Renegades to suspend operations at end of season
Eva Russo/Times-Dispatch
Richmond’s Kyu-Hyun Kim (22) and Kevin Harris (#4), of the Knoxville Ice Bears, Feb. 13 at the Richmond Coliseum.
Allan B. Harvie Jr., president and general manager of the Richmond Renegades, announced this morning that the Southern Professional Hockey League club will suspend operations after this season -- unless someone steps forward in the next two months with an infusion of money.
In a press conference at the Coliseum, Harvie cited a lack of commitment from sponsors and investors, as well as negligible season-ticket sales for next season, as the main reasons for the suspension.
Harvie said he had told league officials of his decision and will formally apply for the suspension at the SPHL summer meeting in June.
Harvie also indicated he has spoken recently with a potential buyer, and there could be a development in the next couple of weeks.
For more details on this developing story, see tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Reader Reactions
I disagree with you ziggy….the SPHL has grown into a pretty good hockey league. It isn’t the NHL, but it is an entertaining night out. Most of the guys actually do have talent..and it’s wayy better than beer leagues, unless you have a helluva beer league up there. I hate to see the ‘Gades close shop, I’m afraid the Cyclones here in Winston - Salem may close shop also. Same reasons, lack of sponsorships or fans either. It seems like it’s always the same 1300 fans at our games…sometimes a few more, most times a few less. Very little marketing, and as of late, lots of roster turnover. Fans can’t relate or latch on to a favorite player if they don’t keep him longer than 10-15 games. I hope you guys find new money…then send me some of it down here too, please…...I don’t wanna lose my team also!
For many families, it is not the cost of the ticket that is the issue. When a family of 4 considers almost any event in the Richmond area, it also has to consider the incidental costs associated with attendance such as parking, snacks and drinks. A $20 evening out for the family can quickly rise to more than $50.00. In my experience, it is another $5-8 or more for parking. Many venues don’t have water fountains, and don’t let you bring in any outside food or beverages. You are forced to pay exorbitant prices for food or even a bottle of water. At a ‘free’ outdoor event that I attended one August, with temperatures soaring, vendors quickly ran out of water. When they re-supplied, they were charging $3+ per 16 oz bottle (hot) and $2 or more for a small cup of ice. That event cost me so much, I couldn’t even make a contribution to the charity that the event was supporting. When the associated costs are added, many can only afford a couple of events a year, much less a couple of events per month. While I hate to see the area lose any sports team or other family entertainment, it is unfair to say that ‘Richmond won’t support them’ when the simple fact may be that Richmond can’t afford to support them.
It is sad to lose the Renegades, yes it is not for good hopefully but this is just another sign that richmond is not a sports town…very sad to see this. I have attended some Renegades every year. Allan Harvie is one of the greatest things to happen to richmond in sports terms. An owner that loves a sport and town so much that he spent millions of dollars to bring a hockey team back to richmond. But what do people of the city do? Complain. How about this richmond spend some money. Go support these teams and maybe they wouldn’t leave or suspend operations anymore. Tickets are only five dollars yes five dollars. Yes the economy is hurting but it is five dollars that is cheaper then going to the movies these days.Come on richmond lets sell out the last three games this season and show the investors that we do love sports in richmond. We have to support our local teams or all we will have left is college teams that no one supports either
I moved here not long ago from an hour and a half away..I knew that there was hockey here in Richmond and finally this year I have been able to go to the games and absolutely love it. The problem with the Coliseum is that it is to big for this level of hockey. It is a low level of hockey but it is very fun and the guys on the team are good. If we only had a smaller arena like the siegel center. only problem with that is it dosen’t have the cooling system in the floor to keep the ice frozen…maybe they should tear the diamond down and build a smaller arena…but i don’t forsee that happening. I just hope that this investor or whoever Mr. Harvie is talking to comes foward and there is hockey here next year and for years to come. If I win the mega millions tonight I will buy the team myself.
I’ve got to agree with bosoxmug. It isn’t the economy, although I’m sure it contributed somewhat, it’s Richmond as a fickle sports town. As a life long Richmonder I can remember the Squires, The Robins, The Riflemen, The Ravens, a semi pro football team, and more recently an arena league team, since they left the league has folded, and a women’s pro basketball team, also from a folded league. Richmonders really only come out en masse to support sports teams when there is somebody who receives national attention playing. I hold local sports radio partially responsible, there was a move a few years ago to make almost all of the sports radio shows national, I hold the Times-Dispatch partially responsible for not doing enough promotion of local pro athletes, but mainly I hold the fans responsible. The Squires, which featured Dr. J, and George Gervin, couldn’t sell out a new Richmond Colosseum. Richmond fans don’t come out and then they whine about losing their teams, and have done it historically.
I am going to miss seeing professional hockey in the city.
What are the costs involved in using the old Richmond Coliseum building? Other than the issue of the ice surface, I have wondered why a smaller, cheaper venue, such as the VCU Siegel Center, could not host a professional hockey team. It would be fun to watch the same 3000 fans in a much smaller venue than the run-down Richmond Coliseum.
The Renegades were not much, but the the Renegades currently draw more fans than the fictional Charlestown Chiefs from “Slapshot” ever drew in their games. I shall miss the ‘Gades.
Diegs, I agree with you about the Coliseum. The ugly truth is that the RMCVB controls what happens with that building. About a year ago, Jack Berry (head of the group) told me he loves the building after I complained about it. I told him it was a shame that Richmond is now bypassed for concerts and sporting events for the JPJ. He told me he did not care. He had rented out the building for events such as church conventions, Amway and other non-entertainment events. He did not care if there is anything for the local citizens because he was bring in the out of towners. That is great but how is that working now in this economy? People may come but they are not spending money. Meanwhile the locals can rely on Netflix for entertainment.
Perhaps the Renegades will sign Jeff, Steve, and Jack Hanson.
This is a shame. I think they should level the outdated dump that is the coliseum and build a nice arena outside of the city like JPJ in Charlottesville. I would love to go to sporting events but I just don’t want to drive all the way downtown to sit among empty seats in a quiet arena.
What a sad sad thing Richmond’s support for sports is. The team didn’t fail us we failed the team. I for one am not a huge hockey fan, however, it is a great sport live and my kids have really enjoyed watching the Renegades. And, I have witnessed the owner of this team, Mr. Harvie, at everygame being completely active with the fans in the stans and before the game on the ice. Nice job Mr. Harvie. Good luck to you and the Renegades.
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