Reaction to the news of the Capitals Spirit Squad has been quick and largely negative.¬† Today, Ted Leonsis responded to the criticism on his blog, Ted’s Take.¬† He states that sponsors have requested a group like this for several years and the revenues from such sponsors are needed to pay for the increased player payroll.
The organization will proceed with the squad which will be “fairly consistent across the league and across sports.”
“We will develop this team in the best manner possible and¬†we will not offend anyone. … I am a¬†family man¬†with a wife and a daughter.¬†I promise we will not offend anyone with the Capital Spirit team. “
33 Comments
That’s the spirit!
I wonder how much he could possibly make with this. Doesn’t seem like it could be THAT much..
Has Ted said who these sponsor are? So we can…uhhh…buy their products?
So let’s say the sponsors said they wanted to see more fighting..what would Ted do then?
Good luck with this, Caps fans. The Islanders fed us the same lines and we still ended with what amounts to Hooters girls on ice. If they really think this is going to make a difference in the amount of gate money they take in,they are seriously underestimating their fanbase. If I were a male Caps fan, I would be insulted at the idea that this what would bring me out to a game.
Still not liking this, and also curious what sponsors would only sponsor if we established a cheerleading squad.
This just seems so tacky and desparate.
i call BS, we are right up against the cap without the so called sponsor money this is supposed to bring. if anything this is more money for him, not to pay for players.
Clever way to frame this, the sponsors made us do it! I don’t know about them, but my primary focus is what’s dressed and on the ice, not half-dressed and scooping up slush. And compared to yesterday’s Fan Fest with the face painting and moonbounce, the concept of a “Spirit Squad” is borderline salacious, despite protestations otherwise. This from the same man who wrote with thinly veiled contempt about the Flyers vengeance campaign and endless reel of fight videos.
Revenue or no revenue, this is the first time in recent memory I’ve used the words disappointment and Ted Leonsis in the same sentence. Thanks for lumping us together with the rest of pro sports and I’ll look forward to not being offended next season.
I used to be proud that we were one of the few (only?) remaining teams that took player development seriously enough to have young hockey players doing this.
They drew from around the area’s kids’ hockey teams (Caps Kids) to clean the ice. It was a highlight of many a teen’s hockey career to be “on the ice” with NHL pros during a game. It is an enormous disappointment to have this program replaced with bouncing bimbos.
regardless of what anyone thinks about this idea, is there any greater indicator of the current state of modern american values? guys locked in gladiatorial combat, where bare-knuckle brawling is not only allowed but is welcomed? perfectly ok; we’re all huge fans. half-dressed women in halter tops? outrage.
hhmm…
I’m a bit surprised this happened when we’ve seemed to ‘turn the corner’ and have a quality team on the ice; as opposed to when we were struggling and needed something to divert the attention AWAY from the ice.
Either way, I don’t really care as I plan to focus my attention on the game at hand and not whats happening in the stands.
Saying that the sponsors would like something like this is most likely for any pre game promotions or off site promotions more then anything else. If the caps are looking for a sponsor for some off site promotion this is something they can add to the package to make it more attractive for a sponsor to help foot the bill.
We can’t expect the caps to almost doubble their pay-roll and not find new ways to drive in revenue. If you are that easily distracted by 1 or two women dancing between action on the ice then you have much bigger problems. The fact that so many people seem suprised by this is insane.
I do have to laugh at the juxtaposition of this news item with the photos of the “official OFB models” just below it…
I honestly don’t think the word “surprised” is apt, more like “disappointed”. It was nice to believe that we didn’t need to have that here. Plus it was something we could look down on the other teams for having.
I swear, Caps fans are the most negative people on Earth. They complain about everything. They can go undefeated and win the Cup, and they’ll still find something to gripe about. Relax people, it’s not the end of the world. I’d rather have this help offset costs, then for them to raise ticket prices.
its not about being “offended” in the sense of decency, its about being “offended” as a Washington Capitals hockey fan and having to be treated like i’m a fourth grader who knows nothing about hockey in that ive got to be told when to cheer and when not to cheer.
