A "confidential" IHL report analyzed by Tom Osborn in
the SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS discloses the number of
complimentary tickets given out by the league's clubs during
the first three months of the season. The report states
that IHL teams distributed an average of 924 comp tickets
and 518 tickets through promotions or trades during that
period and league-wide attendance averaged 6,218. The
Detroit Vipers (3,804) and Utah Grizzlies (2,159) led the
league in per-game comps. The Cleveland Lumberjacks,
Milwaukee Admirals, Houston Aeros and Phoenix Roadrunners
also came in above the league average. Osborne notes teams
use the comp tickets to increase concession revenues and
some teams "have made a living for years off concession
money coming from fans entering free." The practice is
"especially" common for teams that receive "large cuts or
all of the concession profits." Osborne concludes that
Detroit's position as the comp leader with 8,000 last season
"made sense considering Vipers owner William Davidson's
company owns and operates the Palace at Auburn Hills" (SAN
ANTONIO NEWS-EXPRESS, 3/10).
