If it wasn't official before, it is now - Manitobans are sports crazy.
There were more tickets sold to professional sporting events in the province in the past 12 months than in any year in the province's history.
Nearly 1.3 million fans were scanned in - turnstiles seem to have become a thing of the past - to see the Winnipeg Jets, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Winnipeg Goldeyes. The previous high of less than 1 million tickets sold was set nearly two decades ago.
The reborn NHL franchise led the way with a sold-out MTS Centre for 41 home games, good for more than 660,000 butts in chairs. The Bombers had the best year in their history, too, selling out eight consecutive regular-season games and one playoff game, for a total of more than 325,000.
The American Association's Goldeyes, meanwhile, led their minor league in attendance with more than 286,000 fans taking in 50 regular-season games and a pair of playoff contests.
The unprecedented fandom for the city's sports teams, however, has had a corresponding negative impact on attendance in the arts. The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Manitoba Opera, Winnipeg Art Gallery and Royal Winnipeg Ballet all saw their attendance fall this past winter season.
The Jets, meanwhile, are sold out for the next two years.
from Western Investor May 2012
