Wings must adjust to keep fan base alive

[timothy1997 0]

Article

Drew makes a lot of good points in this article. For those that say the Michigan economy is the reason why the wings are not selling, just need to look at the Tigers and how well they are selling their season tickets. The Wings definately need to invest in a new arena as well as lower ticket prices.

[JayUp88 1]

Its been said a hundrad times on here, but Agreed. Of and if they gave out free beer at the games, that would bring in the crowds.

[Matt 1,049]

Today's sign that the Apocalypse is upon us: I agree with all of Drew's points.

Wow.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

If they do change the arena, I hope they at least keep the name if that's possible. It's the least corporate name for any arena in sports, however, they'll most likely change it to something corporate, like "Little Caeasar's Arena" or something of the sort.

[Opie 308]

If they do change the arena, I hope they at least keep the name if that's possible. It's the least corporate name for any arena in sports, however, they'll most likely change it to something corporate, like "Little Caeasar's Arena" or something of the sort.

Well that and Fenway park or Yankee stadium, but I agree with you on the corporate naming.

I know it is like the ads on this site a necessary evil that gives the team a lot more money to build with, but I still like the thought of a Steve Yzerman arena or Red Wing Place.

Hey, How much do you think we would each have to donate to get it named Letsgowings.com arena.

That would be cool!!!!!

[JayUp88 1]

Oh what about the Gordy Howe Arena

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

Well that and Fenway park or Yankee stadium, but I agree with you on the corporate naming.

I know it is like the ads on this site a necessary evil that gives the team a lot more money to build with, but I still like the thought of a Steve Yzerman arena or Red Wing Place.

Hey, How much do you think we would each have to donate to get it named Letsgowings.com arena.

That would be cool!!!!!

It'll be a corporate name...better get used to that idea right now.

[thedisappearer 291]

What, no votes for Ewe Krupp Arena?

[OsGOD 3]

Wings do need to lower ticket prices, hands down.

If ticket prices were not the problem then explain to me why the $22 tickets are sold out ever game and the Better Seats (visual sightlines wise) are still able to be bought game in and game out? simple... people don't want to spend $54-75 for a 2-1/2 hockey game in todays economy...in Michigan's economy.

And comparing the Tigers Season ticket sales isn't really apples to apples even though its the same effing owner...

Tigers fans recieve up to 36% discount on their seat price if they go the season ticket route.... The lowest savings is 8% while the average is about 17% off the ticket price. What do the wings give you as a discount for buying season tickets??? 0% , you pay face value or you don't go. Not to mention there are many prices areas below the lowest $22 the wings offer...

Edited January 17, 2008 by OsGOD

[Opie 308]

It'll be a corporate name...better get used to that idea right now.

Oh I am 100% sure it will be, I just like using the name as a chance to honor some one. But on the other hand NE Pats naming the Razor(it is called Gillette, Razor just a nickname) helped the stadium to be built without any money from the taxpayers!

[dallas27 7]

His 3rd point is the best, by far. I don't know how many times I scream at the tv to knock them on their ass. But you can't.

Edited January 17, 2008 by dallas27

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

There's love. And there's passion.

The passion isn't what it once was because the fans can't identify as closely with their favorite players as they once could.

Perfectly stated. while my love for the game will never waiver, I can see why some people don't feel as connected as they did pre-lockout.

Hell, look at my s/n......Never Forget Mac #25. Pretty much sums it up right there.

Edited January 17, 2008 by Never Forget Mac #25

[Elshupacabra 0]

Build a new arena and then LOWER ticket prices? not going to happen. They'll either, lower ticket prices or build a new arena and raise ticket prices to pay for it.

They should have built a new arena five or ten years ago, when they were the money machine in Detroit.

Edited January 17, 2008 by Elshupacabra

[puckloo39 5,686]

Perfectly stated. while my love for the game will never waiver, I can see why some people don't feel as connected as they did pre-lockout.

