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Time To Turn The Page, All In Favor Say Aye All Opposed So Resigned |
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I like those who call’em as they see’em, that don’t sidestep and worry about being politically correct. That is one of the reasons that I like Dale Tallon, for the most part he doesn’t make excuses he just tries to make things right. Unfortunately I couldn’t rearrange my schedule to be at yesterdays Home TV Press Conference at the United Center. Rocky Wirtz addressed the media for the first time and he did speak his mind and didn’t complicate matters with excuses. I have watched the video clips on the Blackhawk’s website and I have read some accounts of the days events, so I will share my thoughts and opinions with you.
Rocky put to rest the notion that his becoming the new Leader of the Blackhawk Organization was some hasty change of direction between him and his brother Peter after the passing of their father. In reality it was known all along by those who needed to know that the oldest son Rocky would become the Hawks Chairman as long as he wanted that position. As Rocky said there was a succession plan that he knew about since he was in 6th grade, which would be about 43 years ago or so. He also said that if his uncle Michael Wirtz were still alive he would be the person standing at the podium instead of himself. Michael was Bill’s younger brother who has been dead for over a decade. Rocky knew his place all along and went into a direction where he could control his own destiny it appears. When he had gotten out of college he didn’t know when the top Hawk job could become his, as he was behind his late uncle in succession at least that is how it appears to me. So Rocky spent his time in other business operations and wasn’t outwardly involved with the Hawks. It should be also noted that the Wirtz Corporation is a privately held company; they don’t have to disclose details of their business operations to the public.
When asked about his father’s stubbornness concerning home TV he simply said that he and his brother Peter would discuss the topic with him. There was not much more they could do then give their opinion as the decision maker was their late father. Rocky said that they discussed matters concerning home TV in the boardroom but that was as far as things would go. He said his dad had a nice expression that he used in the boardroom: All in favor signify by saying aye; all opposed so resigned… Enough said.
Rocky then said that he thought his dad would be happy if the new TV exposure would work out and help the Franchise to flourish. He used sayings like “clean slate” and “time to turn the page” and I couldn’t agree more. He also said that he trusts Dale Tallon and his staff to put the right product on the ice. With the new TV exposure he hopes to build the fan base up. He also admitted that there is a generation of potential fans that know little about the Blackhawks. Once again I couldn’t agree more.
The 7 home games that are committed to by Comcast will all be done in High Definition and possibly that number could expand for this year. He also said that they would look into lifting the ban for Hawk home games on Center ice. I don’t believe that is possible, but I hope I am wrong. Basically Rocky said everything would be considered and then the correct TV options would be utilized. So there might be a few more games on TV this year and seemingly many more for next season.
He then at one point joked a bit with the Hawks Media Director Jim DeMaria and told him that from now on he could allow questions about home game TV at all scheduled Press Conferences. I think the only people that might be more happy about home game television then a regular Hawk fan are those connected with the Media Department In my opinion up until now they have been fighting the fight with one arm tied behind their back.
Lastly Rocky said the time was now to start building up the fan base and it didn’t make sense to wait until next year to put games on TV. I would hope that he also wouldn’t wait too long to start some aggressive ticket pricing for upcoming games. It is time to look ahead and not back, what has happened is done. I won’t waste my energy dwelling on the problems of past times; Hawk fans should do the same. As Rocky also indicated everything happens for a reason… the time is now to turn the page and look forward to a successful Chicago Blackhawk Franchise.
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