Spurs facing another non-sellout

[timvp]

Spurs facing another non-sellout
Johnny Ludden
Express-News

If the Spurs are expecting a boost of energy from the crowd tonight, they might want to look elsewhere.

After failing to sell out Sunday's Western Conference finals opener — a playoff first in the AT&T Center's five-year history — the Spurs are in danger of having another less-than-capacity crowd tonight.

About 1,000 tickets, mostly upper-deck seats, remained for the game as of Monday night. In addition to purchasing tickets by phone (210) 225-8326 and online (spurs.com or ticketmaster.com), fans also will now be allowed to buy them at the AT&T Center box office beginning at 8 a.m.

Sunday's listed attendance of 18,300 was about 500 short of capacity. One team official likened Sunday's uninspiring atmosphere to that of a regular-season game.

"I guess they think we already won the championship," another team official said, shaking his head.

Some fans have complained about having to pay premium prices for upper-level seats that are too far from the court.

The crowd also has begun to serenade Tim Duncan with chants of "M-V-P!" whenever he steps to the foul line during the playoffs. That's led some Spurs to wonder if the gesture is doing more harm than good considering the shakiness of Duncan's free-throw shooting.

Spurs fans to blame ticketmaster in 3 ... 2 ...

[dbreiden83080]

Spurs fans to blame ticketmaster in 3 ... 2 ...

I think with all the talk of the game not selling out a lot of people will show up tomorrow and buy tickets at the last minute. Maybe they need to drop the prices for the upper deck level, anything is better than having 1,000 less than capacity at a fucking playoff game.

[MI21]

That's fucking ridiculous.

[Fillmoe]

shitty ass spurs fans.....

[MannyIsGod]

Man, fuck the Spurs PR machine. Seriously. Are they trying to guilt San Antonio into going to the games? This is some serious bullshit and fucking ridiculous, alright. I just put the onus on the Spurs. Sell your fucking tickets but don't cry if they don't sell.

The Spurs don't have some sort of birth right to sell outs they have an obligation to themselves to get the fans in the seats. Last time I checked you don't bitch about customers if they're obviously not happy with your product.

[Kori Ellis]

The crowd also has begun to serenade Tim Duncan with chants of "M-V-P!" whenever he steps to the foul line during the playoffs. That's led some Spurs to wonder if the gesture is doing more harm than good considering the shakiness of Duncan's free-throw shooting.

:lol Since 2003 I have been telling people to hush with this chanting.

[MannyIsGod]

And I'm willing to bet large sums of money the Sunday fiasco WAS due to ticketmaster.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Disrespect, Spurs fans in SA, support your team!!!

(unless it is Ticketmaster's fault..?)

It's the WCFs and we're playing great ball... I mean WTF??????????

:wtf :wtf :wtf :wtf :wtf

[Kori Ellis]

Man, fuck the Spurs PR machine. Seriously. Are they trying to guilt San Antonio into going to the games? This is some serious bullshit and fucking ridiculous, alright. I just put the onus on the Spurs. Sell your fucking tickets but don't cry if they don't sell.

The Spurs don't have some sort of birth right to sell outs they have an obligation to themselves to get the fans in the seats. Last time I checked you don't bitch about customers if they're obviously not happy with your product.

Why aren't they happy with the product?
What changed this year from the last 8 playoff years?

[E20]

That's brilliant. Excellent marketing strategy by the Spurs FO. Play the "You're not a true fan card" to raise up ticket sales. Diabolical.

[MannyIsGod]

Why aren't they happy with the product?
What changed this year from the last 8 playoff years?Thats what the Spurs need to find out. Its their job to sell tickets and if people aren't buying the tickets then there is obviously a problem. A Spurs official who "shakes his head" and says shit like that should be pissed at the Spurs organization that can't get these tickets sold.

[efrem1]

People of the Alamo City. The remaining seats are the cheap seats. BUY THEM!!!!! This fourth championship is not a given.

[spurs1990]

:lol Since 2003 I have been telling people to hush with this chanting.

I find it troubling that a possible future HOF like Duncan is so easily rattled at the free throw line. Its his only weakness...but since he shot 81% his 2nd year, its a mystery why he's so inconsistant.

[MannyIsGod]

"I guess they think we already won the championship," another team official said, shaking his head.

That is complete bullshit.

[timvp]

San Antonio just kissed the NFL goodbye for the next 25 years. The NFL would laugh at an owner who wanted to bring a team to a city that couldn't sell out Western Conference Finals tickets.

And the way it's looking, I'm not sure the Spurs can survive here long-term. You can't sell out WCF, WTF is going to happen when the Spurs suck again?

St. Louis.

[efrem1]

That is complete bullshit.

Who's is in charge of public relations? That quote should have never been OK'ed by the front office.

[MannyIsGod]

San Antonio just kissed the NFL goodbye for the next 25 years. The NFL would laugh at an owner who wanted to bring a team to a city that couldn't sell out Western Conference Finals tickets.

And the way it's looking, I'm not sure the Spurs can survive here long-term. You can't sell out WCF, WTF is going to happen when the Spurs suck again?

St. Louis.You're probably right about that. No way we're getting any type of NFL team here (i didn't think we would before this) after this debacle, but at the same point I'm sure that many owners are also wondering how the Spurs are allowing this to happen.

[dbreiden83080]

San Antonio just kissed the NFL goodbye for the next 25 years. The NFL would laugh at an owner who wanted to bring a team to a city that couldn't sell out Western Conference Finals tickets.

And the way it's looking, I'm not sure the Spurs can survive here long-term. You can't sell out WCF, WTF is going to happen when the Spurs suck again?

St. Louis.

That is the biggest thing right there is when Duncan and the gang are all gone is anyone showing up at all to watch the team play. The only thing i can figure is alot of people felt like the Suns were the hot ticket the Jazz are no match for the Spurs so just wait for the finals. I imagine the finals though are almost impossible to get tickets too so if that is what people are thinking they are dumb.

[chorizo overdose]

didn't the real NBA championship just finish? Correct me if im wrong but it ended with the Spurs beating the Suns correct?

maybe thats why. lol

[timvp]

And I'm willing to bet large sums of money the Sunday fiasco WAS due to ticketmaster.

What's the excuse for this game?

The whole city was talking today about how Game 1 didn't sell out. Tickets have been available all day ... and they are still available.

Even halfway decent regular season games used to sell out faster than this.

What could Spurs fans be unsatisfied about? Nothing has changed drastically enough to make the Spurs turn into the Atlanta Hawks.

Spurs fans are bored and don't really care if the Spurs win or lose. That's the only excuse I can buy. Game 1 yeah maybe there was some confusion or whatever. But now?

[efrem1]

The only thing i can figure is alot of people felt like the Suns were the hot ticket the Jazz are no match for the Spurs so just wait for the finals. I imagine the finals though are almost impossible to get tickets too so if that is what people are thinking they are dumb.

A game two loss might solve that problem.

[chorizo overdose]

maybe people just take championship teams around SA for granted now. The NBA is too easy for SA.

SA needs to find something else to get all wet about. perhaps. haha

[Obstructed_View]

64 bucks apiece for the cheapest tickets available. If I could afford that plus a hotel room my ass would be driving down. We have free tickets to the rangers game on Wednesday and I'd definitely blow that off.

[dbreiden83080]

What's the excuse for this game?

The whole city was talking today about how Game 1 didn't sell out. Tickets have been available all day ... and they are still available.

Even halfway decent regular season games used to sell out faster than this.

What could Spurs fans be unsatisfied about? Nothing has changed drastically enough to make the Spurs turn into the Atlanta Hawks.

Spurs fans are bored and don't really care if the Spurs win or lose. That's the only excuse I can buy. Game 1 yeah maybe there was some confusion or whatever. But now?

I know the Spurs mess with the numbers a bit here and there but they do have good regular season attendance and they did again this season. I don't know do they raise the prices come playoff time alot so many people are not willing to shell it out. The prices look fine to me i guess a lot of people in SA are just being cheap.

[Dave McNulla]

i can't worry about whether other people decide to buy tickets or not. i'd go if i were there. i'm not.

i'm going to suppose this problem is because not enough jazz fans live in san antonio or travel that far to away games?

[MannyIsGod]

What's the excuse for this game?

The whole city was talking today about how Game 1 didn't sell out. Tickets have been available all day ... and they are still available.

Even halfway decent regular season games used to sell out faster than this.

What could Spurs fans be unsatisfied about? Nothing has changed drastically enough to make the Spurs turn into the Atlanta Hawks.

Spurs fans are bored and don't really care if the Spurs win or lose. That's the only excuse I can buy. Game 1 yeah maybe there was some confusion or whatever. But now?Should it be the Spurs PR department to generate excitement or should they take it for granted that they will sell? If a store doesn't sell their products do they bitch about it or do they try things to make people buy them? This attitude that we some how owe them coming from the Spurs front office is just flat out bullshit.

[chorizo overdose]

perhaps blame it on the rising gas prices?

i dont know. rising barbacoa taco costs? im shooting here.

[dbreiden83080]

It really is sad what is going on. Here in NY when Ewing was playing the seats they are selling for 150 bucks for the Spurs were going for like 700-1000 bucks come playoff time at the Garden. The BO would be open for maybe 10 min and they were all gone. I can't believe this team is at the point where they are begging fans to show up and watch their team in the West finals.

[DynastyBuilder]

Who's is in charge of public relations? That quote should have never been OK'ed by the front office.

Probably because the quote is unattributed to a person, just to a "team official." Hell that could be almost anyone who works for the franchise and whoever said it may not have known he/she was speaking to a Johnny Luden, I know I couldn't pick him out of a lineup and I read his stuff all the time.

[MannyIsGod]

It really is sad what is going on. Here in NY when Ewing was playing the seats they are selling for 150 bucks for the Spurs were going for like 700-1000 bucks come playoff time at the Garden. The BO would be open for maybe 10 min and they were all gone. I can't believe this team is at the point where they are begging fans to show up and watch their team in the West finals.YOu can't compare NY and SA.

[chorizo overdose]

smells fishy. i think someone found a way to fuck SA in the ass even if they win another championship. Big time executives find ways to manipulate the system so it favors the large market cities and saves the suppose integrity of the NBA.

[dbreiden83080]

YOu can't compare NY and SA.

Meaning what you guys are just too fucking cheap to buy good playoff tickets at good prices but here in NY the fans know a good thing when it is standing right in front of them and will shell out top dollar to get it.

[DynastyBuilder]

Maybe many people are taking the WCF for granted and are saving up for Finals tickets, just a thought.