Hell, look at my s/n......Never Forget Mac #25. Pretty much sums it up right there.

I used to doubt the implication that people don't identify with the current players as Red Wings. But I am starting to see some rationale for that... there's a post in the comment section related to this article, saying that Pittsburgh regularly sells out games yet their economy is nothing to be happy about. He said it's all about the exictement and Cult of Crosby, plus Malkin. That's who people go to see. It reminded me of Buffalo, when Hasek literally was the one who put butts in seats for a decade... and their economy also sucked then, and now. The team wasn't great, but people flocked to see Dom in his hey-day.

So, really... is it that fans don't identify with the players anymore, the way they did with Stevie and Shanny or Konstantinov and Mac? Who is the "face" of the Red Wings now, to the average fan in Detroit?

I can kinda tell here, who likes which player.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

i always hooped they would call it the Olympia again

[Chairman Maouth 97]

Glancing at this forum I see this topic....

"Wings must adjust to keep fan abuse alive"

Thought to myself, "So that's why attendance is down."

Then I read a little closer.

[OsGOD 3]

I used to doubt the implication that people don't identify with the current players as Red Wings. But I am starting to see some rationale for that... there's a post in the comment section related to this article, saying that Pittsburgh regularly sells out games yet their economy is nothing to be happy about. He said it's all about the exictement and Cult of Crosby, plus Malkin. That's who people go to see. It reminded me of Buffalo, when Hasek literally was the one who put butts in seats for a decade... and their economy also sucked then, and now. The team wasn't great, but people flocked to see Dom in his hey-day.

So, really... is it that fans don't identify with the players anymore, the way they did with Stevie and Shanny or Konstantinov and Mac? Who is the "face" of the Red Wings now, to the average fan in Detroit?

I can kinda tell here, who likes which player.

Well in all fairness they only have a 4.2% unemployment rate... in fact tied for 21st overall.... where we here in michigan and enjoying a country leading 7.4% unemployment... Who has the better chance to be able to afford entertainment expenses?

[timothy1997 0]

Well in all fairness they only have a 4.2% unemployment rate... in fact tied for 21st overall.... where we here in michigan and enjoying a country leading 7.4% unemployment... Who has the better chance to be able to afford entertainment expenses?

why then are Tigers season tickets flying off the shelf then?

[puckloo39 5,686]

Well in all fairness they only have a 4.2% unemployment rate... in fact tied for 21st overall.... where we here in michigan and enjoying a country leading 7.4% unemployment... Who has the better chance to be able to afford entertainment expenses?

I dunno what the unemployment rate is in Buffalo, but it sure didn't look very prosperous last time I was there, nor did Pittsburgh. The over all percentage of unemployment may not be the only indicator of who can afford what, where niche markets like hockey are concerned.

I am sort of glad I don't live near enough to make it possible to buy tickets, as I would probably bankrupt myself trying to get to as many games as possible.

Someone else in the same comments section on this article was supposing that attendance was down because the "TV experience" was so much better now, with HD and big*** flat screens and the convenience of staying home to watch, etc. Maybe... but there's nothing that beats a live game at the arena, in my book. Maybe someday hockey will be played with no live audience and it will all be virtual? That would be sad, but it would end the discussion of sell outs vs. attendance figures.

[OsGOD 3]

why then are Tigers season tickets flying off the shelf then?

Tickets sold at an average of 17% discount off of face value... many prices below wings lowest... Highest priced tiger tickets only $11 MORE than the wings Upper Bowl price (Tigs $65 while wings upperbowl row 1-12 is $54).... Many Many factors.

