The ABL Blizzard was profiled by Greg Garber in a
front-page piece in Sunday's HARTFORD COURANT. The Blizzard
have drawn eight of the 11 largest crowds in ABL history
this season at the Hartford Civic Center. Garber wrote that
ticket prices, which average around $11, have "something to
do" with the team's success, while the success of the UConn
women's basketball team has been another "significant
factor." The team, which has "only" 24 full-time employees,
saw its season-ticket base in Hartford "swell" from 1,900 to
5,088. Garber added that a Blizzard crowd "isn't anything
like a Whalers or UConn men's crowd." Garber: "You can buy
a beer in about 30 seconds, but you'll have to invest some
time in the line for ice cream sundaes." ABL CEO Gary
Cavalli said that women's basketball is most popular with
"[f]amilies with female children, professional women who are
single, and senior citizens." Blizzard GM Pam Batalis added
that the sport "gives the gay and lesbian community a
legitimate sports environment." Batalis: "We fill a very
large void or niche in the marketplace. ... Seniors, gay and
lesbian groups, families with girls, never had this outlet
before" (Greg Garber, HARTFORD COURANT, 1/11).
