Stars Organization Mafias up hockey in Texas

[harmfuljays]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nat ... 104753007/

USA TODAY’s investigation detailed how the Stars used tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to build an ice rink empire, crush competition and regularly raise prices while diminishing the quality of their services. Knowing most families have nowhere else to go, the Stars impose their will by reminding parents that they can block the pathway for any kid trying to advance to the sport’s highest stages.

The reporting documented multiple examples of the Stars retaliating against people they perceive as threats, from coaches who defect to other rinks to parents who criticize them on Facebook. The Stars also stacked the Texas Amateur Hockey Association – the nonprofit USA Hockey governing body that regulates the sport in the region – with their own executives, all but ensuring no one would stand in their way.

Not really a surprise...that's business in Texas.

[Fogghorn]

That's business everywhere. They always seek to minimize competition. Adam Smith addressed it 250 years ago, capitalism works incredibly well as long as its competitive. However as he pointed out at the time, businesses hate competition, as it reduces profits and will always seek anti-competive rules, or practices to maximize profits.

What really surprised me about the article.

1. USA Today does real quality investigative journalism?? I need to give them more credit than I do.
2. The Texas AG is going after a business for anti-competitive practices? Didn't figure this state would do anything. I actually still don't I expect their investigation to languish for years until its forgotten about and nothing will come of it. But who knows.

It also mentioned Colorado hockey association and mismanagement of 50/50 draws. Are 50/50 draws a big deal in the states? Is it just hockey and you all imported it from Canada. Have you always had them since you were kids? Do you do it for other sports like basketball and football? Just curious.

[Pokecheque]

I honestly did not know about 50/50s until fairly recently. Had no idea they were a thing here in the States. They certainly weren't when I was growing up.

[Pokecheque]

Absolute dick move by the Stars BTW. Say what you will about the former Arizona Coyotes owner, but he actually used his money to support local youth hockey and help it grow, not turn it into some exclusive club.

[harmfuljays]

It also mentioned Colorado hockey association and mismanagement of 50/50 draws. Are 50/50 draws a big deal in the states? Is it just hockey and you all imported it from Canada. Have you always had them since you were kids? Do you do it for other sports like basketball and football? Just curious.

For me 50/50 has always been a big thing...but only at hockey games. I actually won it once at a Bruins Vs Avs game (the vendors never invited us back go figure)....for some reason the pot was super small though like $1200....of course when I won it! I used to buy a bunch of tickets when I used to attend games. Colorado folks don't typically get into it much so the pots are small.

I started buying them in Montreal so I guess that makes sense that I thought they were always part of hockey culture. They are big in Boston as well.

[Fogghorn]

50/50 are a really good way to make money for youth sports. A chance to gamble,which folks like, and the money goes directly back to sports which of course they also like or they wouldn't be at the game.

I wonder if they idea will creep into other sports in the states or whether in the north eastern states with a greater hockey influence it already has. Of course its open to abuse if as a lot of youth sports organizations are not that well audited. For the most part here in Canada, there is seldom a problem as the organizations have a pretty high level of transparency.

[Chris18]

Yeah 50/50 happens at tons of games, youth and minor league.

Wonder if these types of strong arm business tactics are influencing Rantanen to play like such a dick.

[Pokecheque]

To raise funds, the players and parents used to have to work the bingo parlor down at "Time's Square," an old strip mall in Lakewood off of--I think--Wadsworth. A smoke-filled room with wall-to-wall wood paneling packed with grumpy elderly people trying to win modest amounts of money. I can still remember my father calling the game on the mic and making one slight mistake and a whole slew of cranky-ass geriatrics screaming at him.

There was an RC racetrack in the same building that me and a few of my teammates snuck off to go watch. I'll admit I didn't work very hard whenever I went there.

[Chris18]

If they only knew what the real Times Square was like back then.