and SPHL), 68 teams play in 32 different states (and 3 Canadian provinces). Teams like the Colorado Eagles of the ECHL boast affordable family entertainment, and still provide a high quality hockey product on the ice. Most of these teams also have community programs designed to cultivate fans and grow interest in the game. How does the NHL compare to other major league sports in terms of ensuring the safety and health of their players in the short and long term? In general, the NHL has recently demonstrated efforts aimed at ensuring the safety and health of their players. However, the NHL faces some of the same scrutiny as NFL, being a sport that embraces and even celebrates the violent aspects of competition. In evaluating the best cities for hockey fans, what are the top five indicators? The best cities for hockey fans are cities with a deep investment in hockey at a community level. More opportunities for involvement (participant or spectator) are generally supported and reinforced by dedicated media coverage. So, five indicators are:

• Number of youth/interscholastic hockey programs;

• Number of college hockey teams;

• Number of junior/minor league teams;

• Number of NHL teams;

• Amount of media coverage dedicated to hockey by local and regional media outlets.

Should fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel be treated and regulated as gambling? Yes, they should be regulated. However, daily fantasy and other sport-related contests should be uniquely categorized and distinguished from other games of chances defined as gambling. David Gargone Director of Sport Management and Associate Professor of Business at Misericordia University What are the biggest challenges facing the business of professional hockey today? Like most other professional and amateur sports, growing concerns in player safety and violence on the playing surface are becoming more prevalent. This is especially true when you look at the sport of professional hockey. Die hard fans grew up appreciating and anticipating the big hits and fights on the ice. However, the business of sports, and not just hockey, continues to try and limit violent acts, intentional or just part of the game, to provide a more fan-friendly, sponsorship-safe atmosphere. Do you have any tips for how hockey fans can enjoy the sport without breaking the bank? Stay home is the simple answer. The average cost for a family of 4 to attend a regular season game is over $350 (NHL Fan Cost Index). You can buy a full season subscription to NHL Center Ice or NHL.tv for over half the price. I'm a big believer in live sports, so I am not promoting this as the best option. But full access to the entire league's slate of games might peak some fans interests over making it into the arena for one game. How does the NHL compare to other major league sports in terms of ensuring the safety and health of their players in the short and long term? The NHL continues to adjust to the changing player safety landscape in professional sports. The NHL's 7-day Injured Reserve rule allows teams to roster flexibility to deal with minor injuries more effectively. MLB just changed to a 7-day DL for the same reason. This shortened time period takes pressure off of players to return quickly from minor injuries. They also have instituted a third-party official to monitor for head injuries during games, with long-term player health in mind. In evaluating the best cities for hockey fans, what are the top five indicators? Overall professional sports culture, team history, attendance percentage (attendees/seats available), importance of hockey in the region, and recent success. Should fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel be treated and regulated as gambling? I believe so. I understand the argument that fantasy sports is a skill. During a sporting event, there are far too many variables in play (e.g., athletes, coaches, officials, playing surface, weather) to accurately forecast individual players' successes or failures. Add in an entire slate of games, compounding the variables, and I can't get behind the skill argument as much. I know there are "skilled" individuals with sophisticated algorithms that lead to success. I would guess, though, that there is a higher percentage of participants that are simply picking players based on their gut, with no skill involved. Craig Coleman Director of Athletics at Robert Morris University Do you have any tips for how hockey fans can enjoy the sport without breaking the bank? Fans can and should attend collegiate hockey games. We get lots of hockey fans who can't afford Penguins tickets, or who just don't have the connections to get them. Collegiate hockey is an outstanding value. The NCAA Frozen Four is one of the best attended NCAA Championships, with hockey "groupies" attending every year. Cole G. Armstrong Assistant Professor of Sport Management in the Department of Kinesiology at San José State University What are the biggest challenges facing the business of professional hockey today? One of the major challenges facing the business of professional hockey today is not directly with the product produced by the NHL or its affiliates, but rather the cost of participation at the youth level. With many factors driving up the cost of participation including equipment, practice time, team fees, and travel costs, it would not be surprising for parents and children to select more reasonably priced sports. If participation numbers decrease and fewer individuals are exposed to the game, the overall pool of potential fans may shrink as well. This is a challenge professional hockey faces as the game becomes more of an upper-class sport due to the costs associated. Another concern for the business of hockey is the low Canadian dollar. Currently hovering around $.74 to the USD, the low dollar increases costs for the Canadian franchises as all NHL contracts are paid in USD. This also cuts into league revenues which is later reflected in the salary cap. With no surefire sign of the CAD gaining ground in the immediate future, NHL revenue projections are likely on the lower end of ideal, which will pose interesting challenges for the league moving forward especially as time inches closer to the end of the current labor agreement. Do you have any tips for how hockey fans can enjoy the sport without breaking the bank? Hockey is a passionate game with wild swings of action, physical intensity, and incomparable speed. The sport is best enjoyed amongst friends or in the company of others whether at the rink, at a local watering hole, or in the comfort of one’s home. If getting to an NHL game is a financial impossibility -- understanding both the direct and hidden costs of attendance -- there are still other options available. In many cities where an NHL team is not present, and even in many where there is a local NHL team, there are other options for fans to experience the game live, which I believe is the best way for a fan to enjoy the sport. Check the local market to see if there is a local professional or Major Junior team (e.g., AHL, ECHL, CHL) and while searching have a look at tickets. Oftentimes, non-NHL teams will have very reasonable ticket prices, affordable concessions, and other reduced prices making attendance much more affordable. The hockey is still fast paced and high level, and will give the attendee a sense for the speed and intensity at which hockey is played -- something that is tough to comprehend when watching on television. If there is not an option in the local market, I recommend individuals interested in developing their hockey fandom begin with the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The NHL regular season, like the regular season schedules of Major League Baseball and the NBA, are extended and the game quality can wane. However, during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the intensity of the game is always at 100%. The game is faster, more physically demanding, and higher stakes. Also, during the beginning rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoff, there is hockey on almost every night. Search out where certain fan groups meet to watch games, or simply pick a team and jump on the bandwagon. There is no better sport viewing experience than the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Hopefully, your team will play in and win a game seven in overtime -- there is truly nothing like it. Another interesting development to watch out for is the use of subscription type ticketing options. Recently, many Major League Baseball teams have opted to offer fans the option of purchasing a monthly ticket subscription which allows the fan to attend as many games during the month as they would like in standing room only capacity. Though hockey arenas are not as large as baseball stadiums, this may prove an interesting option for hockey franchises to explore, while also providing fans a less expensive option for attendance. In evaluating the best cities for hockey fans, what are the top five indicators?

