This article by Yahoo sports shows 12 sports teams across the four major sports of NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL that have had the lowest atteandance from 2001 to 2010. Most of the teams have performed poorly causing their fans to loose interest in their teams.
Can you guess the 12 major league teams with the least fans?
According to this article they are:
1. Cleveland Indians
Decrease in attendance: 56.08 percent
2. Baltimore Orioles
Decrease in attendance: 44.00 percent
3. Seattle Mariners
Decrease in attendance: 40.54 percent
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
Decrease in attendance: 33.78 percent
5. Oakland Athletics
Decrease in attendance: 33.51 percent
6. Detroit Lions
Decrease in attendance: 25.18 percent
7. Arizona Diamondbacks
Decrease in attendance: 25.05 percent
8. Philadelphia 76ers
Decrease in attendance: 24.94 percent
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Decrease in attendance: 24.78 percent
10. Indiana Pacers
Decrease in attendance: 24.32 percent
11. Columbus Blue Jackets
Decrease in attendance: 21.76 percent
12. Oakland Raiders
Decrease in attendance: 21.32 percent
Some of the teams on this list were bad for many years, but are finally on the way up like Detroit Lions, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The rest have been bad for years and may continute to be bad for years so you can't blame there fans for not spending their money on a bad product. Hopefully they will turn things around, but sadly for many of the teams on this list, they could be mediocre at best for years.
Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts
So How Did Those Blackhawks Trades Work Out?
After the most amazing, spectacular, unbelievable playoff run in sports history, the Blackhawks were forced to gut their roster for the purposes of staying under the hard salary cup that the NHL emposes. With Kane and Toews both signing long term contracts worth 6 mil per, and Keith, Hossa, and Campbell already making the big bucks, there simply was not enough money to go around under the 59 million salary cap. And while everyone inticipated a couple of our beloved Blackhawks getting shipped away, no one could imagine that Stan Bowman would literraly gut half the team. So lets take a look at how the former Hawks have performed with their new teams.
Dustin Byfuglien - 16 goals, 41 points in 48 games. Previous career high of 36 points
Kris Versteeg - 12 goals, 31 points in 41 games
Andrew Ladd - 16 goals, 38 points in 48 games
John Madden - 7 goals, 15 points in 45 games
Ben Eager - 3 goals, 10 points in 34 games
Martin havlat - 13 goals, 43 points in 47 games - exiled in 2008
Antti Niemi - 11-13-2 2.79GAA 91%
As we can see, everyone outside of Antti Niemi is having a career season and flourishing in their increased role on their new teams. Bittersweat
The Blackhawks Are Taking Over The Hockey Video Game Universe
It appears that EA sports has chose Conn Smythe winner and Blackhawks captain as the new cover boy for NHL 2011 on the XBox and PS3. This is newsworthy because I was strolling through the electronics section recently and noticed that Stanley Cup hero Patrick Kane was the cover boy for the 2010 version of the game. Now I stopped playing video games about the time the Super NES went out of vogue, so I am no expert on video game etiquette, but it seems odd that two players from the same franchise would be the face of the NHL in consecutive years. Things just keep getting better for Blackhawks fans...in the words of Sammy Sosa "I just want to keep it continue"
Steven Stamkos Does Not Suck
I bring up Steven Stamkos because he was the 1st overall selection in the NHL draft 2 years ago by the Tampa Bay Lightning. When Barry Malrose made the decision to bring Stamkos directly to the NHL, skipping the minors altogether, the Lightning ownership was none too pleased. Even analyst confirmed that Stamkos was not prepared for the NHL game at the age of 18. Well they were all wrong. Hockey is not a sport like baseball and football where it is essential to develop both your skills and strength in order to compete at the highest level. The history of the NHL has shown that the greatest players of all time were great almost immediately following their 18th birthday. Look it up. Gretzky, Lemieux, Jagr, Yzerman, Messier, Crosby, Ovechkin all dominated the NHL prior to leaving their teens and dominated throughout their careers. Basically, if you're born with it, you will show it.
Just like Patrick Kane was able to flourish as a first overall pick while skipping the minors, Stamkos put together a solid rookie season with 23 goals while playing in the shadow of former MVP Martin St. Louis and 1998 1st overall pick Vincent Lecavalier. This season Stamkos established himself as the new franchise player of the Lightning with a 50 goal season and nearly 100 points. 50 goals is the magic number in hockey. Like 30 points per game in the NBA, 50 homers in the MLB, and 1500 rushing yards in the NFL.
