Predators are in prime position to leave soon

More than I read the sports agate for scores, I watch for the attendance at each local Predators' game.

The team needs average attendance of 14,000 for each home game. and that is not an unreasonable demand. But the agate has been showing few dates with 14,000 officially paid in the stands. And that means the Predators can bolt.

The banktupcy filing by one the new principles of the team has put a substantial share of the team up to the highest bidder. And a rich fella from Canada has expressed interest in that share and moving the Predators north.

The economy in Tennessee continues to decline. People are not buying as much, putting the state into a %1 billion budget crisis. And property taxes will be rising on the homes of Predators' fans. Hockey games are going to continue to decline to the bottom of the spending list.

I wish it were not so. I really respect the devotion of fans to the team. And the team is filled with a bunch of great guys. But the NHL like all pro sports is a business first, even if owners have to break a city's hearts and move on.