♪ ♪ ♪ >> WELCOME TO AT ISSUE.

I'M H WAYNE WILSON.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US WITH A CONVERSATION ABOUT MISSED SEASONS.

BASEBALL AND HOCKEY IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

BOTH THE PEORIA CHIEF AND THE PEORIA RIVERMEN WENT AN ENTIRE SEASON WITHOUT BASEBALL AND HOCKEY RESPECTIVELY.

THEY ARE COMING BACK.

BUT IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT SCENARIO.

I'VE INVITED THE TWO BOSSES, IF I MAY CALL YOU THAT, TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT WE CAN EXPECT.

BART ROGERS IS HERE.

BART IS THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND MINORITY OWNER OF THE PEORIA RIVERMEN.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND JASON MOTT IS HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU HAVE A LONG HISTORY.

7 YEARS, JASON.

AND QUITE A FEW MORE THAN THAT, BART.

IS THERE ANY WAY TO EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST 12-14 MONTHS TO SPORTS IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS?

>> THERE REALLY ISN'T.

IT'S BEEN A LONG YEAR AND STILL GROWING, FOR THE MOST PART.

JASON IS GOING TO BE PLAYING HERE IN A MONTH AND WE'LL GET BACK POINT UNTIL OCTOBER.

GOT TO GO BACK A YEAR IN MARCH 13TH WHEN WE ACTUALLY TOLD OUR STAFF TO LEAVE, HEAD HOME.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE IS AND GET OUR PLAYERS OUT OF TOWN.

OUR PLAYERS ARE MADE -- OUR TEAM IS MADE UP OF PLAYERS FROM CANADA, GERMANY.

AND ACROSS THE BORDERS SO THEY CAN BE BACK HOME AND HEALTHY AS THEY COULD.

TO SET HERE NOW OVER A YEAR AGO SINCE THAT HAPPENED AND PRETTY MUCH BE IN THE SAME PLACE, IT'S BEEN A TOUGH PILL TO SWALLOW.

WE MADE IT THROUGH AND LOOKING FORWARD THE FUTURE.

>> YOUR FUTURE IS COMING UP IN LESS THAN A MONTH.

>> YEAH.

FOUR WEEKS AGO YESTERDAY WILL BE OPENING DAY.

>> SO YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT SITUATION.

YOU ARE NO LONGER IN THE MIDWEST LEAGUE.

YOU ARE IN A SIMILAR LEAGUE.

THE CENTRAL LEAGUE.

BUT ALWAYS SAY IT'S THE HIGH A CENTRAL LEAGUE.

EXPLAIN TO OUR VIEWERS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE RECONFIGURATION OF MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.

>> BASICALLY, WHAT THEY DID WAS 160 TEAMS DOWN TO 120 AND CUT A LOT OF THE LOWER LEVEL LEAGUES.

THE ROOKIE BALL LEAGUES ARE OUT NOW.

THAT'S WHERE YOU GET A LOT OF GUYS IN COLLEGE.

LATE DRAFTERS.

SO WHAT THEY END UP DOING FOR US IS FLIP THE FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE AND THE MIDWEST LEAGUE AND FLORIDA STATE WENT FROM HIGH A TO LOW A.

AND WENT FROM 16 TEAMS TO 12 FOR THIS YEAR.

SO REALLY JUST FLIP LEAGUES WITH THE FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE IS PROBABLY THE EASIEST WAY TO EXPLAIN IT.

>> SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO SOMEONE GOING TO THE BALLPARK IN TERMS OF THE ON-FIELD PRODUCT?

>> HOPEFULLY MEANS THEY ARE A LOT BETTER.

REALLY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT LOW A, THAT'S YOUR LAST CHANCE.

THERE'S A LOT OF GUYS THAT WE WOULD SEE HERE ON A NORMAL YEAR THAT AREN'T AROUND THE NEXT YEAR.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT JUST DON'T MAKE IT.

