Diablo2424 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Are you surprised? I'd be looking to sell the team too if I owned a team that couldn't fill 3/4 of a building with fans after winning the division almost every year and then have the fans disappear almost completely during ONE bad season in 15 years. The same fans are going to be the ones that refuse to believe that the team is in large financial trouble. We've been hearing since the arena opened that taxes, rent, utility bills, and other things aren't being paid... Unless someone can prove mismanagement of funds... JVB and LL have tried and worked their asses off to give the fans a competitive and winning team each and every year... if fans don't want to show up, they can be part of the blame game when this team gets sold and/or moved. I hope they put up billboards on the highways in NJ that says "TEAM BROKE. WILL MOVE IF NO ONE SHOWS UP." We'll see how this season goes... And yeah... JVB IS a business man... a business man that is paying for one of the most expensive rosters in the league, paying for Lamoriello's mistakes (Pandolfo and Peters) and paying for buyouts of White and Hunter while footing the bill for a 3 million dollar penalty from the league, digging deeper into his pockets than anyone else would have to sign Kovalchuk (possibly the best player this organization has ever had) and adding another 6 mil to keep Parise for at least another year. If he wanted to succumb to the financial troubles, he could set an internal cap, Kovy wouldn't be here and Parise would be packing his bags.... I personally think JVB is awesome and we're damn lucky to have him as an owner. If not, we would be finding out what it's like to either be a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, or finding out what it would be like to have our team pack up and move. I'm going to have to say that I agree with you on that one. JVB is doing what he needs to do as a businessman. Unfortunately at the moment it's not working in his favor, with the team being in the financial shape they are in, but hopefully this season attendance will pick up and things will get better. I'm sure them being in Newark doesn't help, sometimes I feel like there is too much staff at the games as well, you tend to see a lot of workers just hanging around not doing anything, but alas these are issues we mostly cannot do anything about. Until something happens I will be going to as many games as I can enjoying my first season ticket package and cheering on my favorite team in the NHL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevsMan84 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 The point was the idea that the fans completely "disappeared" last season--although they drew more when they were actually good and a couple hundred less as Cup champs--is inaccurate. And they'd still be stuck in the bottom half of the league if they sold out every night. The arena is small compared to others. They weren't making any type of profit at the CAA and if not for VBK they'd be out of the state or possibly contracted. Ok the arena is small, then let's look at capacity %'s. Since they are a smaller arena, it should be easier to fill it % with less people. Looking back at your link from last season to the earliest they have recorded, the best the Devils have done is 19th in the league. Not much better at all. They were not making much profit at CAA because of the limited # of suites as well as a somewhat unfavorable lease of the arena. The whole purpose of the Rock is so that ownership can have more of the more profitable suites and they can own the arena. Ever see how empty the suites tend to be at game? Almost every game I went to last season (went to about 20) at best 1/2 of the suites were full. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevsMan84 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Because player signings and trades have the potential to be good and financial issues have the potential to be bad. Most fans like good things to happen to their team more than they like bad things. Exactly, and you get flamed for bringing up any bad news about the team. Rules of the board:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundstrom Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I'm surprised this article took 11 days to write. Having 9 playoff home dates in 4 years can't have helped matters. I'm surprised it took 2 months! I seem to recall someone pointing this exact issue out in early July and seeing it as a huge problem. Again - there are certainly other financial angles that are not being written about that probably make this a little less dire but its still clearly a concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv4Life Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Ok the arena is small, then let's look at capacity %'s. Since they are a smaller arena, it should be easier to fill it % with less people. Looking back at your link from last season to the earliest they have recorded, the best the Devils have done is 19th in the league. Not much better at all. They were not making much profit at CAA because of the limited # of suites as well as a somewhat unfavorable lease of the arena. The whole purpose of the Rock is so that ownership can have more of the more profitable suites and they can own the arena. Ever see how empty the suites tend to be at game? Almost every game I went to last season (went to about 20) at best 1/2 of the suites were full. 19th in the league for an organization with a "boring" stigma, hasn't been past the 2nd round since 03 or past the first round since 07, had no superstars prior to Kovalchuk, and arguably one of the worst run off-the-ice franchises in the sport isn't the end of the world. The Devils being tenants to the NJSEA while getting next to nothing from that group is what caused a lack of profits/revenue. Suites are part of it but not the whole picture. The money they made from those 1/2 full suites last year is probably more money than they made at CAA post lockout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3CUPSN9 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 That may be so, but no matter what they have at best only been #20 in the league in attendance from the quick search of years I have done and have never came out of the bottom 1/3. Back at the old CAA, they were not paying back loans for a new arena then too. I will give you that you thought it was N (N)Єverson article, but this is not the first time the past year about the team being in financial trouble. How come people here are more likely to believe rumors about players signings to trades with the Devils and yet at the same time rumors about team financial situation is always treated as if it was BS? I cant speak for everyones opinions on here, but I'm pretty sure the last time the Devils finances were brought up Vanderbeek said everything is fine, and there is nothing to worry about. When it was first reported that the Devs were going to be sold, everyone went nuts for a couple hours. Once Vanderbeek clarified, everything was back to normal..Seems odd that no other media outlet is reporting the story though, if it is indeed true... