The Touchback
The Touchback
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The Rise & Fall of San Francisco’s Last Hockey Team
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San Jose Sharks History: x.com/sjsharkshistory
When the San Francisco Bulls were announced as one of what would be four expansion ECHL franchises in September of 2011, it was met with fairly muted optimism. People in the big city aren’t getting overly excited about minor-league hockey.
When the team folded during its second season at the Cow Palace, many were left wondering where it all went wrong. Despite good marketing, community outreach, solid attendance numbers, and an okay enough on-ice product, the Bulls were unable to make it work, although it wasn’t exactly the team’s fault.
Pat Curcio would not only be the founder and owner of the San Fransico Bulls, but he was also the team president, general manager, and head coach. A lot of hats but many of which he had some experience wearing. Curcio played minor league hockey as well as in Europe and had spent nearly a decade coaching at various minor league teams in the US and Canada.
He gets a group of investors together, some from his native Canada and some stateside and he manages to secure an ECHL expansion franchise. The choice of San Francisco for their team also made sense, at least on the surface.
It’s a big market and there was a building ready for use in the Cow Palace. Let’s be real; it is easier to sell on an investment group, many of whom aren’t locals, on playing in San Francisco than, say, Fresno and Selland Arena.
The problem was that the Cow Palace was not ready to host hockey. Getting it ready ends up being a money pit. Seriously, they would have been better off buying a boat.
This would be the start of the Bulls rapid rise and even quicker fall.
About The Touchback
#takeitouttothe25
The Touchback is the world's best sports and culture website…or something like that. You'll either really like it or really hate it. But it's worth reading either way.
Переглядів: 318

