Ducks Lovers and Ducks Haters Face Off

It seems corporate influence has once again won out over public interest. How can (Disney Chairman) Michael Eisner possibly name Anaheim’s new National Hockey League team the Mighty Ducks? The only reason I can see for giving the team such a Mickey Mouse name is the free advertising it will give the movie (which, not surprisingly, is scheduled for video release in the near future).

On the other hand, the reasons for dropping the name are plentiful. Logically, ducks fly south for the winter and are hunted. Business-wise, I can’t see anyone wearing a shirt with a duck on it, and “Anaheim Mighty Ducks” has no ring to it. Team-wise, would you want to play for a team with Donald Duck for a mascot and “the Pond” alive to the sound of quacking (of course, you would have to get O.C. residents to actually quack)?

I have heard there are many Duck supporters out there. Of the ones I’ve come across, they couldn’t name the team Steve Yzerman plays for (Detroit Redwings), the two conferences of the NHL (the Campbell and Wales) and the name of the trophy awarded to the NHL’s top scorer (the Art Ross Trophy). These are all very easy questions for hockey fans--the very same people who will buy tickets and merchandise even after the novelty of a new team has died. Remember, the Pittsburgh Penguins struggled for over 23 years to win their first (Stanley) Cup, they changed their mascot design after their second consecutive championship and their name was voted (on) by the citizens of Pittsburgh.

Will Eisner continue to support a team for 23 years (or even five years) of losing and minimum merchandise sales? Or will he “duck and cover,” leaving Anaheim with an empty arena because no one wants to play in the Pond?

I challenge Mr. Eisner to put his choice up for a vote. While he’s at it, put my choice up for grabs: the California Coyotes of Anaheim Arena.

C. LAWRENCE KIM

Buena Park