There's been some talk about the murky state of the Devils finances and debt. Every couple of months, some report comes out that sends a message that the end of the Jeff Vanderbeek era as Devils owner has begun; that the Devils are bumming out on debt payments; that the whole Newark arena idea was a bust. This sends an array of speculation through fans that the team will move away or soon to be superstar free agent Zach Parise will go to more clear waters.

As the great George Carlin would say - "Calm down....have some dip." Seriously.

Around the start of training camp, a report from the NY Post suggested that the Devils missed out on a huge debt payment and were on the verge of bankruptcy. John did a great breakdown on the article and the Devils response (yes, the Devils responded). I suggest reading it if you haven't and or brushing up on it if you don't remember it. The Post article was written by Josh Kosman and there were many, many inaccuracies (including getting the first day training camp wrong). Around the same time - I did a timeline of the Devils financial situation since the mid-90s. It's never been easy with the Devils from a business standpoint - but nothing happened then (i.e. no move to Nashville).

There have been two big reports since September - both from anonymous reports, both from the NY Post, both written by Josh Kosman. What are they?

One was that Wendy's owner and billionaire Nelson Peltz was looking to buy the team (or a portion of the team). What was also interesting was the $100 million the Devils owed in debt in September turned into $250 million in November (that's a bad APR!).The big thing in this article was the securitization of the MSG TV deal to pay debt. This pretty much means any or all profit from the TV deal will be invested to pay the debt now instead of gradually paying it over time.

There have been multiple reports that Brick City LLC (Mike Gilfillan and Ray Chambers) were looking to sell there 47% stake in the Devils. There were reports Vanderbeek was going to purchase that portion (a report written by you guessed it Kosman).

The other report, in which Devilman3030 made a FanShot for was yet again about debt payments. The big thing here was also about that securitization deal. The deal was scheduled to be finalized around now (mid to late January). But that new anonymous source suggested the deal won't be done in the month that they have. That the NHL will step it's foot in if it doesn't (even though the NHL said it isn't an ultimatum). Soo? Okay? This article stated nothing new - that saying a deal (that has over a month until the NHL gets involved - but not with authority) may not get done.

Where the Devils are at now is still the season where ticket sales and season ticket sales are up. Where attendance is averaging over 1,000 more people this season than last season. Where they are making money through their social media outlets and Mission Control through marketing and ticket promotions. Even seeing fans doing their part in suggesting and linking ticket deals to fill the arena.

I will conclude this by how I am taking all this news as well as a few questions that are still in the air from actual reports.

A big missing link in all these stories is the state of Brick City selling their stake in the team. Maybe they can't find one? Maybe they can't reach a deal with Peltz? Who knows - and we won't until a deal is reached and a new owner is announced. I feel once this part of the financial situation is concluded, Vanderbeek and co. can and will continue to do whats best for the Devils. That includes signing Parise.

Fans and/or the public will never know the full story. This is a private business and their documents are sealed. When the Devils release a report announcing (or denying) something they wish to disclose - then we can make and discuss speculation from that report. There's no use in freaking out over "sources close to the situation." You may as well call that an E5.

Thanks for reading. Hope the dip was good.

With the 18th home game tonight (and 39th overall), the Devils 2011-2012 season is just about at the halfway point. The first three months of the NHL season are over, the NHL's marquee regular season event in the Winter Classic is fresh in our memories, and the 2011 calender year is over. I thought now would be a good time to look at the Devils attendance numbers so far this season. Since moving to Prudential Center, I've gathered information on attendance and promotions to assess the Devils ticket sales numbers and trends.

The first few months on the NHL season have a lot of competition in terms of what's on and going to a game. The NFL is in full swing, the MLB postseason takes over October, and college football has 120 teams to cover. Since the NHL schedule is long - it's known that the sport's hype and marketing increases once football is over. More games are on national broadcasts and the intensity of the game increases as the playoffs near. The beginning of the season is where most teams see their lowest attendance numbers (the Devils included). But this season's first half has been different - The NBA was locked out until recently. Has that changed anything from a Devils attendance standpoint?

