Chicago Blackhawks’ Cost Of Winning May Have Caught Up With Fans

Increased competition in town

The Blackhawks’ management only needs to look as far as the North Side to see that there’s increased competition for Chicago fandom.

Last year, the Cubs’ playoff pandemonium had the city reeling for a chance at a World Series title for the first time in over 100 years, making the early Blackhawks games irrelevant.  Opening Day hype in April also draws the attention of many Chicagoans.

During the Blackhawks’ dynasty years, there wasn’t much competition from the other teams in Chicago.  The Cubs and White Sox weren’t competitive, the Bears were the Bears and ‘Hawks fans were sometimes able to support the Bulls at the same time with a home playoff game at the UC every night.  But with a Cubs dynasty at its growth stage, a lot of fans have turned in their ’Hawks caps for a Cubs one.

Although these teams have been around the whole time, minor league clubs are much more affordable and can provide just as much fun as an NHL experience.  The Chicago Wolves in Rosemont, the Rockford IceHogs and even the Chicago Steel in Fox Valley have satisfied the craving for many Blackhawks fans and can be surprisingly entertaining.

Regardless of the possibility of fans jumping off the bandwagon, I still have confidence that the Blackhawks aren’t done competing for the Stanley Cup.

Next: Blackhawks' Toews and Kane Past, Present, and Future Contracts

There has been much criticism for this team underperforming and calling for heads to roll, but you can only stay on top for so long.  I also believe that despite some signs that interest in buying tickets may be dwindling, there will always be interest if Kane and Toews are on the ice for the Blackhawks.

But if the costs continue to increase, you may have to add me to the list of fans griping about change and what used to be.