Progression

[NIHL09]

I know that many of you hear people's ideas of how things should be run, in the PIHA or "New League Proposals," yet nothing really seems to ever change. Well, this is a proposal for a new league, but it's not something that should be looked at to boom right away and it's not something that is meant to boom right away. So, here it is and all that I'm really looking for is positive comments or suggestions, as negative comments and suggestions aren't going to help anyone or the sport.

The NCRHA has a great system of scheduling and this is what would be incorporated into the league. We would push for 24 Organizations from around the country. 12 in a "Western Conference" and 12 in an "Eastern Conference." From their it would break down into 3 divisions in each conference with 4 teams in each.

What would happen, is their would be a total of 42 events throughout the season. 8 teams would participate per each event playing 4 games each at the event. Each team will play in 7 Events throughout the season, therefore giving them a total of 28 games. *Also there will be 6 preseason events, one for each division, to play 3 preseason games*

How will the events be arranged? Each team will have atleast 1 home event which they are guaranteed to be scheduled to play in, and 18 teams will have 2 home events and those teams will be guaranteed to be scheduled to play in both home events. What about the other 6 teams who only have one home event? They will be guaranteed to play an event that is closest to them.

The season will run 9 months long from October to June. The preseason will be one month long, the regular season will be 5 months long, and the playoff season will be 3 months long. Each team will play in atleast one event per month, and 2 events in 2 of the regular season months. The months with two events however, the team is guaranteed to play one of those at home, or in the closest location if that team doesnt have 2 home events per year.

So where are the outrageous costs? This is how things will be done; The team will have the OPTION of paying $1600 up front or they can pay $225 per event. *NOTE $1600 is cheaper than most house league seasons. The money will go to referee fee's, rink fee's ad other small operating costs.

Each organization can have a maximum roster of 23 (20 skaters and 3 goalies) and a minimum roster of 16 (14 skaters and 2 goalies). Each player must play in 20 games to be eligible for postseason play. So lets say you have a 20 man roster, that breaks down into just $80 a guy.

Admission? Unfortunately this is one of the only ways to make some kind of money for the league. But, it will be a set admission fee league wide, $5 for anyone over the age of 12 and $2 for anyone under the age of 12 is what would be ideal. And, if you buy a ticket it is good for the whole weekend. Here is where the organization benefits from admission. The first $700 will go to the league, however anything after that mark goes straight to the organization. *NOTE (For teams that only have 1 home event, anything after a $500 mark goes straight to the organization)* This is where the organization gets involved in trying to attract fans. So let's say you get 200 people there at $5 a ticket, that's $1000, $300 your organization gets to keep, that money could knock your league fee down to only $1300, or it could be used in travel fee's or on anything you like, its yours.

Traveling is becoming more expensive than ever. Therefore, this is why we are going to focus on 3 major sponsors besides hockey company sponsors.

1. Hotel Company
2. Bus Rental Company
3. Airlines Company

What we'd want? Of course we'd want free travel and stay, but we are going to try to work with these divisions of travel and stay to try and make it as affordable as possible for our leagues players. There's more to elaborate on this, but that will come in time.


There is a lot more to elaborate on in general, but this is sort of a core, and how something like this could send the sport into an upward swing. Please leave comments and suggestions, and if there is anyone out there who'd would like to be involved in this, please say so. Thanks

[growl89]

Is this the league where we get a team bus?


In all seriousness though, I like the idea of festivals or events as you call them. Even though the xihl was a bust it was an exciting atmosphere with more then 2 teams playing on a weekend.

That being said, good luck finding 24 teams for a new league...

[ACCCT2]

Hmmm..."we want free travel and stay..." and you're "going to try...", eh -- I've already definitely heard enough on this one. It's called "accommodations" and if you can't even get the most basic of basics correct in your presentations you're definitely in over your head.

As for your "Admission? Unfortunately..." pronouncement ("...this is one of the only ways to make some kind of money for the league") -- what makes you think that with NO previous track record and obviously NO professional marketing whatsoever you're going to SOMEHOW get sponsorship and fans to part with their hard-earned cash is beyond me.

One last thing -- the minute you give anyone an "OPTION" to do anything trying to convince them to part with their hard-earned cash (YES, if you picked up on it, getting people and entities to part with their "hard-earned cash" is a theme here), they'll do everything they can to create other "options" and scenarios to justify paying as little as possible (even nothing at all) to participate. This is obviously NOT very realistic and unfortunately reeks of VERY "pie in the sky-like", VERY "wishful thinking-ish" amateur hour. Just calling "a spade a spade", dudes...

[Phelan96]

Thank god there weren't internet forums back in 1917 to trash and discourage the NHL from forming.

[PGHhockey]

Take the advice of Goldman Sachs...start this league in one of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China).

Or, hop on one of the more recent emerging markets...anyone wanna go in with me on building a facility in Vietnam?

[InlineMBA]

I will say one thing, the "concept" of an event, such as how the NCRHA events are done, are way............................... better than the PIHA, one team - one trip philosophy.

Sure, some PIHA schedules work out that a team can combine two cities on a weekend, for a total of 4 games.

The NCRHA events accomplish the same thing, but you play, most times, 4 teams in a weekend, and it's a great atmosphere for families and friends.

Steve Inge - ROXBURY 8

[Drexel63]

I agree that the NCRHA weekend events are exciting, both for the players and the fans. However, I wouldn't want to see that style adopted for PIHA Pro.