[MannyIsGod]

Meaning what you guys are just too fucking cheap to buy good playoff tickets at good prices but here in NY the fans know a good thing when it is standing right in front of them and will shell out top dollar to get it.Meaning there are almost 10 times as many people in that Area and the same number of seats. You do have a vauge understanding of supply and demand, right?

[MannyIsGod]

God damn, did I really just have to explain to someone why NY and SA are apples and oranges?


I mean seriously?

[chorizo overdose]

YOu can't compare NY and SA.


exactly. SA isn't that pious or pretentious. SA is a barbacoa taco served at grandmas house and NY is Wagyu cattle beef raised in Japan served by paris hilton.

[timvp]

Should it be the Spurs PR department to generate excitement or should they take it for granted that they will sell? If a store doesn't sell their products do they bitch about it or do they try things to make people buy them? This attitude that we some how owe them coming from the Spurs front office is just flat out bullshit.

I read it more like astonishment at what is happening.

But yeah,the Spurs organization having backwards priorities has long been an issue.

[dbreiden83080]

Meaning there are almost 10 times as many people in that Area and the same number of seats. You do have a vauge understanding of supply and demand, right?

Since this has never been a problem in SA before Supply and Demand was never much of an issue there now was it? Spurs fans have gotten spoiled that is the only reason why this is happening now.

[Obstructed_View]

San Antonio is larger than Dallas, isn't it? That's all we heard during football season.

[dbreiden83080]

God damn, did I really just have to explain to someone why NY and SA are apples and oranges?


I mean seriously?

Seriously what your explanation was shit, the place has sold out like crazy for the playoffs until this year. There are plenty of smaller market teams that do not have this problem.

[MannyIsGod]

Since this has never been a problem in SA before Supply and Demand was never much of an issue there now was it? Spurs fans have gotten spoiled that is the only reason why this is happening now.You're a complete fucking idiot if you can't see why 20 million people in a metro area will drive the prices up more for a 20 thousand seat arena than a metro area with 2 million people.

I"ll leave it at that.

[Obstructed_View]

I read it more like astonishment at what is happening.

But yeah,the Spurs organization having backwards priorities has long been an issue.
Considering the predictions by many on this board that this series isn't going to be close, the attitude of not shelling out bucks for games that aren't going to be competetive is a possibility. The Jazz failing to show up for the first half of game 1 doesn't actually help matters. When the Spurs are in a dogfight in game 2 or if they come back to town tied I'd guess the ticket sales will be a bit more brisk.

[Chris]

Remember when Cuban gave away all those tickets last year to hype up the playoffs?

We're not the only one's having trouble selling tickets for big games.

It seems to be a trend for all Texas sports teams, not just us.

Lack of advertising, promotion, and prices all contribute to poor ticket sales.

From what I've seen, Holt has no interest in putting any real money into a decent advertising scheme.

[Budkin]

Fuck this shit. I used to live in Orlando and it was a pipe dream to even pretend you could get tickets come playoff time. I don't understand how these tickets are going unsold. I'm in Austin and have been to SA lots of times and I know how passionate the fanbase is there. WTF is going on?

[Obstructed_View]

And how much more expensive are these tickets than the regular season or the previous rounds?

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I think there are more casual fans in SA than hardcore ones

As stated before, had it been the Mavs or Suns, this game would've sold out in seconds....but b/c it's the Jazz, everyone is staying put at home it seems

[chorizo overdose]

San Antonio is larger than Dallas, isn't it?


population wise yes. according to the 2005 census.

a difference of 42,684 people.

compared to DFW. forget about it. :)

[dbreiden83080]

You're a complete fucking idiot if you can't see why 20 million people in a metro area will drive the prices up more for a 20 thousand seat arena than a metro area with 2 million people.

I"ll leave it at that.

Yes prices will be driven up but SA is more than big enough for people to jamming into the building come playoff time jackass. Look at the Kings in Sacremento. Tiny market, small city and people are on waiting lists for those games for like 10 years, the prices of those tickets must be through the roof. Proves a small city can easily have high demand for tickets and drive the prices up.

[SpursFanFirst]

Will they give some of these extra tickets to charities like childrens' homes?

[Budkin]

Once we end up getting blown out in Game 3 and 4 in front of an insane Mormon crowd the fans will wake up and realize these are not fucking pre-season games. Sad.

[Obstructed_View]

population wise yes. according to the 2005 census.

a difference of 42,684 people.

compared to DFW. forget about it. :)
Sorry, I was being ironical.

[Obstructed_View]

Back in the old days didn't the ticket agents buy up all the tickets? I guess they don't even bother anymore?

[chorizo overdose]

Sorry, I was being ironical.


and i played right into it with dry wit.

:)

[johngateswhiteley]

San Antonio just kissed the NFL goodbye for the next 25 years. The NFL would laugh at an owner who wanted to bring a team to a city that couldn't sell out Western Conference Finals tickets.

And the way it's looking, I'm not sure the Spurs can survive here long-term. You can't sell out WCF, WTF is going to happen when the Spurs suck again?

St. Louis.

i've thought about that a lot the past few years...i am not so sure the Spurs can survive here long term. two reasons:

1. we have won too much
2. its san antonio

[chorizo overdose]

im scared.

[dbreiden83080]

Given all the bad press this is getting they will probably just give a bunch of seats away rather than face another playoff game with a ton of empty seats.

[Obstructed_View]

So I ask a similar question to the one I asked earlier: Have the Spurs been raising ticket prices for each round of the playoffs? Have they been raising ticket prices for the last few years since they opened the new arena? If so, isn't it just possible that they've overestimated what the market will bear because they were anticipating that Dallas would be the opponent rather than Utah? How is that on the fans, again?

[Kori Ellis]

Back in the old days didn't the ticket agents buy up all the tickets? I guess they don't even bother anymore?

Ticket agents bought a ton of them. That's why there's so many on ebay.

And there's also about another 1,000 available on Ticket Exchange.

[Kori Ellis]

So I ask a similar question to the one I asked earlier: Have the Spurs been raising ticket prices for each round of the playoffs? Have they been raising ticket prices for the last few years since they opened the new arena? If so, isn't it just possible that they've overestimated what the market will bear because they were anticipating that Dallas would be the opponent rather than Utah? How is that on the fans, again?

Yes, ticket prices raise each round of the playoffs. It's always like that.

Tickets started at $25 each (face value) for this series.

I don't know if they raised prices over last year - If I remember correctly, they raised the prices of the lower level seats and lowered some of the prices in the upper level. (I'm not positive but I remember something like that.)

[L.I.T]

The product on the court hasn't diminished over the last decade, but can the same be said about the product/experience around the team? Going to a game isn't isolated to on-court action, but parking, line-of-sight, facilities, cost of eating, the quality of the 'entertainment', all are part of the package of going to a game.

I'm not saying that the product on the court isn't the overriding concern to go to a game, but the overall experience has to be taken into account as well.

It's been three years since I went to a game (for other reasons), so I might not be as up-to-date on the facilities as others here.

The AT&T Center, when it opened was nice to visit and watch games, but it was lacking personality. The line-of-sight was nice, but crowd noise seemed muted. And lets be honest, the ancillary aspects of the show sucked (and from what I understand still suck). Not only that, the location of the AT&T center wasn't exactly that great; impossible to get to and lousy parking. Has it improved since then?

What I'm driving at is, shame on the fans for not supporting the Spurs. But as others have said, shouldn't the Spurs organization take a hard look at what they're doing to see what improvements they can make to the overall product?

[dbreiden83080]

What were sales like for the Nuggets and Suns series, did they sell out right away or was it gameday and still lots of tickets unsold?

[Amuseddaysleeper]

What were sales like for the Nuggets and Suns series, did they sell out right away or was it gameday and still lots of tickets unsold?


I'd assume they sold out fast since melo and iverson were coming to town

[Kori Ellis]

... impossible to get to and lousy parking. Has it improved since then?

I'm not sure what you mean by this.

It's very easy to get to - it's right off the freeway. Parking is very easy and much cheaper and closer to the arena than most other NBA facilities.


And lets be honest, the ancillary aspects of the show sucked (and from what I understand still suck).

Does this mean halftime shows? Yes, they still suck :lol

[L.I.T]

I'm not sure what you mean by this.

It's very easy to get to - it's right off the freeway. Parking is very easy and much cheaper and closer to the arena than most other NBA facilities.

IIRC, exits to and from the game used to back-up a lot, there was also that odd bottle neck problem going into the arena, that might have been a by-product of getting that access road fixed though. Access to the arena though, was limited to that one intersection, which would back up a lot (again IIRC).

Parking was poorly laid-out and difficult to navigate, with a lot of bottle necks forming. But yah, parking prices were relatively in-expensive at the time.

But you know, I could just be being insanely nit-picky. :spin

[jaespur21]

I was so freakin hung over from saturday night i barely had time to brush my teath b4 this past sundays game and ppl were already showing up @ my house

[L.I.T]

Does this mean halftime shows? Yes, they still suck :lol

Damn. There is a thin line between endearingly kitschy and "Watching weird Uncle Al get drunk and dance" pathetic, the Spurs have teetering there for a while. Ah well, at least in five years when everything from the late 90s becomes classic, they'll be retro cool.
:lol

[Kori Ellis]

IIRC, exits to and from the game used to back-up a lot, there was also that odd bottle neck problem going into the arena, that might have been a by-product of getting that access road fixed though. Access to the arena though, was limited to that one intersection, which would back up a lot (again IIRC).

Parking was poorly laid-out and difficult to navigate, with a lot of bottle necks forming. But yah, parking prices were relatively in-expensive at the time.

But you know, I could just be being insanely nit-picky. :spin

I'm guessing the traffic problems you are talking about were relative to access roads being fixed. There's several ways to get in and out of arena - not just one road/intersection.

The parking situation is pretty basic and always has been since the arena opened. Of course it's crowded as soon as the game ends, but it's not excessive. You can park in any of the arena lots, several offsite lots across AT&T Parkway and across Houston Street. Or just in street parking on the side streets.

But I guess my real point was .. what has changed from last year to this year? Or the year before to this year?

There's nothing "worse" about going to a Spurs game now. So it's weird that WCF tickets aren't selling.

[koopa]

i think we have the worse home crowd of any winning team, watching all the games on tv are boring cause the fans that go just sit there.....last year sean elliot had to make an excuse for one game, saying that the a/c wasn't working so the fans were to hot to cheer....... so no point in going if you ain't gonna scream your ass off, so i'm not surprised these games haven't sold out

[L.I.T]

I'm guessing the traffic problems you are talking about were relative to access roads being fixed. There's several ways to get in and out of arena - not just one road/intersection.

