I’m hesitant to say that this is the day we have all been waiting for because physically watching an NHL team hit the ice in Seattle will be far more exciting, but I regress - this is a pretty good one. When I first caught wind that Tim Leiweke, David Bonderman, and Jerry Bruckheimer were set to speak with the media, the hair raised on the back of my neck. When I got word we were part of that media round, I was ecstatic.
We were finally going to hear from the brains behind the process.
In an interview with ESPN, Bonderman was asked if he could beat 5,000 tickets being sold in the first two days. I think we have all been cautious with our predictions, but wouldn’t that be amazing — 5,000 tickets in 48 hours. It would show the league that we as a city mean business.
“So I’d say two things. One, we feel pressure to make sure we represent this marketplace well. We are damned and determined in the eyes of the rest of the industry, including all the leagues, Seattle shines very brightly tomorrow,” he responded. “Second, I think people need to understand this process tomorrow is not just about season tickets and mini-season tickets it’s about those that are interested in bringing Winter sports back to Seattle and this will be the list that ultimately gets the right to buy the first of all the tickets.”
It was a night filled with information and an appearance at the Angry Beaver.
So how about that 5,000 tickets in two days? Well...
Tim Leiweke and Jerry Bruckheimer met with Farhan Lalji of TSN to discuss the launch.
“We are shell-shocked I guess is the best way to put it,” Leiweke told Lalji. “we sold 10,000 season tickets in twelve minutes.”
As of writing this, I am hearing that the team has now hit over 25,000 sales, meaning the wait list will be long.
Yes, they matched their goal in the first twelve minutes. That isn’t a rumor, it’s not a projection — it is fact. This city just proved to Gary Bettman and the league that not only do we want hockey, we deserve it.
“Seattle has spoken," he continued. "they are ready for the National Hockey League and that they are counting on us to get the National Hockey League here.”
An NHL Seattle flag will be raised on top of the Space Needle just after noon. Chris Mast will be there to photograph the event. Also, the phase two environmental impact studies on arena renovation are complete with no concerns.
Comments
Still up for sale?
Why are they still for sale if they’ve already sold 25K+? There are going to be a lot of disappointed people out there.
By jasonnn. on 03.01.18 11:39am
We don't know how many of that 25k
will be full season tickets or partial season tickets or if people decided that they don’t want to get them once the full price comes out.
By gstommylee on 03.01.18 11:42am
per NHLSeattle.com
By Taylor Bartle on 03.01.18 11:54am
that would be quite a shame
for those of us in the system at 10am and not able to complete the transaction for 20 minutes – but not sure what you can do about that. I’ll just have my fingers crossed, and if I don’t get them will just pay whatever to be in the building on opening night and go from there.
By flatdawgs on 03.01.18 12:59pm
I'm in the same boat friend
But honestly I think the system worked as best it could. The demand was overwhelming. I might have to wait a year or two at this rate and that’s okay. I’m just so glad we’re (probably) getting a hockey team.
But, if anyone wants to take a Sin Bin writer to a game…
By Sean Clement on 03.01.18 2:59pm
Im sure
Many on the wait list will drop when they find out they are on it.
By Doug Mellon on 03.01.18 5:27pm
Waiting list. Deposit is fully refundable.
By Doug Mellon on 03.01.18 11:55am
People facing a $500/seat decision tend to make different decisions than people facing a $5000+/seat decision.
some of the 10k will drop out when the time comes to pay real money.
By Throbert Bedford on 03.01.18 2:33pm
amazing work Seattle
By Todd Little on 03.01.18 11:46am
Thanks
By snovalleyhockeyfan on 03.01.18 12:54pm
So what you're saying is if don't come at this market with a dismissive "don't call us we'll call you" attitude you can get results.
Something tells me the NBA has this whole Seattle thing all wrong.
Oh well their loss, bring on hockey I’m ready.
By sofa-king on 03.01.18 11:54am
Fuck the NBA.
But obviously I still want the Sonics back and have my down deposit ready for season NBA season tickets too. Masochism at its finest.
By Drunk Viking on 03.01.18 2:48pm
I wanted to flag this
but then I read the rest of it and now I’m conflicted.
By Taylor Bartle on 03.01.18 2:53pm
Inside NHL offices
Bil Daly: Umm Gary there are 10k folks outside our offices.
Gary: Oh thats just normal traffic
Daly: They are all from Seattle with hockey sticks.
Gary: umm Stall them.
Daly: what do you want me to tell them…. Gary scurries off to contact the 31 BOG members umm Gary.
By gstommylee on 03.01.18 11:59am
Obligatory repost
https://twitter.com/SeattleSinBin/status/969286731156475904
By Cad on 03.01.18 12:04pm
You could say it..
Has captured the hearts and minds of many in Seattle
By Otto Rogers on 03.01.18 1:16pm
Uh oh
the NHL Seattle flag on the top of the Space Needle is red…
By Taylor Bartle on 03.01.18 12:34pm
Eh i wouldn't worry about it
By gstommylee on 03.01.18 12:39pm
Doesn’t mean anything necessarily.
The Texans "NFL 2002" banner wasn’t in Texans colors so it’s not usually an indicator of what the color scheme will be.
By UprootedTexan on 03.01.18 12:40pm
I know
but everyone lost their damn minds when the red renderings came out.
By Taylor Bartle on 03.01.18 12:47pm
I’m good with red.
It’s a little overly common in the NHL but very uncommon in Seattle.
By itsanospreybich on 03.01.18 12:47pm
Red has also been featured on the T-shirts and posters that have been handed out by OVG as well.
By FlannelBacon on 03.01.18 12:47pm
Bruckheimer did say he grew up in detroit
So probably a wings fan and likes the color. Wouldn’t mind red if it is more of a burgundy color.
By Barely Able on 03.01.18 12:52pm
I'm pretty certain
They picked red to contrast well against the Black, silver/grey, and white of the NHL logo for this campaign.
OVG has already said that the color is not indicative of a team color. At least, not yet anyway.
By Matt Tucker on 03.01.18 1:09pm
Nailed it...
The powers that be are just passing that buck to the graphics dudes downstairs for now. Priorities. I doubt there’s even been a single serious discussion on it beyond, "Hey, we should chat about that someday…" (priorities piss me off).
By SeaBlu on 03.01.18 1:46pm