New Thread, Old Topic

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

I got tired of scrolling down through the New League thread to read about something completely unrelated: Pro Inline Hockey.

Let's continue here, OK? [img]/wtimages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[missionhockey21]

This is in reponse to MDE3's reply to me about hype:
Wow, I have just been completely owned by MDE3, not the first time though;-) All the things you said are great points, and I really have nothing to add.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Thought it would be helpful to re-post MDE3's latest and greatest post:

***

May I ask where this "hype" should be generated? In what media? Among ourselves? Who talks about MLRH or PIHA or IHA, or WHRL yet outside the "community"? How may people even know it exists or what it is?

Not intended to belittle the concept of raising the awareness level, but there is so much more groundwork to do to "generate hype" at a national level - much of which takes money, that spending sums to have intercontinental games seems to me like an imprudent expenditure.

Could that same money not be used to take out ads in major newspapers and really generate some direct hype? Have some articles written for major sport magazines expounding the resurgence of inline hockey "breaking through" to the pro levels. Articles written about the sudden "explosion" of new leagues forming, incorporate part of the article from USA Hockey magazine about "exploding the myths about roller hockey". Get some media coverage for the sport in a major venue if we want to generate hype. Talk about National Playoffs with the best teams from the Western Division playing the best teams from the Eastern Division to give the sense of a true continental league.

If the WRHL league and IHA could be incorporated into the picture, then you can hype international play and growth as well - creating similar credibility - without having to spend nearly as much. There's a variety of ways to generate more hype for the money IMHO.

The industry as a whole needs to be made aware that the sport even exists at these elite levels - look at the reaction in here from people when Richard changed the post heading to "Professional Roller Hockey" - "what - there is pro roller hockey?"

Because so many of us are deeply involved with this sport and often through this board, we tend to see the sport through much different eyes than the average player or fan. We assume a level of awareness that is not out there because we talk daily about these issues in a very small community.

Obviously I am not opposed to creating hype, and generating credibility for the sport - that is a mandatory function of development. However it is equally important that all concerned fully grasp how limited the budgets are at this point and how important it is to spend these limited promotional funds effectively. For this sport to draw support, sponsors and investors, the most important issues will be "a love of the game, a belief in it's growth potential, and a vision of its financial viability" - not necessarily in that order. Promotions which address these issues will be the most effective in securing investors with the real capability of generating major support. If under close scrutiny a potential investor looks at money spent unwisely - he will immediately begin to lose confidence in the management leading the venture. A love of the game is not enough to draw the support that is needed, nor is creating a belief in it's growth potential. A cohesive, well-managed business plan developed out of these first two factors, promoting an easy to grasp, well defined product will go much further than casting money upon the waters in hopes of creating an illusion of prosperity and drawing in a few fish.

By having a growth plan that leaves local leagues the autonomy to earn money from their "sector" but still be part of a "National League" through some fair level of contribution, a much more appealing picture can be portrayed to potential investors on multiple levels.

The concept that one is getting in on the ground floor of a major development in a sport which has the vision to be both National and local, which allows players to play the same game and fans to expect the same thing wherever they view it, will be much more attractive than knowing one version of elite inline hockey has a couple of intercontinental games.

Also with a game plan like this - the elite levels of the sport can continue to draw new developers like Mr. Lefebvre, and Mr. Gulikaw expanding the sport in a controlled fashion, but allowing them to still focus on the local scene, not be saddled with major financial obligations (such as intercontinental travel) before they can support it. Their contributions to "the league" could be limited to a manageable "promotional fee" which in return would give them the stature of belonging to a widely accepted National League - piggy backing on it's national promotional programs.

Sorry about the "tirade," Mission, but I really want to use every opportunity to push a national Men's Elite/"Pro to be" program which has a viable and consolidated vision.

***

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[missionhockey21]

Did you have to post it again Rich? Oh the humiliation. lol

[sactosaxons]

Hey Mission- Don't be so hard on yourself! Without your participation, MDE3's post may have never happened! And THAT would have been a shame - so may I personally thank you for your contribution to this most excellent thread!!

There, now....

Excellent post MDE3. You've pretty much nailed it - now how do "we" accomplish it?

[missionhockey21]

I get the feeling MDE3 is always on the hunt for my posts to completly prove me wrong anymore, but if it helps roller hockey, I'll continue;-) lol

[MDE3]

get all the GM's of MLRH on the phone and start the lobbying process using all your obviously talented wiles. I'm sure I have only voiced what many feel, but caught up in the immediate details of another pending season it is very easy for those of influence to just let this slide as "a project bigger than they need at this time".

There is a move afoot already to this end - maybe get plugged in and voice your support. Promote a special meeting or conference call between owners and GM"s to start the ball rolling - find out what has been going on behind the scenes. Write emails - come out in support in here - as a GM of MLRH.

I'm very good at suggesting how others can work harder lol.

[sactosaxons]

Little sensitive, are we???? Just kidding!!!!
Hey, let's face it: any time you or I or anyone posts an idea/opinion, someone's gonna have an opposing idea/opinion. Only through discussion and debate do we further our understanding - sometimes cementing our original opinion, sometimes changing it. Either way, IT'S ALL GOOD!!!!!

[MDE3]

It's nothing personal [img]/wtimages/icons/smile.gif[/img]; sometimes I just need a small step to help my aging bones up onto the soap box. Actually from here I can almost see Danny.

[sactosaxons]

You're so right about the "big picture" seeming too big to tackle but, when broken down into those "baby steps" it suddenly seems possible....hmmmm.....interesting....very interesting....

[MDE3]

The good news is there is already some momentum. This is the time to begin to push the process. Ego's will have to be put on hold of course for things to gell, but a clear sense of common purpose can go a long way to overcome this. (Am I beginning to sound like a fortune cookie - or is it just me?)

[dude10k]

YES!!!!!

[missionhockey21]

dude, I was just playing around. Just ask Rich, I goof off a lot here;-) :P

[missionhockey21]

Ahh the legendary soap box. Danny gets way up on his soapbox sometimes ~_^

[DeathWish99]

Roller Hockey will continue to flounder because the personalities can't work together. In 1999 RHI killed MLRH to get teams back in their league. Yoder started his own league because he doesn't like Raue's idea of checking. Buffalo Wings want to play in the summer. Wilmington won't play MLRH because they don't like some of the owners. Marple hates the Riot so they force them out. People in Michigan don't want to travel. Now someone in Canada wants his own league for some unknown reason.

All these people could work together, then we would have the start of something. But it will never happen because each wants to be in charge and have it their way.

It isn't just money, but someone with money could force all these personalities to work together. If all the forces would work together, you would have an elite league with 20 good teams tomorrow. As for me, I'm not a betting man, but I would bet the barn that these people will never come together.