schulzte 18 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I have to listen to ESPN Radio at work, which constantly reminds me about how the NHL is dying (or already dead). But the NHL leads the NBA (which is alive and well, of course) in attendance per game in the '08-'09 season. The NHL per game attendance so far this season is 17,322 through Sunday, compared to 17,283 for the NBA. If the leagues finish out like this, this will be the first time since the 1987-88 season that the NHL out draws the NBA. And by the way, the Pistons' 5 year sellout streak ended last week, so they may soon be finally feeling the economy the way the Wings have the last two years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Misery loves company Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MacK_Attack 108 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I don't know how much I believe it. There can be an NHL game with 7 people in the stands and it'll be reported as 14,345 people in attendance. Mind you, the NBA probably does the same thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coolio Mendez 7 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I don't know how much I believe it. There can be an NHL game with 7 people in the stands and it'll be reported as 14,345 people in attendance. Mind you, the NBA probably does the same thing. The numbers are extremely accurate as they just obtain the tally as provided by the NHL for each game. Teams are required by the NHL to report attendance as the number of tickets sold, and not turnstile count (In February 1977, the Sabres played a home game.............pictures taken at the game suggest that the attendance was a few hundred..........NHL records indicate the attendance was 16,000+). As part of the current CBA, teams are required to provide proof of the sale. The numbers are a lousy indicator of local interest in a team For example, during the 50s and 60s, 90s and this decade.... the Red Wings were 100% capacity. In the 70s and 80s, this nuimber dipped below 80% a couple of times. Similar stories for the Black Hawks and Bruins over the last 20 years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theman19 47 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 about damn time, Pro basketball is about as exciting as watching paint dry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mustang051664 0 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Who cares? I don't...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theman19 47 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Who cares? I don't...... You know what, i do. Here's why i'm so sick of my favorite sport getting the ol' Cleveland steamer from every Sports news agency south of the U.S. Canada Border. Hockey is on an upswing, from a league that was on it's death bed after the lockout, the NHL has made impressive strides (Gary Bettmans dumbassery not with standing). It feels good, to see a league where i can respect the people who play it, exceed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cicada 4 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 And by the way, the Pistons' 5 year sellout streak ended last week, so they may soon be finally feeling the economy the way the Wings have the last two years. everyone knows that they've been faking that for a while though... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mustang051664 0 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 What is a Cleveland Steamer? Also, I still don't care.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 What is a Cleveland Steamer? Also, I still don't care.... You could, you know, stay out of threads you don't care about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner 6 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Hockey, IMO, is the best sport out of all of them. It would be nice to see them get the recognition they deserve. At least equal to that of baseball where guys make millions to stand in the outfield and pick their nose for the majority of a game. Don't get me wrong, I watch baseball too but not usually on the edge of my seat. More like when I need a nap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I don't know how much I believe it. There can be an NHL game with 7 people in the stands and it'll be reported as 14,345 people in attendance. Mind you, the NBA probably does the same thing. That's because they're not actually reporting attendance...they're reporting tickets sold. It's kind of lame that they announce it like that at games, but its likely because it sounds better than saying, "Today's amount of tickets sold was.......14,345!" Edit: I see CM already beat me to it. What is a Cleveland Steamer? Also, I still don't care.... Something that isn't appropriate for this forum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hillbillywingsfan 794 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 What is a Cleveland Steamer? Also, I still don't care.... why do you keep posting in here then? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeyCrazy3033 168 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 about damn time, Pro basketball is about as exciting as watching paint dry. You are mistaken, watching paint dry is *much* more exciting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslionstigers 12 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 What about the TV ratings though? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-TownWing 0 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 What is a Cleveland Steamer? Also, I still don't care.... It's not a ship coming out of Lake Erie, there's your hint. It'd be kind of interesting to see a comparison broken down by market: Wings vs. Pistons, Caps vs. Wizards, Bruins vs. Celtics, etc. but I'm already screwing around too much at work so I can't do it right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cnot19 191 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I saw an article that compared all the nba teams to the nhl teams in each city that had both of them. If I remember correctly the Pistons had better attendence and tv ratings than the wings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MacK_Attack 108 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 (edited) That's because they're not actually reporting attendance...they're reporting tickets sold. It's kind of lame that they announce it like that at games, but its likely because it sounds better than saying, "Today's amount of tickets sold was.......14,345!" Not just that, but some also count tickets given away, comped and other methods to actually get the tickets out of the team's hands. Some teams do actually report the turnstile numbers. Toronto is one of them. Edited February 9, 2009 by MacK_Attack Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doggy 130 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Not just that, but some also count tickets given away, comped and other methods to actually get the tickets out of the team's hands. Some teams do actually report the turnstile numbers. Toronto is one of them. Got a source for this claim? I've only ever read all NHL teams report it the same. And I've read it multiple times. http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/spo...nhl-attendance/ NBA and NHL official attendance is based on "tickets distributed," not tickets sold or the number of fans in seats. It is widely known that there are some teams, particularly those toward the bottom of the attendance rankings, that will give away large chunks of tickets. Whether it's an intentional effort to boost official attendance or not is unclear, but I have been told that NHL teams are generally a bit worse -- not a lot worse, but a bit worse -- about doing this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electrophile 3,554 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 What is a Cleveland Steamer? Also, I still don't care.... Here's a hint: It involves poop. And sorry you don't care. That must suck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I don't know how much I believe it. There can be an NHL game with 7 people in the stands and it'll be reported as 14,345 people in attendance. Mind you, the NBA probably does the same thing. Bingo. I have no problem with them reporting a sell out regardless of attendance because "sell out" only means all the tickets have been sold. Having a building at full attendance would require double-selling seats and whatnot. I'm fairly sure people would not appreciate showing up 30 mins late for the game because of traffic or kids only to be told their seat was resold and asked to leave. You're just used to seeing Leafs games full of rabid fans because Leaf tickets are harder to find than heterosexual male hairdressers. (although the undying need to attend Leaf games may have helped contribute to the lack of drive to improve the team on the part of the management cabal) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I saw an article that compared all the nba teams to the nhl teams in each city that had both of them. If I remember correctly the Pistons had better attendence and tv ratings than the wings. I am a Pistons fan, but their attendance figures for this season are very misleading. The upper bowl has whole rows in sections without people. I went to a Friday night home game in January and the upper bowl was maybe half capacity at best. The season ticket holders aren't showing up either. Of course, the team's play might have a major effect on attendance this season, but I think the economy is hitting the Pistons just as hard as the Red Wings now. I know the Joe usually has some empty seats, but honestly it is nothing compared to a typical game at the Palace. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
12Newf 0 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 i feel like i heard this the other day but i cant remember where but i read that some teams actually just purchase the tickets themselves? it doesnt make much sense to me but i think i heard this about phoenix. i was probably drunk too. feel free to substantiate this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DYags 0 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 (edited) i feel like i heard this the other day but i cant remember where but i read that some teams actually just purchase the tickets themselves? it doesnt make much sense to me but i think i heard this about phoenix. i was probably drunk too. feel free to substantiate this. I wouldn't be surprised if this was the case. I know that for an NFL game to be broadcast, either all the seats have to be sold or damn near everyone. The Fords were buying up thousands of seats this year to make sure those horrible Lions games would still be telacasted. edit: clarity Edited February 10, 2009 by DYags Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzersyukstromberg 0 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Who cares? I don't...... Deep thought. Unfortunately, it does matter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
