By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
A day after the NHL said a new 56-game season will start Jan. 13, the Vegas Golden Knights contacted their season ticket holders to tell them they have two options for this shortened season in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Golden Knights ticket reps emailed season ticket holders to give them this message: “At this time, we await important updates regarding our ability to host fans for our home games. Due to limited fixed seating capacity, we are not able to fulfill any Season Ticket Memberships for the upcoming season.”
So what does that mean? Well, the VGK gave their season ticket holders two options Monday:
First, they can roll over their funds to the 2021-22 season, which is supposed to start with a typical NHL 82-game schedule. Here’s that deal.
The second option is season ticket holders can receive a refund for all money paid to date for the 2020-21 season.
If you take a refund, the Golden Knights should be able to fill your seat with another season ticket holder because management has said in the past it has literally thousands of fans on a waiting list called “Can’t Wait List.”
Here are some fan reactions on social media:
The VGK season ticket holders were also told, “Additional information regarding the 2020-21 season schedule and single game ticket availability will be communicated in the coming days. The health and safety of our fans is our top priority, and we will follow guidance and announcements from local & state officials regarding capacity and distancing requirements.”
UNLV decided no fans would attend home football games at new Allegiant Stadium after 2,000 fans attended each of the first two home games in the 65,000-seat venue because of the novel coronavirus infection rates in Southern Nevada.
And the Las Vegas Raiders have had no fans at home games this season because Raiders owner Mark Davis said if all fans can’t attend games at Allegiant Stadium then none would.
As for the new Henderson Silver Knights, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights, Silver Knights season ticket holders were told to hold tight.
Here’s the message they received Monday: “We are still waiting for news regarding when our Silver Knights will make their debut. As soon as the American Hockey League finalizes their plans, we will share those updates with you!
“Be sure to keep a close eye on your email for updates regarding the start of the Silver Knights’ Inaugural Season and additional information regarding your Season Ticket Membership.”
In NHL business news, players will have advertisements on their helmets during the new season for the first time in an effort to generate revenue for their teams. According to Front Office Sports, “NHL teams hope to earn more than $15 million combined with helmet ads this season. The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs are already eyeing $1 million sponsorship deals.”
They’re hardly new. The NBA has had ads on jerseys since the 2017-18 season, while pro soccer teams have sponsors displayed prominently on their jerseys. And the American Hockey League has had helmet ads since the mid-1990s.
Please watch for bicyclists and pedestrians always.