Attendance

McD for MVP · Post #1 » by **McD for MVP** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:33 pm

Hey y'all.

The Suns are looking fantastic. We are not only looking like a legit playoff team in the competitive Western Conference, but we have one of the most exciting teams in the entire league
lead by 2 speed demons in Bledsoe and Dragic. Phoenix is a great basketball market and the Suns are well liked in Arizona.

However, we are 27th in attendance.

I hate turning on the TV and seeing so many empty seats for such an exciting team. I totally understand that season ticket sales were probably terrible, iIget that, but with us looking this good why can'twe even gher 15000 people into most games? Its embarrassing, and the players deserve better.

What is the problem? How long do the Suns have to keep playing like this until the attendance can reflect the product on the floor? Are ticket prices too high? I think this is a big issue. The valley of the sun needs to get back behind the Suns, but it looks like a challenge.

Ring_Wanted · Post #2 » by **Ring_Wanted** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:46 pm

BSOTS has brought up this topic, and I would guess this is what happens when you are supposed to suck for a second consecutive season while not having big time names and after having spent the three years prior to the sucking blocked in mediocrity.

Nobody saw the Nash Suns coming in 2004, either.

The media is starting to notice. If the Suns keep it up, the rest will follow its natural course.

McD for MVP · Post #3 » by **McD for MVP** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:48 pm

I don't live in Phoenix (but plan on moving there soon)

What is the media like? Are people talking about the Suns? Do they get local TV love?

Calvin Klein · Post #4 » by **Calvin Klein** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 8:11 pm

Phoenix has never had a great fanbase (at least those who attend the games). You rarely see them excited and cheering.

McD for MVP · Post #5 » by **McD for MVP** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 8:13 pm

Calvin Klein wrote:Phoenix has never had a great fanbase (at least those who attend the games). You rarely see them excited and cheering.

This is true, but during the Nash prime years it was solid, plus there was a super long sell out streak

Calvin Klein · Post #6 » by **Calvin Klein** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 8:16 pm

But only when they are contending.

The crowd at the 93 Finals was amazing.

McD for MVP · Post #7 » by **McD for MVP** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 8:18 pm

Yes, but it was better than Heat fans by a mile.

Above average contender fanbase IMO

Calvin Klein · Post #8 » by **Calvin Klein** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 8:20 pm

Heat crowd might just be the worst.

Sunsdeuce · Post #9 » by **Sunsdeuce** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 9:58 pm

McD for MVP wrote:
Calvin Klein wrote:Phoenix has never had a great fanbase (at least those who attend the games). You rarely see them excited and cheering.

This is true, but during the Nash prime years it was solid, plus there was a super long sell out streak

I see u got a picture of Barkley. Did u attend the games in the early 90s. The attendance was awesome and the crowd was crazy loud. Best memories I had going to the games back then!! It was nearly impossible to get a ticket.

Point is if the suns get charismatic star the crowds will come. The suns are a star forward or center away from being legit.

DirtyDez · Post #10 » by **DirtyDez** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 10:56 pm

Blame high def TV.

thamadkant · Post #11 » by **thamadkant** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 11:09 pm

Lol at the HD TV bit..
Maybe true, these days I can spot an attractive female all the way to the 6-7th row.

Back in the old days an empty seat and a person was harder to tell.

But on seriousness, lack of attendance is not good for the franchise bottom line.
Sure profits are shared, but that's a reason why certain teams get a big pull/push in the NBA, to ensure they can maximise a certain market to make up for a flailing one.

I brought up the same concern previously, I've seen about 7-8 Suns games at home and notice the lack of fans watching. Its apparently due to Phoenix not being a basketball city... But that's not good for business long term.
I'm sure some cities can pitch that they have big basketball fan bases... And that's what you don't want to happen...

The city of Phoenix need to show they care about the Suns....

Gorilla Warfare · Post #12 » by **Gorilla Warfare** » Tue Dec 24, 2013 3:02 am

We also have one of the most expensive tickets in the NBA. They lowered ticket prices by around 15% this season and still lost about 30% of their season ticket holders, including myself. I love this team this season but can't justify opening my wallet up for Sarver when he doesn't open his...They also have the most expensive concession prices in the NBA, and ironically enough the Spurs and Thunder have the cheapest.

wheezy · Post #13 » by **wheezy** » Tue Dec 24, 2013 3:37 am

Gorilla Warfare wrote:We also have one of the most expensive tickets in the NBA. They lowered ticket prices by around 15% this season and still lost about 30% of their season ticket holders, including myself. I love this team this season but can't justify opening my wallet up for Sarver when he doesn't open his...They also have the most expensive concession prices in the NBA, and ironically enough the Spurs and Thunder have the cheapest.

This is probably the biggest reason. As someone that formerly went in on season tickets, the amazing/incredible/super fun team we had from '04-'10 managed to more than double ticket prices. $6k for a quarter of the home games is a little ridiculous to say the least. Not sure what the same seats would be now though.

