The Flames are facing the "hard" task of marketing the
team "to a disillusioned community," according to Allan Maki
of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, who cites "plummeting" season-
ticket sales and the "failure" to reach the playoffs four
years in a row as reasons. Maki: "Complicating matters was
a season-ticket count of only 9,000, a franchise low that
has put the cash-conscious Flames in a delicate situation."
Unless the team sells 4,000 more tickets within the next two
months, the Flames will not be eligible for the NHL's
Canadian Assistance Program. Flames President Ron Bremner
"confirmed" that the club would be conducting a season-
ticket "blitz next week similar to" what the Oilers have
done the past few years (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 4/12).
Bremner: "We're already one of the lowest ticket prices in
the league and we can't get people to come out -- what's the
message you get?" (Eric Francis, CALGARY SUN, 4/12).
DID WE SAY 7%? WE MEANT...: In Ottawa, Carrie Buchanan
writes that Senators season tickets for the 2000-01 season
"are going to cost" 17% more than they did at the beginning
of this season. The team earlier this year announced that
ticket prices would be raised 7%, and now "must collect
another" 10% for "the provincial amusement tax." Senators
Chair Rod Bryden "confirmed" that the province "has ordered"
the team to pay the tax, although the team "is contesting"
the tax before the courts (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 4/12).
STAYIN' ALIVE: In DC, Eric Fisher writes that the
Capitals are hoping for "big things" in the playoffs, as the
team is "on track to lose about" $10M this season. A trip
to the Stanley Cup Finals would provide the team with "at
least another" $4M for a minimum of eight playoff home games
at MCI Center (WASHINGTON TIMES, 4/12).
