Do people in Kansas City want a hockey team?

Question

And for those who don't care about the game, no rude comments. I don't like some sports, but I'm not disrespectful.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Not being from Kansas City, my guess is that the city would like a rent-paying tenant for the new arena, regardless of sport.  Kansas City seems like they really support their football team, and baseball to a degree.  Not sure how hockey would do.

Hockey has not done well in the city in the past (although the same could have been said about Denver, and yet, when the city acquired the Nordiques in a relocation, it's all been different).

Answer 2

I personally think we should focus on bigger markets like Canada or at the very least Las Vegas.  I'm not too sure how well a team will do in Kansas City.  That doesnt mean that they don't want a team though.  I'm pretty sure there are some people who do, just not as many as in other places....

Answer 3

There's a lot more interest in a hockey team in the KC area, than in years past. Partially due to the recent influx of people coming in and partially just due to a general growing interest in the sport. When the possibility of moving the Preds to KC came up, season ticket deposits went very quickly, and the luxury boxes were all sold before the arena was even finished. The pro games that have been held in the Sprint Center have always sold out. And the problem with surveys is they only poll the center of town, or just one side of the border, and people from a hundred mile radius go to Kansas City regularly........ even just to get BBQ.... I think a team will do well there, better there than some places that alread have teams and aren't selling tickets.... Nashville once again springs to mind, and there are at least 4 other teams that haven't been filling the seats with butts, I know there are people there that love their teams, but the bottome line is, the bottom line and KC  can't do any worse than they're already doing.

Answer 4

It didn't work too well 30 years ago when they had the Scouts, who became the Colorado Rockies, who became the New Jersey Devils.

I remain upset that Winnipeg and Quebec City had their teams moved but what are you gonna do? If every city that could reasonably have a team had one it would be a 50-team league.

Answer 5

I lived in KC. I can tell you 100% WITHOUT a shadow of a doubt NO! When I was there they did a survey  by a national survey company (so no amateur local media type surveys). Nearly 90%, (read that NINE-ZERO) said they would not attend or support a NHL team. In that survey the other question was would they support an NBA franchise, overwhelmingly they said yes.(something like 85%) How do I know? I was asked to participate in that survey and as luck would have it, my wife also participated when she was at work. As a side note, those yokels there can not even sell out a Royals game 80% of the time. How would anyone expect those hillbilly rednecks to support hockey. Also, as another side note, KC is fiercely against anything or anyone FOREIGN. It is like they are stuck in the 50's with their way of life and thinking there.

Answer 6

So stagerod, (I am not trying to pick on you or start a flame war) What you are saying is that since that survey only took into account (i don't know but were assuming here, right) only the KC 'Core' area and all these other people just come into the area for food or whatever, that since 90% of the 'core' would NOT support a team in KC, that that 90% would be made up by transient fans from outside the area???? I could see maybe 3-8% of a teams fan base doing that, but NINETY percent? Come on. As far as selling out the boxes that is a moot point. All that proves is that their are companies making money there and need a right off. Whilst I agree that they could no better or worse than what these hick teams like Florida,Nashville and the like, isn't the point to move these teams into BETTER markets and not just the same mediocrity we have now? KC would be a bad move.

Answer 7

I don't think Missouri (or Kansas) has the population, let alone the hockey fanbase to maintain another team.  Kansas City used to have a team but they moved a long time ago.  Even with the obvious increase in population since 1970 or whenever it was the Scouts moved, I think it's best that Kansas City just roots for the Blues.  I'm not from Kansas City, but most people in the middle of the state (my ex went to Missouri) support the Blues.  I would say no.

Answer 8

The smartest choice would be southern Ontario

Answer 9

They won't ever get one. They tried it once and failed. They also tried relocating the Pittsburgh Penguins to Kansas City, but that won't happen because the Penguins are finally getting a new arena.

:)

Answer 10

Let's ask a more important question...

Does the state of Missouri need TWO NHL teams.  I really don't think so.  I live in Grand Rapids, MI and we have an AHL team that does pretty well, and its a hockey state.  But that doesn't mean we need two NHL teams in Michigan.  One is enough, I also think that it might hurt the Blues a little too.  Same logic for Florida.  Florida does not need two franchises.  The Panthers should move, Miami doesn't need a hockey team.

As far as relocating goes... just move the Predators out of Nashville already.  Its obvious that no one wants to keep them there.  Move them to Milwaukee/Green Bay/Madison... somewhere in Wisconsin.  That would require no divisional realignment, and rivalries with Detroit are already established.  Soon real rivalries with Chicago and Minnesota would develop.  You can't tell me that Wisconsin wouldn't be the PERFECT place for the Preds to move to.

Move both the Florida Panthers and Atlanta Thrashers, or just get rid of them altogether.  Best locations for them... Quebec City, Winnipeg, or Hamilton.

Answer 11

K C had a team a few years ago and they couldn't support it...How many more "fringe" hockey cities should be told from the get go,  "Don't even ask - because the answer is NO"...

It's fine to say this city and that city should have a team in the NHL, but let's face it, places like K C are not hotbeds of hockey...

Rachelle In High Heels