Idk i go to almost every Whalers game because their tickets are affordable... Hell i drove to saginaw (and am doing it again) becuase Gas for 200mile round trip, 2 Tickets, 1 parking pass, and 2 arena dinners are still cheaper than 2 average priced ticket to the wings and parking

Edited January 17, 2008 by OsGOD

[timothy1997 0]

Tickets sold at an average of 17% discount off of face value... many prices below wings lowest... Highest priced tiger tickets only $11 MORE than the wings Upper Bowl price (Tigs $65 while wings upperbowl row 1-12 is $54).... Many Many factors.

Idk i go to almost every Whalers game because their tickets are affordable... Hell i drove to saginaw (and am doing it again) becuase Gas for 200mile round trip, 2 Tickets, 1 parking pass, and 2 arena dinners are still cheaper than 2 average priced ticket to the wings and parking

What your responding back with is making the arguement that sports fans can afford entertainment expenses like season tickets, just not season tickets at the high price red wings end.

Take me for an example. I can't afford season tickets for whatever sport, only individual game tickets. Tigers tickets are quite affordable for me but no way can I afford Red Wing tickets. It's all about the price of the tickets, not the unemployment or economy.

[Flip-check 6]

So, really... is it that fans don't identify with the players anymore, the way they did with Stevie and Shanny or Konstantinov and Mac? Who is the "face" of the Red Wings now, to the average fan in Detroit?

I can kinda tell here, who likes which player.

That's actually a damn good question Linda, because... I can't answer it.

Seriously. Lidstrom is the team's best bet on that front, but is he that representative of the team to Detroit's fans? Is he really that popular, as stellar a Dman as he is? With his steady, quiet, non-flashy style of play, I'd say No. I could be wrong, but I don't think Zetterberg or Datsyuk are as big draws on name value as Shanahan or Yzerman or Fedorov were either... even though Z and Dats can be sick out there depending on the day.

-

(This other part is a little long, so forgive me the novel, but I feel strongly about this aspect of "Games Now, Games Then" lately)

Fans like harold (and Hank, I think? If you haven't, then ignore this part) have mentioned the games being somewhat less than exciting this season as well... and I'm starting to have to agree with this as well.

It's nearly a useless complaint, but for example when I saw Lebda race (the one time) up the ice into the Vancouver zone, all I could think about in that instant? A player like Fedorov where if he were in that situation, you knew without a doubt something was about to happen. Your attention was caught and most of the time, something right off the highlight reels was probably about to follow.

I honestly cannot recall the last time that I watched a game, and could see that kind of one-man power to affect the outcome of the game. I see flashes of it in Datsyuk occasionally, where he can break D and simply, effortlessly, and beautifully shake them, and that is great, but I honestly could use to see it more. I don't think that I'm alone in that sentiment exactly either, nor am I saying other people should be considering the games the same: if you're excited watching the Wings no matter what because they're the Detroit Red Wings, that's fantastic. That's how it should be.

Edited January 18, 2008 by Flip-check

[OsGOD 3]

What your responding back with is making the arguement that sports fans can afford entertainment expenses like season tickets, just not season tickets at the high price red wings end.

Take me for an example. I can't afford season tickets for whatever sport, only individual game tickets. Tigers tickets are quite affordable for me but no way can I afford Red Wing tickets. It's all about the price of the tickets, not the unemployment or economy.

How do you get your money??? Unemployment has EVERYTHING to do with the amount of money being spent on sporting events... Over priced sporting events mind you.

There is a reason why only the $22 seats sell out...because that is what people can afford because of the shape the Economy is in... others can't afford even those because they are part of the 7.4% Unemployed in Michigan.... I don't see how anyone can say its not about unemployment or the Economy....

Edited January 18, 2008 by OsGOD

[Grim 5]

move the team to the darn Eastern conference!!! all those late westcoast road starts are butchering the local scene. and once we reach the money (playoff) rounds... invariably against westcoast teams, the road games must be local ratings blackholes! they are almost inviting locals not to follow the Wings.

[OsGOD 3]

I am kinda digging the West Coast trip right now.... Hockey double header on Saturday.... Whalers at 7:05, Wings at 10:30!