Sports
Worcester's Pro Hockey Team Needs More Money Before Play
The owner is looking for corporate sponsors to help fuel the cost of the team.
WORCESTER, MA — While Cliff Rucker, owner of the new Worcester pro hockey team set to start its first season in October of next year, already backs the team with millions of his own, he needs a minimum of $350,000 from corporate sponsors.
Rucker needs $350,000 in sponsorships, plus the sale of 1,500 season tickets to get final approval from ECHL, reports the Worcester Business Journal.
Worcester hits the ice in October 2017, when the Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League opens its 30th season, making it the third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, according to the announcement.
Worcester will play its home games at the DCU Center, which holds 12,239 seats.
“We are pleased to welcome Worcester, Massachusetts to the ECHL,” ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna said in a statement announcing the team. “Cliff Rucker made a very impressive presentation to our Board of Governors. He laid out a strong business plan, that has broad-based community support and is prepared to take the proper lead time to execute a successful introduction.”
