Barracudas suspend operations

Steve · April 30, 2008, 03:10:53 PM

The Jacksonville Barracudas have requested a one-year suspension of operations from the Southern Professional Hockey League. Majority owners, Steve and Janet Croskrey addressed their intent Monday to the SPHL.

Steve Croskrey said the lack of a suitable venue was too much of an obstacle for the Barracudas. For three seasons, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena hosted the Barracudas but the increased costs of a lease renewal forced the Barracudas to move to Jacksonville Ice for the 2007-08 season.

http://news.jacksonville.com/justin/2008/04/30/barracudas-suspend-operations/

Steve · April 30, 2008, 03:11:00 PM

Anyone shocked?

stephenc · April 30, 2008, 03:31:44 PM

not me.

Jason · April 30, 2008, 03:40:40 PM

I instantly had no interest in watching the Cudas at Jax Ice. I can't believe the city pushed them out with high rents. The games I've watched over the past cpuple seasons at the Arena were all filling most of the lower tier of seats. Maybe that's why the city decided to up the rents?

stephenc · April 30, 2008, 04:07:29 PM

I enjoyed going to the arena to watch them, but had no interest in going to Jax Ice. Its like when the Jam first started, they were suppose to play at the Arena. As soon as it was changed to UNF, I knew that was going down the tubes and lost all interest in it. Didnt the Cudas have to move their playoff games to Jax Ice a couple seasons ago because of Disney on ICE being in town? I got a feeling the arena didnt want them anyways.

Jason · April 30, 2008, 04:42:49 PM

Yup they sure did. They're a pretty good team and I believe they have had a pretty consistent winning record.

Driven1 · April 30, 2008, 04:58:31 PM

my question is...WHO is the city going to get to replace their revenue now?? i mean yeah...if i'm the city, i'm now thinking "WOW... so glad we got the Barracudas out of there. Now we can bring in who we planned to. Wait...who is going to occupy the stadium now on those weeknights?"

Steve · April 30, 2008, 05:01:22 PM

Quote from: Jason on April 30, 2008, 03:40:40 PM
I instantly had no interest in watching the Cudas at Jax Ice. I can't believe the city pushed them out with high rents. The games I've watched over the past cpuple seasons at the Arena were all filling most of the lower tier of seats. Maybe that's why the city decided to up the rents?

I don't really think the city pushed them out - the Arena is an expensive building, and the ticket prices were pretty low - they probably just weren't making the $$$ work

stephenc · April 30, 2008, 05:02:50 PM

Quote from: Driven1 on April 30, 2008, 04:58:31 PM
my question is...WHO is the city going to get to replace their revenue now?? i mean yeah...if i'm the city, i'm now thinking "WOW... so glad we got the Barracudas out of there. Now we can bring in who we planned to. Wait...who is going to occupy the stadium now on those weeknights?"

My guess was more special events, thats what the whole thing was built for in the first place right, but that never really seemed to happen. I dont think it the city ever really planned on or wanted a sports franchise in there.

blizz01 · April 30, 2008, 05:03:30 PM

What ever happened to the Lizard Kings? What about the Tomcats?

stephenc · April 30, 2008, 05:05:03 PM

Quote from: Steve on April 30, 2008, 05:01:22 PM
Quote from: Jason on April 30, 2008, 03:40:40 PM
I instantly had no interest in watching the Cudas at Jax Ice. I can't believe the city pushed them out with high rents. The games I've watched over the past cpuple seasons at the Arena were all filling most of the lower tier of seats. Maybe that's why the city decided to up the rents?

I don't really think the city pushed them out - the Arena is an expensive building, and the ticket prices were pretty low - they probably just weren't making the $$$ work

I always felt the tickets where kind of high at the arena. Didnt the start at about $20? Let's see a Suns game, which is alot more exciting to me, starts at about $7.

stephenc · April 30, 2008, 05:08:02 PM

Quote from: blizz01 on April 30, 2008, 05:03:30 PM
What ever happened to the Lizard Kings? What about the Tomcats?

Wikipedia states the Lizard Kings suspended operations when they couldnt get a new arena. That happened in 2000. The Tomcats went under in 2003.

Jason · April 30, 2008, 05:32:45 PM

The arena was built to handle semi-pro Basketball, Hockey, and Arena Football.

Driven1 · April 30, 2008, 07:20:14 PM

no. started at $11 this past year...were cheaper than that the previous year.

gatorback · April 30, 2008, 07:28:55 PM

That is bad news. I went to many games, and my dad is the blimp captain. Yup, dad is a blimp captain. lol. The kids loved catching the prizes he'd drop during the period breaks.