Is "Eurotrash" One Of The 7 Forbidden Words?
Mike Milbury is a proud Canadian and one of the most respected hockey analysts in the game. He was quite disappointed with the performance the Russian Olympic team game in their 7-3 thrashing by the Canadians. He basically called them heartless, dirty, and oh yeah...Eurotrash. At least that's what he called their performance. These Canadian announcers never miss out on a chance to prove how much better their players are, their people are, and their country is. Russia had defeated Canada 4 straight times in Olympic competition so it's not like Canada can look down on the former Soviets.
Although a small part of Russia is in Europe, the tern Eurotrash usually refers to the Western portion of Europe were the men wear shoes like this, with the end curved up, and live with their mothers till 28. These individuals can often be found on South Beach if you need first hand evidence.
I was born in Europe, the non-trashy part of Europe, and I still relate strongly to the region. I recall a Dean at one of my Med School interviews actually used the phrase "Eurotrash" and I was extremely put off. To the point where I couldn't imagine going to a school where the top Dean referred to Europeans as trash. I'm glad the other announcer called out Mike Milbury on air for that comment
Olympic Hockey
Sorry folks for not writing more in the last month, but there aren't enough hours in the day to keep up with med school, let alone writing about sports on a blog.
But, it is the winter olympics, and they do only come around every 4 years. The only event that matters to me is the hockey. No disrespect to curling, but if your sport requires a broom, i'm not overly interested.
The hockey in the olympics never disappoints. All-star squads from 12 nations competing at the highest level for national pride. Pretty sweat if you ask me. With the rosters being announced several weeks ago, it is not hard to handicap who are the favorites and who is short on talent.
United States: For those of you hoping for a "Miracle on Ice" repeat this year, keep waiting. It's pretty shocking just how short on talent the American team is. The roster favors the younger players, with legends like Mike Modono and Jeremy Roneick being left off the roster. The majority of the roster is made up of "solid" players who bring great leadership and intangibles to the team, but not the elite talent. The most tangible players are Kane, Parise, and Perry, but once you get past those few the talent gets short and the defensemen are undersized
Canada: Canada is the favorite to take the gold, and anything short of top place will be a disappointment to the home town nation. The Canadians can put together 2 full squads that could contend for the gold, thats how stacked they are. Crosby, Heatley, Iginla, Nash, and Thornton are all top 15 players in the NHL, and even the reserves would rank as top players on any other nations roster. The defensemen are giants who can skate led by Pronger, Weber, and Seabrooke. I would give them the gold, but I believe there is one nation that will dominate these olympics and get the gold...
Russia: The Russian team may not have the incredible line depth of the Canadians, but the top tier talent on the team is undeniable. To say these guys can score would be an understatement. Ovechkin, Kovalchuck, Malkin, Semin, Datsyuk. You have to be kidding me how sick that is. The top 2 lines are unmatched on this team with Malkin and Datsyuk centering the 2 lines with the worlds greatest snipers on either side. The defense is the weakest point on this team, but if they are able to put up 5-6 goals per game that may not matter in the end. I'm rooting for the Russians to take back the gold!
The best of the rest:
Sweden has the talent to compete for a medal, even goals if things go their way. Alfredsson, Backstrom, Forsberg, and the Sedin twins up front providing way more talent than the American squad. They may also have the best blue line in the olympics being led by the great Nick Lindstron. They did take the gold in Turino 2006 so I wouldnt overlook this squad
Slovakia has top tier level on the top line but very little depth from the rest of the team. Having both Hossa brothers to go along with Demitra and Gaborick will provide instant offense, but the rest of the team will bring them down
Fun Fact: When one of the members of the Miracle on Ice American team from 1980 was asked how many times the US of A would have won if they played the Russian team again 30 times. His response "Honestly, zero"
But, it is the winter olympics, and they do only come around every 4 years. The only event that matters to me is the hockey. No disrespect to curling, but if your sport requires a broom, i'm not overly interested.
The hockey in the olympics never disappoints. All-star squads from 12 nations competing at the highest level for national pride. Pretty sweat if you ask me. With the rosters being announced several weeks ago, it is not hard to handicap who are the favorites and who is short on talent.
