Interesting Article from PD regarding Minor/Major Sports

[ClevelandMark]

An Analysis of minor league hockey's success in Cleveland. Very interesting perspective on minor/major league sports in a town the supports three major league teams.

Both minor league teams (Barons - hockey, Force - MISL soccer) have struggled the past couple of years and have left town or folded.

http://www.cleveland.com/barons/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1149429325236040.xml&coll=2

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/114941039398790.xml&coll=2

In my opinion, I do think there is a difference to Clevelanders if the team is the top level or a minor league. Clevelanders are very supportive of the major league teams.

[Joe Stoker]

Giving the devil his due, the elder Wolstein put together a first-class operation (despite the roller-derby brand of the sport in a rinky-dink league) in the original Force, marketed them as first-class operation, and sold seats and garnered the headlines 'way back when.

I expect nothing less from Scott and Company if presented an MLS franchise and showcased in an SSS.

Re Original Barons: It was sad but inevitable. I was here to notice the whole culture/perception of pro sports change dramatically from the late '60s thru the '80s, and the AHL took the brunt of it thanks to the WHA and NHL expansion... not to mention free home entertainment of television. Another variable then was the large job losses as industry began moving out en masse during that period. Lots of the folks who took in Saturday night Barons outings now certainly couldn't afford a major-league ticket structure.

But it does seem the perception between major and minor in Cleveland became set year-round here once the Cavs showed up. Before that, industrial league basketball, rasslin' and roller derby drew respectable crowds that considered that stuff plus the Barons as a regular part of the local culture w/o a second thought. The Cavs, and then the Crusaders underlined it as far as the orphaned Barons went. "Minor" took on a very negative connotation. The Cobras ('72-81) had a tough time bucking that even with their best efforts.

It's a different world now. Minor league hockey will probably continue to come and go (further sullying the Barons monicker, no doubt), but I think Stein Jr. on Route 8 can mirror his father's soccer success in Richfield, this time with the real deal.

[BulaJacket]

Thanks for sharing....
I pretty much agree with most of what you guys have written above...

Though I do think this incarntion of the Barons, especially with a CBJ or similar affiliation, will do MUCH better than the last incarnation for many reasons due to being owned by the same owner who owns the Cavaliers and Q Arena. That is huge.

I also think the Cleveland MLS entry has a different market to attack, and could/should do very well.

[BulaJacket]

related - Barons purchase of dormant Utah approved:
http://www.clevelandprohockey.com
http://www.cleveland.com/barons/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/114786900931350.xml&coll=2


This article is VERY good in providing a synopsis of the problems the latest incarnation of the Barons faced, and hope for Cleveland area hockey fans:
http://www.cleveland.com/barons/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/114943142320300.xml&coll=2