NHL attendance down, everything else up

[CC Chiefs*]

pittsburgh had a an average attendance of about 9,000 the year before they got Crosby, 17,588 is good enough to turn a profit.

There's this guy playing in Atlanta by the name of Kovalchuk.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

There's this guy playing in Atlanta by the name of Kovalchuk.

The teams mentioned have history's help to give them a fan base. Pittsburgh, for example, had this guy by the name of Mario Lemieux, and had won this thing called the Stanley Cup.

The Thrashers haven't won jack since the inception of the franchise.

 

[CC Chiefs*]

The teams mentioned have history's help to give them a fan base. Pittsburgh, for example, had this guy by the name of Mario Lemieux, and had won this thing called the Stanley Cup.

The Thrashers haven't won jack since the inception of the franchise.

Then maybe it's time for contraction not re-location.

 

[Soundgarden]

There's this guy playing in Atlanta by the name of Kovalchuk.

Yeah, 11th in the East, I know them, they've only made the playoffs how many times? Just because a team has a great talent doesn't mean it will put every single butt in the seat for every game, especially in a market that's only 11 years old.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Then maybe it's time for contraction not re-location.

Contraction? HA! How about a fair chance to consistently have strong attendance after actually being competitive and playing good hockey. Starting a franchise with 10 years (or more) of constant fail isn't a fair chance in any market.

 

[Soundgarden]

Then maybe it's time for contraction not re-location.

Or be patient, I know how you've got a personal agenda against the south or something, but you have to realize that the ten year old teams without any playoff success will not sell out like 50 year old teams.

 

[CC Chiefs*]

Contraction? HA! How about a fair chance to consistently have strong attendance after actually being competitive and playing good hockey. Starting a franchise with 10 years (or more) of constant fail isn't a fair chance in any market.

Well it seems that the management and ownership isn't interested in that.

 

[Soundgarden]

Well it seems that the management and ownership isn't interested in that.

Do you mean Don Waddell?

 

[wjhl2009fan]

Yeah, 11th in the East, I know them, they've only made the playoffs how many times? Just because a team has a great talent doesn't mean it will put every single butt in the seat for every game, especially in a market that's only 11 years old.

There is a difference not having sell outs every game but to avg just over 13,000 is a bit of a concern.

 

[CC Chiefs*]

Or be patient, I know how you've got a personal agenda against the south or something, but you have to realize that the ten year old teams without any playoff success will not sell out like 50 year old teams.

Well lets talk about your team. They have been in the playoffs and a 4 seed in the WC and still can't fill the stands. 2 sellout for the year. Yea I know football, bible belt and other excuses.

 

[Soundgarden]

There is a difference not having sell outs every game but to avg just over 13,000 is a bit of a concern.

Well, it is a big concern, but do you think the casual fan would want to go see a non-consistent team with almost no success? I don't know enough about the Thrashers to talk a lot about the attendance or GM issues, but missing the playoffs for the first six years of the team will give you a below average attendance.

 

[CC Chiefs*]

Do you mean Don Waddell?

Ownership keeps him on as the GM!

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Well it seems that the management and ownership isn't interested in that.

Not interested in making money? I doubt that. They're (DW included) are just not good at it. Waddell needs to be fired and Dudley (Assistant GM) needs to step in. That would be a start, anyway...

 

[Soundgarden]

Well lets talk about your team. They have been in the playoffs and a 4 seed in the WC and still can't fill the stands. 2 sellout for the year. Yea I know football, bible belt and other excuses.

OK, Let's talk about my team with all our mighty playoff victories, you know all of the road wins, and the sweeping of teams like San Jose and Detroit... what's that, the Nashville Predators have not won a road game in the playoffs, or even a series. This year we've had a slow start attendance wise, but the economy sucks if you don't remember, and two sellouts is better then none, right?

 

[CC Chiefs*]

OK, Let's talk about my team with all our mighty playoff victories, you know all of the road wins, and the sweeping of teams like San Jose and Detroit... what's that, the Nashville Predators have not won a road game in the playoffs, or even a series. This year we've had a slow start attendance wise, but the economy sucks if you don't remember, and two sellouts is better then none, right?

