Rick Nash #61 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2009 in New York, New York. The Rangers defeated the Blue Jackets 7-4.Bruce Bennett
According to a report by the Columbus Dispatch, The Columbus Blue Jackets are projecting losses of approximately $25-million for the 2010-11 season.
The Blue Jackets had both their highest payroll in franchise history and their lowest attendance record during this past season and have lost roughly $14-million in each of the past two seasons. The team expects $12-13-million in revenue sharing from the NHL this summer, but because it didn't average 14,000 fans per game and didn't match the NHL's revenue growth rate, the franchise will lose 25 per cent of its revenue-sharing check from the NHL.
With two teams in Phoenix and Atlanta already on the verge of relocation, Columbus would seem to be next in line. But Blue Jackets President Mike Priest would not comment on the team's future in Columbus except to say: "(Majority owner) John P. McConnell is committed to winning and building the best franchise, and he's committed to finding a resolution."
According to the report, the Blue Jackets have lost at least $80-million over the six seasons since the NHL lockout, which is close to the same price that late majority owner John H. McConnell paid for the expansion franchise from the NHL in the late 1990s.
The Blue Jackets have been in the league for 10 years and have only made the playoffs once, being swept in the first round by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2008-09 season.