2024 Stanley Cup Champions
The Florida Panthers Once Blocked Off Seats. Not Anymore
Monday marked the 14th anniversary of the Florida Panthers announcing that they had sold advertising rights for tarps which would cover up seats in the far reaches of their arena in Sunrise.
It is not an anniversary the team celebrates in any way, shape, or form.
The unusual move, for an NHL team, was designed to cut capacity at the arena which officially was set at 19,250.
The Panthers, aside from one or two games a season, had no use for that many seats.
They certainly do now.
Fans not around back in those days may find it hard to believe that in 2010, the Panthers — which had not made the playoffs since 2000, and would not until 2012 — wanted to reduce capacity at their arena to try and create demand for a product which had none.
Celebrate FHN’s 4th Anniversary with $10 Off a Yearly Subscription!
Use GEORGE10 at Checkout
And Subscribe to Florida Hockey Now Today!
“Our building is just too big,’’ then-team president Michael Yormark said back in 2010. “It would be too big for a lot of teams in the league.’’
In 2014, the Panthers went even further: In addition to the tarped off seats in the upper deck, the team lowered black curtains to block off an entire end zone of the arena.
The Panthers went from having a capacity of over 19,000 to under 16,000.
“This is one of the biggest arenas in the NHL so we’re trying to make it a little smaller for most games,’’ then-team president Rory Babich said in 2014. “We’ll have people in a smaller area, make it a more intimate experience.
“I think people recognize what we’re doing. It’s not minor league at all. There are other arenas and stadiums who have done it. We’re not selling out at 19,000-plus, so instead of having empty seats in the less desirable sections, we’ve decided to block them off.”
Things certainly looked bleak for the future of the Panthers in South Florida — especially when Florida drew an announced 11,419 for the 2014-15 home opener.
The next game?
The Panthers drew just 7,311 against the Senators.
“Obviously it’s not what you want to see in your home rink,’’ defenseman Erik Gudbranson said after that game.
“The silence is noticeable.”
Again, things have certainly changed.
Last year, the Panthers sold out season tickets in the lower bowl for the first time since their first season at the Sunrise arena in 1998.
Coming off its first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since 1996, Florida averaged 18,362 fans during the regular season, going from 29th in the NHL all the way up to ninth.
The Panthers also had standing-room-only capacity crowds for every single playoff game in 2024 as Florida — spoiler alert! — won the Stanley Cup for the first time.
This season should see an even bigger increase as demand for the Panthers has not been higher in the 31-year history of the franchise.
The Panthers, again, have sold out the lower deck to season ticket holders and only have select seats in the upper deck and club levels remaining.
Opening Night on Oct. 8 against the Boston Bruins, the game in which three new banners (Atlantic Division, Eastern Conference, and Stanley Cup champions) will be unveiled sold out quicker than any opener in franchise history.
What a difference a little — OK, a lot — winning can do.
Doug Cifu, who joined Vinnie Viola in purchasing the Panthers in 2013, said as much 10 years ago.
“There is a passionate hockey base in South Florida,” Cifu told the Miami Herald not long after that embarrassing crowd against the Senators in 2014.
“Vinnie and I are 100 percent convinced of that. The demographics are good. They will come. We just have to earn their trust through great play on the ice.’’
Indeed.
More FHN Coverage of the Stanley Cup Champion Panthers:
- Like our Facebook Page
- Follow us on Twitter: @GeorgeRichards // @TheGovMan
- Subscribe to the FHN YouTube Channel
- Visit the FHN Cup Champions Team Shop at RedBubble
UP NEXT FOR THE FLORIDA PANTHERS
- NHL Free Agency: Opened July 1
- Nashville Predators Rookie Showcase: Sept. 13-16
- Florida Panthers Training Camp, Fort Lauderdale: Sept. 19
- Florida Panthers Preseason: Sept. 22-Oct. 5
- Florida Panthers Opening Night/Banner Unveiling: Oct. 8 vs. Bruins
The Florida Panthers Had a Long, Strange Road to the Stanley Cup
Florida Panthers Ready to ‘Turn the Page,’ Start Stanley Cup Defense
Florida Panthers Return the Favor, Fire Up Miami Dolphins Crowd
Edmonton Oilers Trolled at WWE Smackdown with Tkachuk Jersey
Steven Lorentz Heads to Toronto After Winning Cup with the Panthers
Can Hovorka Make the Florida Panthers? Journey Starts at Rookie Showcase
Florida Panthers Depth Chart: The Goalies (+)
Edmonton Oilers Trolled at WWE Smackdown with Tkachuk Jersey
Florida Panthers Media Day: Stanley Cup Final
Florida Panthers Practice: Getting Antsy Before Cup Final
FHN Postgame: Florida Panthers Celebrate Eastern Conference Title
Florida Panthers Morning Skate: Prepping for the Rangers
George, you know…those were some daaaark days. I am glad that the financial and professional investments that Vinnie and Doug made have paid off and the fans are paying them back (metaphorically and literally) for their commitment. MARLINS PAY ATTENTION!
I don’t recall how much Viola paid for the team and am curious as to its current valuation. The Lightning is being partially sold at about a 2 billion dollar valuation. Any insight George?
Word was something around $250 million in 2013. They are certainly worth over a billion now since that is the going rate for an NHL franchise.
As for the Lightning valuation, I would think for that kind of money, some or all of the real estate/hotels Vinik owns near the arena may be involved for that number to be as big as it is.
The Panthers have definitely benefited from strong ownership which has spent above and beyond to make sure this is a destination place in the NHL. BUT they also benefit from a salary cap which puts their spending for personnel on par with the big dogs — New York, Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, etc. That’s not the case in baseball. The Marlins need to build up and then spend to keep players who want to stay. Do not know if that will ever happen. But we have seen baseball teams be successful over time in markets such as this. Changing direction every… Read more »
Baseballs “soft” cap is a joke, it’s turned the league essential into a “coastal” sport. You’ll get an occasional winner from the midwest, but most are going to be from the coast, whether east or west. It’s partially the reason baseball has fallen so far in terms of viewership in the last few decades. For league to be successful longterm, there needs to be an even playing field, hockey has just that, baseball does not. You can potentially have a team with DOUBLE the payroll of an opponent. That is not a sustainable recipe for success, Eventually, the teams with… Read more »
Thank you for the response George and good points all around. I prefer the hard cap in hockey to all the other major sports. It takes especially great management and planning to succeed. Exactly what Zito has done and continues to do with the signing of his core at reasonable prices. So much thinner of a margin for error.