As I said, I also look into promotions and special events being held during Devils' games. This season's schedule was released well after the regular season started. I have some good and some not so good thoughts on that. After the jump is more on the numbers. How have the first three months compared to previous seasons at the Rock? Have promotions increased their numbers? That and more after the jump.

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A little over a month ago, I wrote that the New Jersey Devils have created a supporters section for fans for every single home game. Last season saw these sections during "the run" in the second half of the season for certain games and it really caught on. Completely supported by the Devils organization and management, a season ticket offer to sit in a supporter section for every single home game was available. Meetings were held, captains were picks, and Diablos 122 was born on opening night.

As a member, I'd like to share with the rest of the fanbase and other NHL fans what we do, what we chant, and just an update on what's going on in our corner. I'll be doing this monthly - and over time time, with your input and critique, Diablos 122 could become the greatest thing for Devils fans when they attend the Rock.

After the jump is much more...

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I don't know exactly when, and I can't find a news story on it, but the New Jersey Devils Promotional Schedule is up. It really doesn't matter when - just the fact that for the second year in a row, it has come up late compared to previous seasons. Last season's was released right around the start of the season. This year's wasn't up until the season actually started. In fact, the Devils have had promotions for the majority of home game this season already. I have to say I'm not too happy about this. Why can't the schedule come up before the season starts? Wouldn't fans want to know exactly when to go to certain games to receive these items, donate items, and see certain events? Items that the Devils have been giving out for a long long time. 

After the jump is the schedule, the link, and some more thoughts on what they are doing this year.

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If you recall from last year, you may remember a bunch of home games in the second half of the season with ticket offers to sit in a section, stand all game, and scream your heart out for the New Jersey Devils. This was deemed the Supporters Section. Sort of like student sections at big time Division 1 colleges (like Rutgers or Syracuse - I did that for you John) or supporters clubs for soccer teams around the world - it's to create a positive atmosphere for the home team and wreak havoc for the visitors.  Almost a year ago, John had this idea for the Devils - in which it may enhance the game experience at Prudential Center. Only a couple months later, that idea became a reality, and on December 17th against Nashville, the supporters section was born.

A few more opportunities arose as the season went alone, and it became more and more popular - one game where the tickets were sold out in a mere few hours. The idea was a hit and it paid off. This year the supporters section will be around for even more game. How many you ask? All 41 home games.

I'm proud to say that not only am I season ticket holder for the first time in my life, but I am also apart of the inaugural supporters section. The seats were close to selling out when I bought them and that was over a month ago. It was a great deal - $1000 bucks for some very good seats. It was an offer I couldn't refuse. 

The section held meetings, picked three captains where they work hand and hand with Devils management and marketing. We had a decent turnout for the three preseason games, figuring out chants, names, and logos. After the jump is a little more information on the section and a breakdown of what you will be hearing from section 122.

[UPDATE:  My Devils Season Ticket Representative gave me a call today to let me and all of you know that if you are interesting in getting season tickets in the supporters section, there are still a few seats available.]

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Yesterday's bankruptcy scare churned up some talk on the Devils' business side of things. In this age of information, sports fans are becoming more interested in the financial outlook of their respective teams. Free agency evolved into the biggest part of the off-season (my elders tell me that once a player was drafted, he usually stayed on that team baring a trade...no matter what sport). Leagues have salary caps, floors, minimums, maximums, and so on. Fans aren't just interested in player X's stats and the team's overall record season after season; they want more, as much as teams and reliable news agencies are willing to give us. Sites like Capgeek, that concentrates on the NHL players' salaries and each team's salary cap is further proof. Moreover, fans are even getting interested in the overall ownership, marketing and outreach, and business operations for their teams. 

