Since their return in 2011, the Manitoba team has faced difficulties at the box office, with an average attendance this season of only 13,098 spectators, which is the second worst in the NHL behind the Arizona Coyotes, who play in a 4,600-seat arena, I remind you.
It is also worth noting that the Jets' season ticket subscriptions have dropped from about 13,000 to about 9,500 over the past three seasons.
In a recent interview for *The Athletic*, Mark Chipman, the president of True North Sports & Entertainment, discussed his team's current situation and sent a clear message to the Jets' supporters.
Moreover, according to Chipman, the NHL is closely monitoring the situation.
Could the Jets suffer the same fate as the original version of the team, which left Winnipeg for Arizona in 1996?
Let's say that this idea is not an option at the moment, and Chipman had mentioned it during an interview with CBC a few months ago.
Even though a relocation of the Jets is still unlikely, this situation could nevertheless harm the potential return of the Nordiques to Quebec, as the Jets also operate in a small Canadian market.
And for Gary Bettman, unless it's about representing a large American city, one could say that patience is shorter.
Unless Gary is more comfortable with the idea of bringing back the Nordiques if the team already comes from another small Canadian market?
POLL | ||
FEVRIER 24 | 682 ANSWERS Canadian Team Forced to Relocate Imminently? The End of the Winnipeg Jets Appears to Be Inevitable Do you think the NHL would send the Jets to Quebec? | ||
Yes | 247 | 36.2 % |
No | 435 | 63.8 % |
List of polls |