While I bask on several levels in yesterday's arbitration decision that determined star winger Ilya Kovalchuk's record 17-year, $102 million contract with the New Jersey Devils was a contravention of the National Hockey League's collective bargaining agreement -- both because it's a blow to the Penguins' rival and because it's a validation of the opinion held by my own legal mind that the deal was violative of the agreement -- I want to talk about something else today.
Something much more 'hometown'.
And something that I don't believe got nearly enough pub when the news first came out.
The Pittsburgh Penguins organization has been ranked #1 in fan relations.
Not just in the NHL.
In ALL of professional sports.
Or, at least, so says ESPN The Magazine.
The study, released about a month ago, evaluated how much each team (122 in all) in the four (4) major professional sports -- NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL -- gave back to their fans in exchange for all the time, money and emotion invested in them.
The Magazine examined several factors for each franchise and ranked them to come up with a final 'Ultimate Ranking' for each team. The factors examined were: the players, bang for the buck, stadium experience, title track, coaching, ownership, affordability, and fan relations.
The 'fan relations' category measured 'openness and consideration towards fans by players, coaches and management' and, as I mentioned, the Penguins finished first in that category, ahead of such legendary sports franchises like the New York Yankees, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Green Bay Packers.
Here is a piece trumpeting the Penguins well-deserved ranking in that particular category
And interestingly, the Detroit Red Wings were right behind them in 'fan relations' among all sports franchises.
Better still, in the overall 'Ultimate rankings', the Penguins were the top-rated NHL franchise, and the 5th of all 122 teams evaluated.
Helping place the Pens there were high rankings in several categories other than just its top finish in 'fan-relations'.
For instance, they were third in the 'title track' rankings (thanks Ray) and 'ownership' (thanks Ron and Mario).
The Penguins also finished fifth in the 'players' rankings.
Just imagine how high up they may finish the next time when their 'stadium experience' -- the team's lowest ranking at 69 -- is re-evaluated once the Consol Energy Center starts hosting games in just a few months?
The official rankings in each category for all 122 teams can be found here, and the Penguins' overall slot says such great things about the franchise
Everyone in the entire Pens' organization deserves kudos.
More soon.
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