The parking situation is pretty basic and always has been since the arena opened. Of course it's crowded as soon as the game ends, but it's not excessive. You can park in any of the arena lots, several offsite lots across AT&T Parkway and across Houston Street. Or just in street parking on the side streets.

But I guess my real point was .. what has changed from last year to this year? Or the year before to this year?

There's nothing "worse" about going to a Spurs game now. So it's weird that WCF tickets aren't selling.

Ah ok, it sounds like it's pretty good now, my mistake! :depressed

I'm just curious, but is there any info on tracking sales? Like from the move to the Alamodome to the AT&T? And each subsequent year? I'd like to see which demographic has declined the most as a percent of overall sales. It just seems weird that success would equal less sales, it's almost counter-intuitive.

[NBAisDead]

See, the Spurs brand of ball is so boring, that you can't fill your own building during the playoffs!

I bet if the Suns played an exhibition in S.A., you would have a sellout.

[timvp]

See, the Spurs brand of ball is so boring, that you can't fill your own building during the playoffs!

I bet if the Suns played an exhibition in S.A., you would have a sellout.

Sucks when trolls are speaking the truth.

[Obstructed_View]

See, the Spurs brand of ball is so boring, that you can't fill your own building during the playoffs!

I bet if the Suns played an exhibition in S.A., you would have a sellout.
The only way the Suns get into the game in San Antonio is if they buy a ticket.

When one of these little bitter dipshits comes back here who can't blame his own team for fucking up, it just makes the satisfaction of beating their asses all the more sweet.

[NBAisDead]

I'm not a troll. More of a sociologist or scientist attempting to ascertain just what kind of mentality Spurs fans possess to believe that Phoenix wasn't cheated and the Spurs' "victory" isn't tainted.

[ChumpDumper]

Seriously, what could possibly be the reason here?

Are you waiting for Lisa Marie Presley to show up again?

[Budkin]

I'm not a troll. More of a sociologist or scientist attempting to ascertain just what kind of mentality Spurs fans possess to believe that Phoenix wasn't cheated and the Spurs' "victory" isn't tainted.

We won, you lost. Go complain to Amare and Diaw. It's their fault they got suspended.

[MannyIsGod]

The Spurs aren't boring but the Spurs are guilty of letting themselves be labled as boring.

[ChumpDumper]

I'm not a troll. More of a sociologist or scientist attempting to ascertain just what kind of mentality Spurs fans possess to believe that Phoenix wasn't cheated and the Spurs' "victory" isn't tainted.A scientist could explain why Amare and Boris couldn't follow a simple rule.

[ChumpDumper]

The Spurs aren't boring but the Spurs are guilty of letting themselves be labled as boring.So spurfans are buying that myth now?

[slayermin]

I'm not a troll. More of a sociologist or scientist attempting to ascertain just what kind of mentality Spurs fans possess to believe that Phoenix wasn't cheated and the Spurs' "victory" isn't tainted.

It's been discussed here ad nauseum.

But to sum it up, Amare is a dumb azz.

[Obstructed_View]

Sorry, but the organization has to bear some of the blame for this. It's horrible PR for them not to be able to sell out the games on the heels of the whining by the rest of the country. It seems like they would have been willing to do anything to prevent that from being the lead story on ESPN.

[ChumpDumper]

Since when is the WCF not reason enough to sell out?

[MannyIsGod]

So spurfans are buying that myth now?You don't think the vast majority of Spurs fans are casual fans who take whatever the media says as gospel? I do. I think that Spurs fans have bought into that this team is boring.

But I'll come clean here. I anticipate that while ticketmaster probably had something to do with the first game not selling out (if the 2nd one doesn't sell out - someone should die in the front office) but I also think that this series doesn't have much appeal.

All you have heard was about how the 2nd round was the real NBA finals and in the least it was the real WCF. I think Utah is a good team, but I also feel this isn't truely a marquee matchup but rather a forality that is before the Spurs play the Finals. That may be a horrible assumption to make, but it is what it is and I think that most Spurs fans feel the same way.

The NBA needs to fix their brackets (again) and make sure the 2 highest seeded teams meet in the WCF. This year with Dallas losing in the first you were screwed out of seeing the matchup everyone wanted in the WCF but you got it (again) in the 2nd round. It is almost like the playoffs peaked too soon.

So yeah, I think that Spurs fans are bored with this series. But thats probably a big fault of the Spurs PR machine too. They should be stepping things up right now and as far as I can see they are fairly nonexisitant outside of some EN fan guilt triping.

The attendence has suffered all year. The Spurs really should take a look at what they are doing (or not doing) and fix it. In the end its their responsibility to make sure those seats are filled.

[TheWriter]

Wow, look at all the hysteria. It's jaw dropping.

"I don't know if the Spurs can survive here."

Blah blah.

All because 300 tickets weren't sold to see the Jazz in the WCF.

The demand isn't there simply because there is no story. This is a first round series not the WCF. You get a massive burn out playing Denver than Phoenix and then... the Jazz. Who's the star there? Boozer? Williams? That's not going to sell, esp. on a Sunday afternoon.

More than likely those 1,000 tickets will be bought between now and game time.

But you're asking people to pay WCF prices for a first round series. The Jazz are not a serious rivial, the WCF is for the best of the best, and the Jazz just got here because the Warriors matched up better than the Mavs. This series should be either SA and Suns or SA and Mavs not the Jazz. Atleast not the Jazz of now.

I'm pretty sure traffic wasn't as high here after the game as it was after a Spurs-Suns WCSF game.

[MannyIsGod]

Since when is the WCF not reason enough to sell out?Since the real WCF was played in the 2nd round and you're playing a fourth seed in the WCF and the team doesn't do a good job promoting it?

[ChumpDumper]

You don't think the vast majority of Spurs fans are casual fans who take whatever the media says as gospel? I do. I think that Spurs fans have bought into that this team is boring.Now? After ten years of the same label? What pushed them over the edge?
So yeah, I think that Spurs fans are bored with this series. But thats probably a big fault of the Spurs PR machine too. They should be stepping things up right now and as far as I can see they are fairly nonexisitant outside of some EN fan guilt triping.Stepping up how?

[Obstructed_View]

Since when is the WCF not reason enough to sell out?
It is for me, but that's easy for me to say from Dallas without enough money to afford a ticket anyway.

My point is, if I'm the Spurs, I buy up the last of the tickets and hand them out on the street before I let the game show up as a non-sellout. I don't care about the reason why as much as I care about making sure it doesn't happen.

[ChumpDumper]

Since the real WCF was played in the 2nd round and you're playing a fourth seed in the WCF and the team doesn't do a good job promoting it?Why does it have to be promoted more than usual? spurfans only want to go see a WCF if the matchup is right?

Has it really come to this?

[TheWriter]

Since when is the WCF not reason enough to sell out?

Can we bitch about not selling out if after tomorrows game is not a sell out. One Sunday game after the whirlwind of a series with Phoenix, 300 tickets don't get sold and people here want to hang the villagers.

[milkyway21]

hey San Antonio can we just e mail Stern and suggest game 5 will be played in Manila? :lmao

i am sure the tickets will be sold out in just 30 seconds :greedy
I will be sitting in front and make a big sign "SPURSTALK SPURS FAN IN THE HOUSE". what do you think? :lol

[MannyIsGod]

Now? After ten years of the same label? What pushed them over the edge?Stepping up how?I'm not in PR and advertising so I don't know what they need to do, but the bottom line is if your product isn't selling you better do something about it.

[MannyIsGod]

Why does it have to be promoted more than usual? spurfans only want to go see a WCF if the matchup is right?

Has it really come to this?Why does McDonalds advertise? Why does Coke advertise? You think once you get big you stop promoting? You're out of your mind if you believe that.

[TheWriter]

Why does it have to be promoted more than usual? spurfans only want to go see a WCF if the matchup is right?

Has it really come to this?

Come down off your high horse. Is your ass going tomorrow? Did you buy a ticket?

[Kori Ellis]

Can we bitch about not selling out if after tomorrows game is not a sell out. One Sunday game after the whirlwind of a series with Phoenix, 300 tickets don't get sold and people here want to hang the villagers.

Well it was a lot more than 300 empty seats. Tons of tickets were on the streets, with brokers, and didn't get sold on ticket exchange.

We'll see if it's better tomorrow.

[MannyIsGod]

Come down off your high horse. Is your ass going tomorrow? Did you buy a ticket?You beat me to it.

Will you be there tomorrow Chump?

[ChumpDumper]

Why does McDonalds advertise? Why does Coke advertise? You think once you get big you stop promoting? You're out of your mind if you believe that.Do spurfans not know there is a game on?

[ChumpDumper]

You beat me to it.

Will you be there tomorrow Chump?I didn't plan tickets being available.

Chances are pretty good if I can get out of work, which shouldn't be difficult.

[TheWriter]

Well it was a lot more than 300 empty seats. Tons of tickets were on the streets, with brokers, and didn't get sold on ticket exchange.

We'll see if it's better tomorrow.

But that's what's in the paper, 300 tickets and the shit hits the fans.

I'm a die hard Spurs fan, and I don't think even if I was offered tickets to the game for free that I'd want to go. I watch every game, every game on tv, I'm simply not the type to go to a game. The last game I went to was the SBC opener in 2002 against Toronto. That was almost 5 years ago.

[MannyIsGod]

I didn't plan tickets being available.

Chances are pretty good if I can get out of work, which shouldn't be difficult.Didn't you know there was going to be a Game 2 last week after we beat the Suns?

[Kori Ellis]

But that's what's in the paper, 300 tickets and the shit hits the fans.

I'm a die hard Spurs fan, and I don't think even if I was offered tickets to the game for free, I'd want to go. I watch every game, every game on tv, I'm simply not the type to go to a game. The last game I went to was the SBC opener in 2002 against Toronto. That was neight 5 years ago.

I understand that there's people like you. But I still don't see what changed from 2 years ago when you couldn't find playoff tickets to now, when people can't give them away. The only thing I know that changed is some fans enthusiasm for the playoffs.

[ChumpDumper]

Well, if spurfans are concerned about what the media thinks, get ready to be beat about the head with this for a long time. You can blame the Spurs if you want -- the media won't.

[sabar]

Well as for me, I prefer to watch from home instead of from the corners where my vision is too blurred to see the action.

Prices are reasonable, that's no excuse.

Frankly, I think people just don't care about the Jazz. They haven't gotten near the media attention that GS/Mavs/Denver/Suns have. And lets not kid ourselves, a lot of the people that go there are casual fans that get their perceptions from the media, the paper, ESPN. Sure, everyone here knows how good the Jazz are, but the casual fan?

Nope. Utah is near the bottom on the NBA "notability" scale.

[MannyIsGod]

Do spurfans not know there is a game on?Do people not knwo about McDonalds and Coke?