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevsMan84 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I cant speak for everyones opinions on here, but I'm pretty sure the last time the Devils finances were brought up Vanderbeek said everything is fine, and there is nothing to worry about. When it was first reported that the Devs were going to be sold, everyone went nuts for a couple hours. Once Vanderbeek clarified, everything was back to normal..Seems odd that no other media outlet is reporting the story though, if it is indeed true... Do you think Vanderbeek was not lying at all in his statement or trying to give himself more time? I do not take any press release from management as gospel for a long time already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv4Life Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 (edited) I cant speak for everyones opinions on here, but I'm pretty sure the last time the Devils finances were brought up Vanderbeek said everything is fine, and there is nothing to worry about. When it was first reported that the Devs were going to be sold, everyone went nuts for a couple hours. Once Vanderbeek clarified, everything was back to normal..Seems odd that no other media outlet is reporting the story though, if it is indeed true... Don't be shocked if it's Rupert Murdoch's Post fear-mongering or misinterpreting what's going on with ownership. This article has a bunch of holes and bs statements(arena's at risk for losing the Nets?). Chambers doesn't own half the team, and who says VBK wants to sell the team? Edited September 12, 2011 by Marv4Life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaneykoIsGod Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Again - there are certainly other financial angles that are not being written about that probably make this a little less dire but its still clearly a concern. This is a good point. The situation certainly isn't ideal and has the potential to be pretty bad, but it's the Post. I don't say that to discredit it. I say that because it's a newspaper written in tabloid style. That means they don't sell papers by writing in a straightforward, objective style. They sell papers by getting people riled up. That doesn't change any of the facts being reported or make them any less valid. The Post is just a source that you have to read critically. This is, after all, the same newspaper that had this on their cover: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevsMan84 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 This is a good point. The situation certainly isn't ideal and has the potential to be pretty bad, but it's the Post. I don't say that to discredit it. I say that because it's a newspaper written in tabloid style. That means they don't sell papers by writing in a straightforward, objective style. They sell papers by getting people riled up. That doesn't change any of the facts being reported or make them any less valid. The Post is just a source that you have to read critically. This is, after all, the same newspaper that had this on their cover: They are definitely a tabloid paper but I do find their business section (where this article appears in) to be pretty solid and reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
point Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Why is every one assuming JVB wants out? The article plainly identifies Ray Chambers as wanting to sell his interest, which has been common knowledge for the last six months (or more). Ray may be unhappy with having to pump $$ into the Devils, or maybe his personal portfolio has gone south; or maybe he is trying to do some estate planning, who knows? My guess is, anyone who might buy into the Devils doesn't like the numbers they are seeing. Its like buying a boat, you are just going to have to put money into it every year.Its not an investment, its a luxury plaything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimaira_Devil_#9 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 (edited) Man -- even I get sick of chiding and patronizing posters here. RELAX 84 --- just let people have an opinion no matter how misguided you find it -- I think it's more stressful to YOU to respond to each and every one of them in that sardonic yet preachy manner. It takes one to know one dude and I just save my sh!t for you -- if I irks you then lighten up on others OK? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. When you post like this ad nausium I have to assume you WANT me to call you out every fifth post... You could eliminate that whole first part of your post and contribute usefully.... and you wouldn't have to ready THIS crappy post either would you? I just feel stressed for you going through life finding fault with the smallest things. I guess that is good though -- they say people who lead stress free lives are usually the ones quickest to get irritated and find fault with the mundane - particularly in traffic. In terms of the article, that does not sound good. No somke without fire and all that. One thing I want to question is how all of a sudden the arena is needing the Nets to make money? Wasn't the arena one of the busiest in the world? Edited September 12, 2011 by Chimaira_Devil_#9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amberite Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 If true (it's a BIG if, but still not much reason to believe it isn't), then this is really sad and we might be witnessing the beginning of an extended Islanders-like period for the Devils. There have been some hints this offseason that Lou is trying to cut some salary, and this is also one of the only offseasons in recent memory that we aren't right up against the cap ceiling. There are definitely signs that there is financial trouble, not to mention other partners are trying to get out. If this plays out like we all fear, I think its a foregone conclusion that Parise is gone next year and the team's talent will continue to erode away in the coming years until the financials improve. Again, I think there is some BIG speculation going on here on the part of some journalists and that the situation is not nearly as bad as they paint it out to be. But we need to