Tom Dundon isn’t surprised the Carolina Hurricanes have already sold 30,000 tickets for the 2023 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series.
The Hurricanes owner expected a lot of excitement for the outdoor game against the Washington Capitals at Carter-Finley Stadium on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Feb. 18.
“I always felt like it kind of fits the way the market thinks, the outdoor college atmosphere,” Dundon said Thursday. “So I felt like that was going to do pretty well.”
The fans delivered, quickly buying the Hurricanes’ initial allotment of about 18,000 tickets, prompting the team to request more from the NHL for its first outdoor game. Those also sold out with a demand for more. General ticket sales have yet to begin.
“I think it’s different, so it’s interesting,” Dundon said. “You’re trying to find those interesting things to make something new to think about that’s interesting and fun.”
Carolina was originally scheduled to host the Stadium Series on Feb. 20, 2021, but the event was postponed due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus and eventually pushed, at the Hurricanes’ request, to this season.
Now it will be one of the highlights of Carolina’s 25th anniversary season. The Hurricanes open it against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday expecting to contend for the Stanley Cup after a busy offseason when they added defensemen. Brent Burns and Dylan Coghlanand forwards Max Pacioretty (recovering from a torn Achilles tendon), Ondrej Kase and Paul Stastny.
When Dundon acquired a majority stake in the Hurricanes on Jan. 12, 2018 (he became full owner June 30, 2021), they were on their way to missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the ninth consecutive season. Since then, they’ve qualified for the playoffs in four straight seasons.
Dundon discussed how far the Hurricanes have come on and off the ice and more in a lengthy conversation with NHL.com.
You’re closing in on five years since you became the owner. Are you happy with where the organization stands?
“I’m happy with the people and the process and the players and our future. I think it’s impossible to be happy unless you win. You can only be at your happiest if you win. And then the next season starts. But, yes , I’m content and happy with the people, the process, the talent, the fans, the brand, all those things. I keep saying we’re in a position to realistically believe that we’re one of the teams that should have a chance to win and we’re not having to be convinced of that. We kind of know it and that’s what makes me happy.”
Carolina set franchise records for wins (54-20-8) and points (116) last season before losing to the New York Rangers in seven games in the second round of the playoffs. That might have been considered an excellent season three or four seasons ago but was disappointing because you didn’t win the Stanley Cup. What does that say about the Hurricanes’ progress?
“I think that’s the hard part about where we are now. Most outcomes are a disappointment now where there was a time if you played well or drew a big crowd or made the playoffs or won a round, that those were all things to celebrate. I don’t want to miss out on the fact that it’s hard to win games and you should appreciate when people come and watch you. You’ve got to find a way to enjoy it even though your expectations continue to increase. You can’ t take it for granted. You’ve got to enjoy that process and hope it just keeps going.”
Video: 2022-2023 Team Preview: Carolina Hurricanes
Are those increased expectations what you were hoping for when you bought the team?
“We’re definitely in a position where if you don’t win, you’re disappointed. But you’re realistic about the fact that you’re not the only one in that position. That’s not the way this sport works. There’s no one that is so much better than anyone else. I think the word expect is a tough one for the sport because my expectation is that we’re in that echelon of teams that have a really good chance every time they play and throughout the playoffs. . But I don’t think anyone can really separate the way hockey works.”
Ticket sales for the NHL Stadium Series have been excellent. How about your season ticket base?
“We probably have three times as many season ticket holders as when I bought the team. We’re getting to a point now where you won’t be able to sell full season tickets soon because you’ve got to leave some individual seats for new fans. So that part is going really well.”
What are the approximate season ticket numbers?
“I think it went from less than 5,000, in the fours, to 13 and a half, maybe almost 14 (thousand). Something like that.”
You’ve been in discussions with the Centennial Authority, which oversees PNC Arena for the City of Raleigh, Wake County and the state of North Carolina, about renovating the arena. Where do things stand in those talks?
“There’s a process going on where all the stakeholders have to figure out the path forward and I think everybody’s working hard on that and we’re excited to see where it goes and, if the city and state decide that’s something they want to do, then we’ll work with them on it, for sure.”
If an agreement is reached, what do you hope the renovated arena will look like when it’s completed?
“I hope we just take all the best ideas of what everybody has done and incorporate it. A lot has happened in 25 years, right? So, I don’t think what we thought even two years ago is what we would do today. You have to have a better experience for the fans, so we have to figure out what that is.”
Where do things stand with plans to develop the area around the arena and Carter-Finley Stadium?
“Same process. It’s all one process.”
What are you imagining that area looking like for the NHL Stadium Series?
“I think we’re going to have events programmed all week in the city and then we’ll have a concert Friday night (Feb. 17). We’ll have an outdoor festival kind of thing on campus there between the stadium and the arena on Saturday. Then, we have NC State basketball against North Carolina on Sunday (Feb. 19). So there’s stuff programmed all week throughout the city.”
Do you envision game day being like a college football Saturday?
“Yeah, I think that was part of the plan. They have such a good atmosphere for NC State and we’re in the same stadium, same parking lots. I imagine there will be a pretty similar vibe. That kind of tailgating, kind of more of an all-day affair.”
What are you most excited about for the upcoming season?
“I just want to know what happens. I just want to know how it ends. I would love to know right now.”
Isn’t the journey part of the fun?
“For me, it’s a little bit of torture. It’s fun, but it’s also hard.”
Doesn’t that mean you’re invested emotionally along with financially?
“Yeah. The financial part of this has never been a thing for me. It’s the emotional. You do it because of the emotional part. You hope that the players are involved emotionally, and the fans are involved emotionally. It’s entertainment. It’s why we’re here.”
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