Page "Chicago Blackhawks" Paragraph 36

A somber note was struck in February 2004, when ESPN named the Blackhawks the worst franchise in professional sports.

Indeed, the Blackhawks were viewed with much indifference by Chicagoans for much of the 1990s and early 2000s, due to anger over several policies instituted by late owner Bill Wirtz ( derisively known as " Dollar Bill ").

For example, Wirtz did not allow home games to be televised in the Chicago area, claiming it was unfair to the team's season ticket holders.

He also raised ticket prices to an average of $ 50, among the most expensive in the league.

Many hockey fans in Chicago began supporting the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves.

For a time, the Wolves took a jab at the Hawks with the slogan, " We Play Hockey The Old-Fashioned Way: We Actually Win.

" The club under Wirtz was then subject of a highly critical book, Career Misconduct, sold outside games until Wirtz had its author and publisher arrested.