THERE WAS THAT CUT OFF FOR US.

AND NOW, WE'RE ABOVE THE CUT OFF.

SO HOPEFULLY THAT MEANS GUYS WILL BE HERE LONGER AND SEE THEM AND GET TO KNOW THE PLAYERS AND SHOULD BE BETTER IN THE FIELD.

>> AND CHRIS AFTER A COUPLE YEARS AWAY IS COMING BACK.

>> CORRECT.

>> THAT'S A GOOD THING FOR THE TEAM?

>> IT IS.

WE KNOW CHRIS.

HE WAS HERE FOR TWO YEARS, 17 AND 18.

DID A GREAT JOB.

I'VE KNOWN CHRIS FROM WHEN HE WAS A PLAYER.

HE WAS A PLAYER THERE.

SO WE HAVE LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP.

HE'S GREAT TO WORK WITH.

JUST GOING THROUGH WITH PROTOCOLS, HIS DEMEANOR AND BACKGROUND SHOULD BE A GREAT FIT FOR US TO GET THROUGH 21.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT PROTOCOLS IN JUST A MOMENT.

BART, LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR SITUATION WITH YOU, THE BASEBALL TEAM HAS MOVED TO A DIFFERENT LEVEL.

MAYBE WE'LL SEE PLAYERS STICK AROUND MORE THAN ONE SEASON.

THAT'S BEEN AN ADVANTAGE IN TERMS OF ATTRACTING A CERTAIN GROUP OF FANS.

YOU MIGHT SEE A PLAYER FOR NOT JUST ONE SEASON BUT MAYBE AS MANY AS FOUR OR MORE.

>> YEAH.

IF THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL ON THE ICE AND COACH ENJOYS THEIR PLAYER PLAY ON AND OFF THE ICE, THEY STICK AROUND FOR TWO TO THREE YEARS.

WHEN WE HAD TO SHUT THE SEASON DOWN, THOSE WENT TO OTHER TEAMS THAT ARE PLAYING THIS YEAR.

AND EVENTUALLY, WE'LL GET THOSE PLAYERS BACK AND HAVE A HANDFUL.

8 TO 10 PLAYERS OFF OF THE LAST YEAR WHEN WE PLAYED THAT WE'LL BE BACK ON OUR ROSTER TO BUILD THE TEAM FOR THIS UP COMING YEAR.

>> THE RIVERMEN MAINTAINED THE RIGHTS FOR THE PLAYERS?

>> AS WELL AS ALL THE OTHER FIVE TEAMS THAT DID NOT PLAY ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION.

WE FELT THAT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE PLAYERS TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY AT ANOTHER TEAM THAT IS PLAYING DOWN IN THE SOUTH.

AND WITH THE SOUTH'S INTENTIONS OF BRINGING THEM BACK TO US FOR THEIR RIGHTS IF THEY WANT TO COME BACK AND PLAY IN PEORIA.

>> WE MENTIONED CHRIS.

YOU HAVE A COACH WHO HAS BEEN AROUND 8 SEASONS NOW.

HOW IMPORTANT IS HE TO THE SUCCESS?

I DON'T MEAN THE ON-ICE SUCCESS.

I MEAN THE OVERALL SUCCESS?

>> VITAL.

WE COULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER COACH TO HIRE WHEN WE TOOK OVER THE TEAM IN 2013.

HE HAD EXPERIENCE COACHING IN TOWN.

GREAT EXPERIENCE PLAYING THE GAME.

HE WAS ENHANCED AND ENTHRALLED IN THIS COMMUNITY.

TO BOTH COACHING THE MUSTANGS.

SO FOR HIM TO BE SELECTED FOR US TO SELECT HIM AS THE COACH WAS IDEAL FOR US AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, 8 YEARS HE'LL BE GOING ON THE 8 SEASON.

AND ALL HE DOES IS WIN AND DEVELOP PLAYERS WHICH IS ULTIMATELY WHAT YOU WANT WITH ANY ORGANIZATION IS TO WIN.

