What this article tells me is that, if the 14,000 ticket level is achieved, the Predators would have difficulty breaking the arena lease. If the 16,000 ticket level is achieved, then ownership would break even.

The 14,000 ticket level would not be an option for local ownership as I’m certain that the local group would like to at least make a minimal profit. People don’t enter into a business agreement accepting a loss.

As to achieving a ticket base of 16,000, the locals have not supported the team for quite a few years now and it seems rather doubtful that they would start now.

However, I’m a bit of a pessimist when it comes to the NHL and I might be proven wrong.

Posted by Ted from Innisfil, Ontario on 07/16/07 at 07:46 AM ET

Couldn’t the organization try to find ways to allow for a lesser attendance figure to lead to revenue growth?

Obviously the idea of cutting the team salary is the first that comes to mind, just based off of what the team has done this offseason.  But what about the reduction of money use in other areas of the organization?

I’m not saying that they need to reduce overall spending so much that a 14,000 average attendance both keeps them in Nashville and makes the owner—whoever that turns out to be—money.  But somewhere within the realm of 15,000, maybe?

Or am I just being naive?

Posted by Michael from Columbus, OH on 07/16/07 at 08:13 AM ET

Obviously the idea of cutting the team salary is the first that comes to mind, just based off of what the team has done this offseason.  But what about the reduction of money use in other areas of the organization?

I doubt it would be very much, but I have often wondered how much teams spend on silly little give-aways—bobbleheads, infernal thundersticks, pom-poms, etc.  Maybe they could save some money by eliminating cheap dust-collectors and have a drawing for an autographed hockey jersey every so often.  Maybe for each game attended in a four-game home period, there would be one entry in the drawing.  It would only be 10 jerseys over the course of the season, but the chance of getting something more unusual and valuable might be worth more than another plastic trinket.

(Just my $0.01.)

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/16/07 at 01:43 PM ET