It’s been a tumultuous offseason for the Central Hockey League, and as officials prep for this weekend’s league meetings, the lineup for the 2011-2012 season remains in flux, as Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs ownership decides whether to return.
The issue for the Bossier-Shreveport owners: money. The team’s been running at a loss — approximately $1.5 million over the last two years — and owners Tommy and Leslie Scott have had enough. They’ve delivered a winning team and solid ownership to CenturyTel Center, and they want to see more support from the community.
So they’ve set up a goal of 2,500 season tickets as a condition of returning next season. That’s more than the team has ever sold, but it’s not a figure set in stone: if other sponsorship monies come through and some lease changes can be done, the team will stay.
There are also other options for the Scotts: Jump to another league (moving down the NAHL is a popular option for Southern teams) or going dark for a season.
Still, that’s an ambitious sales figure, especially when it need to be accomplished by this Friday, in time for the annual postseason CHL meeting in Tempe. As of now it’s not set which teams will be returning to the league next season: Odessa and Colorado are definitely out, Quad Cities most likely is gone, and no one is sure about the status of RGV. Add to that the uncertainty in Bossier City, and you have the makings of an interesting meeting.
RELATED STORIES: Colorado to ECHL; Victoria to WHL
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