Are you going to present a real argument here or are you going to continue asking silly and pointless rhetorical questions?

Don't answer; I already know the answer to my own silly and pointless rhetorical question.

[TheWriter]

Year in and year out the Spurs have the highest or some of the highest tv ratings per market in the NBA. I'd bet merchandise sells are big too, yet all that and one Sunday after noon game isn't sold out by 300 and Spurs fans arfe pathetic, the city can't support them in the long run, etc, etc.

Fuck, this alarmist attitude isn't just for after a loss is it?

[ChumpDumper]

Didn't you know there was going to be a Game 2 last week after we beat the Suns?I was scheduled to work. Now that you San Antonians have proven yourselves unwilling to go to a WCF game on a weekend, is it time to call in the reserves?

[ChumpDumper]

Do people not knwo about McDonalds and Coke?

Are you going to present a real argument here or are you going to continue asking silly and pointless rhetorical questions?

Don't answer; I already know the answer to my own silly and pointless rhetorical question.What kind of advertising have you seen in the past when the Spurs were in the WCF, since we are talking about the Spurs in the WCF?

I really want to know what the Spurs did to make people go last time that they didn't do this time.

[MannyIsGod]

The kind of advertising they had in the past is irrelevant because they obviously need to do something now. If something sells in the past you don't just throw up your hands and say oh well when it doesn't sell in the present, you find a way to sell it or you don't make any money. Its that simple.

[TheWriter]

I understand that there's people like you. But I still don't see what changed from 2 years ago when you couldn't find playoff tickets to now, when people can't give them away. The only thing I know that changed is some fans enthusiasm for the playoffs.

Two years ago it was our in state rival. This year it's the Jazz with Boozer and Okur. Spurs don't like the match up and don't want to pay to see it live when they can watch it for free and Spurs fans rightfully so or not believe the Spurs are on cruise control to the finals when we will likely face the Pistons.

But with that said, it was one game, not two or three or the series. One game in 5 seasons of playoff basketball didn't sell out. It'll be ok.

[ChumpDumper]

The kind of advertising they had in the past is irrelevant because they obviously need to do something now.What? Did they anticipate not selling out well in advance of Sunday in time to buy tv spots during May sweeps?

Is the paper and the website not a good way to get the news out?

[TheWriter]

Frankly, I think people just don't care about the Jazz.

DING DING DING!

People didn't care about the Jazz, after coming off a big emotional series, at 2:30 on a Sunday afternoon.

[TheWriter]

I don't think an advertising needs to be done, not now, it's too late and this series will be over soon anyways. However, the Spurs PR department is one of the worst in the US and needs to be overhauled.

[ChumpDumper]

Well, spurfans can watch on TV when they play in Anaheim too.

If they don't get the money from you, they'll get it somewhere else.

I completely agree that going to the ATT is a big asspain and it should have been downtown, but damn.

[ChumpDumper]

I don't think an advertising needs to be done, not now, it's too late and this series will be over soon anyways. However, the Spurs PR department is one of the worst in the US and needs to be overhauled.Compared to whom, all the other NBA PR departments whose local ad campaigns you've witnessed?

[TheWriter]

Compared to whom, all the other NBA PR departments whose local ad campaigns you've witnessed?

The fact that we're going on year 8 of the same catch phrase.

The fact that not once has there ever been a promotion where t-shirts are given out to the fans to color out an arena.

The local commercials for the team are few and far between and basically suck.

I can go on.

And I said one of the worst not the worst but one.

[ChumpDumper]

Please do go on.

[Kori Ellis]

The fact that we're going on year 8 of the same catch phrase.



??

The catch phrase changes every year.

[TheWriter]

??

The catch phrase changes every year.

Go Spurs Go?

The motto changes every year not the catch phrase.

[Kori Ellis]

Go Spurs Go?

The motto changes every year not the catch phrase.

Go Spurs Go is just a chant, it's not a catch phrase. The Spurs barely even promote Go Spurs Go.

Get Ready. Get Loud. is this year's catch phrase.

[TheWriter]

Go Spurs Go is just a chant, it's not a catch phrase. The Spurs barely even promote Go Spurs Go.

Barely? They have the huge ass banner in the arena.

The music for the local telecasts have Go Spurs Go.

When the Spurs have the ball the music is played to have the crowd chant Go Spurs GO.


Get Ready. Get Loud. is this year's catch phrase.

That's a motto. Just like One Team. One Goal.

[milkyway21]

I don't think an advertising needs to be done, not now, it's too late and this series will be over soon anyways. However, the Spurs PR department is one of the worst in the US and needs to be overhauled.
I hope you are right it would be over soon.
I really don't want the Spurs to face Utah 1-1 in game 3. We lost twice @ Energy Solutions this yr and Utah has an impressive 6-0 homecourt record in this playoffs.

Scary.
Game 2(tonight), is a must-win for the Spurs. We don't want to end this series in 6 or 7 games like like yr we faced Dallas in just how many hrs later(?), after game 6 Spurs exhausted eventually losing the series.

2-0 Spurs! :flag:

i hope to see the AT&T full packed tonight.

[Kori Ellis]

No. It's the catch phrase.

Go Spurs Go is just a fan chant. They have the fans chant it once (or sometimes twice) a game. And a couple banners.

Get Ready. Get Loud. is this year's catch phrase. It's printed every where - t-shirts, posters, banners, everywhere.

The catch phrase changes every year. Fan chants don't usually change in the lifetime of a franchise.

Whatever you want to call it. Get back to how the PR department hasn't done anything in eight years.

[ChumpDumper]

I guess I need to know which is which:

Catchphrase = ?

Slogan = ?

Motto = ?

Cheer = ?

Chant = ?

Official Tree = ?

[TheWriter]

No. It's the catch phrase.

Go Spurs Go is just a fan chant. They have the fans chant it once (or sometimes twice) a game. And a couple banners.

It's a catch phrase that is used as a chant during a game. However it is used as a catch phrase outside the game when its put on posters or flags, shirts, etc.

The basic definition for what a catch phrase is tells you Go Spurs Go is a catch phrase.


Whatever you want to call it. Get back to how the PR department hasn't done anything in eight years.

Yes, not change the catch phrase of this team.

[ChumpDumper]

Could you define the other ones for me.

Thanks.

[Kori Ellis]

Yes, not change the catch phrase of this team.

:lol

So you think if they put up a new banner, Spurs fans will stop chanting Go Spurs Go.

Suns fans haven't stopped chanting Go Suns Go since I was a kid.

[Kori Ellis]

The basic definition for what a catch phrase is tells you Go Spurs Go is a catch phrase.



Thanks. My MBA in Business Marketing didn't teach me anything. So I'm glad you are here to educate.

[TheWriter]

:lol

So you think if they put up a new banner, Spurs fans will stop chanting Go Spurs Go.

Suns fans haven't stopped chanting Go Suns Go since I was a kid.

I don't know what would happen if Go Spurs Go was changed/gotten rid of but at least make an attempt at not settling.

[timvp]

I don't buy this matchup BS.

What great intrastate must-see rivalry did teams like the 2004 Grizzlies bring to the table that draw Spurs fans to the arena? I don't think people realize that it's never been anything close to like this during the playoffs. There were never 20 seats in a row that can be bought after like 48-72 hours of playoff tickets being on sale.

This is way beyond anything we've seen as Spurs fans. Yeah the Jazz aren't the Lakers, but the Spurs have easily sold out games versus the Grizzlies, pre-AI Nuggets, Blazers, etc. The Spurs also never had problems selling out the Dome for playoff games against the Jazz when the Spurs would get steamrolled back in the '90s.

And there's no advertising campaign the Spurs can launch to sell WCF tickets. Are you going to have the coyote run around the Dominion telling people tickets are available? Anything more than that and it makes more financial sense to just give the tickets away.

This is the WCF. It could be held in a gym on the southside with no air condition and $10 bud lights and $8 taquitos, and it should have still sold out. Blaming the Spurs because their fan base is getting worse and worse doesn't make much sense to me.

Sure, it could be cheaper or whatever but the prices haven't changed enough over the years for money to be the issue.

It's either Spurs fans suck, Spurs fans are lazy, this market sucks for pro sports or Spurs fans don't care.

I'm not sure which direction I lean.

[Kori Ellis]

I don't know what would happen if Go Spurs Go was changed/gotten rid of but at least make an attempt at not settling.

:lol

Most of the banners, signage, t-shirts, etc. say Get Ready. Get Loud. I'm not sure if you know that because on your own admittance you haven't been to a game in five years. But it's not like the Spurs themselves are just marketing Go Spurs Go.

[timvp]

So now the Spurs would be selling out WCF tickets if the crowd didn't chant Go Spurs Go?

Interesting.

[TheWriter]

Thanks. My MBA in Business Marketing didn't teach me anything. So I'm glad you are here to educate.

Catch Phrase -

a phrase, as a slogan, that comes to be widely and repeatedly used

That's Go Spurs Go!

Motto -

a sentence, phrase, or word expressing the spirit or purpose of a person, organization, city

That is Get Ready. Get Loud, One Team. One Goal. etc.

[TheWriter]

So now the Spurs would be selling out WCF tickets if the crowd didn't chant Go Spurs Go?

Interesting.


Did I say that LJ? You know I didn't, but you wanted to be cute.

I said the PR or advertising has nothing to do with this non-sell or anything. I said the PR of the Spurs was one of the worst in the NBA.

[Kori Ellis]

I guess what you aren't understanding is that the Spurs promote Get Ready. Get Loud. more than they promote Go Spurs Go, whichever one you want to call a catchphase doesn't matter.

(Just so you know, a catchphrase can be a motto and a motto can be a catchphrase)

[Kori Ellis]

Did I say that LJ? You know I didn't, but you wanted to be cute.

I said the PR or advertising has nothing to do with this non-sell or anything. I said the PR of the Spurs was one of the worst in the NBA.

How do you know they are the worst in the NBA. Have you been involved with the PR of other teams?

[ChumpDumper]

(Just so you know, a catchphrase can be a motto and a motto can be a catchphrase)

:smchode:

[timvp]

Did I say that LJ? You know I didn't, but you wanted to be cute.

I said the PR or advertising has nothing to do with this non-sell or anything. I said the PR of the Spurs was one of the worst in the NBA.

Okay then if Go Spurs Go doesn't matter that doesn't help us solve the problem of why San Antonio sucks.

Any ideas to actually sell tickets?

[TheWriter]

How do you know they are the worst in the NBA. Have you been involved with the PR of other teams?

It's my opinion. I think they're one of the worst in the NBA.

There is no rule of measurement, nor grading system for a PR department when it comes to whether they pass or fail.