Go find Dale Hunter’s goal in game 7 OT against the Flyers…i’m pretty sure those people liked the game just fine without all the modern day hullaballoo that people seem to think sports fans “need” to keep their attention focused
Wow! A spirit squad finally in Washington! How 2004! Uncle Ted has lots of key questions to answer: Will these girls carry pom-poms like in Tampa? Will they wear poly-spandex like in Pittsburgh? Will they really know how to skate like on Long Island? Maybe these cheerleaders should dress in long black robes — ala Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor. Now, that would be the true Washington spirit! In the end, just win the effing Cup!
I really don’t see what the big deal is?? Seriously…
I am a bit surprised by the over reaction. I don’t think its neccesary, but if Ted thinks it’ll bring some revenue in, and if that revenue helps keep ticket costs down than that is fine by me. I can’t imagine the “spirit squad” becoming a distraction, assuming they essentially replace the less than enthusiastic squad of people who would run around with free burritos and t shirts.
Mike in SF,
Funny observation. However, the OFB models are not scantily clad. Helen (pictured below) was the only one who offered.
As a season ticket holder, I agree with Jordana. This has nothing to do with the traditions we have established in hockey. Just how much revenue do these squads generate?? I can’t believe it is that much. Are they going to be wearing branded names on their tops or bottoms or something in the vain hope that drunk guys will stare at them and then go out and buy the product they are pushing? I encourage the team to “think outside the box a bit more” if you really need revenue…but do something that is keeping with the traditions of hockey and the Caps. This is not Raleigh, NC.
Think outside the box indeed!
I noticed that between Saturday and Sunday evening the uniform description in the FQAs has changed from half top, shorts, skirts,and pants to “professionally designed long sleeved shirts and pants.” The job description in the FQAs was also changed from “The Spirit Squad has duties both on and off the ice, so members can be taught what they need to know about skating and dancing. For tryout purposes, girls will be judged on their enthusiasm and ability to learn both the dance and skate routines” to “The Spirit Squad is neither a dance nor a ice squad. But it will require members to learn side line routines and skate on the ice to help execute promotions for intermissions and throw out T-shirts.” There must have a substantial amount of negative comments made to the Caps or to Ted for a change to occur this quickly.
I am always amazed by how quickly ideas get lambasted. Would they be an improvement on the Caps Crew (or whetever name incarnation they’re at now)?
Looking at it as a season ticket-holder, I could most definitely do without free t-shirts being tossed, the same way I would much prefer not having the big-screen off-beat hands clapping telling me it’s time to cheer.
But if instead of big-screen off-beat hands clapping, we get people helping lead, that’s always an improvement. The Caps Crew (or whatever) isn’t up to the task. Season-ticket holders only go so far. (Horn, yell, cowbell, drum, what-have-you) Anything to assist in corralling the masses is a step in the right direction.
From a description we all infer what it is to be, but none of us actually know. What if it’s a person in each portal entrance yelling. Guess what? That’s leading a cheer. In the portal, they’re not in anyone’s view. They can go and stand and be seen during tv-timeouts to help rally. (And they can even help the ushers with the morons trying to go to their seats during play.)
If they throw shirts and help with giveaways, fine. If they do choreographed routines during intermission… so what? As long as we still get Mites or the girls figureskating or the Caps Kids to go deal with the shavings on the ice (unless the league passed on some new age mandate about that since players are around) or what-have-you, then they can replace the stupid obstacle course, great. The only intermission “game” that was any good was the gerbil balls anyway.
I don’t care if they’re women in half-shirts (which is far from scantily-clad), or guys in Batman costumes.
Remember, there are a whole slew of “new” fans showing up. Some don’t know the game, or when to make noise. (Heck, many of the full-season people from yesteryear don’t.) Lots of them have a history with other sports. Who helps out in other sports? Right, the guy with the megaphone and the girl with the pompom.