be prepared that this may in fact be the future that we are in for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevsMan84 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 In terms of the article, that does not sound good. No somke without fire and all that. One thing I want to question is how all of a sudden the arena is needing the Nets to make money? Wasn't the arena one of the busiest in the world? Busy does not always = $$$$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperkorn Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Wow you put that much thought in your response to me? Why do you have to call me out for every post? I actually put very little thought into it Thank you though. I don't call you out on every post -- only when you're attacking people for no good reason... is that your every post? Do you really think so? Hmm... something to think about then isn't it. I don't agree though. You're only a jerk off to others unfairly about 30% of the time. Why not actually consider what I write instead of trying to find clever ways to retaliate? I'm trying to help you. If you don't read my posts as you claim, please stop responding to them .. yes I want you to read them and STFU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Facepainter Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Not sure what to believe, but TG tweeted back at one of the posters at HFboards and said that the error in the first 10 words of the article isn't the only one. TG said that's what he's being told. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv4Life Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 One thing I want to question is how all of a sudden the arena is needing the Nets to make money? Wasn't the arena one of the busiest in the world? Exactly. 3rd in the US in revenue yet it's "at risk". Oh and according to TG the article is chock full of errors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils Dose Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 One thing I want to question is how all of a sudden the arena is needing the Nets to make money? Wasn't the arena one of the busiest in the world? The Nets were a part of that busy-ness. If I'm not mistaken, a big problem for this year is that those dates slated for Nets games cannot be rescheduled until they are officially canceled. So while a lockout that destroys the first part of, maybe even the whole NBA season is likely, the PruCenter must hold those dates back, meaning they can only be filled with small gigs at best once the NBA gets to actually canceling its games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghdi Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 The Nets were a part of that busy-ness. If I'm not mistaken, a big problem for this year is that those dates slated for Nets games cannot be rescheduled until they are officially canceled. So while a lockout that destroys the first part of, maybe even the whole NBA season is likely, the PruCenter must hold those dates back, meaning they can only be filled with small gigs at best once the NBA gets to actually canceling its games. And I think they'd be lucky to get those small gigs. Newark is not a prime touring location with NYC a stones throw away. If this article has some truth behind it, the loss of the NBA season will certainly hurt the Prudential Center. However, the Nets are horrible and they sold so few tickets that it may have even cost more to put the game on than not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaneykoIsGod Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 From what I understand, sporting events are relatively low-revenue events for arenas. Stuff like concerts, circuses, ice shows, etc. are where the real money is, and IIRC The Rock has been gaining those kinds of dates, not losing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimaira_Devil_#9 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Busy does not always = $$$$ I realise this but back in January, the arena was scheduled to make a profit. What I was asking is do the Nets actually bring that much revenue to the arena, because they are pretty much dead last in attendance in the NBA and in the Izod they were giving tickets away ten at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaneykoIsGod Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 A couple of comments from Gulitti on his blog: I’m not going to say much about the Devils finances/Post story right now. I expect to have something accurate on it later today.It might take some time, but I will have something today. I will tell you that I’ve been told that Chambers and Vanderbeek are close to a deal in which Chambers will sell Vanderbeek his share of the team. That’s something they’ve been working on for a while They did have their differences previously, but as I reported a few months back they’re working together now for a peaceful resolution of the sale. Posted by Tom Gulitti on 09/12 at 08:59 AM The writer of the NY Post article is a business writer.He is the same reporter who did a story three months or so back that resulted in Vanderbeek and Chambers putting out a joint statement saying it was not true. Posted by Tom Gulitti on 09/12 at 09:45 AM That’s all I have for you for now other than, from what I’m told, the incorrect opening sentence that states training camp starts tomorrow sets a tone for the remainder of the article. Posted by Tom Gulitti on 09/12 at 10:44 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv4Life Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 (edited) And I think they'd be lucky to get those small gigs. Newark is not a prime touring location with NYC a stones throw away. If this article has some truth behind it, the loss of the NBA season will certainly hurt the Prudential Center. However, the Nets are horrible and they sold so few tickets that it may have even cost more to put the game on than not. Again, they were 3rd in the nation in ticket revenue only behind MSG and Staples Center. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/06/25/newarks-prudential-center-number-3-in-the-us-industry-publication-finds/ Edited September 12, 2011 by Marv4Life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevsMan84 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I do hope there is a deal in place between Chambers and JVB. I will only believe it though when or if it happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 This article is also up on Foxsports.com for those wondering about the legitimacy or reach of the article. I too was surprised to read this. I had no idea it was this bad or in the area of being this bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.