Big Bend- How anyone can actually be excited about this amazes
me. I personally can't wait for another fronton with 6 post singles
games. This is only an attempt to get in the door before the live
dates requirement to run poker is passed in FL legislature. And
hopefully VLT's down the road.
I know Tony stands up for him, but Richards has neither the desire
or ability to run Jai-Alai successfully. Think about this. They
could have had Big Dave in Hamilton for a very reasonable price,
but instead he chose to have his wife run the marketing end. Nuff
said.
Hamilton and Big Bend are only a means to and end, and that is
not Jai-Alai. Sorry to burst the bubble for the last few of you
that thought something different.
Ocala- Not much has been said about them lately and 2nd chance
coming in. He actually seems to want to try to make it work, but
in such a small town how that can happen is the question. I do
wish him the best, though.
Dania- Made the trip down and it was nice to see the guys one
last time. But I can tell you employee morale there is totally
destroyed, even with Boyd about to come in. They're closing the
2nd floor cafe and the entrance that is on Dania Beach Blvd. The
place will look closed to everyone but the long time regulars
when this is done.
That place should be buzzing with Boyd coming in, but instead
it is dreadful. Then again, with cutbacks and layoffs happening
already, what would one expect? I don't want to be the harbinger
of bad news, but with Hollywood/Mardi Gras already stating they
are going to lobby to remove the live date requirement to run
the slots, Sen. Geller saying he has the votes to pass the bill
this year to remove the live date requirement for poker and Dania
cutting stuff back like this, one has to start to wonder.
Texas- From what I've heard, they are not very optimistic on it
actually getting it passed this year. But it was always known
that getting Jai-Alai approved there was a long shot. They're
starting to put out feelers to LA.
Miami- Pretty much hanging around patiently for this Novemeber.
Realizing this is their last shot for slots, they may get a little
more involved this time around as it could be all or nothing for
them.
Orlando- Put on another good Citrus this year, but they're still
in decline. Even with a solid roster, if you don't have the rest
of the puzzle together it's just not going to work out.
FYI- Simulcast costs between $500 and $1000 a performance for
the uplink costs, depending on company and whether analog or digital.
The frontons have to record the live games by FL law, so those
costs are already there and would not be additional.
If this sport is to do more than just stay on life support things
must change. If you cannot connect with the 18-34 year old male
demographic you will not thrive in pro sports. It doesn't matter
how good the roster is or if you have a brand new state of the
art building.
Jai-Alai is still a great sport, with some great athletes. Give
people a comprehensive product and market it correctly, and this
sport can still stand on its own. I just don't see anyone running
the frontons now that can connect with the next generation. In
the age of Youtube, the Ipod, myspace, high definition everything
and short attention spans, it will take a vibrant young mind to
attract the new generation.
Yeah, and I know that all takes money, but like my grandpa used
to tell me, it takes money to make money. And that goes double
for anyone in the entertainment industry. You need some bling
if you're going to be the thing. Now can you diggeth that?
