Bloomington Bison Hockey Club

What Bloomington Bison Hockey Club does

Bloomington Bison Hockey Club is a privately held professional hockey franchise that began play in 2024 as a member team of the ECHL, the third tier of professional hockey in North America. The franchise is headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, playing home games at Grossinger Motors Arena and operating a front office at 318 W Washington Street with The Herd Store, an on-site merchandise retail location. As of mid-2026 it employs roughly 35 staff across front-office, hockey operations, and retail functions, led by President Andy Zilch and Head Coach / VP of Hockey Operations Phillip Barski.

The team's core products are ticketed live entertainment and community-based fan experiences, organized into multiple access tiers — single-game tickets, full-season memberships (from $79/month interest-free), 18-game half-season plans, flex voucher banks, premium and party suites, group outings (corporate, birthday, youth hockey), and game-day experience add-ons such as Bench Buddies, Anthem Buddies, Fan Tunnels, and Shoot the Puck contests. Ancillary revenue comes from branded merchandise sold through the brick-and-mortar Herd Store, an online storefront at gamedayshop.com, and memorabilia auctions on DASH. Sponsorship revenue is generated through a diversified partner base across healthcare (Carle Health as Official Healthcare Provider, plus several specialty medical partners), automotive (Sam Leman), hospitality (Double Tree by Hilton), fitness (Four Seasons Health Club), and QSR (Jimmy John's, which sponsors the Stick 2 Reading literacy program). Distribution relies on Ticketmaster for single-game inventory, a direct sales team for season and group accounts, and digital channels (email/SMS, social, FanSaves) for fan acquisition.

The franchise operates a community-led, event-driven GTM motion with no proprietary technology layer. Strategic differentiation rests on territorial exclusivity as the sole ECHL franchise in the Bloomington-Normal market, a multi-program community ecosystem (Stick 2 Reading, Education Day, Little Bison Kids Club, donation requests, mascot appearances), and a July 2026 affiliation agreement with the NHL's Winnipeg Jets and AHL's Manitoba Moose that establishes a credible player development pathway. As of the 2025-26 season the team has reached the ECHL playoffs, signaling positive early demand in its second year of operation.

Name

Bloomington Bison Hockey Club

Legal name

Bloomington Bison Hockey Club

Website

https://bloomingtonbisonhockey.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bloomington Bison Hockey Club is a privately held ECHL professional hockey franchise founded in 2024 and based in Bloomington, Illinois, selling tickets, merchandise, sponsorships, and community-based fan experiences to regional consumers, corporate groups, and K-6 schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Hockey / Live Sports Entertainment

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Team Sports Matches (Club & National) (MPAGAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Ice Hockey & Field Hockey Equipment Retail (CRAMAEAE)

Keywords

• Professional hockey team
• Minor league hockey
• Live sports entertainment
• Hockey game tickets
• Sports merchandise

Headquarters

HQ city

Bloomington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: The primary revenue stream is ticket sales across multiple product lines: full season memberships, half-season plans, single-game tickets, flex voucher tickets, and group outings. The team sells premium and party suites as well as game day experiential packages.
2. Merchandise Sales: The Herd Store sells branded merchandise including jerseys, hats, sweatshirts, and other Bloomington Bison fan gear. The store is located inside the office building at 318 W Washington St, Suite 1A, Bloomington, IL.
3. Sponsorship Revenue: Local and national businesses sponsor the team through a Partners program, providing financial support in exchange for brand visibility at games and on team media channels. Medical partners and community partners represent a distinct sponsorship category.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Bloomington Bison Hockey Club operates a professional ECHL hockey franchise that delivers live professional hockey entertainment at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington, Illinois. The team sells admission through single-game tickets, full and half-season memberships, flex vouchers, group outings, premium and party suites, and game day experiential add-ons. Ancillary revenue comes from branded merchandise sold at The Herd Store (physical and online), sponsorship partnerships, and memorabilia auctions.

Product overview

Bloomington Bison Hockey Club operates as a professional ECHL hockey team offering a unified ticketing platform with multiple access tiers: single game tickets, full season memberships, half season plans, and flex voucher systems. The organization provides premium experiences through party suites and game day experiences, while The Herd Store handles merchandise sales. Community engagement programs including Stick 2 Reading and Education Day extend the brand to youth and educational segments. All ticket products are managed through Ticketmaster and the team's Account Manager system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Single Game Tickets Individual game admission tickets for regular season home games at Grossinger Motors Arena, sold through the Ticketmaster platform. Targeted at walk-up and casual fans who want flexible, per-game access without a season commitment.
• 2026-27 Full Season Memberships Full season ticket package granting access to all regular season home games, with benefits including Meet-the-Team events, Herd Store discount, exclusive event invitations, ticket exchange program, FanSaves deals, and a personal Ticket Account Executive. Priced from $79/month on an interest-free payment plan.
• 2026-27 Half Season Memberships 18-game partial season ticket plan designed for avid fans who cannot commit to every home game, providing flexible attendance across the regular season schedule.
• Flex Voucher Tickets A flexible bank of 12 tickets that lets holders choose which games to attend and select ticket quantities per game, offering savings over single-game pricing and including a dedicated account representative.
• Premium & Party Suites Luxury suite rentals for groups seeking premium game day experiences with curated hospitality services at Grossinger Motors Arena.
• Group Outings Organized group ticket packages for corporate events, birthdays, and celebrations with various pricing tiers and minimum ticket requirements. Group Bowl Seating starts at $20+ per person with a 15-ticket minimum, with a dedicated account representative service included.
• Game Day Experiences

