I have been a season ticket holder of the Des Moines AHL team for 3 years now. During that time, we have already have had 2 name changes from the Iowa Stars to the newly created Iowa Chops this year. After this past year performance and this awful name change, I was leaning toward not renewing my seat this next year. A name is important – and the Chops name gives us a snickering response. I don’t know what focus group they depended on or how much money the Iowa Pork Producers gave, but I am looking forward to (another) fresh start. I didn’t realise I would get my wish so soon.
A message from Iowa Chops President Steve Nitzel:
I would like to let our fans… make that our best fans, our Season Ticket Holders, feel at ease about the recent news regarding our affiliation situation. I believe it’s the fans who take the biggest blow and that hurts me personally as I consider myself one of the biggest fans on the planet. In a move to show our commitment to customer service, the Iowa Chops have put a 30-day hold on the season ticket renewal deadline (was June 15th, now July 15th). I want to assure all of our fans that we are working feverishly to solve our current situation as quickly as possible.
The reason that the Anaheim Ducks General Manager Murray gave to leaving Des Moines was:
“They (Iowa Chops) owe us a significant amount of money. We did not feel there was any chance for this situation to improve. This has nothing to do with the City of Des Moines or the support the people gave our players. They enjoyed the city immensely,” Murray said.
Although attendance had increased almost 550 per game, it came at some cost. With ticket price reductions and promotions, prices were slashed almost 39% from the 2007-2008 season as stated in the Des Moines Register Article. 78% of the revenue for the Iowa Chops come from ticket sales. They only make about 18% of the total concessions including the $7 beers and $4 sodas!
For those that are thinking that the owners (the Schlegel family) should just give up in Des Moines, they cannot. They have 6 years left on their 10 year agreement to Des Moines for providing a hockey team. It has been reported that they are looking to sell the team, however.
I am a huge fan of local hockey, and I still think that two teams (AHL Iowa Chops & IHL Des Moines Buccaneers) can make it, but the AHL team has to bring the right formula of great hockey, great name, and great fans. (Hint for owners: fun promotions and cheaper beer does help in this economy!)
Brent Sports AHL, Hockey, Iowa Chops