BUT ALSO OFF THE ICE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

THE COACH AND THE PLAYERS NEED TO BE IN THE COMMUNITY WHEN THEY ARE NOT PLAYING TO HELP US BUILD THAT BUSINESS MODEL AND MAKE SURE FANS CAN GET CLOSER TO THE PLAYERS AND ULTIMATELY MAKE SURE THEY WANT TO COME OUT.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PERCENTAGE IS, A GOOD NUMBER STAY IN PEORIA EITHER HELPING WITH HOCKEY OR PROFESSIONALLY.

IS THERE SOME REASON THAT RELATIONSHIP EXISTS?

>> THEY JUST ENJOY THE COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE HERE FOR MOST OF THEM.

DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

MAYBE THEY ARE OFFERED A JOB.

MAYBE THEY'VE MET A GIRL AND BECOME MARRIED AND STAY HERE.

THAT'S GREAT FOR US TO HAVE ALUMNI.

AND MIGHT BE ON THE ROAD AND STILL MEET THE FANS.

MANY OF THEM ARE STILL AROUND FROM WHEN THEY PLAYED IS DEFINITELY A BLESSING.

>> I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE IN JUST A MOMENT.

THIS PAST YEAR, WHAT HAPPENED TO STAFF FOR THE PEORIA CHIEFS?

>> HOPEFULLY WE NEVER GO THROUGH IT AGAIN.

MARCH 19TH, WE TOLD EVERYBDY GO HOME AND WE'LL LET YOU KNOW.

WE WORKED REMOTELY FOR ABOUT A MONTH OR SO.

AND THEN ULTIMATELY KNEW THE ONLY WAY THE GOAL WAS TO GET TO 21.

THE ONLY WAY TO REALLY DO THAT WAS TO MAKE PRETTY TOUGH SO IT WAS MAY 1ST.

I PICKED UP THE PHONE AND HAD TO CALL 19 OF 23 INDIVIDUALS AND LET THEM KNOW THAT NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, I DIDN'T HAVE A SPOT FOR THEM.

SO THAT WAS REALLY THE ONLY WAY WE CAN MADE IT THROUGH 21.

THOSE ARE TOUGH DECISIONS AND I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT DAY.

IT WAS TOUGH TO TELL SOMEBODY THAT YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG AND NOW YOU DON'T HAVE A JOB.

AND SOMEONE MOVED HERE RECENTLY AND THEY WERE SENT BACK HOME.

AND SO WE DID WHAT WE HAD TO.

AND NOW WE'RE STARTING TO RAMP BACK UP TO STAFF.

>> MAKES IT DIFFICULT WITH NEW STAFF COMING ON BOARD.

MAY NOT KNOW THE MARKET WHEN YOU ARE RAMPING BACK UP.

THEY HAVE A LEARNING CURVE IN FRONT OF THEM.

>> THEY DO.

THE WAY YOU LOOK AT IT WAS IT WAS A WAY TO GET FRESH IDEAS.

WE'VE ALWAYS DONE IT THAT WAY.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE LOOKING -- YOU LOOK AROUND AND EVERYBODY IS DOING THINGS DIFFERENT.

THAT'S WHAT EXCITES ME ABOUT IT.

NEW STAFF, NEW IDEAS TRYING NEW THINGS WE PROBABLY HAVEN'T DONE IN THE PAST.

SO I THINK THE DOWN SIDE OF THE LEARNING CURVE WILL BE THE UPSIDE OF TRYING NEW THINGS AND NEW IDEAS DEFINITELY PAYOFF.

>> IT WAS DIFFERENT FOR THE RIVERMEN.

YOU WERE ABLE TO KEEP STAFF ON.

>> WE WERE FACED WITH THE SAME THING JASON WAS FACED WITH.

WE DIDN'T HAVE AS MANY STAFF IN PLACE BECAUSE WE DON'T OWN THE FACILITY.