United States: For those of you hoping for a "Miracle on Ice" repeat this year, keep waiting. It's pretty shocking just how short on talent the American team is. The roster favors the younger players, with legends like Mike Modono and Jeremy Roneick being left off the roster. The majority of the roster is made up of "solid" players who bring great leadership and intangibles to the team, but not the elite talent. The most tangible players are Kane, Parise, and Perry, but once you get past those few the talent gets short and the defensemen are undersized
Canada: Canada is the favorite to take the gold, and anything short of top place will be a disappointment to the home town nation. The Canadians can put together 2 full squads that could contend for the gold, thats how stacked they are. Crosby, Heatley, Iginla, Nash, and Thornton are all top 15 players in the NHL, and even the reserves would rank as top players on any other nations roster. The defensemen are giants who can skate led by Pronger, Weber, and Seabrooke. I would give them the gold, but I believe there is one nation that will dominate these olympics and get the gold...
Russia: The Russian team may not have the incredible line depth of the Canadians, but the top tier talent on the team is undeniable. To say these guys can score would be an understatement. Ovechkin, Kovalchuck, Malkin, Semin, Datsyuk. You have to be kidding me how sick that is. The top 2 lines are unmatched on this team with Malkin and Datsyuk centering the 2 lines with the worlds greatest snipers on either side. The defense is the weakest point on this team, but if they are able to put up 5-6 goals per game that may not matter in the end. I'm rooting for the Russians to take back the gold!
The best of the rest:
Sweden has the talent to compete for a medal, even goals if things go their way. Alfredsson, Backstrom, Forsberg, and the Sedin twins up front providing way more talent than the American squad. They may also have the best blue line in the olympics being led by the great Nick Lindstron. They did take the gold in Turino 2006 so I wouldnt overlook this squad
Slovakia has top tier level on the top line but very little depth from the rest of the team. Having both Hossa brothers to go along with Demitra and Gaborick will provide instant offense, but the rest of the team will bring them down
Fun Fact: When one of the members of the Miracle on Ice American team from 1980 was asked how many times the US of A would have won if they played the Russian team again 30 times. His response "Honestly, zero"
Patrick Shart gets destroyed, scores 2 goals
Somehow, Sharp didn't die after getting his head taken off on this hit. Actually he didn't miss a shift. Actually he wont on to score 2 goals in the game. This isn't baseball where players are out for 2 months from sneezing(Sammy), carrying meat(Barmes), walking through glass screen(Pence), or sun tanning(Marty Cordova)
Chris Chelios getting it done at 47
Chris Chelios is a modern day Gordie Howe. Since most of you have no clue who Gordie Howe is, lets just say that Chelios is a modern day Nolan Ryan. Playing professional sports deep into his 40's and doing it without the help of a wheelchair.
Chelios is a soon to be HOFer who spend the majority of his career as the Captain of the Chicago Blackhawks. Having spent 26 years playing professional hockey is no easy feat and is one of the many reasons he is considered the greatest American defenseman in NHL history. Averaging 0.6 points per game is better than most forwards, showing his great offensive skill from a defensive position. He has only had a negative +/- twice in those 26 years and won Stanley Cups, with the rival Detroit Red Wings. Even while playing for the Wings, he was never booed at the United Center showing just how much he was loved in this city.
After playing only 26 games last season, most people assumed Chelios would hang up the skates and call it a career. But Chelios is not like most athletes, he refuses to stop playing until he simply physically do it anymore. The HOF caliber player gladly accepted a minor league contract from the Chicago Wolves, his hometown city. He has put up 14 points in 21 games with a +10 on the ice in even strength situations. Unlike Ricky Henderson and Evander Holyfield, Chelios is experiencing legitimate success while trying to break the 50 year old barrier. Maybe he will even be picked up by an NHL team as a 6th defenseman for the playoffs. I wouldn't put it past him
Meet your Blackhawks through Christmas Jingles
1:15 - Brent Seabrooke
1:40 - Joe Quinville
2:15 - Patrick Sharp
2:17 - Johnathan Toews
2:20 Dustin Byuglien
2:50 - Cam Barker
2:59 - Andrew Ladd
3:00 - Cristobal Huet
3:05 - Duncan Keith
3:50 - Brian Capbell
3:52 - Patrick Kane
I'm Thankful For The Blackhawks...Oh And Other Stuff
Marian Hossa debuted for the Blackhawks on Wednesday and contributed 2 goals to the Blackhawks' thrashing of the reigning Presidents' cup winners the San Jose Sharks. The Blackhawks scored the first 3 goals shorthanded and followed that with 4 more even strength goals. Despite giving up 2 soft goals at the end of the game, it was still a mighty impressive 7-2 win.
If anyone is in the Hockey spirit, Millenium Park has already opened their ice rink for the winter. Or if that is too far, there are plenty of flooded rinks in the 'burbs that you can get your skate on. I know what i'll be doing over the winter.
