So the Bobby Hull Money Crusade is skating out for an
encore. Despite Hull's charismatic presence and his unceasing office efforts to
promote the league in its rookie year, the WHA's 12 owners suffered a net loss
of some $15 million, ranging from a low of $300,000 in Winnipeg to more than $2
million in New York. Among the consequences: during the off-season the
Philadelphia Blazers moved to Vancouver and the Ottawa Nationals became the
Toronto Toros—or the Toronto Lawn Mowers, as the rival Maple Leafs call
them—while the showcase New York team underwent a superficial facial.
So what promise does Season II hold for the bookkeepers? Even with the legendary Gordie Howe performing alongside sons Marty and Mark in Houston, the WHA faces another red ink flood unless people begin coming to the games. Only four franchises—the champion New England Whalers, Hull's Winnipeg Jets, the Quebec Nordiques and the Blazers in Vancouver—seem likely to lose less than $500,000. The Houston Aeros have increased their season-ticket sales from 600 to 2,500 since signing the Howe family en masse, but the total revenue from those 1,900 additional tickets will not even cover the club's salary payments to the three Howes.
Continue reading "1973-74 WHA Preview by Sports Illustrated" »


