Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sunday was not just the first day of training camp for the Chicago Blackhawks, but it was Media Day as well. Players did interviews and posed for various multimedia pictures before they hit the ice, and they were swarmed by reporters afterward. It was also the day to hear from the front office, namely general manager Stan Bowman and team president John McDonough.
I watched video of their press conference and rolled my eyes when McDonough reiterated what had been posted on the Hawks’ website: that the organization thanked the fans for their patience during the lockout. “We are going to have to earn our way back,” he said in talking about how to bring fans back to the team. I had to laugh, because that statement and letter really did nothing but show me how tone he and owner Rocky Wirtz were to arguably the most loyal fanbase in the NHL.
With all due respect to those two men – come on. The Pittsburgh Penguins apologized to the fans, and Patrick Kane did it during the lockout from Switzerland. Management needs to take responsibility, look right into the camera and say those two little words that will work toward bringing back the fans: “We’re sorry.”
McDonough later mentioned something that made me nearly choke on my tea. He rather smugly informed the reporters before him that they’d added 250 people to their season ticket holder list, removing them from the long list of fans who’ve waited for a coveted spot. I’m sorry, but that’s nothing. The maximum seating capacity at United Center is 19, 717. This is finite. If you’re adding 250 people to the list of season ticket holders, it means 250 people have given up on the season. You’re not adding to the list, just replacing the names of those who’ve jumped ship.
The Blackhawks will be revealing their “fan incentives” this week, after almost every other team has said how they plan to reward fans and bring them back. They’ll probably fall short, just as a lot of these plans have. The actual first step they should take is easier than they think, and it only requires two little words.