Відео

Sonoma State Cuts Athletics Again and They'll Probably Regret It...Again
Переглядів 1,7 тис.9 годин тому
Like us on Facebook: TouchbackThe Follow on X: TouchbackThe History has a funny way of repeating itself. Take Sonoma State athletics for instance. Roughly 50 years ago now, the school dropped athletics. They were brought back and lived a modest life but have now been dropped again. By the way, good luck finding that fact in any story out there on SSU dropping its athlet...
Is the NBA Really Unwatchable?
Переглядів 1,2 тис.12 годин тому
Checkout Cyro Asseo: www.youtube.com/@CyroAsseo cyroasseo hoopshype.com/author/cyroasseo/ Like us on Facebook: TouchbackThe Follow on X: TouchbackThe Stop me if you’ve heard or read this phrase before, “The NBA is unwatchable.” It is a debate that is putting a lot of millennials, myself included, in quite a bind. On one hand, I don’t always love watching wha...
The Weird Attempt to Combine American & Australian Football
Переглядів 6 тис.16 годин тому
Austus Newsreel: ua-cam.com/video/tL-qqLUO28I/v-deo.html Austus rulebook sent to America: graham64.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/austus-booklet-1.pdf What do you get when you take American soldiers and place them on the world’s most sporting continent? Well, a lot of drinking and a lot of fights for starters. But eventually, you would also get an attempt to combine what would eventua...
The Not Sacramento A’s Think Sacramento is Stupid
Переглядів 5 тис.День тому
Like us on Facebook: TouchbackThe Follow on X: TouchbackThe The A’s aren’t wearing a Sacramento jersey patch to honor this city. They are wearing them to upsell fans into buying the more expensive jersey types. That patch costs about a dollar to make and will cost you $20 out the door, at least. This is such a blatant upsell maneuver that the team may as well call these...
College Football’s Weirdest Team is Officially Disbanded
Переглядів 23 тис.День тому
Like us on Facebook: TouchbackThe Follow on X: TouchbackThe Simon Fraser football has been officially disbanded. The news comes more than 18 months after the school dropped football. You have to go back even further than that for the last time Simon Fraser football actually took to the field. This was 2022 when the Red Leafs, formerly known as the Clansmen, crushed West...
The Case Against NDSU Moving Up To FBS
Переглядів 13 тис.День тому
Like us on Facebook: TouchbackThe Follow on X: TouchbackThe North Dakota State is an FCS powerhouse, having won 10 national championships over the past 14 seasons. The Pac-Insert number here desperately needs members and is doing everything in its power to avoid Sacramento State. A team too good for its current level and a conference needing to make a splash, seems like...
The Longest Season in Soccer History
Переглядів 11 тис.14 днів тому
The Singapore Premier League kicked off on May 10th, 2024 with a doubleheader. By the time the competition concludes, the earth will have completed one orbit around the sun. It is the longest planned season in history. Soccer leagues date back to 1888, but no one has ever attempted to do what is happening in the Lion City. Sure, the Danish Superliga also covered 12 months, but that was only due...
A History of Raiders Dysfunction
Переглядів 2,5 тис.14 днів тому
Like us on Facebook: TouchbackThe The autumn wind may be a Raider. The problem with wind is that without navigation, you’ll be blown horribly off course. If Polaris for everywhere NFL franchise is winning the Super Bowl, the Raiders find themselves marooned in uncharted waters. A team that prides itself on history and tradition, has tossed it all over board. The current captain is ...
NJPW is Dying...Kind Of
Переглядів 4,1 тис.21 день тому
Like us on Facebook: TouchbackThe Follow on X: TouchbackThe RIP New Japan Pro Wrestling. Okay, so it is not technically dead. The promotion isn’t sharing cemetery space with the UWF or anything like that. But its efforts to expand among a Western fan base are certainly dying. That means in many ways, it certainly feels like a day of mourning for NJPW. At least that is h...
College Football’s Biggest Coaching Enigma
Переглядів 3,4 тис.21 день тому
Wrong Sports Video on Willamette Football in Hawaii: ua-cam.com/video/jMK7DGDW5RU/v-deo.html Article on Dan Hawkins & His Positive Approach: www.5280.com/dan-hawkins-and-the-power-of-positive-thinking/ Like us on Facebook: TouchbackThe Follow on X: TouchbackThe Dan Hawkins, where do you even begin? Oh, who are we kidding? You start with the Big XII, this ain't intramura...
Pat McAfee: Hypocrite. Enabler. Karen.
Переглядів 3 тис.28 днів тому
Like us on Facebook: TouchbackThe Follow on X: TouchbackThe Hearing Pat McAfee cry about the Indianapolis Colts reminded me of words he once shared with Washington State Cougars fans. Shut up, Pat. I’m about sick of you wasting time. Ah yes, who can forget when McAfee waged a war of words against Wazzu because they were unhappy with how things were shaking out with the ...
Return of the Kangs: Sacramento Kings Can't Quit Dysfunction
Переглядів 2,3 тис.Місяць тому
Like us on Facebook: TouchbackThe Follow on X: TouchbackThe The Sacramento Kings have fired head coach Mike Brown, proving why it is the most incompetent, poorly run organization this side of Clean Sweep, the company team that brought aboard janitor Ernest P. Worrell as a cheerleader/mascot who eventually made his way onto the court. Hell, at least Ernest was visited by...
The Worst of Sports in 2024
Переглядів 1,2 тис.Місяць тому
Save 10% at Royal Retros when using the promo code: TOUCHBACK Shop Royal Retros Here: www.503-sports.com/discount/TOUCHBACK?redirect=/?aff=52&aff=52 Like us on Facebook: TouchbackThe Follow on X: TouchbackThe It is the end of the year. And sports fans were served up some real duds in 2024. Tom Brady on commentary. Saudi Arabia was awarded the World Cup. Games now spread...
You’ll Never Look at NFL Ownership the Same
Переглядів 1,5 тис.Місяць тому
Monarchies can work, but historically speaking, they are most likely to fail miserably. Leaders overstep their bounds, people don’t know their roles, and babies are put in charge. Yet, most NFL franchises have decided this model is ideal for their team’s operations. Okay, so pro football teams won’t allow babies to lead them…then again…I’ll let you make the call on that. This medieval-based set...
Idaho Football is at a Crossroads…Again
Переглядів 3,5 тис.Місяць тому
Idaho Football is at a Crossroads…Again
An American’s Guide to Big Bash League 14
Переглядів 974Місяць тому
An American’s Guide to Big Bash League 14
Are Sac State’s Football Plans Flatlining?
Переглядів 6 тис.Місяць тому
Are Sac State’s Football Plans Flatlining?
The Weird World of Soccer Teams Playing in Foreign Leagues
Переглядів 27 тис.Місяць тому
The Weird World of Soccer Teams Playing in Foreign Leagues
NASCAR is Disappearing...
Переглядів 3,4 тис.Місяць тому
NASCAR is Disappearing...
Was the First Basketball Game for PS2 also the Worst?
Переглядів 741Місяць тому
Was the First Basketball Game for PS2 also the Worst?
The NFL's Biggest Phony: The Man in Black
Переглядів 16 тис.2 місяці тому
The NFL's Biggest Phony: The Man in Black
The Sacramento River Cats Aren't Going to Oakland
Переглядів 4,4 тис.2 місяці тому
The Sacramento River Cats Aren't Going to Oakland
Who's to Blame for the Tampa Bay Rays Stadium Fiasco?
Переглядів 6 тис.2 місяці тому
Who's to Blame for the Tampa Bay Rays Stadium Fiasco?
The Game That Introduced Rugby to a Generation of Americans…Kind Of
Переглядів 7 тис.2 місяці тому
The Game That Introduced Rugby to a Generation of Americans…Kind Of
What Will the NBA Look Like in 2030?
Переглядів 8622 місяці тому
What Will the NBA Look Like in 2030?
The Pac-12 and Mountain West Will Be Irrelevant Unless…
Переглядів 8 тис.2 місяці тому
The Pac-12 and Mountain West Will Be Irrelevant Unless…
MLB Exposes Its Own Hypocrisy in Diamond Sports Group Lawsuit
Переглядів 2,3 тис.2 місяці тому
MLB Exposes Its Own Hypocrisy in Diamond Sports Group Lawsuit
Sacramento Republic FC Get New Owners. Is MLS Next?
Переглядів 3,6 тис.2 місяці тому
Sacramento Republic FC Get New Owners. Is MLS Next?
A Sacramento View on the Not Sacramento A’s…
Переглядів 7 тис.2 місяці тому
A Sacramento View on the Not Sacramento A’s…

