If you hadn’t heard, the NHL* is thinking of expanding. The two most obvious cities for franchises, Seattle and Quebec City, were namechecked by the commish as possible landing spots. He also suggested Las Vegas. Because when you think of ice hockey, you think of Vegas and vice versa.
Whenever discussions of horrible locations for sports teams arise, my mind always jumps to the absolute worst idea in sports history (with some notable exceptions), the Canadian Football League’s Las Vegas Posse. This was part of the CFL’s wildly unsuccessful**/tremendously successful*** expansion into the U.S.
This discussion then leads to the best worst rendition of an anthem ever:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpXzASiXX8U?rel=0]
(Notice that the video is even titled improperly. It’s not “Oh Canada”; it’s “O Canada”.) Here’s how it should sound:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_ZNM0VWeB4?rel=0]
Personally, I think the guy did a great job of completely faking the anthem, making it sound like an actual song. There’s even a hint or two of the original in there. Anyway, he’s definitely a cut above Carl Lewis.
(H/T: @StewartPrest.)
(Image by Cmm3 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)
*That would be the National Hockey League in case you don’t follow Canada’s favourite sport.
**Unsuccessful because all the teams, save the Baltimore CFLers, folded in a blink, and the CFLers quickly moved to Montreal, reviving the failed Alouettes franchise (which is now on solid footing).
***Successful because the teams had to pay franchise fees, pumping a lot of coin into the league during its cash-strapped 90s.
I thought they were crazy to put an NHL team in Nashville, especially after the minor league team there failed so hard in the 80s (go South Stars!), but after having attended a couple Predators games, I know I was very wrong.
Then again, Nashville doesn’t have legal gambling.Report
Given the history of the NHL i’m surprised they aren’t looking to put a team in Puerto Rico or Hawaii.Report
The Antigua Pirates. I’m already a fan.Report
Wait, doesn’t Quebec already have a… Oh, that’s right. They don’t. They have to sort of glom on to the Habs.
Well, WTH. Quebec absolutely should have its own franchise. Winnipeg has one, and it’s a smaller city and a smaller metro area.Report
Quebec should have a franchise, which is exactly why it doesn’t. That is how the NHL works.Report
Québec should absolutely have one, but Winnipeg fought hard to get their team back and they strongly deserve it. And unlike Québec, which is a few hours from Montréal, there are no other Canadian hockey teams within a reasonable day’s drive of Winnipeg.Report
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/flag-flap/article12901837/
(re: worst best Canada anthem)Report
Québec, definitely. Another team in southern Ontario would also be a good choice – there’s enough population there that it wouldn’t significantly detract from Leafs seat sales. Seattle’s not a bad option either. Vegas is a terrible one.
I oppose the teams from the southern US, non-mountain-states on principle. Hockey is a sport for cold places. Florida doesn’t need two teams. Florida doesn’t need any teams. Los Angeles? Texas? For goodness’ sake.Report
Are the teams in Florida successful, in terms of fans attending and buying merchandise? I know the Dallas team has a pretty loyal fan base, though I don’t know how large it is.
In Nashville, Preds jerseys are everywhere.Report