Could The Blue Jackets Leave Columbus, Ohio?

The Columbus Dispatch raised some eyebrows this morning when they brought up the idea of the Blue Jackets possibly leaving town.  The team has reportedly lost $80 million in the last seven years.

Blue Jackets President Mike Priest said that a significant portion of their losses is related to arena operations under the current structure:

"The Columbus Blue Jackets are in the process of seeking a solution for a structural problem in the economic model that was created over a decade ago to ensure the construction of Nationwide Arena and the procurement of a NHL team for Columbus.

"This is an issue for us because we manage and operate the team as well as the building. Because the building was financed and constructed privately, there are certain revenue streams typically available to teams that are not available to the Blue Jackets.

"As an organization, we have incurred substantial losses over the past several years, of which a significant portion is related to arena operations under the current structure. It is a building financial problem that has become a team financial problem. If we fix the building problem, we fix the team problem."

In 1997, voters rejected a sales tax to build a publicly-funded arena.  Nationwide Insurance then came to the plate with private money to get it done.  The Blue Jackets have proposed a plan that would allow Franklin County to purchase the arena through a tax on beer, wine, liquor, and cigarettes.

Is this a scare tactic?

If it is, it may not be working.

The Columbus Dispatch has been running a poll on its website asking people what they think about a plan that would allow the county to buy Nationwide Arena.  As of 2:50 PM EST, only 13 percent support such a plan with a whopping 87 percent against it.

A similar poll is being conducted by a local radio station, 97.1 The Fan.  The question is if you are fearful of the Blue Jackets leaving.  The results as of 3:00 PM EST are stunning:  30 percent say "Yes," 38 percent "No," and 32 percent "Don't Care." 

Remember, this poll was by a sports-radio station.  You aren't going to be listening or checking their website if you aren't a sports fan.

Scary.