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @limpwhale
    @limpwhale 11 хвилин тому

    My biggest complaint which is pretty universal in the sports world, is the officiating and the watch ability. If the officiating is horrible, it slows down the game, which makes the game boring to watch. Also watching NBA MLB or different sports games has been been a hassle. The fact that we can’t watch games in our local towns on the League app is ridiculous.

  • @niksocal
    @niksocal 13 хвилин тому

    We need a Rugby Club World Cup!

    • @niksocal
      @niksocal 12 хвилин тому

      Second most popular sport in The World!

  • @ianlalonde5373
    @ianlalonde5373 Годину тому

    Who owned the Cow Palace, was it the city or someone else?

  • @99tjpro
    @99tjpro Годину тому

    the fact that the sharks chose san jose was such an auraless decision

  • @georgeblangfordjr.1771
    @georgeblangfordjr.1771 Годину тому

    Rohnert Park is also home to Graton Casino

  • @krakrex780
    @krakrex780 2 години тому

    As someone who loved going to Cuda games when I was out there for a few years, minor league sports in the Bay is a terrible decision. No one cares in the Bay unless you are the top league. The only odd one is the SJ Giants. I went to Cuda games during week days and maybe there were 200 people in the stands. And that’s IN San Jose. Weekend games were some what better but no missed out on really good hockey.

