Wings&Beer 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2007/07/re...th_troybas.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhiteLightning91 105 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 Illitch is completely missing the boat on this one. It's not that people don't know that their are tickets available or when the Red Wings are playing. Everyone, except Illitch apparently, knows it's the fact that the tickets are more money than most people can afford, plus the cost of parking, concessions, etc... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings&Beer 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 Illitch is completely missing the boat on this one. It's not that people don't know that their are tickets available or when the Red Wings are playing. Everyone, except Illitch apparently, knows it's the fact that the tickets are more money than most people can afford, plus the cost of parking, concessions, etc... 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lou_Siffer 1 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 Although most wont agree, the prices and economy is only partially to blame. Alot of it has to do with the team as well as the product...at this point people just arent going flock to the arena to see guys like Zetterberg and Datsyuk like they would Yzerman, Shanny, and even someone like McCarty. These guys were superstars in this city and people felt like they could identify with them. Theres really not that star factor here anymore, ...and please dont go bringing up Datsyuk's points or some crap. Im not talking about star in terms of just being a high scorer, Im talking about star in terms of being beloved by the fans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viperar 16 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 completely agree lou Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
This Is Bida 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 Although most wont agree, the prices and economy is only partially to blame. Alot of it has to do with the team as well as the product...at this point people just arent going flock to the arena to see guys like Zetterberg and Datsyuk like they would Yzerman, Shanny, and even someone like McCarty. These guys were superstars in this city and people felt like they could identify with them. Theres really not that star factor here anymore, ...and please dont go bringing up Datsyuk's points or some crap. Im not talking about star in terms of just being a high scorer, Im talking about star in terms of being beloved by the fans. truer words have NEVER been spoken. personally, as much as i love z and pavs, i wanna see a NORTH AMERICAN superstar on our team!!! i wanna see a sidney crosby, someone i can relate to as a person and better yet, can speak my language. and its not simply just that, Loud is absolutely right and hit the nail on the head. no better way to put it man! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jaytan Report post Posted July 31, 2007 Illitch is completely missing the boat on this one. It's not that people don't know that their are tickets available or when the Red Wings are playing. Everyone, except Illitch apparently, knows it's the fact that the tickets are more money than most people can afford, plus the cost of parking, concessions, etc... If I were the owner of the Wings, I'd do the same thing. You hire an ad agency to get more people who normally wouldn't even consider going out to a Wings game, but can afford to, to start coming. That way, you can keep your ticket sales up AND keep your attendance up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 (edited) Although most wont agree, the prices and economy is only partially to blame. Alot of it has to do with the team as well as the product...at this point people just arent going flock to the arena to see guys like Zetterberg and Datsyuk like they would Yzerman, Shanny, and even someone like McCarty. These guys were superstars in this city and people felt like they could identify with them. Theres really not that star factor here anymore, ...and please dont go bringing up Datsyuk's points or some crap. Im not talking about star in terms of just being a high scorer, Im talking about star in terms of being beloved by the fans. I disagree, I think the older you are the more you feel that's the case, just like a generation before us will tell you Gordie and Alex and Sid are the best Wings ever, I've heard that a million times and I've seen some video and heard some stories, but the one time I saw Gordie play (Vipers) he wasn't very good, so to me Yzerman and Federov are the two best Wings I've seen play the game, there's a whole new generation of Wings fans who barely remember the 97 and 98 cup, but they get to watch Dats and Z do amazing things on the Ice, it may be sad to some but it's a fact of life, teams change, stars change and one day in the future I will be sitting down arguing how Stevie was the best Wing to ever wear the Jersey and some guy will be telling me he was good but he couldn't have played in the league as it is today... Edited July 31, 2007 by Booster313 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lou_Siffer 1 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 truer words have NEVER been spoken. personally, as much as i love z and pavs, i wanna see a NORTH AMERICAN superstar on our team!!! i wanna see a sidney crosby, someone i can relate to as a person and better yet, can speak my language. and its not simply just that, Loud is absolutely right and hit the nail on the head. no better way to put it man! I really felt like Ryan Smyth wouldve been a huge star here....he's cut from that same mold, one that all the fans would love. Too bad he didnt end up here. (no, im not knocking Holland here...just using Smyth as an example) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeyCrazy3033 168 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 I understand the whole relating to the players and such like Yzerman, Shanny, D-mac, etc.. but I think it's the prices that are the problem. They are way too high and when you mix that with a poor economy it doesn't go togther. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 I understand the whole relating to the players and such like Yzerman, Shanny, D-mac, etc.. but I think it's the prices that are the problem. They are way too high and when you mix that with a poor economy it doesn't go togther. Let's take it a step further, I don't even think the regular season ticket prices are that out of line with what else is out there...the real problem begins when you double ticket prices for the first round of the playoffs and it only gets worse from there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lou_Siffer 1 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 I disagree, I think the older you are the more you feel that's the case, just like a generation before us will tell you Gordie and Alex and Sid are the best Wings ever, I've heard that a million times and I've seen some video and heard some stories, but the one time I saw Gordie play (Vipers) he wasn't very good, so to me Yzerman and Federov are the two best Wings I've seen play the game, there's a whole new generation of Wings fans who barely remember the 97 and 98 cup, but they get to watch Dats and Z do amazing things on the Ice, it may be sad to some but it's a fact of life, teams change, stars change and one day in the future I will be sitting down arguing how Stevie was the best Wing to ever wear the Jersey and some guy will be telling me he was good but he couldn't have played in the league as it is today... But wouldnt you agree that even under your scenario there would have to be a turnover phase, where the current youngsters/newer fans will get to the point they can attend more games regularly? In theory, i agree with what you're saying, I just dont believe however that the type of team thats being put out is one that would get it done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 It really is true, Detroit needs a North American somebody. Its not a Euro-bashing thing, its an identification thing. Zetterberg is my favorite player right now, but if he were North American, I would probably like him even more because there isnt that language/cultural barrier that really comes across in the media. On the ice, I couldnt care less, but off the ice is almost always as important. Even a guy like Sean Avery would do a ton for this club - hes a loud mouth AND hes dating Elisha Cuthbert. We need more guys like that here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 (edited) But wouldnt you agree that even under your scenario there would have to be a turnover phase, where the current youngsters/newer fans will get to the point they can attend more games regularly? In theory, i agree with what you're saying, I just dont believe however that the type of team thats being put out is one that would get it done. Absolutely, and I see your point. I don't think it's a lack of stardom though, with the exception of Federov who had a national Nike commercial or two, outside of Detroit we have never had a superstar. Right now we have the best defensemen in the league and if you asked 100 people in say Florida who he was they wouldn't have a clue. The problem is that we have two other successful teams in the city right now and only so many dollars to go around. During the Wings glory days our other 3 teams were laughable. There is really only one Hockey player in the league right now you could say is a superstar in the same sense as Tiger Woods or Peyton Manning or Labron James. Datsyuk and Zetterberg are two of the best forwards in the game right now, certainly in the top 20 if not the top 10 and I don't think having Marian Hossa, Ryan Smyth, Joe Thorton, or even Oveckin would make a difference, only Sid the Kid could bring people to a rink that didn't already like Hockey Edited July 31, 2007 by Booster313 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlakChamber 8 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 Illitch is completely missing the boat on this one. It's not that people don't know that their are tickets available or when the Red Wings are playing. Everyone, except Illitch apparently, knows it's the fact that the tickets are more money than most people can afford, plus the cost of parking, concessions, etc... I don't know about that. For so long, Wings tickets were next to impossible to get and I'm sure there's plenty of people who just stopped trying. Letting people know that they can get tickets to the Wings isn't a bad idea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viperar 16 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 Elisha Cuthbert drool Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lou_Siffer 1 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 Absolutely, and I see your point. I don't think it's a lack of Stardom though, with the exception of Federov who had a national Nike commercial or two, outside of Detroit we never had a superstar. We have the best defensemen in the league and if you asked 100 people in say Florida who he was they wouldn't have a clue. The problem is that we have two other successful teams in the city right now and only so many dollars to go around. During the Wings glory days our other 3 teams were laughable. There is really only one Hockey player in the league right now you could say is a superstar in the sense of Tiger Woods or Peyton Manning or Labron James. Datsyuk and Zetterberg are two of the best forwards in the game right now, certainly in the top 20 if not the top 10 and I don't think having Marian Hossa, Ryan Smyth, Joe Thorton, or even Oveckin would make a difference, only Sid the Kid could bring people two a rink that didn't already like Hockey I believe those 2 would make a big difference if they were here. Im talking about superstars WITHIN Detroit though, it really doesnt matter outside in terms of selling tickets here. Darren McCarty was far from a star on a league-wide level, but in this town the guy was an icon....hell probably only second to Yzerman! Its those character type guys that people here take to. Now I sure as hell am not advocating bringing Mac back, but I could never imagine Datsyuk ever becoming even half as popular as McCarty used to be. Stardom like that means alot when it comes to getting people to attend games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flip-check 6 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 the one time I saw Gordie play (Vipers) he wasn't very good, so to me Yzerman and Federov are the two best Wings I've seen play the game Please don't judge Gordie's calibre on a Detroit Vipers one-time appearance. It's like walking into an alumni game 30 years from now and checking out Yzerman, they don't compare. -- I agree with Lou though, the team really doesn't have the same kind of starpower... it's also got to do with an organization that's been one the upside for 20 years, and on the incredibly strong upside in the last 10-13. Ticket demand tapers off due to expected success, but what can you do? Detroit really doesn't need superstars though, they've gotten by on hometown-stars: Stevie, Feds, Shanny, Vladdy, role player guys like Larionov, Mac, and Draper, although the biggest favs were players like Stevie and Shanahan and McCarty... which is why Bert got such a rousing reaction when the trade