• Historical relevance of the team.

• Fan connection/passion.

• Success of the team.

• Overall sporting interest/importance of sport in the community.

• Complimentary local attractions (i.e., downtown, arena district, etc.).

Though by no means scientific, those cities which have a history of hockey fandom/interest will provide a consistent and quality experience for fans. With this enduring fan interest and passion also comes a consistently high demand for the product, and thus higher associated costs. Take, for example, the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton, known as the “City of Champions” for the years of sporting success during the 1980’s, and their Oilers experienced a return to success this season defeating the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, since the Stanley Cup final run of 2005, the Oilers had not experienced the success of decades prior. Despite their lack of success, Edmontonians consistently and fanatically supported their local club throughout the lean years. Fast forward to the Connor McDavid era, and the result is a passionate environment both within the city and within Rogers Place, which was sold-out throughout the season, and playoffs. The interest was so strong, Rogers Place was sold out (18,000 seats) even when the Oilers were on the road with the club holding the “Orange Crush” watch party within their new arena. Fans simply wanted to be a part of the action and cheer alongside other fans. As the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs have progressed, the city establishing itself as a hockey hotbed is Nashville, TN. Once a major question mark, the Nashville Predators have reached a fever pitch throughout their 2017 Playoff run. During the games the arena is loud and raucous, with a decidedly Nashville flair -- complete with catfish. Add in the arena’s proximity to the entertainment of Broadway and the current fan experience in Nashville is unbeatable. Christopher L. Newman Assistant Professor of Marketing at University of Mississippi What are the biggest challenges facing the business of professional hockey today? One of the biggest challenges today is the need to expand the NHL brand globally. The NFL has had some initial success expanding its brand internationally by playing games in London and Mexico City. An 82 game hockey season, however, makes this approach nearly impossible for the NHL from both a logistical and financial standpoint. It could even be argued that the NHL needs to better build its brand here at home in the U.S. in certain geographic areas (e.g., the South). The good news is that there is a lot of untapped market potential out there for professional hockey. Do you have any tips for how hockey fans can enjoy the sport without breaking the bank? Obviously, TV coverage of hockey, and sports in general, is as good and accessible as it's ever been. In addition to regularly aired games, you can also buy premium packages like NHL Center Ice for more coverage without incurring the costs of attending games. If you do want to go to games in person without breaking the bank, look into ticket mini packages that allow you to buy tickets for select games (1/2 season, 1/4 season, etc.). For single games, try to wait until the last possible minute to buy tickets in secondary markets like StubHub or eBay. Sellers will be looking to offload tickets at any price they can get rather than get nothing for them. How does the NHL compare to other major league sports in terms of ensuring the safety and health of their players in the short and long term? Clearly, any professional league that lets its players fist fight as an integral part of the game is not very committed to player safety and health. The NHL created a "Department of Player Safety," but many agree it was largely a political move. This is particularly problematic given that NHL players' chances of getting concussions are much higher than most other professional athletes’ due to such a long regular season and the physical nature of the game. To its credit, the NHL does not require teams to disclose the location of players' injuries in weekly reports, which helps prevent opposing teams from targeting injuries. In evaluating the best cities for hockey fans, what are the top five indicators? The ideal hockey city to me would have a team with ownership that's committed to both the team and the city, reasonable costs of game attendance, lots of local fan support, and plenty of entertainment options around the arena in case you want to experience the game atmosphere but don't have tickets. Having a good team helps too! Should fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel be treated and regulated as gambling? I think so. Betting on fantasy sports is currently legal on sites like these because it's considered a "game of skill," not a "game of chance." Though bettors often put together their own fantasy teams, they don't really know how the