  • @alexandercronk5694
    @alexandercronk5694 4 години тому

    Maybe this would have worked better if they'd done it in Oakland? There is a BART station at least.

  • @PCSPounder
    @PCSPounder 4 години тому

    One of the investors was Angela Batinovich, who had been a primary owner of the Portland Lumberjax indoor lacrosse team. IIRC, she was dating a player and that got her interested. Naturally, the expense of renting Moda Center and not really being able to build something from scratch didn’t deter her from this investment. Shrug.

  • @Lawomenshoops
    @Lawomenshoops 4 години тому

    Cow Palace is in Daly City, right?

    • @PCSPounder
      @PCSPounder 4 години тому

      Oh yes. Imagine trying to drive there from the South Bay on a weeknight in the Sharks days.

  • @MirzaAhmed89
    @MirzaAhmed89 7 годин тому

    19:30 2020? How then did that Singapore youth team win the Malaysian league in 2013?

  • @MirzaAhmed89
    @MirzaAhmed89 7 годин тому

    21:14 how does a suspension in 2019 end in 2012?

  • @Waywind420
    @Waywind420 9 годин тому

    I think objectively AFL is one of the smartest designs for a sport. It emphasizes a high degree of fitness, mixed with a moderate level of kicking, sprinting, side stepping and tackling. The tackles are tough but rarely do they break a man. There is no position requiring players be obese to play, all the players are muscular but lean. The high marks are spectacular feats to watch and the variation of kicks players use is quite artistic. The game is almost always flowing with activity so you never get too bored. With that being said, American Football seems more idyllic, with more intriguing tactics and athleticism.

  • @njbrock22
    @njbrock22 11 годин тому

    sadly over the last few years it feels like 1 of these happen a year, we had 3 in the last 30ish years that i know of including this(the other 2 being Northeast Illinois and St. Francis of Brooklyn) feels like it happens a LOT more down at the D2 and D3 levels though it's more likely the school shuts down or just merges with another program instead and thus just cease to exist

  • @Hakuna65Matata
    @Hakuna65Matata 18 годин тому

    Oh traffic is traffic in South Philadelphia during any night if any of the 4 teams are playing down there. Plus theirs a thing called SEPTA. OH If your driving to the game. GET THEIR EARLY AND NOT SIT IN A 3 hour traffic gridlock

  • @Hakuna65Matata
    @Hakuna65Matata 18 годин тому

    If your comparing CunturyLink Field to The Linc. Your the problem. CenturyLink Field is built on the same location where the KING DOME once stood. Thats the reason why Seattle played their 1 season at Huskie Stadium at the University of Washington. The Linc was built catty corner from the old Veterans Stadium. Theirs enough parking, its the reason why its called a sports complex. TRY AND BUILD THE LINC in Center City Philadelphia. YOU CAN'T!!! Another thing is that their training facility is like 2-3 blocks away from the stadium. All that parking is for tailgating, which is HUUGE in Philadelphia, if you get rid of that, people would RIOT!!!!!!!!

  • @williamcrowley7920
    @williamcrowley7920 21 годину тому

    Excellent piece. You did a lot of quality research. Sonoma State dropped intercollegiate athletics from 1974-79 during another period of administrative instability, and at a time when our men's basketball team had just won the conference title two years in a row. Sports started up again when a new president took the reins in 1977 and saw the need for intercollegiate sports if the campus was going to continue to exist. Alas, he turned out to be a horrific, egotistical monster who was fired in 1982. But he did get sports going. I was on the faculty during all of this and a member and sometimes chair of the Athletic council.

  • @DrJuliusG
    @DrJuliusG 23 години тому

    Sten is a fkn genius.

  • @MrQdiddy85
    @MrQdiddy85 День тому

    I’m sorry they use to be called what now?!?