happened, too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlakChamber 8 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 I believe those 2 would make a big difference if they were here. Im talking about superstars WITHIN Detroit though, it really doesnt matter outside in terms of selling tickets here. Darren McCarty was far from a star on a league-wide level, but in this town the guy was an icon....hell probably only second to Yzerman! Its those character type guys that people here take to. Now I sure as hell am not advocating bringing Mac back, but I could never imagine Datsyuk ever becoming even half as popular as McCarty used to be. Stardom like that means alot when it comes to getting people to attend games. You're right on about McCarty's popularity. And, while I hesitate to bring this up, knowing where it may lead, the type of team the Wings have could be a factor. It's Detroit, its a blue-collar, working class town. And, those are the type of teams that Detroit fans like. Ones that play hard and play with an edge. Maybe a team that's (man I hate to go down this road) a little tougher and grittier would help was well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 I don't believe its because of orgins of the players. Its because not enough people in the state know enough about the team in general. Its not like basketball or baseball were, Sheed and Billups, or Rogers and Sheifeld are talked about all the time. They need more publicity. Imagine if they were talked about as much as the Tigers, Pistons, or Lions were. Mix that with another SC and the city would be back to the 90's in love with the wings, oh and obviously yes they need lower ticket prices, but eventually they will come down if people continue not to go to the games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 I believe those 2 would make a big difference if they were here. Im talking about superstars WITHIN Detroit though, it really doesnt matter outside in terms of selling tickets here. Darren McCarty was far from a star on a league-wide level, but in this town the guy was an icon....hell probably only second to Yzerman! Its those character type guys that people here take to. Now I sure as hell am not advocating bringing Mac back, but I could never imagine Datsyuk ever becoming even half as popular as McCarty used to be. Stardom like that means alot when it comes to getting people to attend games. I really do agree with you a more accessable star would be nice, someone who did regular radio shows and hung out with fans in the bars. A working class hero if you will would help, but it wouldn't change the fact that there is less money to go around and more choices for sports fans these days. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flip-check 6 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 (edited) It's Detroit, its a blue-collar, working class town. And, those are the type of teams that Detroit fans like. Ones that play hard and play with an edge. Quoted because it's just damn true. No one anywhere will ever run out of love for players like that, because they epitomize tons of what people want to see out of a player, and primarily that's heart. I don't believe its because of orgins of the players. Its because not enough people in the state know enough about the team in general. Its not like basketball or baseball were, Sheed and Billups, or Rogers and Sheifeld are talked about all the time. They need more publicity. Imagine if they were talked about as much as the Tigers, Pistons, or Lions were. I think a Cup could definitely help, but there still are barriers. What sounds more hometown to you, Zetterberg or Kenny Rogers? Datsyuk or 'Sheed? Holmstrom or Rip Hamilton? I think a lot of fans won't admit to origins of players playing a factor in fan-reception, but I don't know how anyone doesn't see it. Konstantinov and Mac both played crazy games all the time or when the situation arose, but who got more love really? Mac. Vladdy was loved, but it wasn't in the same way, really. Where people come from doesn't matter, but it does matter. If you could turn Z into a good ol' Canadian boy or a farmgrown American rising star, you would have yourself the next Yzerman in the Motorcity. Edited July 31, 2007 by Flip-check Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 I really get where you all are coming from. When I started to cheer Red Wings to cheer for back in the day it was mainly because of Fedorov. The successes the team's had in recent years has definitely helped, as has having people like Yzerman and Shanny on the team. But for a Swe having Lidström AND Zetts on the team is awesome - someone to relate to. The main reason why I semi-cheered for Ottawa is cuz of Alfy - played on my hometown team in Sweden. So trust me - I do understand why you're feeling the way you do and understand that it isn't any kind of Euro-bashing. National sentiments run high everywhere, especially in sports, and it is nice to have someone to identify with - makes it that much easier. Case in point - if I lived in the Detroit-area I'd try to watch every single home-game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lou_Siffer 1 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 You're right on about McCarty's popularity. And, while I hesitate to bring this up, knowing where it may lead, the type of team the Wings have could be a factor. It's Detroit, its a blue-collar, working class town. And, those are the type of teams that Detroit fans like. Ones that play hard and play with an edge. Maybe a team that's (man I hate to go down this road) a little tougher and grittier would help was well. Yep...Detroit's like a classier version of Philly! I didnt wanna bring up the toughness thing either because its been done and done so many times, but it goes without saying that i feel the same. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted July 31, 2007 I really do agree with you a more accessable star would be nice, someone who did regular radio shows and hung out with fans in the bars. A working class hero if you will would help, but it wouldn't change the fact that there is less money to go around and more choices for sports fans these days. "Accessable" stars are difficult in this day and age. Hockey players are probably better than most other sports stars at staying in touch with the common man... I would like to have some on our team though who'd make an honest attempt to reach out to the fans in a sincere way but I think the NHL already does plenty more than many other leagues/sports. Having an NA star would help, as would having a player who truly played with his heart on his sleeve - McCarty-style... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
