BlakChamber

Tigers are winning again and have 9 or 10 different ticket options that are cheaper than the cheapest Wings tickets on Ticketmaster. And the only team in baseball that sells out every game is the Red Sox. The Lions almost always do well, but there's only 8 home games a year. So season tickets aren't as big a deal. And, according to ESPN, the Lions have been at about 95% the past 5 years. Plus Detroit is a baseball and football town first. Not sure about the Pistons, I'd imagine they offer cheaper seating options. As I've said before, there's no one single reason the Wings haven't been selling out. It's not just the economy, its not just ticket prices, its not just a bunch of other things, its a combination of a variety of factors. The economy is just one of them.

While I doubt that there are that many people that would have gone to the games but for the tax hike, when you factor in the overall economy of the state and the fact that taxes are going up, more people are probably going to tighten up spending with their disposable income.

Why? It's a legitimate topic of discussion.

I think you're dead on with that assessment.

As much as I dislike Michigan and Hart, he should be getting some Heisman consideration.

Chances are, there's some contract with the NHL and the NHLPA over jerseys. The PA allows players names to be put on in exchange for a cut of merchandise monies. Once they retire, they're not part of the NHLPA anymore and therefore, they're outside the contract the jersey makers and sellers have with the NHL and the NHLPA.

Sigh, same old MSU. If someone can find the secondary, please let Coach D. know. We really could have used the secondary today.

9/22/07: 178.4 lbs. 9/30/07: 178 lbs. 10/5/07: 177 lbs. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to the bar to eat wings, drink beer, watch the Spartans, and negate the workout I just did

If I had to guess, Hockeytown Authentics doesn't design the jerseys and they probably don't put the letters on the replicas either. Your beef should probably be with whoever is making the replica jerseys, not the sellers.

The economy is still a factor, but its not the sole factor. On Ticketmaster, the cheapest Wings ticket is $22. The cheapest Tigers ticket is $5.00 and there are 9 different seating areas in Comerica that are $20 or under. And the Lions always sell well for some inexplicable reason. Saying the economy is the only reason is wrong, but to say its not a factor is equally wrong. Downtown Detroit has a safe nightlife.

According to the NHLPA, he hasn't been. http://www.nhlpa.com/WebStats/PlayerBiography.asp?ID=5631

One game into the season? Not concerned at all.

What's sad about that? It's good for hockey. And Rob Parker is still way worse than Drew Sharp.

Currently re-reading, Filth, by Irvine Welsh. It's probably my favorite of his books. Amazon description:

9/22/07: 178.4 lbs. 9/30/07: 178 lbs. Had to weigh myself on a Sunday since it was actually cool Saturday morning, I took a walk with the woman. I probably shouldn't weigh myself the day after I sat on my couch all day, watching college football and drinking beer

He's going to be too expensive, even after the poor season he had. If the Tigers are going to spend tons, I'd rather see them go after ARod. Even if he'll probably be a Cub.

Mario Manningham to miss the EMU game http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...02105&imw=Y How convenient this news didn't come out before the PSU game...

Right on! That was an absolutely great article, especially given that Ilitch doesn't really talk to the media much. And to get all those guys in a room at the same time, just great. I only wish the article was longer.

I don't believe for one second that the Wings were a penalty call and a little bad luck away from going to the Cup. That's revisionist history. I don't know if you're saying I'm not giving the Wings credit for what the did last spring, or if Melrose isn't, I was was very impressed by the Wings in last year's playoffs, and considering he only picked 5 teams he thought might be better than Detroit, I don't think that's exactly saying the Wings suck. I mean, Melrose bad...grrrrrr....

They've done off ice events for the fans. They were called Stanley Cup parades

Umm, the Ducks beat the Wings in last years playoffs. I love the (expected) amount of overreaction. He just said there were 5 other teams he thought might be better than the Wings. Unbunch the panties and step off the ledge.

I agree. That's a game that would have been a blowout under JLS. Pretty impressive the way Dantonio has gotten this team to be more disciplined, especially considering it's mostly JLS' recruits playing. I'm disappointed that MSU lost, but I liked that they played tough and hung in there until the end.

There's no one single reason the Wings aren't the draw they were 5-10 years ago. I think its a combination of: -Bad local (and statewide) economy. -Expensive tickets. -Long time fan favorites leaving the team. -Not a fan-friendly organization, in terms of promotions. -The Tigers getting good again and the success of the Pistons. -The lockout. Add all those things together, it's not a real surprise that the Wings are in the situation they're in.

Big loss by West Virginia last night. Which means Rutgers is now the top dog in the Big East. Go RU

I don't see anything wrong with what Bucci said. Looks like a pretty spot on analysis to me.