You don't need to look at the numbers--you can simply look at the games--to know that attendance in the NBA is dropping each and every year.
If we do look at the numbers, we will see that the Chicago Bulls, who have led the league in attendance for the past three years, have seen their numbers go from 22,161 in 2012 to 21,876 in 2013 to 21,677 this year. The team with the lowest attendance in the last three years continues to be lower each year as well. The (then New Jersey) Nets had 13,961 in 2012, the Sacramento Kings had 13,741 last year and the Milwaukee Bucks are currently averaging 13,253 this year. So what's the problem?
Is it a dwindling on-court product? In some markets, yes. Is it the evolution of HDTV? That's possible, sure. Is it inadequate facilities? The NBA would like you to think so, especially if you live in Sacramento, Milwaukee or Charlotte. In reality, it's that when those facilities are improved upon (or, in some cases, completely replaced), the focus continues to be on the luxury items: the box suites, the fine dining, the lifestyles of the rich and famous. For example, let's take Charlotte. The soon-to-be Hornets are requesting $42 million ($41.9 if you want to split hairs) from the city of Charlotte for improvements to the Time Warner Cable Arena. For the record, the Bobcats are currently 25th in attendance at 15,335, despite being on the verge of making the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Of that $42 million, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority has asked for $7.8 million to cover basic upgrades such as plumbing, lighting, carpeting, etc. in the eight-and-a-half year old arena (third newest in the league, mind you). The Bobcats have requested $34.1 million to cover restaurant upgrades, suite upgrades and moving the ticket booth for some reason. The team is requesting upgrades based on the fact that the NFL's Carolina Panthers recently got $87.5 million to renovate their stadium (Sound familiar?).
My question is thus: why do the restaurants need to be upgraded? Moreover, why do the suites need to be upgraded? This is an honest question as I've never been to the Time Warner Cable Arena, let alone Charlotte, let alone the state of North Carolina.
I find it hard to believe that a facility less than a decade old needs that much work done, though. If you remember, the big complaint about KeyArena is that it lacked "revenue streams" found in most newer arenas. This means restaurants, shopping and, of course, luxury suites. Question: how many of you have ever been in a luxury suite? I can tell you that I, myself, have not. This is an example of one of the luxury suites at New York's Madison Square Garden:
Notice anything? They're watching the game... ON TV! THEY ARE AT THE GAME AND THEY ARE WATCHING IT ON TV! These luxury suites are, most of the time, nothing more than places for business meetings and small parties or simply status symbols. The people in there drink and watch, ON TV, the game THEY ARE AT! Sorry... it just gets me all worked up because these are apparently the people the NBA feels they need to cater to. If they could, the NBA would fill the arena with these extravagant party rooms for the uber-wealthy to sit and not pay attention to the product on the court. Of course, these people need the finer things in life so a simple hot dog and beer will not do. No, they need lobster and shrimp rolls or organic Asian chicken (these are real menu options at MSG).
So while the NBA continues to upgrade their arenas to cater to these ultra-rich, what does that do for us? The average price of a non-luxury ticket to an NBA game is $50.99 (although that price drops to $43.54 if you remove the Knicks and Lakers, both of whom have average prices over $100). Last season, the Brooklyn Nets had 2,000 tickets per home game that were priced at $15. To get those tickets, however, you had to be quick to reply to a social network post. This season, those tickets no longer exist. At KeyArena back in the day (Oh man, I'm getting old.), a $7 ticket could be purchased at the box office. It's safe to say that those kinds of prices will not be available in the new arena. The owners seem to be of the mindset that less is more, as long as the less have more.
We continue to hear how so many teams in financial peril--and therefore the league--need to have 34 different "fashion jerseys" per team, or put the McDonald's logo on the Rockets uniforms (yeah... Why do you think they went back to red and yellow, hmm?). Well, perhaps if more people were coming to games, teams would be better off and wouldn't need to resort to these tactics that cheapen the overall product and therefore further distance the fans from the league. It is, indeed, a slippery slope.
Mr. Silver, I implore you to know your audience and have your teams find a way to make the best possible experience IN THE ARENA, for the people watching the game ON THE COURT. Maybe then the fans will come back and you can fill the arenas once more. We don't care about lobster rolls or Cristal or personal butlers or leather reclining seats. We care about basketball.
Comments
AMEN!
To answer one of your questions, no, I’ve never been in a luxury suite. I don’t have that kind of money! I’m just from the sad and poor working class, and it seems like sports teams owners don’t think that the poor working class (read: pathetic) exists, or don’t go to games. I’m not rich enough to be interested in sports, apparently. I can’t afford a REPLICA jersey, I can’t afford to sit in a stadium or arena anywhere where I can actually see the game, and even if I could pay for a ticket, concession prices would do me in (I mean, REALLY? How much does 12 ounces of a fountain drink REALLY cost? That nasty syrup mix HONESTLY costs $6?!? And what’s with the $4 for a bottle of pop I’d be able to get at a gas station for $1.25? Damned markups!).
I’ve never been in a luxury suite, but I’ve seen pictures and artists’ renditions, like the one you’ve shown. And the first thing I’ve always noticed: THERE’S A TV INSIDE! What could you possibly need to watch on TV when you’re at a game??? Are you watching the game? You can’t just look out your fancy window?—Or is your fancy suite too far away to see any of the action? Or are you watching Friends on TV? If you’re watching something else, WHY ARE YOU AT THE GAME?!? Just to show your conspicuous consumption and prove that you can go to a game in a luxury suite?
