I saw this post from a Predators' fan over on HFBoards.com regarding the CBJ Fan Protest scheduled for today at 2 PM and I wanted to make sure I shared it here.
As an outsider I first want to to say if my posting in this thread is felt to be inappropriate, please accept my apology and delete this, with no hard feelings, but I would like to share a couple of thoughts plus some experience from a smaller scale but similar experience we had in Nashville a few years ago.
First, I find it truly amazing that even before the protest has happened, it appears the the CBJ org has responded. Regardless of how some in your group are reacting to that response, don't lose sight of the fact that you obviously have their attention. In reality, anything more than delivering the message of "we are really pissed and you'd better not ignore us" is not likely to happen. Certainly the team isnt going to negotiate the specifics of a remedy to the situation with a group of fans, even the most rational and knowledgeable among you. But you have already achieved the main objective of your protest.
At this point the most important thing is that you all follow up with the rally. Whether you burn Howson in effigy or just stand quietly, its being there that matters. By still showing up in large numbers tomorrow, the org who sent the letter hoping it would placate you will be hearing form you, loudly and clearly, that while the promise of change is appreciated, platitudes won't suffice, and if they don't deliver, they will have you to answer to...
My similar experience as a Preds fan was several years ago many of us on the np.com boards were complaining that fan relations and marketing were not very good. As it turned out, through the efforts of one of our posters, the VP Marketing actually responded and invited a group of us to meet with him... but it never happened because we all kept arguing over what the message should be and who should deliver it, when in fact, the best thing to have done would have been to have simply said, "we can't give you specifics, we aren't professionals, that's your job, we just want you to know that we think the job you are doing right now stinks and you need to improve it or else risk losing us as fans"
So anyway, good luck and best wishes for your rally later today. You may or may not realize it, but to this outsider, it looks like you have already accomplished your main goal, getting their attention. And even though you are our division rival, I hope they deliver for you, because all fan bases deserve a team they can enjoy and be proud of.
I'd like to take this moment to sincerely say thank you, not only to this fan, but to all the fans around the NHL for your support!
To be completely honest, we'd really rather not have to do this, but sometimes you just have to take a stand.
HFBOARDS: Thread Discussion
FACEBOOK: Event Link
TWITTER: #CBJFANPROTEST
-LTL
