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SEASONREVENUEFORBES RANKINGOPERATING INCOMEFORBES RANKINGCURRENT VALUEFORBES RANKINGFORBES comment on team
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2021-22$230 million$87 million$1.275 billion7thIn October, the Oilers launched Oilers +, a new streaming service. For $8.99 a month or $59.99 per year, the service promises to act as an “all-access pass to the hockey club both on and off the ice,” with live pre and post-game shows for every Oilers game, a live feed from the podium and locker room “every time Oilers coaches, players and management step up to the mic,” and live practice coverage at home and from the road. The plan is to fill out the service, which is to run year-round, with “archival content and lifestyle programming from Rogers Place and ICE District.” Oilers+ is available for download on smart TVs, mobile devices and PCs now.
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2020-2189 million-23 million$1.1 billion7th“Edmonton doubled in value year-over-year, going from a $550 million valuation to $1.1 billion. Verification from industry experts place the Oilers in the top quartile of the league in every important revenue category. In terms of local media revenue, the Oilers are among the top five teams in the league, alongside the Canadiens, the Maple Leafs, the Red Wings, and the Blackhawks.”
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2019-20137 million17 million550 million14th
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2018-19154 million16 million575 million14thAfter missing the playoffs for the 12th time in 13 seasons, the Oilers hired Ken Holland as general manager and president of hockey operations in May. The longtime GM of the Red Wings replaced Peter Chiarelli. A couple of weeks later, Holland hired Dave Tippett as the team's head coach, replacing Todd McLellan, who had served as the top guy for a little over three seasons. On the business side, the Oilers did not increase the price of season seats for the 2019-2020 season and cited the poor on-ice performance for the rational. The team also cut the cost of food and beverages 15% for season ticket holders. “We know that your decision to renew your seats is not tied to just team performance and the arena experience,” the team wrote in a letter to season ticket holders. “We’ve heard the challenges many have faced this year in a tough Alberta economy.”
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2017-18145 million13th21 million540 milion13thThe Oilers took a revenue hit last season because they missed the playoffs one season after hosting six games at Rogers Place. But the team continues to turn a big profit thanks to a fan base that sellouts out Rogers Place nightly at premium prices for a small market. The Oilers have one of the NHL’s top draws in Connor McDavid. The team locked up their 21-year-old captain last year with an eight-year, $100 million contract extension. McDavid is the NHL’s top-earning player, including salary and endorsement income.
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2016-17151 million24520 million12thThe Oilers’ first season in the new Rogers Place Arena (owned by the city of Edmonton but run by the hockey team) was a big success with revenue up 23%. After not making it the playoffs since losing in the 2005-06 finals to the Hurricanes, the team made it to the Western Conference semifinals, where they lost to the Ducks in seven games. More importantly, last season saw the emergence of Connor McDavid as the best young player in the NHL and the game's next superstar. In his first full season, the speedy center recorded 100 points. This offseason McDavid was rewarded with an 8-year, $100 million contract extension.
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2015-16117 million15.4445 million14thThe Oilers moved into the $363 million Rogers Place this season. The entire project cost $480 million and includes the arena, Winter Garden, Downtown Community Arena, LRT connection, pedestrian corridor and the land. The facilities are owned by the city of Edmonton, but Edmonton Arena Corporation (EAC), owned by Daryl Katz, who also owns the Oilers, will operate Rogers Place and pay all operating and maintenance expenses.EAC will receive all operating revenues, including naming rights and parking revenue. The Katz Group is paying $100 million ($85 million as rent over 35 years and $15 million cash) of the arena financing and $25 million of the other project costs.
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2014-15119 million17.2455 million12thWith their new arena opening next year, the Oilers have not been giving fans and sponsors a reason to cheer. The team has not qualified for the playoffs since 2005-06, when they were defeated in the Stanley Cup finals by the Carolina Hurricanes. The Oilers have lost more games than they have won each of the past six seasons. A big reason the team has managed to stay profitable is its rent at Rexall Place is below $2 million. But when they move into their new building, the Oilers will be responsible for operating costs and would benefit greatly from a better on ice product.
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2013-14119 million25.3 million475 million12thThe team's new arena, Rogers Place, scheduled to open for the 2016-17 season, will cost $480 million ($606 million including infrastructure)
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2012-13$80 milion16th$10.3 million10th$400 million14thIn May 2013, the Edmonton City Council and Oilers agreed to terms on a new arena costing $605 million (including surrounding infrastructure) that should be ready by 2017. The city will pay $279 million, the Oilers $161.5 million and another $125 million will come from a ticket tax. Under their current lease, the Oilers pay about $1 million a year in rent, but Northlands—Rexall Place's operator—pays for the arena's operating costs. At the new arena, the Oilers will pay $6 million a year in rent and cover operating costs. The potential upside for the team is more revenue from premium seating and non-NHL events.