I love my teams, whether they win or not. But with the increase of luxury suites, there are fewer seats available for people like me to attend games. And with the rising ticket prices of those few seats, it makes it more difficult for people like me to pay to sit in one of those disappearing seats. :(
But that’s okay. I’m just a nobody. The fat cat owners don’t care about people like me.
By Tiffany V. on 03.27.14 4:18pm
How do you feel about that Tiffany?
;-)
By Chris Meirose on 03.28.14 7:26am
that's one thing I love about the boxes in the new arena
they are down in the lower bowl, not up in the bleachers where you’d be better off watching on TV.
By Taylor Bartle on 03.28.14 9:07am
I thought they were doing both kinds.
By Matt Tucker on 03.28.14 9:10am
looks like you are correct
By Taylor Bartle on 03.28.14 9:19am
I could really use some new interior mockups right about now.
It has been FOREVER since we got updated renders.
By Eric Flatness on 03.28.14 12:32pm
May not be anything to distribute considering the Kings issue stopped most developement cold.
Could not be anything relevant until one of the leagues makes a more concrete commitment.
By sofa-king on 03.28.14 12:58pm
I would love to see
some concourses, concessions, etc.
By Taylor Bartle on 03.28.14 3:52pm
There needs to be a room with a 100 taps
By Kevin Nesgoda on 03.28.14 10:46pm
Taphouse could sponsor that.
By Matt Tucker on 03.28.14 10:55pm
Yeah, these are the lower suites
designed to be like restaurant seating, about 10 rows up from the floor.
Then, they have the upper “loge” style suites that can be custom-configured for different things. They’re midway between the lower and upper bowl seats, along the length-wise sides of the court.
It’s been a little bit since I’ve looked at the designs. Forgot how much I love the concept of the place.
By Matt Tucker on 03.28.14 9:19am
Didn't the Bobcats make the playoffs in 2010?
By Barely Able on 03.28.14 5:23am
oh man
you’re right
By Taylor Bartle on 03.28.14 9:03am
fixed
By Taylor Bartle on 03.28.14 9:05am
I've been in the luxury suites at Staples Center and Dodger Stadium and they are nice for the food
However, for the sport itself, watching the game closely and feeling the intensity of the game, there is nothing like getting close to the field OR up in the nose bleed section where the “real” fans sit. So I totally agree — I bet the revenue $$ work a lot better with just good old seats for the fans and the luxury boxes for the people/companies who use them for business deals or to give away to clients and employees.
By Catherine Boland on 03.28.14 7:24am
Luxury Suites
are huge to the business model, specifically for the corporate sales. It’s often used as an incentive for those businesses, which makes it a more appealing experience than buying out a row down in the main bowl. Yes, often they are used for business meetings outside of the game itself, but it makes for an interesting environment. Having been to the suites at the CLink, you are able watch the game live or on TVs in the suite. It makes for a compelling experience.
By Matt Tucker on 03.28.14 7:50am
The last game at Safeco I attended
at the beginning of last season, I waited for a good 30 mins for a beer. This was nooo where near a sell out either. In fact after I had been in line for a long time a woman showed up behind me and said she had bailed from a different line because she had been there too long. How much do the beer vendors get paid? The Ms won’t pay a couple extra people to pour beers? Each individual Miller Lite (barf) can cover these people’s hourly wage.
Let’s be honest with ourselves for a second, pro sports is a freaking racket. This is why I’m supportive of hansen. Yes his group is a gagillionaire but they also are providing a lot more than we’ve seen before from a pro team.
By Eric E on 03.28.14 8:52am
we don't know that yet
We could just as easily be equally raped and gouged by his pricing model at the new arena.
He will want to turn a profit.
By Kevin Nesgoda on 03.28.14 10:49am
True true
Very good point my friend.
We also thought (or were told) Schultz would rejuvenate the franchise.
By Eric E on 03.29.14 9:03am
I do have more faith in Hansen
But he is a businessman, but he will definitely be more patient in losing money (not likely) over the last person to truly own the Sonics.
By Kevin Nesgoda on 03.29.14 8:51pm
Hey
That’s big in my book. Maybe even enough patience and desire to find a solution rather than find a buyer in order to make a point.
By Eric E on 03.30.14 9:28am
Buffalo is worth watching
A lot of people don’t think they’re going to last another decade there.
By Kevin Nesgoda on 03.30.14 10:11am
Oh he rejuvenated it alright
By The Real Fezzik on 03.31.14 3:26pm
M's Bleacher Seats
went from $7 to about $17 in the last several years and there are far fewer free parking spots near the stadium now. At least there’s less expensive dining options outside the ballpark. Nice that they have TV’s for when you’re standing in the long lines for their exorbitantly expensive refreshments.
By SonicsUberAlles on 03.28.14 7:55am
I love baseball and have been a Mariners fan since the early '80's.
That being said, there is nothing about the current Mariners product that justifies a price hike. Between the shitty product they are putting on the field, the continual cutting of payroll and the way the tried to block a SODO arena, the Mariners should be lucky anyone shows to their games. Fuck those guys until they get their act together.
By TJDirk on 03.28.14 5:30pm