It makes sense. Sports players are paid a lot of money now these days- there needs to be someone who has that actual money. Fans want the best for their team; the best (the more expensive) players. So fans care about said someone with the money and what's going on with him/her and it. Fans want to make sure that the operations and ownership are running well enough to the point that fans actually don't have to worry about it and feel confident about the team's financial stability - so I guess they only have to worry about player X's stats and the team's overall record.

For the New Jersey Devils, it's time we sit down and go over some things that have happened over the years. In this age of information, it's that time to consolidate everything to get an understanding of the financial and ownership standpoints of the Devils.

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Today's big news came early this morning and was a big shock for Devils fans everywhere. In an exclusive story in today's New York Post, Josh Kosman reported that the Devils were in serious financial trouble, missing a $100 million loan payment. Based on Josh Kosman's reporting and his source(s), the Devils "are blowing up," they told banks to "get lost," the Nets made the Prudential Center profitable, that Ray Chambers has cut his asking price for 47% share in the Devils down to $200 million, and the Devils would be starting training camp tomorrow.

In a word: wow.  This report caught on like wildfire; and why not?  A professional ice hockey team finding themselves in financial dire straits is most seriously news. The claims are massive and should cause at least a little concern. It blew up among the hockey media and a lot of fans were either surprised or defiant at Kosman's article.  Well, the latter group can claim bragging rights as the Devils' own statement on the matter metaphorically kicked Kosman's claims in the teeth. Here's the statement the Devils made, reported here by Tom Gulitti:

"Today’s New York Post story is inaccurate. The notions that the Devils are facing bankruptcy or that "the Devils have told their banks to get lost" are patently untrue. The Devils value their relationship with their banks and are confident a refinancing will be completed shortly. As stated previously, ownership is close to finalizing an agreement that would lead to a buyout of Brick City’s share of the company. The organization is also pleased to report that new season ticket sales are up 130% over last year and last week’s on-sale for single game tickets were 260% above last year’s similar period.  Finally, the start of training camp was incorrectly reported in the article as tomorrow. In fact, training camp starts on Friday for the rookies and Saturday for the veterans."

Well, that was right to the point.  And it even called out that error in the beginning of Kosman's article.  Adding tersly to this point, Tom Gulitti relayed Bill Daly's reaction in this tweet.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly says via e-mail that league stands by all in Devils' statement concerning NY Post report being "untrue."

So the New Jersey Devils are not going bankrupt. Good.  However, I don't think everything is perfectly well and good with the team.  I think this statement says more than it does and it's worth examining further.  If only to clarify it for those like Rich Chere, who called this a rambling statement.

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On Wednesday, the New Jersey Devils publicly announced their prices for single game tickets for the 2011-12 season. You can view them at the team's official website along with their seating chart. The big change for this season is that the Devils are utilizing variable pricing levels for each game.   There are three levels - Premier, Classic, and 30th Anniversary Special - and the levels assigned to the game depends on the day of the week and the opponent.

I broke down the schedule of the variable pricing levels and compared the single game prices to the season ticket prices in this post.  The season ticket holder game price was often much lower than the single game prices across the board, moreso for certain sections for certain levels.  The Devils really want to drive people to sit in those balcony sections for a season given how much cheaper those seats are compared to nearby sections.  Moreover, the levels were driven mostly by day of the week and opponent more so than the time of the year - with only a few odd decisions in the schedule.

For the most part, based on the reaction in the post, Devils fans appear to appreciate the concept of variable pricing.  There hasn't been any real outcry here about it.   Yet, one big question remained unanswered in Wednesday's post.  How do these prices compare with last season's pricing scheme; are they higher? The Devils slightly raised prices in 2010, did they do it again in 2011?   As indicated in the headline, the answer is truly: it depends.  With three pricing levels and new seating classifications, it's going to depend on where you sit, what games you're purchasing, and whether you're just buying at the box office or you've got a season ticket plan.   I will explain all of it as best as I can after the jump.  Please set your viewing to "Wide" for some big charts before continuing.

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