[ChumpDumper]

It's my opinion. I think they're one of the worst in the NBA.

There is no rule of measurement, nor grading system for a PR department when it comes to whether they pass or fail.Which is the best?

What is their catchphrase and motto and chant?

[Kori Ellis]

It's my opinion. I think they're one of the worst in the NBA.

There is no rule of measurement, nor grading system for a PR department when it comes to whether they pass or fail.

But you'd have to have some knowledge of other teams PR departments to conclude that. So what criteria did you use and which other teams have you accessed?

[TheWriter]

Okay then if Go Spurs Go doesn't matter that doesn't help us solve the problem of why San Antonio sucks.

Any ideas to actually sell tickets?

Yeah, one game doesn't sell out by 300 and things need to be fixed? The world is suddenly without gravity? You as well as many others are looking for something to criticize for the sake of criticizing. For the sake of being cynical.

[TheWriter]

Which is the best?

Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, Suns.

[ChumpDumper]

Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, Suns.And Seattle is better because....




....they're moving out of Seattle?

[Kori Ellis]

See, I only know about a couple teams PR departments.

Seattle last season tried to giveaway some of these to fans last season.

http://www.barkeranimation.com/images/auctions/1654.jpg

But they were of Desmond Mason.

He hasn't been on the Sonics since 02-03.

Now that's an example of a bad PR department.

[TheWriter]

But you'd have to have some knowledge of other teams PR departments to conclude that. So what criteria did you use and which other teams have you accessed?

From simple things like websites to things like handing out the jersey of a suspended player to handing out shirts to color coordinate the entire arena.

[timvp]

Yeah, one game doesn't sell out by 300 and things need to be fixed? The world is suddenly without gravity? You as well as many others are looking for something to criticize for the sake of criticizing. For the sake of being cynical.

Uh there are still 1000 tickets available to a playoff game that went on sale 64 hours ago. When tickets that usually sell out in a matter of minutes are still available nearly three days later, then yes there is a problem.

San Antonio is laying an egg of epic proportions. Do you know how many cities would kill for an NBA team half as successful as the Spurs have been? Even if it means drinking beer at home and riding the bus to a game if you need to keep the pocket change.

[timvp]

handing out the jersey of a suspended player

No team has done that. You are speaking of rich season ticket holders who buy bulk jerseys and give them away.

If you don't know, ya betta ax somebody.

And that's neither a catch phrase nor a slogan.

:smokin

[TheWriter]

Uh there are still 1000 tickets available to a playoff game that went on sale 64 hours ago. When tickets that usually sell out in a matter of minutes are still available nearly three days later, then yes there is a problem.

So why isn't the Cavs Piston game 2 sold out yet? It has Lebron!!


San Antonio is laying an egg of epic proportions. Do you know how many cities would kill for an NBA team half as successful as the Spurs have been?

Epic proportions? Do the Spurs have you on the pay roll?

So because one game didn't sell out the franchise is in desperate times?

For christ sakes, you bitch and bitch about how much Holt makes in SA with this team and spends very little but the fans don't buy 300 tickets the team can't survive. :clap

[Kori Ellis]

So why isn't the Cavs Piston game 2 sold out yet?



Epic proportions? Do the Spurs have you on the pay roll?

So because one game didn't sell out the franchise is in desperate times?

No one is saying it's a desperate time.

But it's embarrassing to have every national media outlet talking about how the Spurs can't sell out.

[ChumpDumper]

The only playoff games of a decent team I can remember not selling out is New Jersey -- what is happening with them again?

[TheWriter]

The only playoff games of a decent team I can remember not selling out is New Jersey -- what is happening with them again?

Didn't someone just mention the Mavs and their dipshit owner having to buy remaining tickets of a playoff game? What's happening with them again?

[timvp]

I guess Spurs fans like The Writer will get it when the St. Louis Spurs make the Western Conference Finals and sell out their games within seconds in the year 2015.

[TheWriter]

I guess Spurs fans like The Writer will get it when the St. Louis Spurs make the Western Conference Finals and sell out their games within seconds in the year 2015.

Bravo, keep going. :clap

[timvp]

Bravo, keep going. :clap

They will.

:smokin

[ChumpDumper]

Didn't someone just mention the Mavs and their dipshit owner having to buy remaining tickets of a playoff game?

1. I didn't see that, do you have a link?

2. Doesn't Dallas have such a great PR department that they don't have to resort to such measures?

[TheWriter]

They will.

:smokin

I'm sure. This week of course. Next week who knows what zany thing you'll write about. We can only sit and wait in anticipation.

[timvp]

S-P-U-R-S Spurs! Spurs! Spurs! could be the answer. . .

[TheWriter]

1. I didn't see that, do you have a link?

It's in this thread so you can click on the numbers.


2. Doesn't Dallas have such a great PR department that they don't have to resort to such measures?

So when did I say the PR has or had anything to do with the non-sellout?

Oh that's right, I didn't. I just made an off the topic comment about disliking the current Spurs PR.

Didn't correlate it with anything.

[ChumpDumper]

S, P, U-R-S! That's the way we spell success! Spurs!

[ChumpDumper]

It's in this thread so you can click on the numbers.So you can give me the number to click on.
So when did I say the PR has or had anything to do with the non-sellout?

Oh that's right, I didn't. I just made an off the topic comment about disliking the current Spurs PR.

Didn't correlate it with anything.So attendance has no correlation to PR.

What about the mottos?

[TheWriter]

So you can give me the number to click on.So attendance has no correlation to PR.

What about the mottos?

I could care less what effect the catch phrases or mottos have on attendance. My beef isn't with attendance, my beef is with the PR department, I dislike how content they've become.

[ChumpDumper]

And their contentedness has the effect of what?

[johngateswhiteley]

I don't buy this matchup BS.

What great intrastate must-see rivalry did teams like the 2004 Grizzlies bring to the table that draw Spurs fans to the arena? I don't think people realize that it's never been anything close to like this during the playoffs. There were never 20 seats in a row that can be bought after like 48-72 hours of playoff tickets being on sale.

This is way beyond anything we've seen as Spurs fans. Yeah the Jazz aren't the Lakers, but the Spurs have easily sold out games versus the Grizzlies, pre-AI Nuggets, Blazers, etc. The Spurs also never had problems selling out the Dome for playoff games against the Jazz when the Spurs would get steamrolled back in the '90s.

And there's no advertising campaign the Spurs can launch to sell WCF tickets. Are you going to have the coyote run around the Dominion telling people tickets are available? Anything more than that and it makes more financial sense to just give the tickets away.

This is the WCF. It could be held in a gym on the southside with no air condition and $10 bud lights and $8 taquitos, and it should have still sold out. Blaming the Spurs because their fan base is getting worse and worse doesn't make much sense to me.

Sure, it could be cheaper or whatever but the prices haven't changed enough over the years for money to be the issue.

It's either Spurs fans suck, Spurs fans are lazy, this market sucks for pro sports or Spurs fans don't care.

I'm not sure which direction I lean.

i vote for Spurs Fans Suck and Spurs Fans are Stupid...not sure how much the market has to do with it, yet.

[TheWriter]

And their contentedness has the effect of what?

Making you any annoying ahole?

[ChumpDumper]

Making you any annoying ahole?I really don't think anyone else is necessary for that to happen, do you?

[ShoogarBear]

Y'all know the solution for all of this is painfully clear:

[ShoogarBear]

James White!

[ChumpDumper]

:rollin

[ShoogarBear]

And so are you saying the Spurs' PR is much worse than any other team in the NBA? Because it's hard to say how any other team would be having this problem.

[T Park]

I fail to see how management is to blame for this.

Its the WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS!!

THREE FUCKING WINS FROM THE FINALS!

Good fucking god people.

Why do the Spurs need to give out T Shirts and Robert Horry jerseys.

THERE SHOULD BE NO NEED FOR GIVEAWAYS TO MAKE FANS WANT TO GO.


Its the goddamn conference finals.


If you don't think Oklahoma isn't already calling up Peter Holt saying "Ya know, we've got a newer arena, where fans support the team way better and won't take games off"


Fucking San Antonio.

[aaronstampler]

I don't really understand why this is such a problem for people. If you have a modest income fan base and all of a sudden you raise ticket prices for playoff games, they will not be able to afford to go to every game. If you have only 100 to spend for a ticket and you can choose only one between Utah or Finals, you'll pick Finals.

I'm not from SA, but unless I'm mistaken, it's not exactly the wealthiest city.

[violentkitten]

lowest price on ticketmaster for tix is $23. those appear to be sold out. next lowest price is $54 and there are pairs available. that places you in the middle row of a 200 level section.

[violentkitten]

found a pair of charter level seats (section 18) with a price of $374 per seat available about 10 minutes ago.

[Kori Ellis]

There's tickets on eBay going for $20-30 per pair.

[violentkitten]

found 4 seats together in section 219 row 8 for $64 apiece.

[sabar]

I don't see why this is a big debate...

Have you seen the games on national TV? Heck, go to the arena yourself.
I would rank the Spurs home court the weakest in the league IMO. Facts are, our fans are just not hardcore. We aren't a big sports city and we have been winning so it's the norm.

Fans are mostly to blame, they are too casual. I bet most of those people in the $700 seat pairs don't even know Utah had a team, just wealthy people grabbing tickets. Heck, those seats are the ones I always see empty first and most quiet.

Our PR and stuff is fine... I blame the small market of the city as a whole and the fact that Utah have been silent playoff assassins.

[violentkitten]

maybe the spurs can get williams to call the team "dirty". that seems to work.

[violentkitten]

I don't really understand why this is such a problem for people. If you have a modest income fan base and all of a sudden you raise ticket prices for playoff games, they will not be able to afford to go to every game. If you have only 100 to spend for a ticket and you can choose only one between Utah or Finals, you'll pick Finals.

I'm not from SA, but unless I'm mistaken, it's not exactly the wealthiest city.

i think they've priced themselves a bit high, especially for the 200 level seats. a problem with the san antonio market is that you don't have the sizable contingent of younger professionals (say age 25-35) that you see in other cities. individuals with good incomes and minimal responsibilities who don't mind shelling out a couple hundred bucks for tickets at a moment's notice.

the real problem with selling tickets to games 1 and 2 of the wcf is that the fanbase doesn't seem to be taking utah seriously. phoenix was regarded as a real threat and the home games were sellouts. now that the wcf has this perception, which game 1 did nothing but reinforce, then you see spurs fans looking at the price tag and balking.

