alternatehistory.com
Jun. 11, 1969
June 11, 1969
Wings to move to Buffalo
Detroit Red Wings owner Bruce Norris announced today that the franchise has been purchased by a group of investors and will move to Buffalo, New York starting in the 1970-1971 season. The team’s move was motivated by abysmal ticket sales in Detroit over the last three seasons. The Red Wings' poor performance on the ice was undoubtedly part of the reason for this, but a slowdown in the auto industry, as well as concerns over crime and radiation may have played a role in the decline in attendance. [2] As a result, the team is now in a troubled financial situation. In addition, the 41-year-old Olympia Stadium (where the Red Wings currently play) [3] is showing its age and is in need of major renovations and repairs. The costs of building a new stadium in Detroit or its suburbs doesn’t make economic sense, says Norris.
The team was purchased by the Knox brothers, two wealthy businessmen from Buffalo. After a deal earlier this year to purchase the Oakland Seals fell through, the Knoxes have been looking for another team to purchase. [4] They believe that better times are ahead for the team in Buffalo, where hockey fans in western New York have to travel all the way to New York City, Pittsburgh, or Toronto to see an NHL game. Currently, Buffalo is home to the minor league Bisons, who finished first in their league this year.
The Wings will play in Detroit for one more season. After moving to Buffalo, the team will play in the Bisons’ Memorial Auditorium for the 1970-1971 season and beginning in the 1971-1972 season, they will move to a brand-new 17,000-seat stadium in downtown Buffalo. No team name has been selected yet. [5]
Wings to move to Buffalo
Detroit Red Wings owner Bruce Norris announced today that the franchise has been purchased by a group of investors and will move to Buffalo, New York starting in the 1970-1971 season. The team’s move was motivated by abysmal ticket sales in Detroit over the last three seasons. The Red Wings' poor performance on the ice was undoubtedly part of the reason for this, but a slowdown in the auto industry, as well as concerns over crime and radiation may have played a role in the decline in attendance. [2] As a result, the team is now in a troubled financial situation. In addition, the 41-year-old Olympia Stadium (where the Red Wings currently play) [3] is showing its age and is in need of major renovations and repairs. The costs of building a new stadium in Detroit or its suburbs doesn’t make economic sense, says Norris.
The team was purchased by the Knox brothers, two wealthy businessmen from Buffalo. After a deal earlier this year to purchase the Oakland Seals fell through, the Knoxes have been looking for another team to purchase. [4] They believe that better times are ahead for the team in Buffalo, where hockey fans in western New York have to travel all the way to New York City, Pittsburgh, or Toronto to see an NHL game. Currently, Buffalo is home to the minor league Bisons, who finished first in their league this year.
The Wings will play in Detroit for one more season. After moving to Buffalo, the team will play in the Bisons’ Memorial Auditorium for the 1970-1971 season and beginning in the 1971-1972 season, they will move to a brand-new 17,000-seat stadium in downtown Buffalo. No team name has been selected yet. [5]
[1] In OTL on this date, it was announced that the Buffalo would get an expansion team in 1970: https://buffalonews.com/2014/06/11/june-11-1969-buffalo-line-nhl-expansion-team/
[2] To my knowledge, there was never any plan in OTL to move the Red Wings outside of Metro Detroit (in the 1970s, they almost moved to the suburb of Pontiac, MI). But it is actually quite common for teams to move in NHL history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_and_relocated_National_Hockey_League_teams
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Olympia Bear in mind that this is quite old for a hockey arena - Joe Louis Arena, the former home of the Red Wings, was 38 years old when the team moved to Little Caesars Arena, where they currently play.
[4] “Several NHL Clubs are eager to dump owners of Seals”, Detroit News, Jan. 22, 1969
[5] I wonder what they’ll call the new team?
[2] To my knowledge, there was never any plan in OTL to move the Red Wings outside of Metro Detroit (in the 1970s, they almost moved to the suburb of Pontiac, MI). But it is actually quite common for teams to move in NHL history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_and_relocated_National_Hockey_League_teams
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Olympia Bear in mind that this is quite old for a hockey arena - Joe Louis Arena, the former home of the Red Wings, was 38 years old when the team moved to Little Caesars Arena, where they currently play.
[4] “Several NHL Clubs are eager to dump owners of Seals”, Detroit News, Jan. 22, 1969
[5] I wonder what they’ll call the new team?
- dartingfog
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