Majority feel team would bring added excitement to the region
TORONTO, June 4 /CNW/ - More than 90 per cent of residents of Hamilton
and the rest of Southern Ontario think a seventh NHL franchise located in that
city would be a boost to the region's businesses and economy, a new survey
shows.
The survey of residents of Hamilton and the Southern Ontario Region,
including the GTA West, Peel and Halton, was commissioned by PSE Sports &
Entertainment (PSE) and it found that a total of 94 per cent on average agree
that an NHL franchise would be good for area businesses, and 96 per cent said
the team would bring excitement to the region.
"This research of residents in Hamilton and Southern Ontario reflects a
receptive, affluent, educated consumer marketplace that believes an NHL
franchise will boost the region's economy while making it a more exciting
place to live," said Bill Walker, spokesperson for Jim Balsillie's PSE Sports
and Entertainment, which has tabled a $212.5 million (US) bid to purchase the
bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes NHL franchise and move it to Hamilton's Copps
Coliseum.
Elsewhere, the poll also found:- An average 83 per cent of the region's residents believe the Coyotes
franchise would be more successful in Hamilton than it is in Phoenix;
- A total of 77 per cent in Southern Ontario and 81 per cent of Hamilton
residents support Balsillie purchasing the team and moving it to
Hamilton. Most of these supporters say their reason for backing the
bid is because it would be good for the local economy and good for the
city and region.
- Three-quarters of respondents (74 per cent in Southern Ontario and
76 per cent in Hamilton) agree that the region is one of the best
unserved hockey markets in the world.
The survey was conducted by leading public opinion research firm POLLARA
Inc. The research was conducted among a nationally representative random
sample by telephone between May 11-14, 2009. Results are accurate to within
plus or minus 3.1%, nineteen times out of twenty.
BACKGROUNDER - POLLING QUESTIONS & RESPONSE BREAKDOWN
Southern Hamilton GTA West
Ontario City (Peel + Halton)
Q: Now, I am going to read you some arguments people may make about this
proposed move. For each, please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree,
somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the argument. "This move would be
good for local businesses in Hamilton?"
Total Agree 94% 94% 95%
Strongly Agree 70% 76% 70%
Somewhat Agree 24% 19% 25%
Total Disagree 3% 4% 3%
Somewhat Disagree 2% 3% 2%
Strongly Disagree 1% 2% 1%
Don't Know 2% 2% 2%
Q: If the Coyotes did move to Hamilton, do you think this would have a
positive impact, a negative impact, or no impact at all on the local economy
in Southern Ontario? Is that a major or a minor positive/negative impact?
Total Positive 88% 88% 91%
Major Positive Impact 52% 60% 52%
Minor Positive Impact 36% 28% 38%
No Impact At All 5% 4% 4%
Total Negative 2% 3% 2%
Minor Negative Impact 1% 2% 1%
Major Negative Impact 1% 1% 1%
Q: Now, I am going to read you some arguments people may make about this
proposed move. For each, please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree,
somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the argument. How about "An NHL
team would bring a lot of excitement to Hamilton and Southern Ontario?"
Total Agree 94% 96% 95%
Strongly Agree 71% 78% 72%
Somewhat Agree 23% 18% 23%
Total Disagree 4% 2% 4%
Somewhat Disagree 3% 2% 3%
Strongly Disagree 1% (less than)1% 1%
Don't Know 2% 2% 1%
Q: Now, I am going to read you some arguments people may make about this
proposed move. For each, please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree,
somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the argument. How about "This
move would be good for the NHL and other NHL teams, since a team in Southern
Ontario would be more successful than one in Phoenix?"
Total Agree 83% 85% 81%
Strongly Agree 54% 61% 53%
Somewhat Agree 28% 24% 28%
Total Disagree 8% 6% 9%
Somewhat Disagree 4% 4% 5%
Strongly Disagree 3% 2% 4%
Don't Know 9% 9% 10%
Q: Now, I am going to read you some arguments people may make about this
proposed move. For each, please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree,
somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the argument. How about "Southern
Ontario is one of the best unserved hockey markets in the world?"
Total Agree 74% 76% 74%
Strongly Agree 48% 56% 45%
Somewhat Agree 26% 20% 30%
Total Disagree 13% 10% 14%
Somewhat Disagree 12% 8% 12%
Strongly Disagree 2% 2% 2%
Don't Know 13% 14% 12%
Refused (less than)1% (less than)1% (less than)1%
Q: Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie has made an offer to buy the Phoenix
Coyotes, an NHL franchise facing bankruptcy. He has indicated he wants to move
the team to Southern Ontario. Do you strongly support, somewhat support,
somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose, Balsillie purchasing the Coyotes and
moving them to Hamilton?
Total Support 77% 81% 76%
Strongly Support 55% 65% 54%
Somewhat Support 22% 16% 22%
Total Oppose 6% 5% 7%
Somewhat Oppose 3% 1% 4%
Strongly Oppose 3% 4% 3%
Don't Care/No Opinion 16% 12% 15%
Q: What would you say is your main reason for supporting this move?
Canada Deserves Team 12% 9% 9%
Good For Local Economy 18% 23% 17%
Would Be Good For Hamilton/Area 20% 28% 17%
Hamilton/Southern Ontario
Deserves Team 10% 14% 12%
Canada Better Hockey Market Than US 7% 2% 7%
I'm A Hockey Fan 5% 7% 3%
Hamilton/SE Ont Better Hockey
Market Than Phoenix 5% 2% 7%
Q: Now, I am going to read you some arguments people may make about this
proposed move. For each, please tell me if it you strongly agree, somewhat
agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the argument. How about
"Jim Balsillie is a successful businessman and would be a good NHL owner?"
Total Agree 73% 78% 71%
Strongly Agree 46% 52% 46%
Somewhat Agree 27% 26% 25%
Total Disagree 4% 4% 3%
Somewhat Disagree 2% 1% 2%
Strongly Disagree 2% 2% 1%
Don't Know 23% 19% 26%
For further information: Brenna Flynn, Veritas Communications, (416)
955-4581, flynn@veritascanada.com
