https://twitter.com/GeorgeRichards/status/521809217657659393

The real joke is listing the franchise low record as 10,000.  These failed markets announce attendance as however many tickets they've distributed.  So if they sell 5,000 tickets and give away 5,000 more, they announce attendance as 10,000.  Its a joke.

 

This season, the Panthers claim they will not count paper in the official attendance.  I still think its a joke, but lets assume the 7,000 person announcement is true, thats not a decline.  Thats just what they always drew minus the lies they told.  Even then, Im sure they've had nights with barely a couple thousand people.

 

The NHL is so protective of it's image as a stable league.  You've got the Coyotes who were sold last year to a group that vowed they could make it work.  They promptly lose $25 million in year one and sell 51 % of the team.  They have an out clause that is triggered if they lose $50 million.  They will hit that mark this year.

 

Bettman wants to get to the point where non-ticket revenue allows these poor market teams to make it work but im not sure the Coyotes and Panthers can hang on until the next US TV contract in, what, ten years?  The other issue is the salary floor requirements.  The Panthers would surely limp along with a payroll of $30 milion if they could.