  • @united9328
    @united9328 День тому

    Australian Football is better than American Football

  • @issameQ
    @issameQ День тому

    The fact that you referred to meat and butter as unhealthy foods tells me all I need to know. Go comment on something else.

    • @thetouchback
      @thetouchback 19 годин тому

      Butter, by any metric, is unhealthy. Anyone arguing otherwise is a brainwashed fool. Of course, that explains why you follow a chiropractor giving out health advice.

  • @FelipePavzin-y4y
    @FelipePavzin-y4y День тому

    What a Debacle

  • @FelipePavzin-y4y
    @FelipePavzin-y4y День тому

    JUST FOCUS TO NJPW THATS IT

  • @FelipePavzin-y4y
    @FelipePavzin-y4y День тому

    Dude This is tough

  • @JoeyCrakk
    @JoeyCrakk День тому

    4:54 and septa one of the best transportation systems in America

  • @JoeyCrakk
    @JoeyCrakk День тому

    And we going to the Super Bowl to take that💚🦅💚🦅💚🦅

  • @CyroAsseo
    @CyroAsseo День тому

    I love pupussas, literally pupussas de arroz are so good!

  • @Rob_D74
    @Rob_D74 День тому

    The American football is too small, light and pointed to kick acurately when compared to the Australian Rules Football. Using the American football would have been a big advantage to the Americans.

  • @smaug3045
    @smaug3045 День тому

    Sorry, but he has helped me a lot, I will go with him, as well as checking his advice.

  • @KentWilbourne
    @KentWilbourne 2 дні тому

    You are exaggerating to attempt to discredit a intelligent medical practitioner who cannot refer to himself as a doctor unless it's legal to do so because though not a MD, he is a doctor of chiopractor. The proof is always in the pudding. Dr. Mandell has helped millions with advice about nutrition and exercise! :o)

  • @richietrocchajr1965
    @richietrocchajr1965 2 дні тому

    Working security at MetLife stadium, I worked those back to back prime time games. Jets & Giants games are two totally different atmospheres. Giant games have a better behaved crowd even when the Eagles come to town. Jet games are usually wilder & primetime games are usually crazier with younger drunk fans! Bills & Patriot fans come in for their games and the fights are epic. Closing the beer lines after halftime is easier during a giants game than at a jets game.

  • @Butwhythoo
    @Butwhythoo 2 дні тому

    Nightmare traffic??? Next to the 95?

  • @skatehq9445
    @skatehq9445 2 дні тому

    I honestly respect their marketing trying to get Americans to get in touch with their Scottish roots and all that crap they buy into but it is a complete scam, it would only be worth it if they ever managed to get up into a higher league

  • @kitdf6385
    @kitdf6385 2 дні тому

    Bro are you mental? You talk about how much it sticks out as a sore thumb in South Philadelphia when that’s the NRG sports complex for Philly. NRG said by Philly Locos to be a genius idea. For easy transportation without interrupting other businesses.

  • @AussieTVMusic
    @AussieTVMusic 2 дні тому

    Never heard of this.

  • @williamlloyd3769
    @williamlloyd3769 2 дні тому

    Think in the end, the remains of PAC12 and Mountain West will merge and say to hell with excessive travel toll on our student athletics. Fans can like us or hate us but we will go our own way.

  • @hogziller
    @hogziller 2 дні тому

    Love your videos, I question how many more schools might end up shutting down athletics now because of NIL and other changes where students get paid to play..... which I'm completely against

  • @mkn.567
    @mkn.567 3 дні тому

    I mean if you've actually watched any of the pro-mo videos you're never promised that you're investment is gonna bring you riches. lol. You are pretty silly if you invest thinking this is a way to riches. I did this because I enjoy traveling for football and being around locals, and I've always wanted to go to Scotland. For my investment I get a jersey, a bunch of merch, and contact people to go over and meet and have a pint with. In my case, it's a win.

    • @thetouchback
      @thetouchback 2 дні тому

      The club is literally implying there are opportunities to make money by investing. I didn't make that up. They are the ones putting that out there.

