ST. LOUIS — As the calendar turned to 2019, the outlook for the St. Louis Blues looked bleak.
On Jan. 3, the team ranked last in the standings in the National Hockey League. Through the midway point of the regular season, the team’s TV ratings were down 17 percent year over year, and attendance at Enterprise Center ranked near the bottom of the league. Meanwhile, the team’s poor play and sagging attendance followed $42 million in renovations pumped into the team’s home facility during the offseason.
Fast-forward five months and the Blues' outlook couldn’t be better. With the team on Tuesday clinching its first Stanley Cup berth in 49 years, the Blues are in position not only to win their first Stanley Cup trophy, but also to boost their financials.
The Stanley Cup appearance should increase the Blues’ revenue and franchise value, said Patrick Rishe, director of the sports business program at Washington University’s Olin Business School. He expects season ticket sales to be at an all-time high, ticket prices to spike and more sponsors to come on board.
“In terms of corporate partnerships, that’s another thing I think perhaps could see a nice little bump, (with) people wanting to be affiliated with the team going forward. (It’s) more attention, more visibility, being associated with a winner. All these things are positive things for the Blues,” Rishe said.
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