Selling the Golden Eagles hockey team was not an overnight decision by Larry Miller. Looking at the setup of the Delta Center seating tells a story of its own. The best seats, in my opinion, to watch hockey, are the end sections behind the goalies. From here, the only area on the ice you can't see is one small end.
At the Delta Center, the only seats in this area that are available are ice level, one row at mid level, and one row on the upper deck. The rest of these seats aren't sold due to obstructed view. For basketball, all of these seats are available and no view is considered obstructed. Who do you think this arena was built for?It is amazing to me, but hockey survived for 20 years in Salt Lake City with crowds of 7,000 to 10,000, and even sellouts at the Salt Palace. Wouldn't it make better business sense to lower admission prices and fill the seats instead of keeping admission high and bringing people in between period gimmicks?
I go to hockey games to see hard-hitting, well-played hockey, not someone getting married on the ice. Maybe if more emphasis was placed on the players and quality of play, attendance would take care of itself. The Eagles' history includes conference championships and Adams and Turner cups. The highly paid Jazz can make no such claims.
I am very emotional on this point. I feel like my childhood has been sold. I went to every hockey game as a child, ushered at the Salt Palace and stayed to watch the hockey after work. I was an active member of the booster club and participated in all activities. I wanted the same for my kids. Was there no alternative? Did my Eagles have to be sold out of state?
I appreciate that Miller bought the team. If not, they would probably already be gone. But why did he tell thousands of fans at last season's last game: "As long as Larry Miller is in Utah, hockey will be in Utah." Just another politician-like promise? Does this mean he is moving?
Karen K. Mortensen
Salt Lake City