players will actually perform (just like sports bettors who put money on a given team to win but don't know what the outcome will be). I think it's only a matter of time until fantasy sports are regulated more strictly -- especially as they continue to soar in popularity. Bonnie Tiell Professor of Sport Management at Tiffin University What are the biggest challenges facing the business of professional hockey today? Some of the biggest challenges facing the business of professional hockey is declining viewership (especially in the U.S. market), managing future NHL expansion after Las Vegas becomes the leagues' 31st franchise, and the potential for labor disputes. Do you have any tips for how hockey fans can enjoy the sport without breaking the bank? If hockey fans want to enjoy the sport without breaking the bank, they should check out one of the 60 men's teams or 35 women's teams that compete as a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I program. Tickets are inexpensive, parking is typically free, and the pop corn tastes just as good as at an NHL game. Otherwise, NHL fans are wise to invest in a flex package for discounted tickets since the competitive market continues to drive prices upwards. How does the NHL compare to other major league sports in terms of ensuring the safety and health of their players in the short and long term? Concern for health and safety of players are cornerstones of an administrator's responsibility, no matter the level or type of sport. The NHL is no exception. Fights on the ice are as much a part of the NHL as lukewarm hot dogs. Until the rules change further to regulate "foul play," the sport, especially at the professional level, will continue to perpetrate an image of condoned reckless behavior by referees who permit checks and take-downs or simply take a wait and see approach when an all-out fight breaks out between players. Spectators feel almost cheated if they don't see at least one decent fight when they attend a professional hockey game. Media exposure, especially rogue social media posts by random fans, helps to proliferate the excitement of a good ol' fashioned hockey fight, typically with a referee in the picture as a bystander. Health benefits are afforded to professional players in all major sport leagues, but it is a shame that the nature of hockey and the unexpected cheap shot renders the sport exciting thereby increasing the number of avoidable injuries. Cheap shots occur in all pro sports, but not to the extent to which they occur in hockey. Despite the unique nature of hockey in almost glorifying fighting, there is a responsibility to ensure safety and health both in the short and long term. In evaluating the best cities for hockey fans, what are the top five indicators The top five indicators for evaluating the best cities for hockey fans includes:

• Saturated media exposure;

• Presence of an established successful NHL franchise;

• Success of grass roots programs catering to youths and moms;

• The number of thriving locally owned eateries with wall-to-wall televisions, great wings, and a variety of beer selections;

• The number of school kids sporting hockey jerseys on game days.

BerNadette Lawson-Williams Coordinator of the Online Sport Management Program and Associate Professor of Sport Management in the Metropolitan College at Johnson C. Smith University What are the biggest challenges facing the business of professional hockey today? The biggest challenges facing the business of professional hockey today are the many sport and entertainment options available to consumers, which are prompted by an increase in sport market versatility. Sport consumers now have so many options to select from when it comes to how they wish to spend their leisure time that it means hockey organizations will have to work harder and be more creative in discovering ways to attract fans to games, and keep them coming back to future matches. Do you have any tips for how hockey fans can enjoy the sport without breaking the bank? To enjoy the sport without breaking the bank, hockey fans should take advantage of discount ticket rates offered by their favorite teams. Many teams offer special ticket pricing for college students, military, and families. By downloading the team's app or visiting its website, fans can stay informed of ticket promotions, pricing options, and other fan details. How does the NHL compare to other major league sports in terms of ensuring the safety and health of their players in the short and long term? In terms of the safety and health of their players both in the long and short term, compared to other major league sports, the NHL is on "top of it." The establishment of its Department of Player Safety showed the NHL's commitment to creating and maintaining a safe athletic environment for its players, as well as a concern for ensuring their health and welfare.

Methodology

 

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