Some fans have said a soft economy and the team's performance has led to them not renewing GETTY IMAGES
This is a "massively important business year" for the Oilers and team Owner Daryl Katz, as a "significant number of suites and premium seating inventory and all the season tickets are up for renewal" at the end of the season, according to Terry Jones of the EDMONTON SUN. This marks the third season of the Oilers "playing in Rogers Place." They currently sit four points out of the playoffs, but with the Alberta economy "in the toilet, it’s the worst possible time for the Oilers to go back into the tank." Oilers Entertainment Group has about 2,000 premium ticket accounts "involving suites, club seating, loge seating, etc," and it managed to "get those customers divided equally on three-, five- and seven-year plans." While the organization has been "working hard all season," there are still a "significant number who remain uncommitted." Meanwhile, the Oilers’ season-ticket base of around 15,000 is "up for renewal annually." The organization, in the focus groups and online surveys they hold regularly, is "hearing 'soft economy' and 'team performance' in their communication." Oilers President of Hockey Operations & GM Peter Chiarelli "desperately needs" coach Ken Hitchcock to get this team "back on the rails before much more panic sets in with the owner and CEO when it comes to those pending premium seat and season ticket account renewals" (EDMONTON SUN, 12/31).
