The Yarmulke Saga

There really are no words to describe what went down tonight.

Like any decent hockey fan, I check out Puck Daddy pretty regularly. It's always good for a laugh, definitely informative, and the comments remind me why I will never be a people person. So, when the put a post up about a zany giveaway I laughed.

Unlike past posts, this wasn't some crazy CHL giveaway or the Wranglers up to their usually insanity. No, an NHL team was giving away something pretty out there.

For whatever reason, the Florida Panthers decided it would be a great idea to give away yarmulkes.

And, let's be honest, they had to put their logo on it right?

So, as I'm just laugh at the insanity of the Panthers marketing team something occurs to me. We kind of live a short drive away. I could have a Panthers yarmulke if I wanted to, all I would have to do is drive right across to Sunrise. It couldn't be any better right?

Because I'm a good friend, and I know two of my Twitter buddies @CaityKauffman and @CVClyde, are just as appreciative of zaniness, I sent off some texts and of course they were in. Seriously, who wouldn't be?

 Tuesday afternoon rolls around and off we go to the Panthers game, absolutely pumped by getting our hands on some sweet yarmulkes. We get over to the East coast without any problems, walk right up to the ticket booth, and next thing we know they're offering an upgrade to the eighth row on the seats we wanted.

Couldn't get any better right?

We get through the security check and get our tickets scanned. No problems.

I know I stood around pretty confused for a good two minutes. Where was the guy handing me my awesome Panthers yarmulke?

We eventually flagged a guy who worked for the team down and asked if they ran out. He informed us that they were only for special group packages.

Well, um, OK. Might as well head to our awesome seats, right?

Unfortunately, for the Panthers, technology today is to the point where you can check the Internet from your phone, or your friend can send a tweet to the person who wrote the original blog post that inspired you to drive an hour and a half across the state of Florida for a piece of cloth with a Panthers logo on it.

So, we had no choice but to launch an investigation. I'm going to quote from Caity's Twitter stream. Mostly because I may have been to chicken to get all up in someones grill. Also, someone had to guard our seats (at least that's what I'm going to tell myself).

@wyshynski I'm going to go do some journalistic questioning of Panthers employees... I demand my yarmulke!

Investigation commencing. RT "@Sean_Leahy: @caitykauffman Interesting. Site promo says "all ticket buyers" - http://bit.ly/gLsOE8"

Guest services has no idea about alleged yarmulkes. Sent to section 105. #yarmulkegate2010

Um, section 105 is a random Jewish heritage DJ who is not affiliated with the Panthers. Lies. GIVE ME MY TACKY YARMULKE #yarmulkegate2010

 At guest services hanging out with an actual Hebrew woman who is distraught about lack of yarmulkes.

According to Panthers guest services, a third party (Jewish organization) was supposed to provide yarmulkes. Looks like it fell through.

I actually want to watch the game, so after the second period ends (7:37 remaining), I'll finish the quest for a Panthers yarmulke.

JUST SAW A STACK OF YARMULKES CLANDESTINELY HANDED TO A MAN IN A SUIT WTF.

Confronted gal who had custody of mysterious yarmulkes - in charge of sponsorship. Showed her NHL press release. Sent to client services.

Second intermission. Off to confront client services. #yarmulkegate2010

According to this dude: group sales only. Mailing some to season tix holders... & now us

 After all this goes down, the Florida PAnthers finally mande an announcement. Sort of.

*Tonight's giveaway was not an actual giveaway to everyone that attended, just those that bought a special pack for the game...

 Then, after sending this out via Twitter they went back, and actually changed information regarding this event on their website. Like I said, there really are no words.

I'm not surprised that this went down. It really is a good way to sum up the organization as a whole. Lots of promises they can't keep, disappointment, half-arsed apologies, and no ability to admit they were wrong.

Now, I admit it was pretty silly to pester people about a scrap of cloth with a Panthers logo, and really, it is incredibly silly. If the stupid thing doesn't show up in my mailbox within the next week I'm going to be able to go on with my life.

But, the next time I think about seeing an NHL game I'll think twice about heading to Sunrise. I'd rather travel the same distance to Tampa and give my money to the Lightning. Because honestly, the Everblades, an ECHL team that's afraid of technology and their fan base, runs a tighter ship than the Panthers. And that's sad.