IT WAS THE OFFICE STAFF AND OUR COACH.

WE WENT THROUGH THOSE SAME CHALLENGES.

THOSE SAME THOUGHTS.

HOW CAN WE GET THROUGH 2021 AND MAKE SURE WE WERE CELEBRATING OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY?

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE TOOK A DIFFERENT APPROACH AND SAID WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO KEEP THE PEOPLE EMPLOYED.

PERSONALLY, I FELT EVERYTHING IS BUILT ON RELATIONSHIPS ESPECIALLY IN THIS COMMUNITY.

TO HAVE NEW PEOPLE COME IN AND MAYBE ONLY HAVE ONE PERSON LEFT STANDING MYSELF TO TRY AND TRAIN WHILE ALSO TRYING TO GO OUT AND SELL THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE BOOK OF BUSINESS THAT WE HAVE WAS GOING TO BE A DAUNTING TASK ABOVE AND BEYOND THE DAUNTING TASK WE HAVE AHEAD OF US.

WE HAVE MORE STAFF BECAUSE HE OWNS THE STADIUM AND BIGGER OPERATIONS.

FOR ME, I WAS FACED WITH 6 FULL TIME EMPLOYEES AND A COACH.

AND THE STATE BIG GRANT THAT WAS AWARDED TO US TO HELP OFF SET THAT.

THAT DOESN'T TOUCH HALF OF WHAT THE EXPENSES ARE.

THAT'S WHAT OUR OWNERSHIP COMBHITMENT WAS TO OUR STAFF AND PLACE.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH.

>> YOU RENT FROM THE CIVIC CENTER AND GET NO PART OF THE CONCESSIONS.

>> WE PAY A LEASE FEE AND LOTS OF EXPENSES ON TOP OF THAT FOR TICKET FEES.

WE HAVE NO ANCILLARY REVENUES.

COME FROM THE TICKET SALES FROM SPONSORSHIP SALES AND ANCILLARY REVENUES OF MERCHANDISE AND RAFFLES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> YOU ARE DIFFERENT IN YOU OWN THE STADIUM.

EVERYTHING IS YOURS.

I SUPPOSE THAT ALSO COMES WITH -- >> IT'S A GOOD AND A BAD THING.

GOOD TO OWN YOUR STADIUM AND KIND OF CONTROL THINGS BUT THEN WHEN THINGS BREAK, THEN THAT'S YOUR EXPENSE.

SO I THINK IT'S GOOD AND BAD.

I'VE SEEN IT FROM BOTH SIDES.

I'VE SEEN IT WHERE WE WEREN'T THE OWNERS.

IT HAS PROS AND CONS.

>> SO LET'S TALK PROTOCOLS.

THE SEASON STARTS MAY 4, FIRST HOME GAME IS MAY 11 AGAINST THE TIMBER RATTLERS.

>> YEAH.

>> SO LIMITATION ON CROWDS?

OTHER LIMITATIONS?

>> YEAH.

SO RIGHT NOW, WITH THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, WE HAVE EVERYTHING APPROVED.

ALL THE PROTOCOLS ARE DONE.

GOING TO ALLOW US TO DO 25% CAPACITY OF THE STADIUM.

UP IN OUR SUITE LEVEL, YOU ARE TALKING 10 PEOPLE PER SUITE.

NORMALLY WE'D BE AT 15 TO 20.

10 THERE WITH IT BEING INDOOR AREA.

WE'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT 1250 PEOPLE IN THE SEATING BOWL PER GAME RIGHT NOW.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GUESS AROUND 2,000 TOTAL PER GAME.

>> WITH THE BIRM.

>> WITH THE BIRM, SUITES, PARTY AREAS.

WE'RE GOING TO GET CREATIVE TOO.

>> SO YOU CAN STILL SELL GROUPS?

>> WE CAN.

WE'RE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WAYS.

WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO USE OUR PICNIC AREAS MORE FOR GROUPS RIGHT NOW.

