Regents to discuss 2013 Winter Classic at Big House tomorrow

Submitted by CaptainBlue on

This looks all but final.

From the Daily (link):

The University’s Board of Regents will conduct a special meeting tomorrow morning regarding a proposal to bring the 2013 NHL Winter Classic to Ann Arbor, according to a press release.

The meeting, held at 10 a.m. at the Fleming Administration Building, will feature a discussion about “authorization to enter into a facility-use lease for the NHL Winter Classic.”

TSN's Bob McKenzie also just tweeted this:

"Just a reminder, 2013 NHL Winter Classic (TOR vs. DET at U of Michigan Big House) will be made official at Thursday news conference(s)."

Sambojangles

February 7th, 2012 at 5:08 PM ^

I hope nobody negs you for this. Michigan football is my favorite sports team and always will be, but the Red Wings are a close second, and having a game in Michigan Stadium is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (plus it would balance the Force since I attended the Big Chill as well). I would miss a M bowl game, even the Rose Bowl, in order to go to the WC.

Brendan

February 7th, 2012 at 5:57 PM ^

Missing the Rose Bowl would be tough, but I think I am inclined to agree with you.  Wings v. Leafs in the Big House is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Seeing my favorite professional sports team play in my favorite college stadium would be hard to pass up.  Still, the Rose Bowl is awesome too . . . hopefully Michigan can make that little exhibition they are playing in Miami a week after New Year's so we can attend both.

Sambojangles

February 7th, 2012 at 5:15 PM ^

What if Michigan is playing in some Florida bowl game that starts at noon or 1 on NYD? Does anyone think the NHL will  have their weather people say it's too warm to play during the day, and conveniently move the game to 8 p.m.? They have to be aware that there is potentially huge overlap between Michigan and Red Wings fans.

Also, how much will tickets be? They got 80,000+ to the Big Chill by giving them away with the football tickets--will the NHL decide 100,000 people @ ~$40 is better than less people at "normal" ticket prices?

NorthSideBlueFan

February 7th, 2012 at 9:40 PM ^

The country of Canada only has 34.6 million people for 7 NHL teams. Ontario has just 13.2 million people, with the greater TO area having roughly 5.4 million people. NY, the state alone, has 19.5 million people and two MLB teams. Not to mention the Yanks huge national following in the US (popoulation of 312+ million people) as well. I know the Leafs have a huge following, but to compare it to the Yanks is rather large overestimate.

MastaDon

February 7th, 2012 at 10:10 PM ^

It would be interesting to see a study, but I think Toronto has much larger national presence in Canada (and even parts of America) than the Yankees do in America. Toronto goes to other Canadian cities and draws a large portion of the crowd. It also helps that hockey is more popular in Canada than baseball is in America, so maybe it seems like it because that hockey is all they really watch in Canada. Whereas in the US there's football, baseball, basketball, and even hockey to compete for people's interest.

Alton

February 8th, 2012 at 10:31 AM ^

If a "student discount" is suggested to the NHL, their first reaction would be "what's a student?"  Their second reaction would be "what's a discount?"

If Michigan controlled the event and the ticket sales, then maybe.  I get the impression, though, that Michigan is going to be completely giving up any control over their venue to the NHL. 

MastaDon

February 8th, 2012 at 11:17 AM ^

Dave Brandon has confirmed all control will be given to NHL so student tickets are now highly unlikely. Edit: That is from Matt Slovin (Daily sports editor and hockey writer) on Twitter. Who said he spoke to DB and asked him about the possibility of student tickets.