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Thrashers fans not buying it this year
by Forechecker on 10/06/08 at 09:34 PM ET
Comments (2)
The Falconer over at Thrasher’s Talons points us to a note in the Sports Business Journal’s NHL preview:
The Sports Business Journal is reporting that as of August 15th the season ticket renewal rate was just 40% for the Thrashers.
So is this a case of a non-traditional market not supporting hockey, or a fan base turning away from a team that has consistently failed to deliver a competitive product and offended season ticket-holders with deep game-day discounts for the general public?
My vote is for the latter, but opinions are likely to be all over the place.
Filed in: NHL Commentary | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: Atlanta+Thrashers,
Comments
Oh, I definitely have to go w/ the latter. I was a Thrashers season ticket holder for their first three years, and didn’t renew because I could get better seats @ ice level for $10 on game days w/ a student ID. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!
One of the problems w/ Atlanta is that it seems like everyone who lives there is from someplace else. Lots of passionate fans (of other teams) would fill the building… but few Thrashers fans per se. They figured it would take a decade to build a fan base, but apparently this isn’t happening?
Since moving back to Pittsburgh, I’ve been a Penguins season ticket holder for the past three years… and it’s a totally different animal. Of course, an exceptionally talented young team, winning, being in more of a hockey market, and a new arena in 2010 don’t hurt. I’m curious, though, what effects the downturn in the economy will have?
Posted by Dave from Pittsburgh PA on 10/07/08 at 05:01 PM ET
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Dirk Hoag is the Forechecker, churner of NHL stats and analysis. Having started over 10 years ago writing for websites like In the Crease and e-Sports, Dirk launched On The Forecheck in 2005 to cover the Nashville Predators as well as apply statistical analysis to NHL hockey.
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Have to go with the latter in this case too. The Thrashers were horrible last season, really didn’t do anything to get better in the offseason, and still have Don Waddell in charge. If they think early-season attendance is going to be terrible, just wait until they trade Kovalchuk for peanuts at the deadline because he’s sick of Atlanta and has no intention of re-signing with the Thrashers.
Posted by Nathan from Richmond, VA on 10/07/08 at 10:24 AM ET