Red Wings an Arrogant Organization?

[SportsFromA2]

I'll be honest, we're used to the Regner's of the world always blowing the wings, but I acutally found this a nice piece to read.. very, very true IMO.

How sweet! “You want World Series tickets? We’ll sell ‘em to ya for 20 Wings tickets!” That’s scalping, not “saying thanks.” The Wings’ front office and PR staff are this arrogant all the time, and that’s why the Red Wings--who’re by and large a good organization--are hated around the NHL.

The front office is horribly in and downright rude to both the press and fans alike, John Hahn heavily censors what gets out to the general public (ever wonder why Fox Sports Detroit shows the same Red Wings Weekly clips five times over during pre-game shows and intermissions?), and the team is kept at arm’s length from everybody.

In an age of open practices, free meet-and-greets, goodwill ambassadors, and lush multimedia content on websites, from “glogs” to player blogs, well-produced web feature stories, team-produced videos, highlights, press conference summaries, and lush and lavish in-game productions, what do Wings fans get?

The team makes its players as accessible as one can when you hide them behind a brick wall; no open practices, fan-friendly player availabilities that’re limited to paid autograph signings and lavish charity gallas that the average fan can’t afford, and a virtual blackout in terms of substantial or in-depth media coverage of some very glib and outspoken players.

The team’s website is horrible, with a few press releases and snippets of photos available on a page designed in 2003, and Red Wings World hasn’t been updated since the lockout--all it consists of is a repository of Inside Hockeytown features and a bulletin board. The NHL and all sorts of web studies acknowledge that hockey fans are the most web-savvy sports fans around, and yet you wonder if the Wings’ front office even knows that a “podcast” has nothing to do with spitting out sunflower seeds.

And as several KK members have noted, the Red Wings’ in-game production budget includes the music that hasn’t been updated since Brendan Shanahan requested Republica’s “Ready to Go” in 1998, a scoreboard and sound-system boasting cutting-edge, 1990 technology in an age of gigantic LCD screens and rink-wrapping bands, no in-game promotions or exclusive media content to shake up the crowd, and the same old $20 pizza you can buy for $5, $7 beer, and $4 hot dogs.

The Joe used to be an intimidating, rocking rink, and now it’s one of the quieter barns in the NHL. Clearly, they’re having trouble filling the stands in a terrible Michigan economy--why spend $55 for an upper-bowl seat, $8 for parking, and $30 for food when you can get the same bang for your buck by sitting at home? Why cough up a pre-lockout prices to bankroll a team that has half the salary, and in the eyes of so many of us Wings fans, half the talent of the mighty, free-spending Red Wings of old?

Even a “Nick Lidstrom bobblehead night” instead of a “free Rock Financial Wings refrigerator magnet” night would show some sort of willingness to bring people into the rink.

Why get interested in a team whose media and fan access are held under lock and key? Unless you know somebody who knows a Red Wing, or bump into them at a mall or grocery store, you barely see the players, and the dearth of meaningful, get-to-know-you media content, especially online, renders the team as a corporate monolith.

That inaccessibility is why the Red Wings are hated with a passion by the national media, and it’s why a hockey-mad city has become much more enamored with the Pistons, Tigers, and even the struggling Lions--while the city’s other teams actually make an investment in their fan base, the Wings’ front office sees us as what we are: walking dollar signs who’re generally grateful for any sort of access to the team because we’re so bloody used to getting nothing.

There plenty more of this here:
http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.ph..._organization/

[Heaton]

The entire organization needs a shakeup, hopefully Illich realizes that the Red Wings machine needs some more oil. Can't just sit back and rake in the money.

[Ballbag88]

Wow. well said......i've had the same complaints for several years now.......i truly hope the wings organization is paying close attention to this cause so far, its been painful to watch the wings this season.

[Lee Dog]

the Red Wings’ in-game production budget includes the music that hasn’t been updated since Brendan Shanahan requested Republica’s “Ready to Go” in 1998, a scoreboard and sound-system boasting cutting-edge, 1990 technology in an age of gigantic LCD screens and rink-wrapping bands.

