Passion can be defined in many ways. However, one of them is defined as such:
Strong and barely controllable emotion
So let’s take a look at this. When it comes to hardcore hockey fans you really can only describe them as fans of passion. They have passion for the team, passion for the players, passion for the arena life itself. These are the fans that win or lose they just stand by their team. They welcome new players and wish players traded or moving to other teams and leagues the best of luck. These fans are the ones who have a wardrobe of team shirts, hoodies, hats and jerseys. These are the fans who wait in line to be some of the first ones into the arena before every game just to be in the arena to be ready to cheer on their team. These are the fans that are the most vocal during the games and invite new fans into the fold to help them have a great game day experience.
Now what does one do when new ownership wants to change long standing traditions? This is the real question. These are the fans that will get vocal about this. You see one thing I have learned over my many years supporting minor league teams is you have traditions and history. Each team is different and they build on these traditions over the years. They become part of the team’s staples. Everything from the chants to the way they celebrate each goal. Fans come to the games to enjoy each and every one of their traditions that they have helped to build on over the years of established teams. When some of these things are changed these fans of passion express themself. Not always in the best way to get their point across but one thing for sure you can not take away their passion.
So how does one get their point across? Well glad you asked. You take it to the top. Who is in charge? Now this does not get you any brownie points for sure with the team staff but you will get change. You will get deemed as a problem fan by them and will become the villain. But you stand by your passion. Owners in the minor leagues come and go. It is always left up to these fans of passion to clean up the mess they leave behind when they realize they were not cut out to run a team to begin with.
End of the day advice to team ownership as you take on a team listen to your long time fans. They are your bread and butter and the ones who spread the word of the team and how things are going. Good or bad. These fans like it or not are your greatest allies to be successful as a team owner. They will support their team win or lose but they can and will turn on the ownership should they change long standing traditions.
As always remember to fan your way.
