NHL Panthers' Mass Layoffs Consist Mostly Of Sales Staff After Poor Attendance

NHL Panthers CEO & President Rory Babich yesterday announced that several positions on the organization's business side "were eliminated to improve overall corporate efficiency," according to Harvey Fialkov of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. A source said that most of the "nearly 25 employees laid off were high-level sales people and service representatives and none came from the hockey operations side." The Panthers finished the season ranked 29th in NHL attendance, averaging 14,177 fans per game, so Babich "clearly felt a reorganization of the sales force was called for." Babich in a statement wrote the Panthers "undertook a reorganization that resulted in certain positions being eliminated." He added the changes "will enable us to operate efficiently while continuing to focus on bringing the best in sports and entertainment to BB&T Center." Babich also "sent an e-mail to his season-ticket holders and sponsors" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 6/3).