Spurs facing another non-sellout

[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 ing 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 compe ion 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 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 ing 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 about it or do they try things to make people buy them? This at ude that we some how owe them coming from the Spurs front office is just flat out bull .

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

[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.....

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 le runs are over. That building won't even be half full most nights.

salt lake city can't make flautas worth a .