This has always been one of my biggest beefs. If I have to hear Four Non Blondes' "What's Up (What's Going On)" after a Wings' penalty one more time I will shoot myself. :

[WayDowntownBang]

Originally Posted by Heaton

The entire organization needs a shakeup, hopefully Illich realizes that the Red Wings machine needs some more oil. Can't just sit back and rake in the money.

Let a losing season happen, and you may see action. People used to complain that Illitch was only focused on his Wings, and let the Tigers go to hell.

The tide has turned.

[Fraserburn]

Theres nothing new there, the Wings have been that way since the 40s

[SportsFromA2]

Originally Posted by WayDowntownBang

Let a losing season happen, and you may see action. People used to complain that Illitch was only focused on his Wings, and let the Tigers go to hell.

The tide has turned.

and this was before he had the "cost certainty" that he was so supportive of

WTF's his excuse now?

[Fraserburn]

Originally Posted by SportsFromA2

and this was before he had the "cost certainty" that he was so supportive of

WTF's his excuse now?

He's succumbing to Reload-itis
the organization is far too used to scouring the draft for hidden gems to supplement their high priced Free Agents they bring in year after year

They have to re-evaluate their draft strategy
they need NHL ready youth, teams for the most part cant afford to have their rookies spend a lot of time in the minors

They need to cut loose dead weight

and it will take time
they are in the same situation as the leafs and the flyers
too set in their old ways and werent quick on the take with the way the NHL was going to be after the lockout

its a learning process and tough times are ahead

[SportsFromA2]

Originally Posted by Fraserburn

He's succumbing to Reload-itis
the organization is far too used to scouring the draft for hidden gems to supplement their high priced Free Agents they bring in year after year

They have to re-evaluate their draft strategy
they need NHL ready youth, teams for the most part cant afford to have their rookies spend a lot of time in the minors

They need to cut loose dead weight

and it will take time
they are in the same situation as the leafs and the flyers
too set in their old ways and werent quick on the take with the way the NHL was going to be after the lockout

its a learning process and tough times are ahead

you're referring to the on-ice product while most of the beef is about the off-ice treatment by the wings.

but your comparison of the on-ice wings is off for one reason- The wings aren't stuck with with large, overpriced contracts like most are teams are and with the Cap they'll have quite a big advantange in the next year or 2.

[Fraserburn]

Originally Posted by SportsFromA2

you're referring to the on-ice product while most of the beef is about the off-ice treatment by the wings.

but your comparison of the on-ice wings is off for one reason- The wings aren't stuck with with large, overpriced contracts like most are teams are and with the Cap they'll have quite a big advantange in the next year or 2.

Their on-ice arrogance is a product of winning, and it is also a reflection of their off-ice arrogance which is a product of being one of the oldest franchises in the league. The fan friendly franchises, the ones that offer great packages, low prices, accessible players are the new franchises, the Predators, the Thrashers, the Ducks even the San Jose's the other fan friendly franchises are the losing franchises, the ones that arent and havent been doing well for years

neither of which the Wings fall into
just like their on ice product may be coming around to the New NHL , maybe, just maybe the off ice will follow

[SportsFromA2]

Originally Posted by Fraserburn

Their on-ice arrogance is a product of winning, and it is also a reflection of their off-ice arrogance which is a product of being one of the oldest franchises in the league. The fan friendly franchises, the ones that offer great packages, low prices, accessible players are the new franchises, the Predators, the Thrashers, the Ducks even the San Jose's the other fan friendly franchises are the losing franchises, the ones that arent and havent been doing well for years

neither of which the Wings fall into
just like their on ice product may be coming around to the New NHL , maybe, just maybe the off ice will follow

I was over at LGW lurking and someone there mentioned how the NYR do such a great job of marketing... I'm just glad that people are talking about this now, hopefully it'll get the attention of more people. The guy's whos site I linked to (Kukla's) also writes on nhl.com, it would incredible if something like this gets on there..