Having said that though, groupon has been doing ~50% off tickets for certain games every month or so this season. Got 3 tickets in row 10 for $40 a seat ($98 face value each) plus bobbleheads to the Pelicans game last month. If you're looking for tickets I'd definitely recommend you go check on there first.

bigfoot · Post #14 » by **bigfoot** » Tue Dec 24, 2013 4:57 am

Two reasons Suns have problems with empty seats

1) Not many native Arizonans. So many folks are from out-of-state, especially east coast and colder climates, who are fans of others teams.

2) Too many premium seats go to corporations. They give their tickets out to clients/visitors and true fans are left out in the cold. Seats are left empty because the corporate tickets are sometimes not used or the fans don't have any reason to cheer because they aren't real fans.

Son of Ra · Post #15 » by **Son of Ra** » Tue Dec 24, 2013 5:30 am

For me it is definitely the ticket prices. Last year I only went to the Clippers game because they had a 'first ticket 50%, second ticket free' promotion on FSAZ. Wanted to watch the Bulls game too since my wife and a couple of friends are from IL and decided not to when I saw the prices. There were a handful of ~$30 (iirc military) tickets that were long gone, and the rest was $50, $70 (single seats, none connected) and $90 all in the upper rank.
So for my wife and I a (Rose-less, mind you) Bulls team would have been $180 plus tax, $16 iirc for the Lightrail tickets (we do the park & ride for games coming from Tempe) plus about $30 in drinks and snacks (you obviously don't 'need' those, but you would want to at a game).

So bottom line ~$230 for the league's 5th worst team against an ok East team in theoretically bad seats (I for my part like the upper ranks better than the lower ones)! Seriously??
While we could afford it I don't think it is justified and worth it. And I think it is losing them more money than it would make them. Say a game would cost the two of us $60, we would go to 5-10 games and in the end spend way more than we would with the way tickets are priced now. And that way you can also get the casual viewer to attend games. How in the world is even an average income family of say four or five supposed to afford that?

I used to live in Miami in Wade's rookie season and the tickets in the upper rank were 10-14 bucks. I was at almost every regular season and all playoff games despite being a Suns fan. Just sayin'....

QuickLikeTheo · Post #16 » by **QuickLikeTheo** » Tue Dec 24, 2013 5:31 am

I would definetely be a regular if I didn't live in cali

LukasBMW · Post #17 » by **LukasBMW** » Tue Dec 24, 2013 6:23 am

The advantage to low attendance is us true fans can score some monster scalping deals. If you are a halfway decent negotiator you can get into the lower level for $50 a seat. I actually scored 2 tickets in row 6 tonight (section 115 - right across from the suns bench) for $125 a pop. My best deal yet. (Face value was $550 each)

The secret is to have a budget, stick to it, talk to at least 5 scalpers, be ready to walk away, and (most importantly) not take sh-t from them.

Jdiddy701 · Post #18 » by **Jdiddy701** » Tue Dec 24, 2013 8:49 am

I hate topics like this. Just cuz the seats are empty means no die hard fans? To be honest, I have a better time watching the games at home. The seats are way too close to each other.

Prices are a joke. It's cool to go to a game here and there but rather watch from home. Too many old farts at the game.

Jdiddy701 · Post #19 » by **Jdiddy701** » Tue Dec 24, 2013 8:58 am

If the Suns want people to go to the games:

1. UPGRADE OUR ARENA! Food is terrible there. Place looks dirty. Have deals at the team shop and expand the shop with better selection.
2. Lower prices
3. In game music sucks so bad. This season shouldn't have any of the same songs they had 2 years ago. Who ever is in charge of that should be fired. Get up-to-date with recent music.
4. Throw more shirts
5. Lower prices
6. Retro nights
7. Have promotions! Dbacks and Coyotes have good deals!

Seriously, if I was in charge of all those decisions, we'd have sell outs. The music is so terrible.

Frank Lee · Post #20 » by **Frank Lee** » Tue Dec 24, 2013 10:24 am

A shabby arena with bad food, high prices and skinny seats? WTF ?

LukasBMW wrote:The advantage to low attendance is us true fans can score some monster scalping deals. If you are a halfway decent negotiator you can get into the lower level for $50 a seat. I actually scored 2 tickets in row 6 tonight (section 115 - right across from the suns bench) for $125 a pop. My best deal yet. (Face value was $550 each)

The secret is to have a budget, stick to it, talk to at least 5 scalpers, be ready to walk away, and (most importantly) not take sh-t from them.

Ah yes.... scalpers... I hate to bring up the old days, but even at those scalped prices I cringe.

$550 a seat
:jawdrop:

Do you think those empties we see on TV are unsold ? Are they corporate owned and not being handed out? Or just pretentious ****heads who don't need to be there in the first place. I can't imagine any ticket going to waste with this squad.