WE DO OUR GROUPS IN MULTIPLES OF 10.

SO PEOPLE CAN GET A COUPLE PICNIC TABLES AND LINE THEM UP.

WE'RE GOING TO GET CREATIVE.

ANYWHERE WE CAN FIND WAYS TO PUT PEOPLE.

PUT PEOPLE IN THE BIRM.

THE THING WITH THE SEATING BOWL IS THEY HAVE TO BE SPACED OUT.

IF YOU HAVE A BIG GROUP, STILL GOING TO BE SPACED OUT.

THEY CAN'T BE TOGETHER.

>> YOU KNOW THE CHALLENGE.

WE'RE ALL SEATED.

THIRD INNING.

THEY ALL COME TOGETHER.

YOU ARE OUTSIDE, THEY ARE INSIDE.

YOUR SEASON DOESN'T START UNTIL OCTOBER.

>> WE DO NOT KNOW THAT YET.

THE CIVIC CENTER HAS PROTOCOLS IN PLACE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO GO FULL FORCE INTO THOSE.

I DON'T THINK BEING ARENA MANAGER TO HAVE ALL THOSE ADDED EXPENSES IF YOU DON'T NEED TO.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT YET BUT THE PROTOCOLS ARE IN PLACE IN A BIG BINDER I'VE BEEN TOLD.

AND ONCE WE GET TO THAT POINT DOWN THE ROAD, MIDDLE OF SUMMER, WE'LL HAVE BETTER IDEA OF WHAT THAT WILL BE.

THE BENEFIT FOR US IS GREATLY HAVING A CAPACITY OF CLOSE TO 11,000 SEATS FOR A HOCKEY GAME.

IF WE ARE FORCED TO GO AT 25% OR 40%, WE CAN MAKE THAT WORK WITH OUR OPERATING BUDGET TO PAY THE EXPENSES.

>> HAS THAT HAMPERED YOUR ABILITY TO SELL GROUPS AT THIS POINT IN TIME OR ARE YOU EVEN DOING THAT YET?

>> BECAUSE WE'RE SO FAR OUT, WE'RE NOT DOING THAT YET.

WE'RE FOCUSED ON RENEWING OUR SEASON TICKET BASE, RENEWING OUR SPONSORSHIP BOOK AND GENERATE NEW PARTNERS TO COME ON BOARD.

THE GROUPS FOR US WERE IN THE OCTOBER TIME FRAME ANYWAY.

JUST LIKE THE BASEBALL SEASON.

THERE'S TIMES WHERE THE START OF THE YEAR IS TOUGHER AND THE MEAT OF THE SCHEDULE IS WHERE THOSE GROUPS COME OUT.

WHY NOT FOCUS YOUR ENERGIES ON NOW.

AND CONTROL THE GROUPS LATER ON DOWN THE ROAD.

>> WANT TO TALK ABOUT EXPENSES.

WE'VE TOUCHED ON THAT.

YOU ARE IN THE CENTRAL LEAGUE NOW, THE HIGH A CENTRAL LEAGUE.

ONLY 12 TEAMS.

THEY'VE ARRANGED IT SO YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE LESS TRAVEL.

BENEFICIAL OBVIOUSLY.

>> YEAH.

SO WHAT THEY'VE DONE IS A BLOCK SCHEDULE WHERE WE PLAY TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

EITHER BE AT HOME ON THE ROAD.

EVERY MONDAY WILL BE AN OFF DAY.

THAT'S TO LIMIT THE TRAVEL BETWEEN CITIES WITH COVID TO KEEP THE GUYS SAFE.

WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE A BUBBLE FOR THEM.

WE'RE GOING TO PLAY MOST OF THE TEAMS CLOSEST TO US.

WE DO HAVE ONE TEAM THAT WE GO TO THE OTHER SIDE AND DO THAT.

BUT AS MUCH AS WE'RE SAVING TRAVEL, THE EXPENSES ARE STILL THERE.