  • @CelsoCandor
    @CelsoCandor 3 дні тому

    Real rugby league fans will stay watch the whole game whether they like the teams playing or not

    • @thetouchback
      @thetouchback 2 дні тому

      But people aren't staying for all the games during Magic Round in Brisbane.

    • @CelsoCandor
      @CelsoCandor 2 дні тому

      @thetouchback That's true. They only watch their team plays, instead of watching all the teams. I don't mind watching 3-4 games in one day. Magic Round is a fun event, all NRL teams will be there.

  • @ismaelfreytes1106
    @ismaelfreytes1106 3 дні тому

    Afl are other hybrid code Universal Football is mix of rugby league and afl

  • @retchieabel5755
    @retchieabel5755 3 дні тому

    What's wrong with his teachings?

  • @Rage_Harder_Then_Relax
    @Rage_Harder_Then_Relax 3 дні тому

    I have never ever heard of this event. That's wild !!

  • @tootiethepawpatrolpup
    @tootiethepawpatrolpup 3 дні тому

    I like the digital boards it's fun i want them in person I repeat i want them in person

    • @thetouchback
      @thetouchback 3 дні тому

      The issue with that would be the glare the LED light gives off the ice. I believe that is why the NHL never introduced those soccer-style digital ad boards.

    • @tootiethepawpatrolpup
      @tootiethepawpatrolpup 3 дні тому

      @thetouchback that's disappointing I want to see those in person

  • @LymetimeProductions
    @LymetimeProductions 3 дні тому

    Ron Turner. Now that's a name I don't remember 😂

  • @BenDRobinson
    @BenDRobinson 3 дні тому

    Lots of people mentioning the Australian-Gaelic games, of which I was a fan. (It seems not many others were.) It may be a relevant precedent, but there are some huge differences. Firstly, rules: Australian and Gaelic footy are pretty similar to begin with, much more so than either compared to American. Secondly, money: GAA is amateur, and the top players are happy to pull on a guernsey to represent their country, and enjoy the sponsored travel etc. from a relatively cashed up AFL. But the AFL doesn't have the sort of money it would need to tempt to the top NFL players onto the park. Some sort of engagement with college level football in the USA would be a more realistic target.

  • @sjkebab
    @sjkebab 3 дні тому

    1:38 That is not even close to a handpass.

  • @NoName-ds5uq
    @NoName-ds5uq 3 дні тому

    I’d never heard of this until now, and I live in an AFL heartland state! There is International Rules Football which has been played between Australia and Ireland, a cross between Gaelic football and Aussie rules though.

  • @bloodspartan300
    @bloodspartan300 3 дні тому

    When is california gonna break up into 2 different states? Or 3?

    • @hogziller
      @hogziller 2 дні тому

      As soon as North and South Dakota combine into 1 state

  • @sentimentalbloke185
    @sentimentalbloke185 3 дні тому

    A well researched video, chief 👍In 1906, the controlling body of the Australian game, the Australasian Football Council, attempted, via Teddy Roosevelt, to get it introduced in to American colleges at time when Roosevelt wanted to reduce the level of violence in American football. IMO, Austus was never really viable as an organized sport, it was more of a 'espirit de corps' thing between servicemen fighting on the same side brought about by curiosity on both sides. It was the unique circumstance created by WW2.

  • @davecannabis
    @davecannabis 3 дні тому

    well heres a clue in reference is it better to throw the ball or kick it, you thow the ball in HAND ball and you kick it in FOOTball geeze you really mangled that handpass , badly

  • @mikeythehat6693
    @mikeythehat6693 3 дні тому

    Just so you know, in relatively recent times the AFL (Australian Football League) organized a series of combined rules games between Australia and Ireland (Gaelic Football). It was more popular than you'd think and very violent. They played a best of 3 series and it continued for several years (I'm not gonna look it up but, maybe, ten years).