He's loving it: McDonald's owner serves up hockey

An average of 4,500 fans per night will be necessary to make a profit.
YOUNGSTOWN -- For Herb Washington, means and opportunity met at the right time.
The Youngstown resident and entrepreneur was introduced Wednesday as the owner of a minor-league hockey team that will take up residence in the downtown convocation center for the 2005-06 season.
The name of the team, which will play in the Central Hockey League, will be announced in about two weeks. A name-the-team contest can be accessed at ytownconvocationcenter.com
Washington, who owns 21 restaurants, is the largest black American McDonald's owner/operator in the country. He has the means to own a professional franchise and, with his background in sports, he has a fan's interest.
"I was primarily motivated to being a contributor to making this community a better place," said Washington. "Hockey happened to be the vehicle."
"You can be a guy who stands on the sidelines and says, 'What if,' or be a participant and make change."
Key to success of building
Washington believes the hockey franchise is important to the success of the convocation center, which in turn will be important to downtown revitalization.
"I think it can play a significant role in changing the image of Youngstown," he said. "The convocation center has to be successful. Why not do everything in our power to support the events as best we can to make this better place, not just for ourselves, but for our children and grandchildren?"
Washington said he was impressed by his experience at CHL games he's attended in Texas.
"They have new facilities, similar to the convocation center, and they had tremendous attendance," Washington said. "The CHL experience is not just a hockey game, but entertainment for the entire family."
Brad Treliving is the president of the CHL, which is based in Phoenix. There are 17 teams in the league this season; the closest geographically is in Memphis, Tenn.
"The easiest comparison is that the CHL is like Class AA level in professional baseball," Treliving said.
Developmental league
The Eastern League, which includes Cleveland Indians affiliate Akron Aeros, is a Class AA baseball league.
"We're a developmental league," Treliving added. "Players are in their first through five years as pros, and they come from all over. We have players from the Canadian and U.S. junior leagues and also from Europe."
The next step for CHL players would be the American Hockey League, which includes the Cleveland Barons, and then the National Hockey League.
"Outside of the product our league is about entertainment," Treliving said. "Fans who come to our games don't have to have a long-standing knowledge of hockey to have an enjoyable experience."
Get rid of the negativity
Treliving said bringing a franchise to Youngstown was judged to on three issues -- ownership, community and facilities.
"I've been very impressed with Mr. Washington really from the first day we met," Treliving said. "He brings to the table the profile of owner we want -- ties to the community, his background in sports and business.
"This is sports and entertainment, but it's also a business and we can't lose sight of that. Mr. Washington has proven to be very successful businessman, and we're seeing that he will run a first-class organization."
Part of that organization will be concerned with enticing fans to come downtown.
"We've got to get rid of the negativity," Washington said. "If we believe it can happen then we will make it happen. We have to convert the naysayers; we can't let them stand in our way. This is the right thing to do."
Washington's goal will be to put on a first-class product.
"I believe in the mentality that the nicer you make things, the nicer people act. When you dress up, people tend to be nicer; when you have a nice facility, people will act nice, and that will make for a better experience for everyone."
Washington said he'll start interviewing prospective coaches soon.
"We have some time to get things done, but we're less than a year from actually taking the ice," he said. "My goal is to put a competitive team on the ice; I'll be a hands-on owner, but I'll allow the coach to run the team."
Washington said an average of 4,500 fans per game will be necessary for the franchise to be profitable.
"This is a town that loves its sports," he said. "When hockey is played in November through early March, the whole package will be an event that will be family-oriented. We want to give people a reason to get out in the middle of winter."