WE USED TO BE A ONE-BUS TEAM AND NOW FOR THIS YEAR, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE TO HAVE THREE BUSS TO TRANSPORT 36 PEOPLE AROUND.

WE'RE USE TODAY PAYING FOR ONE AND NOW GOING TO THREE.

THAT'S A PRETTY BIG HIT PUNCH IN THE GUT FOR US.

>> YOU DON'T KNOW YET WHAT THE SCHEDULE WILL BE.

>> YEAH.

OUR SCHEDULE WILL COME OUT IN ROUGHLY ABOUT TWO TO THREE WEEKS.

WE'RE IN THE FINAL STAGES OF DOING THAT.

START OCTOBER 22ND AND 23RD.

AND THEN END THE SECOND WEEK OF APRIL.

SAME AMOUNT OF GAMES.

WE'LL HAVE 58 GAMES.

>> IN TERMS OF TRAVEL, THOUGH, THE SPHL THE SOUTHERN IS THE S. ARE YOU GOING TO BE PLAYING MANY GAMES DOWN THERE?

AND THERE'S A NEW ILLINOIS TEAM.

>> YEAH.

SO WE INCREASED OUR LEAGUE FOOTPRINT BY ADDING DANVILLE INTO THE LEAGUE WHICH WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT FOR OUR TRAVEL BUDGET AND SAVE THOSE EXPENSES.

AND JASON ALLUDED TO IT BUT WHAT COVID HAS CREATED FOR ALL SPORTS AT ALL LEVELS IS YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO ADAPT NOW.

THINGS THAT USED TO BE IN THE PAST THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN SHUNNED FOR, EVEN THE MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMS ARE DOING IT.

FOR US, TRAVEL IS A HUGE EXPENSE.

FOR US, IT WAS A HUGE EXPENSE WHEN WE HAD TEAMS AND TRAVELED TO PENNSICOLA.

THOSE ARE 17 TO $20,000 EXPENSES EVERY TIME.

NOW, WE'RE GOING TO THANKFULLY BE -- UNTIL THINGS GET BACK TO SOMEWHAT NORMAL WHERE EXPENSES CAN BE HANDLED ON EVERYBODY'S LEDGER AND START TO MOVE BACK OUT TO WHAT USED TO BE THE NORM.

>> YOU HAVE -- AND I DON'T KNOW THE INSIDE OF THE FINANCES.

I THINK IT WOULD BE AN ADVANTAGE IS YOU HAVE AFFILIATION WITH THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS AND THEY PAY FOR SOME OF YOUR EXPENSES.

>> THEY DO.

WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE PLAYERS, THE COACHES, TRAINERS, ALL THAT.

THE CARDINALS HANDLE THAT.

THEY ARE EMPLOYEES.

JUST USING THE STADIUM.

THEY'LL HELP PROVIDE BASS AND BASEBALLS.

WE USED TO SPLIT THAT EXPENSE UP UNTIL THIS YEAR.

TIS YEAR THEY'LL PAY THE FULL AMOUNT.

DEPENDING ON THE SEASON, THOSE CAN RACK UP WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT BASEBALL.

I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW EXPENSIVE THEY WERE.

THEY ARE PRETTY EXPENSIVE.

WHEN THEY GO OUT, THAT TALLIES UP.

THAT'S SOMETHING THEY ARE GOING TO HELP US WITH.

EVERYTHING ELSE, JERSEYS, ALL THE EXPENSES, MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND ALL THAT STUFF IS STILL ON US.

I DON'T THINK IT WILL CHANGE A WHOLE LOT FROM US.

THE CARDINALS, THERE WILL BE A TAKE AWAY FROM THE BATS AND BASEBALLS.

EVERYTHING ELSE WILL BE THE SAME.

>> MAINTENANCE ON THE STADIUM IS YOURS.

>> OH, YEAH.

IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO TAKE THAT ON, I'M LOOK FOR SOMEBODY -- I'D LOVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY PAY FOR IT.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE AN AFFILIATION WITH THE NHL.

>> YEAH.

WE'RE AN INDEPENDENT CLUB.

UNLIKE JASON, WE PAY FOR EVERYTHING.

FROM OUR PLAYER'S SALARIES TO PLAYER HOUSING AND APARTMENTS TO THE FURNISHINGS TO TRAVEL.

ALL THE EQUIPMENT, ALL THAT'S OURS.

AS MUCH AS WE'RE SIMILAR IN MANY STANCE, THERE'S PARTS OF THE BUSINESS THAT ARE DIFFERENT.

>> SO YOU PAY FOR APARTMENTS FOR THE PLAYERS?

>> YEAH.

WE PAY FOR ALL THEIR HOUSING.

WHEN THEY COME HERE, WE HAVE NO EXPENSE TO -- THEY HAVE NO EXPENSE TO LIVE.

ON THE NORTH END OF TOWN, NICE COMPLEX.

THEY ARE ALL FURNISHED.

INTERNET, CABLE, EVERYTHING'S PAID FOR BY THE TEAM.

WE INCUR THAT EXPENSE.

AND ALL THEIR EQUIPMENT AND TRAVEL WE TAKE CARE OF ALL THAT.

>> 18 PLAYERS?

>> WE HAVE 20 PLAYERS.

WE'RE LOOKING TO INCREASE THAT MAYBE ONE OR TWO NEXT YEAR JUST SO WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE COMINGS AND GOINGS AND UP AND DOWN TO HOPEFULLY KEEP THE BUBBLE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

>> IS THAT LEAGUE INSTITUTED?

>> YEAH.

>> AND YOU DO HAVE MORE PLAYERS?

>> WE DO, YEAH.

NORMALLY WE'D BE AT 25.

WE'RE GOING TO CARRY 30 THIS YEAR.

AND I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO DO THAT ACROSS EVERY LEAGUE JUST TO HAVE THOSE ADDITIONAL PLAYERS.

PART OF IT TOO IS A LOT OF THESE GUYS UP UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO, THEY HADN'T PLAYED BASEBALL IN A YEAR.

SO IT'S TO PROTECT THEM AND TO HAVE THE EXTRA PEOPLE IN CASE SOMEBODY GETS SICK.

INSTEAD OF HAVING TO FLY SOMEBODY TO FLORIDA TO HERE, THAT CAN LIMIT THE CATEGORY.

>> IT WILL BE A TEMPORARY THING?

>> AT LEAST FOR 21, A LOT OF DIRECTION GOING FORWARD GOING INTO 22.

FOR 21, WE'LL HAVE 30 PLAYERS ALL YEAR LONG.

>> FOR CLARIFICATION IS IT SET AT MORE THAN 20 FOR THE LEAGUE?

>> IT'S 20 RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE PLAYING IN AS WE STAND NOW.

WE'RE LOOKING TO EXPAND THAT.

WE LEAD THE LEAGUE IN CALL UPS, PLAYERS GOING UP TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

WHEN THAT HAPPENS, YOU HAVE TO FLY SOMEBODY IN JUST LIKE JASON DOES.

WHEN YOU ARE FLYING THAT MANY PEOPLE IN AND OUT ON LAST-MINUTE NOTICE NOT POSSIBLY TO BE ABLE TO GET TESTED IN TIME, THEY ARE EITHER SETTING OUT OR PUTTING THEM IN A TOUGH SITUATION AND POSSIBLY BURST THAT BUBBLE.

>> THE NHL BORROWED 3 BILLION; IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S WHAT THE NEWS I READ.

THAT WAS A LOT OF MONEY.

>> SOME OF THAT WAS FOR THEIR TEAMS BECAUSE OF REDUCED REVENUES.

THE SPHL DIDN'T DO THAT.

>> YEAH, WE DON'T BORROW ANY MONEY AS WELL AS JASON'S OWNERSHIP GROUP.