Quantifiable outcome

• The team reached the ECHL playoffs in its second season of operation (2025-26).
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Winnipeg Jets (NHL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026The Bloomington Bison entered into an affiliate agreement with the NHL's Winnipeg Jets and AHL's Manitoba Moose. This provides a clear player development pathway from the ECHL to the AHL and NHL. The Jets won the President's Trophy as the top NHL team in 2024-25. The affiliation replaced the team's previous partnership with the New York Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack.
• Manitoba Moose (AHL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026The Manitoba Moose serve as the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets, providing an intermediate step in the player development pathway. The Moose improved by 10 wins and 22 points in the 2025-26 season, qualifying for the Calder Cup Playoffs.
• ECHL (East Coast Hockey League)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBloomington Bison is a member team of the ECHL, a professional hockey league in North America with approximately 36 teams. The ECHL operates as the primary league while providing a development platform for the NHL and AHL.
• Carle HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCarle Health serves as the Official Healthcare Provider and Sports Medicine Provider for the Bloomington Bison. This is a medical partner relationship providing health services to the team in exchange for brand visibility.
• Orthodontic AssociatesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrthodontic Associates is listed as a Medical Partner of the Bloomington Bison, providing orthodontic services in exchange for brand association.
• Zozzaro Chiropractic & RehabminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZozzaro Chiropractic & Rehab is listed as a Medical Partner of the Bloomington Bison.
• Gailey Eye ClinicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGailey Eye Clinic is listed as a Medical Partner of the Bloomington Bison.
• Sylvester Family DentalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSylvester Family Dental is listed as a Medical Partner of the Bloomington Bison.
• Ft. Jesse Imaging CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFt. Jesse Imaging Center is listed as a Medical Partner of the Bloomington Bison.
• Jimmy John'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJimmy John's is the sponsor of the Stick 2 Reading literacy program. Students who complete the reading program receive a Jimmy John's and Bison branded bookmark and a complimentary Little John Sandwich from Jimmy John's.
• Sam Leman Automotive GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSam Leman Automotive Group is a partner of the Bloomington Bison, providing automotive sponsorship.
• Double Tree by HiltonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDouble Tree by Hilton is the official host hotel of the Bloomington Bison, providing accommodation services for traveling teams and visiting fans.
• Four Seasons Health ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFour Seasons Health Club is the official health club of the Bloomington Bison.
• Grossinger Motors ArenacoreOthersGrossinger Motors Arena is the home venue of the Bloomington Bison, located in downtown Bloomington, Illinois. The team plays its home games at this arena.
• TicketmastercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTicketmaster serves as the primary ticketing platform for Bloomington Bison single game tickets, distributing tickets through its marketplace (ticketmaster.com) and account management system.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Indy Fuel: The Indy Fuel is an ECHL team in Indianapolis, offering similar ticket packages, merchandise, sponsorships, and community programs. They serve as a useful peer for a Midwest ECHL franchise with NHL affiliations.
• Iowa Heartlanders: The Iowa Heartlanders are a relatively recent ECHL expansion team (launched 2021), making them a particularly relevant comparable for the Bloomington Bison as a newer franchise navigating early-stage operations and fan development.
• Wheeling Nailers: The Wheeling Nailers are an ECHL member team with a similar mid-market, community-driven operating model featuring group outings, season memberships, and youth programming.
• Cincinnati Cyclones: The Cincinnati Cyclones are an ECHL team with a long-established Midwest fan base. They operate the same mix of season tickets, group outings, suites, merchandise, and community programs as the Bloomington Bison.
• Rapid City Rush: The Rapid City Rush are an ECHL team operating in a smaller market with a similar community-focused model including season memberships, group outings, and merchandise. Useful as a comparable for a smaller-market ECHL franchise.
• Fort Wayne Komets: The Fort Wayne Komets are an ECHL team based in Indiana, providing a comparable model in a similar Midwestern mid-sized market with ticketing, suite, and community programs aligned with the Bloomington Bison.
• Tulsa Oilers: The Tulsa Oilers are an ECHL team operating in a similar mid-sized market with comparable ticketing tiers, suites, merchandise, and sponsorship operations aligned with the Bloomington Bison.
• Kalamazoo Wings: The Kalamazoo Wings are an ECHL team in Kalamazoo, Michigan, operating in a mid-sized Midwest market with a comparable business model around ticket sales, suites, group outings, and merchandise.
• Toledo Walleye: The Toledo Walleye are a fellow ECHL member team operating in the Midwest with a similar business model (ticketing, merchandise, sponsorships, community programming). They are the most direct comparable in terms of league, geography, and product offering.

Broad incumbents

• Hershey Bears (AHL): The Hershey Bears are a long-established AHL team (the Bison's parent league) with a more developed ticketing, suite, and sponsorship business. They serve as a useful broader-market benchmark for what an ECHL team can scale toward.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AbeTheBison00
• Instagraminstagram.com/abethebison00
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bloomington-bison-hockey-club

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bloomington Bison Hockey Club