[polandprzem]

Spurs organization must to do something


THEY NEED TO TRADE SOME 'SPURS FANS' FOR OAKLAND FANS

LIKE 2000 'SPURS FANS' FOR 500 OAKLAND FANS

FAIR DEAL I GUESS

[violentkitten]

Spurs organization must to do something


THEY NEED TO TRADE SOME 'SPURS FANS' FOR OAKLAND FANS

LIKE 2000 'SPURS FANS' FOR 500 OAKLAND FANS

FAIR DEAL I GUESS


nah, their problem is that the younger (under 35) spurs fans who wouldn't have a problem paying their ticket prices are not living in san antonio.

[polandprzem]

nah, their problem is that the younger (under 35) spurs fans who wouldn't have a problem paying their ticket prices are not living in san antonio.

Well I would give up many to see spurs playing at the arena...
but that is a different story. :dramaquee

[violentkitten]

Well I would give up many to see spurs playing at the arena...
but that is a different story. :dramaquee

where do you live? i'm referring to those who grew up in san antonio and are living in other cities because that's where their careers have taken them. there are quite a few in this forum who fit that bill.

[exstatic]

We'll've had three home games in 96 hours. A lot of folks don't have the jack to pull that one off.

[violentkitten]

We'll've had three home games in 96 hours. A lot of folks don't have the jack to pull that one off.

no doubt. also we are close to the end of the month so a lot of people have already burned through most, if not all, of their paychecks.

[David@SLCC]

It's Stan Kelly's fault!

Seriously, though, it would be interesting to see what happens if --for some crazy reason-- the Spurs lose Game 2 and suddenly return to San Antonio down 1-3. Maybe that will make this series more appealing?

[Ginofan]

I think there are alot of reasons that factor into why this is happening.

1. It's the Jazz. It's not Dallas or Phoenix, hell I think even Golden State would draw more excitement than Utah. It's not the WCF we were all anticipating. Utah vs San Antonio isn't going to be exciting to the casual fan (which the majority of Spurs fans our, in my opinion).

2. Prices of Tickets. I know there are tons of tickets on Ebay, StubHub, etc. But the original sales of tickets from Ticketmaster, is where the casual fan is going to start. Sorry, maybe some of you can afford $54 bucks for a seat half way up Club 200 for every home playoff game, but I can't. I got a damn good deal on my HD TV that I spent my entire tax return on and I'm going to get a hell of a lot of good use out of it. I can see the action way better on my TV than I ever could at the ATT, and having friends over is just as good as any playoff experience in an arena (sans The Finals).

3. Spurs PR is shit. When's the last time we had a "Blackout"? When's the last time they gave away anything we see these teams like GSW, Utah, the Heat, even in Dallas they get clapper thingies! Those maracas were the best thing they ever gave away, they made a hell of alot of noise and were annoying as hell but they worked. They brought the arena together and made SA look like a rabid bunch of fans.

4. Prices of The Game Experience. Let's say we spend that $54 per ticket. That's about $120 with taxes and "convenience" charges for two people. Cheapest parking is $8 (I'm not sure if that's still right, I haven't been to a game since last season.) Then if you want a soda or beer that's what like $6 to $7 (so $14 for two people, and that's just one beverage). God forbid you want to eat at the game (easily $25 for two people). And these silly vendors don't even take credit/debit cards for pete's sake! You could easily spend $150-$175 for ONE game. That's fucking insane!

5. Gas prices are kicking our asses. With gas being $3/gal alot of people don't have the kind of money to throw down to get to the arena. Getting to work and school usually come first before going to a game for most people.

I love the Spurs to death but if they want to put the blame entirely on the Spurs being "spoiled" or "lazy" or whatever that's there prerogative. I just think they just take these factors into consideration before they go throwing all this blame on us.

[violentkitten]

this is why san antonio landing a second pro franchise is more dream than reality. nfl would be the most likely, as you only need to sell 8 home games with those generally falling on weekends so you can pull in fans from out of town. but the city doesn't have the number of well-paying accounting, finance, management, sales, legal, consulting, tech, and engineering jobs typically occupied by those under 35 that other cities have. this really shouldn't come as a surprise as this has been the classic problem with san antonio as a pro market. the employers aren't there so this group isn't there, but that base of talent isn't there so the employers aren't there. i think this will change over time, but it might take a decade, or longer.

as for problems with the spurs on the pr side, it's more on the marketing side, specifically in regards to how they are pricing seats. i think they have been a bit optimistic in their pricing. 'know your customer' is the old adage and it seems to be holding true in this instance.

[Jelly]

Okay then if Go Spurs Go doesn't matter that doesn't help us solve the problem of why San Antonio sucks.

Any ideas to actually sell tickets?

Get rid of all the poor people in SA and replace them with rich ones? or at least middle class?

here's a serious idea and maybe it's already being done. How about selling tickets to soldiers at half price?

[violentkitten]

I think there are alot of reasons that factor into why this is happening.

1. It's the Jazz. It's not Dallas or Phoenix, hell I think even Golden State would draw more excitement than Utah. It's not the WCF we were all anticipating. Utah vs San Antonio isn't going to be exciting to the casual fan (which the majority of Spurs fans our, in my opinion).

2. Prices of Tickets. I know there are tons of tickets on Ebay, StubHub, etc. But the original sales of tickets from Ticketmaster, is where the casual fan is going to start. Sorry, maybe some of you can afford $54 bucks for a seat half way up Club 200 for every home playoff game, but I can't. I got a damn good deal on my HD TV that I spent my entire tax return on and I'm going to get a hell of a lot of good use out of it. I can see the action way better on my TV than I ever could at the ATT, and having friends over is just as good as any playoff experience in an arena (sans The Finals).

3. Spurs PR is shit. When's the last time we had a "Blackout"? When's the last time they gave away anything we see these teams like GSW, Utah, the Heat, even in Dallas they get clapper thingies! Those maracas were the best thing they ever gave away, they made a hell of alot of noise and were annoying as hell but they worked. They brought the arena together and made SA look like a rabid bunch of fans.

4. Prices of The Game Experience. Let's say we spend that $54 per ticket. That's about $120 with taxes and "convenience" charges for two people. Cheapest parking is $8 (I'm not sure if that's still right, I haven't been to a game since last season.) Then if you want a soda or beer that's what like $6 to $7 (so $14 for two people, and that's just one beverage). God forbid you want to eat at the game (easily $25 for two people). And these silly vendors don't even take credit/debit cards for pete's sake! You could easily spend $150-$175 for ONE game. That's fucking insane!

5. Gas prices are kicking our asses. With gas being $3/gal alot of people don't have the kind of money to throw down to get to the arena. Getting to work and school usually come first before going to a game for most people.

I love the Spurs to death but if they want to put the blame entirely on the Spurs being "spoiled" or "lazy" or whatever that's there prerogative. I just think they just take these factors into consideration before they go throwing all this blame on us.

:tu

the tickets are priced too high as is everything else when you enter the at&t.

[Spurs Brazil]

It's the WCF, go there to help the Spurs win

Maybe I'll fly to SA to help :)

GO TO THE GAME AND HELP THE SPURS WIN

[Trainwreck2100]

I did my part

[SpurYank]

The NBA is supposed to be a community, that is, the tyoe of thinking and planning that says "we're all in this together." Well, David Stern could contribute by NOT having a Suns/Spurs match-up as a semifinal game. And he doesn't have to do it subjectively, let the teams with the best records not face each other until the finals of that conference. The Spurs should have faced Utah or Golden State before having to play Phoenix. Also, speaking of communities, the Chamber of Commerce there should have bought the remaining tickets and given them away (to airmen at Lackland, kids in college or high school, etc. Remember we're all in this together. Doesn't anyone think creatively down there?

The game was played at 2:30 local time on a Sunday to satisfy the big money thinkers in the media and on the east coast, not what is best for San Antonio.

[SpurYank]

The Spurs are taking sh*t for something they have no control over. Up here on the east coast, Tony Kornheiser has advised everyone in today's Washington Post that he isn't watching anymore games (Until the finals) because his favorite teams are not there, His favorite teams are all in New York, and he wants Kobe and Shaq to always be there for the finals.

He picked up his glove and went home to watch old movies.

Perhaps there are similar thinking fans there in S.A.

[violentkitten]

Perhaps there are similar thinking fans there in S.A.

nah, those fans are at home glued to the tv thanks to being priced out of the market.

[ObiwanGinobili]

Spurs fans to blame ticketmaster in 3 ... 2 ...


just for the record... when I called Ticketmasters on Saturday to get tickets for Go Diego Go the great jaguar rescue... there was a voice recording trelling me that if I was calling for Spurs tickets I was SOL because they were all sold out.

[violentkitten]

before i forget, the scheduling for these playoff games sucks. game 2 is on tuesday night and game 3 isn't until saturday. yes, tv rules all but you end up with the fanbase being hit up for 3 games between game 6 on friday night, game 1 on sunday afternoon and game 2 on tuesday night. if you assume the average couple is expected to pay $150 to 175 per game for not so great seats in the 200 level that adds up.

[spurster]

I think part of the problem is relying on Ticketmaster, resellers, and scalpers to sell all the tickets. They maybe need to reserve some for sale at the AT&T center. They could get the word out that 1000 tickets or so go on sale at 6pm, first come, first serve. How hard is that?

I think more would have gone to the game, but simply thought that getting a last-minute ticket would be out of the question (or the budget).

[CubanMustGo]

Well, I'd be there if I didn't live in D/FW, that's for sure.

One thing that nobody seems to have noticed is that SA has grown substantially the last five years, and some of that growth comes from the Toyotas and other solid businesses that have moved in. There is new housing on the South Side and even the oft-neglected SE side of town is seeing substantial development. The Far North Side/NW/W side of town has seen incredible amounts of new housing and those aren't cheap houses either.

With all that growth the fact that SA can't sell a fixed number of tickets is especially disturbing. I hate Ticketraper too but it doesn't stop the rest of the country from selling out inferior products on the court. There is plenty of money in SA to afford a friggin WCF ticket. You would think after last year's disaster in the semis that people would understand how precious and rare the chance to see a team in the conference finals is.

[SAGambler]

I'm not a troll. More of a sociologist or scientist attempting to ascertain just what kind of mentality Spurs fans possess to believe that Phoenix wasn't cheated and the Spurs' "victory" isn't tainted.

Since you are a mental giant, perhaps you would be able to explain just exactly how the Suns were "cheated".

Is playing the game in context with the RULES being cheated?

You had two players that were dumb enough to break the rules. So now how was it again that Phoenix was "cheated"?

And since you apparently believe the Suns would have won with those two on the court, then how do you explain the losses when they actually were on the court? You know.....Games 1, 3, and 6? By your theory, the Suns should have already won the series by game 5, since all you needed was Diaw and Amare on the court.