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2011-1210614th16.214th22514thDaryl Katz, the billionaire owners of the Oilers, may have gotten too greedy for his own good. In November, the Edmonton city council voted unanimously to cease all negotiations with Katz regarding a new, $450 million arena for his team even though the city has already spent nearly $100 million for land and design work, because Katz made last-minute demands for an additional $6 million a year in taxpayer subsidies. The original deal had taxpayers and ticket-buyers building the arena with the Oilers spending about $15 million a year in annual lease payments and operating costs and keeping almost all of the revenue from the new arena. Katz has said his team is losing money but has refused to show the books to the city council.
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2010-11, out of 30 NHL teams9615th17.35th21215thThe average hockey team is now worth $240 million .... Nothing has been finalized, but Daryl Katz, the billionaire owner of the Oilers and the city of Edmonton, have come to terms on the framework for a $450 million deal that would land the team a new arena, potentially providing the Oilers with $20 million more in revenue a season than antiquated Rexall Place. The team's lease at Rexall expires in 2014 and Katz has said he will not play in the building beyond then. The financing for the new arena would require the team to pay $225 million and the remainder from the public with Katz committing to a 35-year lease. But if the city does not pony up for the new arena it would appear Katz has few options, given the strong Canadian dollar is a strong incentive to remain in Canada and there is already at least one other U.S. NHL team looking to move north of the border.
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2009-10, out of 30 NHL teams8717th8.28th18320thThe Oilers have made it clear that they will not be satisfied with renovating Rexall Place, the arena that is operated by Northlands Park. Team owner and billionaire Daryl Katz, who paid an enterprise value of $170 million for the Oilers in 2008, claims the Calgary Flames generate $15 million to $20 million more a year because the team operates the Saddledome and as a result keeps proceeds from non-hockey events at the arena. Katz, who has a net worth of $1.4 billion, has said he is willing to invest $100 million in a new building and another $100 million toward development of the surrounding area. Thus it appears he is looking for taxpayers to kick in about $200 million, which would appear to be a long shot. The Oilers lease at Rexall expires in 2014.
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2008-09, out of 30 NHL teams8319th9.410th16624thThe Oilers have a great fan base—willing to pay an average ticket price of $55—but have been at a disadvantage for years because they are one of the few small-market, NHL teams that does not operate its building. Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel has recommended building a $450 million downtown arena but the city has not given the team a financial commitment yet. Oilers owner Daryl Katz, the billionaire owner of the Rexall Drug Store chain, has promised $100 million towards the arena. The Oilers currently play in Rexall Place, one of the oldest arena in the NHL. It is controlled by Northlands, which keeps all the revenue from non-hockey events.
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2007-08 out of 30 NHL teams8518th11.87th17520thDaryl Katz, the billionaire owner of the Rexall Drug Store chain, bought the Edmonton Oilers in June for $170 million. The 46 year old Alberta native had been trying to buy the team for months, beginning his offer at $145 million. The acquisition by Katz should help the Oilers, who had been under-capitalized and owned by 34 investors. The Oilers have one of the oldest arena's in the NHL. Katz has promised to pay up to $100 million for a new arena, build a practice facility for the team and increase the payroll to the limit of the salary cap.
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2006-07, out of 30 NHL teams7118th9.98th15720thThis summer Edmonton billionaire Daryl Katz made an informal offer to the Oilers Investment Group to buy the Oilers for $150 million, or two times the team's revenue. The fact that a possible buyer would think the team is worth that much given its small market and revenue-poor building shows that the league's salary cap has given a boost to team values. Although no deal has been reached between EIG (66.7% of shareholders would be needed for approval of any sale), interest in the team should remain high because of the stronger Canadian dollar and the huge potential upside from a new building.
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2005-2006, out of 30 NHL teams7514th10.74th14618thEmpowered by the NHL's new economic system and their run to the Stanley Cup finals, the Edmonton Oilers were able to post a fat profit last year. Despite their small market, the Oilers have attendance ranks in the top half of the league because of their loyal fans. But the franchise's financial upside is limited because Rexall Place is among the oldest buildings in the NHL and generates relatively little luxury suite revenue.
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2003-04, out of 30 teams5526th (Carolina, 52, Pitt, 52, Buffalo, 51, Ducks, 54)39th10429th (Sabres 103)
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2002-03, out of 30 teams4829th-0.110th9130thThe Edmonton Oilers have among the most loyal fans in hockey. The team's small budget practically prohibits it from competing for the Stanley Cup, yet the Oilers fill their arena to capacity almost every night. Of course, it helps that the team has the lowest ticket prices in the NHL. The franchise's main problem: a small business community and low corporate sponsorship revenue. Making matters worse, Skyreach recently announced that it will not renew its five-year, $3 million arena naming rights deal.
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2001-02. out of 30 teams4329th-0.814th8630th
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2000-01, out of 30 teams4329th (Phoenix 39)318th8129th (Phoenix 81)Team needed capital call from investors in 2001 to stay afloat.
Skyreach Equipment has arena naming rights.
Major sponsors are Air Canada, Molson Breweries, Sun Media.
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1999-00, out of 28 teams4028th414th7728th
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1998-99, out of 27 teams3626th (LA, 34)310th7226th (Sabres 70)
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1997-98, out of 26 teams3425th (Florida-33)212th6726th
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