Jim Goodmon (left) announced the formation of Friends of the Canes, a group he will chair. |
The announcement came on March 14th, and was followed by a press conference on March 21st when NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made the promise that an NHL draft will come to the Entertainment & Sports Arena (ESA) by 2005, and within five years of the Carolina Hurricanes selling at least 12,000 season tickets that an All-Star game will be held in the facility as well.
“This market, this team, this owner deserve an All-Star Game,” said Bettman. The All-Star game alone could have a $20 million impact on the Triangle.
Friends of the Canes consists of a group of corporate leaders. Goodmon serves as chairman. Other members include Glaxo CEO Bob Ingram, First Citizen’s Jim Hyler, BB&T executive Lee Youngblood, IBM’s Barry Eveland, former Raleigh Mayor Tom Fetzer, Raleigh Chamber president Harvey Schmitt, Durham Chamber President Tom White, Cary Chamber president Howard Johnson and NC State Chancellor Marye Ann Fox.
Goodmon said, “The best way to express our support for this professional franchise is to help the team sell ticket packages and prove to the NHL that we’re an All-Star region.” The Canes current season ticket base is 6,000. Friends of the Canes hopes to double sales within the next season.
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