Perhaps you should check out your own mental problems in thinking the Suns were Cheated. Sounds like Denial.

Oh, and should the Spurs have the word "tainted" engraved on the trophy?

[violentkitten]

Well, I'd be there if I didn't live in D/FW, that's for sure.

One thing that nobody seems to have noticed is that SA has grown substantially the last five years, and some of that growth comes from the Toyotas and other solid businesses that have moved in. There is new housing on the South Side and even the oft-neglected SE side of town is seeing substantial development. The Far North Side/NW/W side of town has seen incredible amounts of new housing and those aren't cheap houses either.


more blue collar jobs isn't a bad thing, but the way the spurs have those tickets priced it would be hard for those employed to be able to afford tickets to multiple games in a short span. as for the northside growth, a lot of that seems to be coming from retirees as well as current SA residents who want to move into a nicer house in a nicer part of town. and that typically means more of the monthly budget going to mortgage payments, property taxes, and utilities. the ideal customer for nba tickets are the white collar young who are banking and only have rent, and not a mortgage, to worry about.

[CubanMustGo]

more blue collar jobs isn't a bad thing, but the way the spurs have those tickets priced it would be hard for those employed to be able to afford tickets to multiple games in a short span. as for the northside growth, a lot of that seems to be coming from retirees as well as current SA residents who want to move into a nicer house in a nicer part of town. and that typically means more of the monthly budget going to mortgage payments, property taxes, and utilities. the ideal customer for nba tickets are the white collar young who are banking and only have rent, and not a mortgage, to worry about.

See the 25,000 new houses over 200K on the North Side, then.

[ObiwanGinobili]

I was just at Ticketmaster chcking it out for tonights game....
when I searched for 4 tickets we could afford - no dice. Not even 3 tickets (eloisa is still under 2 so we dont; technically need a seat for her per AT&T center rules).

But when I did a search for any price they came back with 4 tickets sec.109 plaza level row 11 $159 a pop.

So anyone whose got more than $600 to spend opn thier 4 person family to see a spectacular playoff game - your tickets await.

[violentkitten]

See the 25,000 new houses over 200K on the North Side, then.

again, how many of those are new san antonio residents versus existing ones who moved into a new house? if they are moving into their first house then most likely their monthly housing costs just went up.

and over the last couple of years the home price to income ratio has grown a little bit much in the US. so someone in a $200k house may have say $50k to 60k in annual income. between the mortgage and any children they have they don't exactly have gobs of disposable income to be blowing on spurs games.

[ploto]

Why aren't they happy with the product?
What changed this year from the last 8 playoff years?
A lot of people did not pick up their option for playoffs tickets-- as well as those who did not purchase additional playoffs packages this year. There are really quite a considerable number of more tickets available for general purchase than in the past. The Spurs need to look long and hard at why their season ticket holders chose to sit out the playoffs.

Also, I have been lambasted on here for criticizing the marketing of the team- the Spurs have acted as if they had to do nothing to get people to the games- that they would just show up.

Also, I have had a number of people tell me that the players themselves have hardly acted like they cared this season- and that turned them off. And ticket prices have gone up every year, as well.

Personally, I think it is all because they traded Rasho. :D

[MoSpur]

Its a lot cheaper to watch the game like at Buffalo Wild Wings than going to the AT&T Center and paying around $60 for one ticket. I can eat a ton of wings tonight (.40 wing night) and watch the game with a better view at Buffalo Wild Wings. If I went to the game tonight, I'd pay around $120 bucks on tickets. $10 on parking. Like another $25 on food and drinks. Add that up. Its around $145. Give or take a few dollars. If I go somewhere to watch it, the most I would pay is around $40.

[MoSpur]

It has nothing to do with me not being a Spurs fan. Or a good enough fan. If they would lower the prices on tickets and refreshments, it would be a different story.

[Soul_Patch]

Im willing to be a vast majority of Spurs fans don't really use ebay or stubhub Korri. Mr and Mrs. Gonzalez and their entire family who crowd around the tv at the local taco place (stereotypical, but these kinda people are usually the biggest spurs fans) only know about ticketmaster. They probably dont use the internet much, they most likely would kill to go to a spurs game, but when the see 50 dollars a ticket, and count that they would need to spend at least 200 dollars just to get themselves and 2 kids in the door. They say, nah, ill watch at the taco place.

You jump up a tier, to the middle income folks. Id venture to guess a large portion don't wanna be out till 11pm on a tuesday night. Id also venture to guess the same thing, unless you are a big time computer user, you dont really use ebay. You've probably heard of it, but never really did much looking in to it. I know for a fact ive often been asked where i got tickets. When i say ebay, people usually go "oh!! i didnt realise you could get them there!!" so a lot of people never even think about it. And once again price is still a barrier. Even if i bought the 30 dollar tickets on ebay. Thats 60 bucks for 2 people (if i have kids it just go's up obviously) then another 50 at least for food/parking/drinks. So we are spending 120 dollars for a night out. In this economy we just dont have that kind of disposable cash anymore. I drive a 2006 Toyota Tundra double cab. It cost me 70 dollars a week to drive this truck in gas. 280 a month just in gas...this is a bite in my budget, a bit bite. When i can watch a game in 1080i 60" tv for free, or spend 100 to 150 dollars that i really dont have to spend, you can see where my priorities lie. I love the spurs to death, and i wish i could go to every single game...but it is just not financially responsible of me to do so.

The rich folks. Well id venture to guess most of the ones that care have season tickets. The others dont even really know there is a basketball game going on. Then there are the ones who buy the tickets and just try and sell them or dont use them...this is the main reason the majority of the lower level of the stadium is weak when it comes to team support. Hardcore fans cant spend 500 dollars a seat for tickets, so you have seats filled with traveling businessmen not even from SA, and fans who arrive at the second quarter and leave in the third because the only reason they are going to the game is to see or be seen.


The truth is, hardcore fans have been priced out of the games for so long, that they no longer even attempt to go. The uninformed ones assume there are no tickets, and the ones that know there are tickets dont want to spend 150 dollars to sit in the rafters for the night.

[Soul_Patch]

A lot of people did not pick up their option for playoffs tickets-- as well as those who did not purchase additional playoffs packages this year. There are really quite a considerable number of more tickets available for general purchase than in the past. The Spurs need to look long and hard at why their season ticket holders chose to sit out the playoffs.


Id be willing to guess, and this is just my opinion, that the reason this is happening is because the majority of season ticket holders these days dont really give a fuck about the spurs.

I know the company i used to work for bought 6 season tickets every year somewhere down in the lower 100's. I used to go in and work on the Pres's PC and see the box sitting on or in his desk and drool over the thought of being able to go to these games. What is worse is 95% of the time they went to customers who didnt even care about the spurs or basketball, or they were just not even used at all and left empty.

Why would a corporation care about spending all that extra cash on the playoffs.

[2centsworth]

I will be so disappointed in this town if we don't sell out. I agree the spurs PR department sucks and I understand how the $9 hot dog and $6 beer puts a sour taste in your mouth, but still it's the WCF.

[ObiwanGinobili]

Toyota has some season tickets, and thye bought some x-tra playoff tickets.
they've been randomly handing them out to the employees...... god I wish Emo would "win" one! I'd use it myself and make him stay home with the kids!

[Mixability]

And I thought the "hardcore" fans were the ones who didn't have season tickets. If you sit in the lower section, you weren't a "true" fan. The nosebleeds have the best fans. :rolleyes

[MadDog73]

Toyota has some season tickets, and thye bought some x-tra playoff tickets.
they've been randomly handing them out to the employees...... god I wish Emo would "win" one! I'd use it myself and make him stay home with the kids!

Good point.

If my boss gave me a free ticket, I would go...

Come on, H-E-B, Toyota, Valero... spend some of your profits for the good of the city!

[leemajors]

I'm not sure what you mean by this.

It's very easy to get to - it's right off the freeway. Parking is very easy and much cheaper and closer to the arena than most other NBA facilities.



Does this mean halftime shows? Yes, they still suck :lol

the last 2 times i went Valor and Quick Change were awesome! i could have sworn the curly haired dude from color me badd was in Valor.

[MoSpur]

I don't agree with the opinion that the true fans sit up in the nosebleeds. I do admit some of the rowdier fans sit up there, but there are a lot of hardcore fans down in the lower level. I just think the prices are too high. Tickets, food, drinks, and parking.

[SAtoDallas]

64 bucks apiece for the cheapest tickets available. If I could afford that plus a hotel room my ass would be driving down. We have free tickets to the rangers game on Wednesday and I'd definitely blow that off.


That's exactly what I paid for game six, our seats were the second to the last row. Plus we paid 95 dollars for two nights for a hotel. But if I lived in SA I spend the money again to see a WCF game.

[Sec24Row7]

I thought upper deck fans were the "REAL" spurs fan. Yet they can't even show up to the game?

That's the last i want to hear about the lower bowl being less enthusiastic about the game than the upper deck...

How big of a fan base can there be in the upper deck when you won't even buy all the tickets?


Case Closed.

[Soul_Patch]

These Fans cannot afford to spend over 100 dollars every other night for home games. just not doable.

maybe throw some of your money up in the rafters next game and we can all be happy.

[Sec24Row7]

I can't afford my ticket either... but I buy it...

[Extra Stout]

Tickets at Energy Solutions Arena are more expensive than their AT&T Center equivalents.

Salt Lake City and its environs are less affluent than San Antonio.

Games 3 and 4 sold out in 15 minutes.

The Jazz had 6 home games in the first two rounds, just like the Spurs.

Cut the excuses. San Antonio just has bad fans. $60 for a ticket is not bad at all for the Western Conference Finals, and I will be helping myself to Game 5. I never imagined I'd have the opportunity.

The team is SOOOOOOO gone from SA once these title runs are over. That building won't even be half full most nights.

[Soul_Patch]

Cut the excuses. San Antonio just has bad fans.

This is just ignorant. When you pay my bills, ill go ahead and give you the pleasure of telling me what i can and cannot afford.

[MoSpur]

I can't afford my ticket either... but I buy it...

Some people have higher priorities. You saying you can't afford it, but buy it doesn't sound too smart.

[Sec24Row7]

ROFL... overreaction forum..

[Sec24Row7]

Some people have higher priorities. You saying you can't afford it, but buy it doesn't sound too smart.

So i make cuts other places to go to spurs games?

Yah that's really stupid...

lol

[MoSpur]

I'd rather finish building my house than go cheer for the Spurs in person. Sorry if that makes me a bad fan. I seriously doubt that Tim, Manu, Tony, or any other player will fork over the $$$ I need to finish building the house.

[Soul_Patch]

I would love LOVE to have my student loans paid off, and my doctors bills gone. I dream about the day i can afford 2 season tickets in the lower levels.