THEY DON'T BORROW MONEY.

IF THEY BORROW, IT'S AT THE LOCAL LEVEL OR OUT OF THEIR POEKTS.

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT THIS YEAR.

HAD GOOD YEARS THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS.

THAT'S ANOTHER REASON WE KEPT OUR EMPLOYEES.

WE WEREN'T GOING TO SHOW THEM THE DOOR BECAUSE OF THAT.

THERE'S NOBODY DISHING DOWN ANY MONEY TO US AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> IN OUR FINAL MOMENTS, I'D LIKE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE COVID ENVIRONMENT.

ENVIRONMENT.

>> I THINK IT'S PROBABLY JUST BEING OPEN TO TRY NEW THINGS.

THAT'S ONE THING THAT WE'VE LEARNED IS FOR US, WE'RE NOT JUST A BASEBALL STADIUM.

OTHER EVENTS TO HELP GENERATE REVENUE.

THAT'S EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THIS YEAR WITH LESS ATTENDANCE.

YOU GOT TO FIND WAYS TO SUPPLEMENT THAT INCOME.

THE OTHER THING FOR ME IS DON'T TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED.

I TOLD PEOPLE I WAS VERY NAÏVE IN THE FACT THAT REALLY STRIKES AND THINGS LIKE THAT WERE THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED SPORTS.

WOULD HAVE NEVER ENVISIONED SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IT AFFECTED SPORTS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I GOT TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH MY KIDS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S A GOOD THING FOR THEM.

FOR US, IT'S OPENED OUR EYES TO REALLY MAKE SURE WE ARE THE BEST WE CAN BE.

THE ORGANIZATION, YOU TALKED ABOUT COMMUNITY EARLIER.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE IN THE COMMUNITY.

BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE REALIZED.

BART TALKED ABOUT IT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ROLLED OVER.

WE WERE LUCKY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DONATED THEIR PURCHASE BACK.

AND THAT WAS VITAL FOR US TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE.

IT'S OUR TURN AS TEAMS TO GIVE BACK.

>> LESSONS LEARNED FOR THE HOCKEY TEAM.

>> I COULDN'T SAY IT BETTER.

WHAT JASON SAID IS WE'VE HAD TO LEARN TO ADAPT AND LOOK TO THE FUTURE AND HAVE THAT GOAL.

FOR US, IT'S OCTOBER 2021.

WE HAVE TO GET TO THAT POINT SOMEHOW SOME WAY.

AND WHAT YOU SAID IN REGARDS TO FEELING BLESSED TO HAVE THE SITUATION WE HAVE AND HAVE THE TEAMS CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD FOR THE COMMUNITY, THAT'S A PLUS.

WE NEED THEIR HELP AS WELL.

TO SAY THINGS ARE GOING TO BE THE SAME, WE'RE OPERATING THE SAME TEAMS AT THE SAME EXPENSE IN REDUCED CAPACITIES AND WHERE PEOPLE CAN HELP AND BUY A COUPLE TICKETS.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED.

>> YOU ARE ALSO PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S NOT JUST PEOPLE BUYING TICKETS.

BUT YOU ARE PART OF THE FABRIC.

>> CORRECT.

YEAH.

>> 38 OR 39 YEARS FOR THE CHIEFS.

THIS IS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY FOR HOCKEY IN PEORIA.

BOTH OF YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE CONVERSATION.

AND I'M GLAD THAT BOTH TEAMS SURVIVED THE MISSING YEAR.

>> WE ARE TOO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> LET ME SAY THANK YOU TO BART ROGERS WHO IS THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND OWNER OF THE PEORIA RIVERMEN.

AND JASON MOTT WHO IS THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE PEORIA CHIEFS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO BASEBALL AND HOCKEY IN A NEW SEASON.

AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON AT ISSUE ON WTVP.

PLEASE JOIN US NEXT TIME.