When you have a small arena there should be many more sellouts.

 

[Soundgarden]

When you have a small arena there should be many more sellouts.

Your right, but just because there is not many more sellouts doesn't mean we aren't doing well.

 

[frivolousz21]

I've been to Nashville for blues games a couple times...

this was in 2004 and 2006.

the locals in the bar strip area..by the arena....were really shocked when 5K blues fans rolled in.

It seemed closer to a MLS market then a NHL market.

I hope that changes...Nashville is winning again and the fan base seems to be capped at 15-20K people.

 

[CC Chiefs*]

Your right, but just because there is not many more sellouts doesn't mean we aren't doing well.

DOING WELL????? Can you say revenue sharing?

 

[GSC2k2*]

DOING WELL????? Can you say revenue sharing?

What is your point? That is part of the contractual framework that is the NHL. It is no different than any other contractual payment, whether it be TV, suites or tickets.

 

[Alan Jackson]

What is your point? That is part of the contractual framework that is the NHL. It is no different than any other contractual payment, whether it be TV, suites or tickets.

Well, it's a little different. Revenue from TV, suites or tickets doesn't cost the other member clubs any money.

 

[CC Chiefs*]

What is your point? That is part of the contractual framework that is the NHL. It is no different than any other contractual payment, whether it be TV, suites or tickets.

Point is team are falsely doing well due to the cash cow! Don't give me that contractual BS!

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Point is team are falsely doing well due to the cash cow! Don't give me that contractual BS!

And if they don't improve on things, they don't get it this year. I don't see the big deal. You act like it's some permanent avenue for teams to prop themselves up.

 

[stealth1]

I understand giving some markets time. When the team sucks for so long its hard for them to draw fans. I don't have a problem with Florida, Tampa, Phoenix but I do with Atlanta. I only say this cause to me Atlanta is a bad sports town. Its not just the Thrashers who draw poorly, the Hawks too and they are doing pretty good this year. Less than 10,000 for a home game. Tonight's thrashers game had 11,000 half of which sounded like they were Sabres fans. I realize winning will change some of this but I am not so sure. Their basketball team is 4th in the East and they don't draw. People on this board that are from Atlanta explain to me why your teams don't draw.

 

[MAROONSRoad]

Date: January 14th, 2010

Devils @ Coyotes, official announced NHL attendance: 9,430

http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2009020701

Sabres @ Thrashers, official announced NHL attendance: 11,313

http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2009020695

I'm amazed that the usual apologists didn't find the time to point out such figures along with the so-called good ones they posted recently during the holiday season.

And those are "announced attendance" figures, which don't include any information on the gate receipts, the average ticket price or comp tickets given away for free, etc.

GHOST

 

[MAROONSRoad]

Noted during Sharks game last night the lower bowl in Phoenix looked pretty full.

Maybe fans are being allowed or encouraged (for TV optics?) to move down to the lower bowl areas despite purchasing cheaper upper bowl tickets? I know I did not have a problem doing that at games I attended in Glendale in the past as no one checked my ticket.

Still, I checked NHL.com for the game in question -- the official announced attendance was only 9,248 for that game or over 8,000 short of a sell-out.

Link:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2009020688

.....

Meanwhile, the Coyotes' recently announced a "recession buster" promotion:

GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- The Phoenix Coyotes have announced a "Recession Buster" ticket promotion for the remainder of the regular season. The team is offering fans the opportunity to purchase tickets to three regular season games and receive a fourth game for free.

Fans can pick the four games of their choice for the Recession Buster deal, which starts at only $45. In addition, anyone purchasing tickets through this plan will receive a free Coyotes visor and would have priority on playoff tickets over the general public.

That's 4 games for $45 or $11.25 per game. Not too bad for an NHL ticket! Cheaper than AHL, ECHL or CHL games in many areas.

Link:

http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=511687

GHOST