Seeing Red

There was a spirited discussion yesterday about the value of hosting a Capitals exhibition game in Baltimore. No one disputed that it was a pretty cool thing to do, but there was a question of the financial impact. Was it indeed a “million dollar” hit?

While there are numerous economic indicators beyond ticket sales and admission taxes, the one I’ve always found most reliable is both visual and palpable, and best measured in the hospitality community.

Baltimore to Rock the Red in September

The Washington Capitals and the City of Baltimore announced the team will play an exhibition game against the Nashville Predators on September 20, 2011, at the First Mariner Arena. The game, which is being referred to as the Baltimore Hockey Classic, will be the first professional hockey game at the arena since the Baltimore Bandits last took the ice in 1997.

The much anticipated announcement was officially made on Monday by Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young. Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee and First Mariner Arena General Manager Frank Remesch joined Young in making the announcement.