Reason being, at only 32 games, the season is quite short as is. In regards to injuries and conflicts, changing the format to the NCRHA style would hurt more than it would help, in my opinion. If a team loses a key player to injury now, their schedule may dictate only 2 or 4 games impacted by the injury. With a festival schedule, like the NCRHA uses, and PIHA's double headers, you could lose a player for 1/4 of your 32 game season in one weekend to a minor injury which wouldn't normally warrant that much time off....

[ACCCT2]

Length of season is not that important. Quality of season (and on-court product and marketing, etc.) is.

[DieselBurns]

I know that many of you hear people's ideas of how things should be run, in the PIHA or "New League Proposals," yet nothing really seems to ever change. Well, this is a proposal for a new league, but it's not something that should be looked at to boom right away and it's not something that is meant to boom right away. So, here it is and all that I'm really looking for is positive comments or suggestions, as negative comments and suggestions aren't going to help anyone or the sport.

Traveling is becoming more expensive than ever. Therefore, this is why we are going to focus on 3 major sponsors besides hockey company sponsors.

1. Hotel Company
2. Bus Rental Company
3. Airlines Company

What we'd want? Of course we'd want free travel and stay, but we are going to try to work with these divisions of travel and stay to try and make it as affordable as possible for our leagues players. There's more to elaborate on this, but that will come in time

Only positive feedback allowed? Senator Obama is that you?

Seriously though...I'm sure with skyrocketing fuel prices you'll have "bus companies" and "airlines companies" lining up around the block to give free "travel and stay" to participants in a league with no exposure.

[Drexel63]

Which further supports my dislike for the festival format for PIHA...

Repetition and Length of Exposure are good things when it comes to Marketing and Sponsorships, correct? I know if I were a business owner, I would want my business or product promoted during a game as many times as possible, for as long as possible, for my donated money. In a festival environment such as the NCRHA, the league purchases rink time in bulk, and fits as many games as possible into those prime time slots. Making space for game break competitions, sponsorship highlights, etc, would not be a very high priority, especially when PIHA games are so prone to going long...

I think this type of scheduling would show a major decrease in a sponsorship-friendly environment.. Anyone have a counter-argument?

[Superstar9]

So...NIHL09....who are you? I'm just curious because I've now seen two ideas pop up in the last week about a Pro Tour format and they both ironically seem to be following a very familiar format. People need to really just wait until they have everything done and set up before they announce anything these days, it's the ONLY way you'll be taken seriously..

[DieselBurns]

Which further supports my dislike for the festival format for PIHA...

Repetition and Length of Exposure are good things when it comes to Marketing and Sponsorships, correct? I know if I were a business owner, I would want my business or product promoted during a game as many times as possible, for as long as possible, for my donated money. In a festival environment such as the NCRHA, the league purchases rink time in bulk, and fits as many games as possible into those prime time slots. Making space for game break competitions, sponsorship highlights, etc, would not be a very high priority, especially when PIHA games are so prone to going long...

I think this type of scheduling would show a major decrease in a sponsorship-friendly environment.. Anyone have a counter-argument?

You have a valid point. However the most important thing a sponsor looks for is to associate themselves with a brand that is recognized by a large group of people OR if they have a niche product, they look to sponsor events that bring awareness to their product. There are only so many companies that make hockey equipment, jerseys, etc. Outside of that, "pro" roller hockey isn't something that is an attractive draw to sponsors...especially in a bad economy when people are cutting ad budgets. The fact is until you develop a larger following that fits the demographic of potential sponsors you will have a hard time drawing sponsors. This needs to be a grassroots thing that becomes much more organized before you can go after any serious corporate dollars. Empty stand, forfeited games and/or short benches aren't going to make people knock down the doors to spend money with you.

[Drexel63]

Current problems with the league aside, and size of sponsor businesses aside, I think if the league went to this type of scheduling, it would be all around bad for business...

[DCbullets14]

I disagree with everyone who feels that this is not a sponsor friendly enviroment. In my opinion it would be an ideal enviroment for sponsors. By combining multiple teams into a single event you would theoretically increase the fan base. With more fans in attendance it gives sponsors an opportunity to show their product to a much larger group of people. The key will be providing sponsors with ways to get their product out to the fans.

You all say that the NCRHA events are very exciting, this atmosphere is what I feel the PIHA lacks. If you can create an energized atmosphere you will attract fans and with fans comes sponsorship.

I think one of the important things to realize is that finding sponsorship will be extremly difficult until the league is up and running.
I dont see it likely to have success with the accomidations but best of luck with that.

I dont think it would be hard for you to find 24 new teams to start this league. There are some very strong markets which have not been tapped by PIHA (Michigan, California, and Florida). If you are able to tap these markets building a successful league would not more realistic than everyone seems to think.

Feel free to PM me with a response or with more league info I would be interested in looking it over.

[bigjnstl]

In my opinion, There is not a need for another league, efforts ned to be put forth to fix the current league we already have. If we come up with another league, it will just be considered a joke just like piha was at first, mlrh was at first and so on.

I think if we can enough people that Charley trusts, to convince him to make changes to piha, that would be the best route. These are a few examples in my opinion could make things better. Let charley still "own" the league, but an executive commitee of a director of all 8 divisions, would make the important league decisions. It would force him to make some changes that are voted on by the executive committee and he could still make his money.

Just an idea, feel free to bash away. LOL Big J