NHL lockout could cost Raleigh millions in revenue

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NHL lockout could cost Raleigh millions in revenue

Sep 19, 2012

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Raleigh, N.C. — Hockey players and fans aren't the only ones on edge over the National Hockey League lockout – the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce says the city stands to lose millions in revenue if the Carolina Hurricanes don't hit the ice this season.

The lockout is especially tough on a mid-sized market like Raleigh, a city where the Hurricanes are its only professional sports franchise, says chamber President and CEO Harvey Schmitt.

Though the labor dispute is only in its first week, Schmitt is remembering the 2004 NHL lockout, when the Canes lost an entire season and millions of dollars.

Without hockey, the city misses out on revenue from ticket sales and concessions, spending at hotels and restaurants near PNC Arena and advertising.

"It can be the lost coverage we get as a market because our brand isn't out there," Schmitt said Tuesday.

More than that, Schmitt says, he and fans like him just miss the game.

"(During the) last lockout, I would stick my head in the freezer just to smell the ice," he said. "I miss the smell of the ice, the sounds of the ice."

As of Tuesday, no games have been canceled and the Canes are scheduled to play a full season. However, season ticket holders were notified this week that tickets won't be mailed until owners and players reach an agreement to end the lockout.

Reporter: Kevin Holmes
Photographer: Bill Herrero
Web Editor: Bridget Whelan

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RE: NHL lockout could cost Raleigh millions in revenue

All of us as taxpayers helped save Karmanos' home town of Detroit with the auto industry bailout a few years ago, saving Detroit jobs, industries and the small businesses that rely upon the auto industry and jobs. This is how he repays Raleigh. You're welcome

RE: NHL lockout could cost Raleigh millions in revenue

I am all for dropping the Hurricanes and bringing in a less expensive MLS team. The NHL is a joke, 2 lockouts in the last 10 years? Get rid of it in these parts.
- Posted by packfan1752

MLS team, wow what a genius comment??? Shows how much you really understand about the area and the NHL game in general...here's some advice Son...stay away from the NHL game, it's far too complicated for ya!
- Posted by firefly27616

...AND BORING

RE: NHL lockout could cost Raleigh millions in revenue

OK, enough is enough. Perhaps the Canes will vacate the premesis and the Pack can schedule better times for home games. Wish they would go back to Reynolds myself, but that's not happening! In this economy? I would like to see these guys, players or owners, have to go out and get real jobs!
- Posted by tayled

The times of the Pack games don't have anything to do with sparse attendance.

RE: NHL lockout could cost Raleigh millions in revenue

To those who say you dislike hockey- why you reading the article?

I do feel for those whose lives depend upon the Canes. These folks are the real losers in this mess. And yes Raleigh does lose reveune. I spend my Chatham County dollars in your county with every trip I make to the arena. But as I stated before all sports costs - the greed - is out of hand. It is time for the fans to make the stand and quit going to the games, buying the jersey's and other trinckets. Us FANS need to put the squeeze on the owners and players. It will never happen though. Too many of us including myself love to watch and cheer on our teams. But I do wish there was a way we could all band together and make them fret and squirm.

RE: NHL lockout could cost Raleigh millions in revenue

I think the NHL will have a hard time bouncing back after this - especially if it lingers. Shame. We were about to order tickets for this year. Guess that's a few hundred bucks staying in my pocket.

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