Another reason for poor Wings attendance?

[Lou_Siffer 1]

I still think the biggest reason for the lack of sell outs is no Yzerman, Shanahan, and McCarty.

Yep. That in addition to too many bland guys that people dont really care much about. They dont have the names and personalities to draw in the casual fans anymore....thats whats missing in the seats. Theres a reason the most popular jersey you see at the arena as for current players is Chelios, and not Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Flip, Lidstrom, and all the other players on the team that are more important than him.

[Barrie 900]

Yep. That in addition to too many bland guys that people dont really care much about. They dont have the names and personalities to draw in the casual fans anymore....thats whats missing in the seats. Theres a reason the most popular jersey you see at the arena as for current players is Chelios, and not Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Flip, Lidstrom, and all the other players on the team that are more important than him.

Yup, that's the biggest reason, fans need a connection with the players. For the time being, some of the connection has been lost with the Wings and their fans. It'll comeback, but it'll take some time, everything works in cycles. Currently Detroit fans have a better connection with guys like Billups, Hamilton, Wallace, Prince, Ordonez, Verlander, Granderson, Bonderman, etc., then most of the current Red Wings.

I too am one of those guys, when I go to a game, I still wear a Yzerman/Shanahan/McCarty jersey. Out of the current players, the only ones I would get on a jersey would be Chelios, Maltby, Draper, or Holmstrom (the guys who won Cups). The only non-Cup winner I would consider is Cleary, but he's behind the other four I mentioned.

I don't think that's a bad thing, it's mostly just the sign of the times. Due to the Salary Cap, our favorite players retiring, and time moving on, it's reality.

[Michigan In Play! magazine 0]

Ugh! First of all if you're not from Michigan please do not respond to this thread. You may be having problems where you live, but you don't live here so you have no idea what's going on. Second please do a search and read the other billion threads on this topic. But we can do it again if you so wish to read:

1. Tigers = Summer, kids are out of school and don't have to get up the following day.

2. Players, sad to say it but the guys we have know are more exciting to watch then Yzer. & Shanny.

3. Economy, Hell yes! No money, gas above $3, tix expensive.

4. Please don't jump all over me for this, Detroit is a black town, black people (most) don't like hockey & don't watch hockey. (Baseball, football, & Basketball) So most fans have to drive to detroit to see games (See gas price) Becareful what you wish for in a new arena if Illitch wants to sell the game out he could move it to were the fans are aka the burbs.

5. Football is done lets see what happens the rest of the year.

With all due respect.

I am downtown Detroit 3-4 times a week for Wings/Lions/Tigers/ APBA Gold Cup/ DBI Grand Prix and I can say from my own personal experience that the downtown area is the busiest I have ever seen it.

Try to find a parking spot on the weekend in GreekTown.

ISSUE 1

As far as Tigers..almost 1/2 the MLB season is during the school year. April-May part of June, Sept-Oct.

Thursday day games parents are at work.

The Tigers are hot right now, three years ago you couldn't give away Tiger tickets.

ISSUE 2

As for current players being more exciting than Yzerman.

That is a judgment call but I would have to say if Stevie wanted to play again Kenny Holland would boot anyone including Dats or Zets off the team to make room for him! That's just my opinion but I would put money on it.

The overall team comes first over fancy moves and popularity contests.

Stevie Y brought the Wings from being the laughing stock of the NHL to the premier team and measuring stick it is today.

ISSUE 4

I am not for or against a new hockey venue, but I can say I have spoken to Mr. Illitch personally face to face about this subject (it is actually his son Chris Illitch that is in charge of the new venue), and Mr. Illitch is quite adamant there is a new venue and it will be downtown.

As for Detroit being a black town I'm am not going to get into that (Majority of fans and viewing audience is white for all sports combined).

What I can say is that people from the Burbs always have and always will come to downtown Detroit.

Almost 5 million people attend sporting events each year alone in Downtown Detroit.

There has even been rumors for several years of the Pistons moving back to the city.

ISSUE 5

There is only one sports/entertainment venue in the burbs (the Palace) everything else you could possibly imagine is within a 1.5 mile radius of GreekTown. The following list is whats happening after football.

- The Fox

- The Fischer (maybe two miles at the most)

- Ford Field

- Cobo Hall

- Detroit Auto Show (over 1 million people for this alone)

- Comerica Park

- Joe Louis Arena

- State Theatre

- Hart Plaza (events almost every weekend)

- Detroit Opera House

- Campus Martius

- Hard Rock Cafe

- ALL THREE CASINOS! (four if you include Windsor)

- the Hotel district

I know I'm missing many other events and venues but I would be here all day.

No I don't think the Wings are moving to the burbs anytime soon.

GO WINGS

[Barrie 900]

As for Detroit being a black town I'm am not going to get into that (Majority of fans and viewing audience is white for all sports combined).

What I can say is that people from the Burbs always have and always will come to downtown Detroit.

Almost 5 million people attend sporting events each year alone in Downtown Detroit.

There has even been rumors for several years of the Pistons moving back to the city.

Yea I've heard this argument too, and I've never bought into it. Detroit is a very easy city to get around in. The Freeways from downtown to the burbs and back is outstanding and quick. Also downtown Detroit is very easy to get to and from when coming from Canada.

Having Sports Arenas/Stadiums downtown Detroit doesn't have a negative effect on attendance. That's why the Tigers, Lions, and Wings are all downtown, and as you mentioned, there's rumors the Pistons may go back downtown as well.