By Jeromy Corrigan

WHL

Cats and WHL develop a business plan ahead of 20/21 season

Jun 26, 2020 | 3:59 PM

While last week the Western Hockey League completed their Annual General Meeting, most of the talk from it was in regard to their return to play plan.

However, on the business side of things, the league is working through multiple challenges as they get ready for next season.

“Basically what we have been talking about in the last few weeks and at the Annual General Meeting has been business as usual,” stated Vice President of Business with the Cougars Andy Beesley.

“Of course with the Covid situation and everything up in the air we have just been trying to talk as much we can about a variety scenarios and try to plan our best for every type of scenario.”

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This also makes it challenging when it comes to sponsorship at both the team and league level, and both parties have now looked at options for providing as much bang for their buck as possible.

“One of the biggest things that we have all agreed upon is that we need to make sure that no matter what we do going into the season is we promise people and guarantee them that their investment is safe and that should there be some changes we will make them whole in a sense that they are well taken care of,” added Beesley.

They’ve also done the same for fans who may be on the fence when it comes to season tickets by providing payment plans and a variety of other different options.

One of the big items which also came up from the AGM was the 50% capacity number which Commissioner Ron Robson mentioned when it comes to fans in the stands. However, that number isn’t set in stone. It’s just what the league is hoping for when the campaign does eventually start.

“We need to put out a plan and that is the number the league put out,” shared Beesley.

“We would be naive if that was the only number we would work with. The intention is that we would like 50% to start off with when the season opens up. We need to follow our health department’s directions and suggestions and guidelines. Ultimately, we have to make sure our fans are safe and our players are safe. We are not interested in doing anything that will put people at risk.”