Instead of rejecting a Spirit Squad outright, why not see what the organization comes up with and find ways to improve it so that it is something Capitals-worthy?
Hey everyone, keep the comments coming here and on Ted’s blog.
I’m really impressed that the reaction has been just as negative with the men as with the women. This just does not belong in hockey no matter how you slice it.
Todd makes a very good point: Just how *are* these girls gonna help the Caps meet payroll? Legally, that is.
I have to say Ted’s explanation is pure crap with a capital BS, and I’ve lost the respect for him he had gained back. This is a man who has thrown a punch at a fan, and leaked jersey designs to the press (trying to say they were “preliminary” designs found in a catalog). Ted, stop thinking the FANS who are paying the salary are a bunch of saps.
Grooven,
Your comment may be the first non-emotional-knee-jerk reaction to the new squad. As a season ticket-holder myself, I tend agree with you.
Additionally, the Capitals have refined the description of the Spirit Squad on their site with further clarification to come.
Funny how OFB and others are bashing he spirit squad when OFB has three female models on their front page. OFB then hides behind the fact that these women are not scantily dressed. Well, let’s see what the Spirit Squad outfits look like before we get all riled up. I am thinking they will look very similar to the models portrayed on this site, clothed and showing a little bit of skin. I see a bit of midriff on one of your models.
OFB then says men’s shirts are available too, but where are the male models? I don’t see anything on the Caps site about the spirit squad members having to be female either??? Does anyone else. Why did OFB post only females models? Hmmm, because sex sells.
I can’t find where you see we are “bashing” the Spirit Squad. The two posts on the Spirit Squad have been rather neutral.
By the way, fake email addresses don’t quite hide your true identity.
This is really classic caps negativism and overreaction at it’s best! Really who the heck cares either way, they amount of energy and emotion that has been spent on this topic is mind blowing. I am just happy that they aren’t doing something crazy like making Alex the spokesperson for a salon or something
im not offended by scantily clad women at hockey games, im offended by the fact that they think we need cheerleaders to get pumped up. i know the atmosphere at Caps games has been dull in recent years, but so has been the on ice product. as the on ice product has gotten better, the atmosphere has gotten better. as a Caps fan of 16 years, i dont need scantily clad women to tell me when to cheer. we are not Raleigh, Nashville, or Tampa Bay for crying out loud. if theyre going to do it, whatever. its not going to stop me from going to games, i would just prefer them not to insult my intelligence as a hockey fan.
The attire has changed; the artwork has changed.
to be honest, if this is all caps fans really have to complain about, then we are in good shape. To think that hockey is above this is insane. Why does everyone think that this is just for in game, tell you when to cheer, things? If you are that nearside to think that it is only about in game promotions then you need to rethink your take on the whole sprit squad. Now before I get blasted for saying this, I have lived 23 of my 25 years on this planet in Chantilly or in Fredericksburg (while in college) and have been a caps fan since I was 5 years old. In my opinion, the fans down here in Raleigh are just as passionate, if not more, then what is up in DC. The area down here has really taken a hold of the team and are really taking a hold of hockey. To think that the fans need the storm squad to know when to cheer is just stupid. How is that any different then saying that the new HD screen at Verizon needs to tell us when to clap or get loud? Raleigh has a lot of transplants (see myself) from both the DC area, the northeast, as well as Canada. It is not just a bunch of southerners down here, and there are some really good hockey people in the area.
I find it funny that everyone seems so appalled at the fact that we would “stoop to such a low level” and have a spirit squad. The team is trying something new (for us) to help promote the team and the game. Remember it is not all about in game promotions, but also outside promotions. Give it a chance before you blast it. I play the game, coach the game, and am a fan of the game. I see nothing wrong (see HS hockey in MN) with having anything like this in hockey. Get over it and lets get back to talking about who is going to be on the roster come opening night.
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