Wings&Beer

People are either refusing to acknowledge the problem or they are ignorant to it. To say the Wings has 17,000 asses in the seats on Monday is a complete lie. According to the Edmonton Sun there were about 13,000 people in attendance to Monday's game. Now I know people are going to respond by questioning the credibility of the Edmonton Sun but I have been going to games for 15 years, seeing the good, the bad, and Monday...the ugly as far as attendance is concerned. When the 4 or 5 top rows are empty there is not 17,000 people in the arena. STOP with the economy crap, people are going in droves to see the Tigers, the Lions, and soon the Pistons. There are number of problems, and the economy is close to the bottom of the list: 1.) The lockout was all about creating a salary cap and controlling excessive payrolls, the CBA created a nearly 30 million payroll deduction for the Wings, yet ticket prices never decreased. The ability of the Wings to bring the big players to Detroit has decreased and people who are not die-hard Wings fans are not familiar with the new faces. It doesnt matter if you bring older players who are way past their prime, people came out to see them because they know who they are. 2.) Joe Louis is old and boring. For as long as I can remember the same exact songs have played at the same exact time, the same contests at intermission have been going on , and there is absolutely no excitement to the pre-game events. The Detroit Vipers had a better pre-game introduction than the Wings do. When the Wings score a goal its the same horn, no pyrotechnics (Calgary), no lights, nothing. Now, I AM NOT saying that is what I am there for, in fact I love the classic stuff, but we are not talking about me or anyone on this forum, we are talking about bringing the borderline fans to the game. Face it, people like all this BS when they go out to a game. They do this in the playoffs, why not regular season? 3.) The schedule is not interesting. There is no more Avalanche rivalry, and guess what? IF we did create a rivalry, then the NHL would schedule the games on VERSUS and a lot of Detroiters would not even be able to watch it. 4.) Hockey is a lot more difficult to follow than Basketball. Almost anyone can name all of the players on the Auburn Hills Pistons, even if you hate them as I do. Ask the average Detroit sports person to name every player on the Red Wings. This is what people like to do when it comes to sports; they like to know or appear to know who they are talking about and be able to follow their play. Also on this point, the wealth in this area is primarily in Oakland County, where the Pistons are located. It is a hell of a lot easier to pack the family in the car, drive to the palace, park in the big ass lot, and walk up to the stadium. People who go to Joe Louis all have their own little tips and tricks as to where they park, where its cheaper, and how close it is to the stadium. Face it: It is more difficult to go to a Red Wings game. 5.) Hockey is not dicussed on ESPN anywhere near the way it used to be. This is the place that the general sports fan gets their information, and hears about big plays, scores, players, etc. and follows up with heightened interest in the sport. I dont have anymore time but these are just some of the reasons, disagree with me if you want, I understand. This is what we need, to discuss thoughts and new options to the problems from the people who know the Red Wings and want to revive Hockeytown. Maybe someone will hear us sooner rather than later.

I dont have a good feeling about this one. The loss to the hawks has got me thinking "when it rains it pours" ie, rolling over into the edmonton game. ANYWAY, ill still give it to the Wings 4- Oil- 3 I want to see a few more of those rockets from the blue line

Versus sucks my left Wingnut

As a Detroiter I hate it when the Wings arent on FSN because I like Ken and Mick, but I can see why out of town wings fans would lke to see more games on versus.

3 games, that really blows

Get sopcast and dont let it happen again!!!!! That is the greatest thing I have seen all day haha

I ask how, how do you not remember this goal???? If I were you, id go into hiding for a little while to avoid the ensuing harassment

Id like Markov back but first he needs to get 4-5 million out of his head

What do you know, the NFL beats the NHL in yet another measurement of entertaining fans.

I dont like this news

Love the post, hope the wings can move East too. Looking at the map actually angers me when I think about how much more difficult it is to play hockey in the Western Conference when so much travelling is involved. When you think about the hours of travel and time zone change it makes a big difference. Also who covers the travel expenses????? Example: Wings have their own airplane because they need one, but it costs a lot of money to operate obviously. Other teams in the east dont need to travel much by plane and therefore avoid a lot of expense. So who covers the cost, and is it equal?

I dont like this news even if they are giving Z time to heal from last season, which is unlikely

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2007/07/re...th_troybas.html

I just got a damn ticket so I am pissed off, thought I should put it here

I totally agree, and now because of that he is going to spend even more money to over-promote the over-priced tickets, eventually pushing the tickets up even more

I still remember coming home from a game in the 05-06 season in which Chelios was ejected. Ken Kal postgame said he wasnt sure whether Chelios questioned the refs hometown or herritage, but it was one of the two and either way he was kicked out....I love it

Sssssssssshhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I dont mind if the player doesnt mind!

Thank the STARS for not seeing him on TV anymore, he was absolutely ridiculous last year, not showing respect for the Wings and all

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Not watch the wings because of the jerseys? Though I do hate the jerseys too, thats a little harsh........its not the jerseys that makes the wings tough, its the players wearing them!

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Sorry to rehash what everyone else has already said, but what the hell is Gordie doing on a list with people accused of doping and other cheating? I was at Gordies 6th decade appearance and it was nothing but a way of getting asses in the seats at a Vipers game. In the past week it has become popular for sports writers to discuss cheating and other sporting flaws in this time when no sport seems innocent of scandal……… NHL: Bettman and Nashville Sale NFL: Vick and Dog Fighting NBA: Gamblin’ Ref MLB: Bary Bonds soon to break Homerun Record ****

Anybody know where I can purchase the New Reebok Jerseys, or at least see them??? I know, I should take part of the boycott of them since I too am not a fan, but I just need to see them!