Just not happening yet, so i wait.

It is very simple though. If you are having trouble selling tickets at a certain price, lower said price untill you reach an equilibrium.

anyway..i dont care if tickets were 2 dollars right now, i just spent 10k on wife's doctors, so im flat broke for a bit.

[Extra Stout]

This is just ignorant. When you pay my bills, ill go ahead and give you the pleasure of telling me what i can and cannot afford.
There are nearly 2 million people in San Antonio and the surrounding area. 18,000 seats represents less than 1% of the population. I'd imagine the upper 25% on the income scale of the San Antonio area can afford tickets. That means only 1 out of every 25 people who can afford tickets have to buy them for the game to sell out.

The Spurs just aren't a priority, I guess. I remember back in the day when the city would virtually shut down when Spurs playoffs games were on. People would give their left nut to be at the arena on game day.

In bandwagony Houston, people give up their Sundays to watch a perennially losing Texans team, and a middling Astros team, more readily than San Antonians will to watch their dynastic Spurs in the penultimate round of the playoffs.

If you're working class, this doesn't apply to you. Go to your venue of choice and enjoy yourself. It is the upper middle class and the wealthy who go to games, and in San Antonio, this part of the fan base apparently is the worst in the country.

Now I understand why Mav fan, and Laker fan, and Sun fan can get good seats, and drown out the home fans on occasion.

But working-class people get a pass no matter what. It's not your responsibility to bankrupt yourself buying tickets. Don't worry about it.

[The Go For 4]

Maybe many people are taking the WCF for granted and are saving up for Finals tickets, just a thought.

I agree with you.

[The_Worlds_finest]

Hey any of you jerk offs whinning about not selling out the att center go buy all the remaining tickets and give them out free since money is obviously no object..

[polandprzem]

where do you live? i'm referring to those who grew up in san antonio and are living in other cities because that's where their careers have taken them. there are quite a few in this forum who fit that bill.

I live in Poland

Poland is a country in Europe

[Nbadan]

Why pay all this money when you can watch the game close-up in HD at home for free or at your favorite pub for half the cost of a ticket?

[ploto]

Remember when only 2 years ago the tickets would be gone in 5 minutes and people would complain how it was so unfair that they could not get tickets? Where are all those people? I guess people wanted to play Dallas...

[Extra Stout]

I seriously wonder how many local so-called fans jumped off the bandwagon after Horry hip-checked that nice little white man.

[austinfan]

I agree with the others who've mentioned gas prices as a factor. They may not be the main reason, but they're an influence nevertheless, especially because summer hasn't even officially begun and you know they'll probably hit $3.50-4.00 before the public's outrage meter explodes.

And maybe I'm just not looking in the right places, but I rarely see the Spurs marketed here in Austin. We're only an hour's drive away, have tons--and I mean tons--of people with disposable incomes moving here from California and the Northeast, and don't have a pro franchise of our own. Why aren't these people being offered a package for an overnight stay of hotel/Spurs game/Riverwalk restaurant to gradually build up fan loyalty? It's not like they come here with a diehard attachment to the UT teams.

[Nbadan]

The NBA has a image problem, and its also reflected in TV viewer-ship. Nobody likes mediocrity. everyone wants to see the dominant team either win or get beat.

[MoSpur]

I simply can't afford to go to a game at this particular moment. End of story. I have a huge project on my hand that requires most of my money.

[MadDog73]

I seriously wonder how many local so-called fans jumped off the bandwagon after Horry hip-checked that nice little white man.


Really? You think that's the reason the games aren't selling out?

[Extra Stout]

The NBA has a image problem, and its also reflected in TV viewer-ship. Nobody likes mediocrity. everyone wants to see the dominant team either win or get beat.
But to have an "image" problem in San Antonio itself?

I guess maybe Popvich should call up another team and offer to trade Tim Duncan for some young, brash balla who will generate excitement and sell tickets. Because apparently contending for championship every year doesn't do the trick, so maybe a .500 team that scores a bunch of points will do better. Maybe he can give Don Nelson a call. Do you think Golden State fans would be interested in having Duncan on their team, as "boring" as he is?

[fyatuk]

You're a complete fucking idiot if you can't see why 20 million people in a metro area will drive the prices up more for a 20 thousand seat arena than a metro area with 2 million people.

I"ll leave it at that.

You're also neglecting the standard of living, average salary, etc. SA is flat out smaller and poorer, etc. It really is a stupid comparison.

[fyatuk]

Lack of advertising, promotion, and prices all contribute to poor ticket sales.

From what I've seen, Holt has no interest in putting any real money into a decent advertising scheme.

Yup. When the Stars and Rampage are more heavily advertised than the Spurs, you know management is taking the fans for granted when it comes to ticket sales.

And I don't think the Stars and Rampage are given enough love in the advertisement gig.

[Extra Stout]

Really? You think that's the reason the games aren't selling out?
Well, there has to be some reason. The "waaah, tickets are too expensive, even though they're cheaper than in any other NBA market, and this is a one-horse town with no competition for the pro sports dollar" doesn't fly.

I can't believe my good fortune that I actually can get tickets to a Western Conference Finals game without needing connections. That shouldn't be possible. It is ridiculous.

Is it just that well-off San Antonians really don't care about the Spurs? Would a high-scoring team that barely qualifies for the playoffs, like Golden State, have wider appeal?

[maxpower]

I think there are alot of reasons that factor into why this is happening.



2. Prices of Tickets. I know there are tons of tickets on Ebay, StubHub, etc. But the original sales of tickets from Ticketmaster, is where the casual fan is going to start. Sorry, maybe some of you can afford $54 bucks for a seat half way up Club 200 for every home playoff game, but I can't. I got a damn good deal on my HD TV that I spent my entire tax return on and I'm going to get a hell of a lot of good use out of it. I can see the action way better on my TV than I ever could at the ATT, and having friends over is just as good as any playoff experience in an arena (sans The Finals).



4. Prices of The Game Experience. Let's say we spend that $54 per ticket. That's about $120 with taxes and "convenience" charges for two people. Cheapest parking is $8 (I'm not sure if that's still right, I haven't been to a game since last season.) Then if you want a soda or beer that's what like $6 to $7 (so $14 for two people, and that's just one beverage). God forbid you want to eat at the game (easily $25 for two people). And these silly vendors don't even take credit/debit cards for pete's sake! You could easily spend $150-$175 for ONE game. That's fucking insane!


I love the Spurs to death but if they want to put the blame entirely on the Spurs being "spoiled" or "lazy" or whatever that's there prerogative. I just think they just take these factors into consideration before they go throwing all this blame on us.

A friend who has bought/priced tickets for the spurs first 2 series told me the same seats she bought last round were bumped
$20 this round. And this is up in the 200 level maybe in the 10-13 row towards the center. I don't know about you but that is quite a jump. I bought tix there last series for about $35. Add Ticketscalper fees and each ticket was $43. Unfortunately there is no alternative for casual fans and I can see how they would be turned off.

While the experience there is great. You can't overlook the draw of the hi-def experience with friends, food and drink...for much much less.

[MadDog73]

Yup. When the Stars and Rampage are more heavily advertised than the Spurs, you know management is taking the fans for granted when it comes to ticket sales.

And I don't think the Stars and Rampage are given enough love in the advertisement gig.


WTF? Are your serious?

You think there are Spus fans in San Antonio who don't know there is a game tonight?

[Soul_Patch]

Extra Stout. I will give you one thing.


I DO think it a large majority of people find it a lot more appealing and exciting to root for the "up and coming underdog" vs the "tried and true ho/hum always win champs"

These probably can account for some of the lack in sales, but these are not really the true fans imho, just people who love to watch a scrapper break the odds.

But couple that with all the other factors, and you see what we get.

[braeden0613]

I think a lot of the well-off San Antonians already have tickets and those are the natives. Most upper middle-class transplants could care less, im afraid.

[MadDog73]

I don't think is has anything to do with Spurs fans finding their team "boring."

Several possibilities: Our city has become jaded. We're "used" to Spurs being in playoffs, so people who would normally buy WCF tickets are waiting for the Finals?

People really are poorer now than in the past.

Or people don't want to watch the Spurs play the Jazz. It really may be that simple.

People not selling out games, leaving before the game is over...

If it was Spurs vs Mavericks, we would not be having this discussion.

[LilMissSPURfect]

Should it be the Spurs PR department to generate excitement or should they take it for granted that they will sell? If a store doesn't sell their products do they bitch about it or do they try things to make people buy them? This attitude that we some how owe them coming from the Spurs front office is just flat out bullshit.


Yep, I blame SPURS marketing for not joing other NBA teams in the "blackout, white out or silver out themes....everyone else is doing it.....

and when is it the right time to get a YOUNGER more enthusiastic PA guy? I've been to a game or two and its gotten to a point where u wish the guy would do the spurs a favor by rolling over and playing dead , since the SPURS WON't do anything about it :greedy :greedy :cry :bang

[Soul_Patch]

People really underestimate the effect that the ridiculous gas prices are having on the economy.

peoples yearly salaries are decreasing every day they decide it needs to be higher.

[Soul_Patch]

I am actually somewhat good friends with the VP of spurs marketing / public relations.

We play cards about once or twice a week, when he isn't out of town.

He is an old fart though and has been with the organization for quite a while.

[LilMissSPURfect]

I am actually somewhat good friends with the VP of spurs marketing / public relations.

We play cards about once or twice a week, when he isn't out of town.

He is an old fart though and has been with the organization for quite a while.

trip him up when he's heading down the stairs..... :oops :oops

or maybe some marketing classes at UTSA might help

[2centsworth]

what's the ticket count?

[Soul_Patch]

I agree. But honestly from what i can sqeak out of him (he never really gets into talking business much) is that his main focus at least is on the corporate clients. Now that is not to say people under him aren't more intuned to the every day sports fan, but man LP has some insane stories about whining and dining big clients in Vegas for the Allstar game and i think he also mentioned dropping big $$ for some folks in Miami for one of their games there.

ID kill for that job :)

[chorizo overdose]

Tickets at Energy Solutions Arena are more expensive than their AT&T Center equivalents.

Salt Lake City and its environs are less affluent than San Antonio.

Games 3 and 4 sold out in 15 minutes.

The Jazz had 6 home games in the first two rounds, just like the Spurs.

Cut the excuses. San Antonio just has bad fans. $60 for a ticket is not bad at all for the Western Conference Finals, and I will be helping myself to Game 5. I never imagined I'd have the opportunity.

The team is SOOOOOOO gone from SA once these title runs are over. That building won't even be half full most nights.



salt lake city can't make flautas worth a shit.