In just their first month of competition in the NHL,
the "overachieving" Predators are "still underachieving at
the box office," according to Jeff Legwold of the Nashville
TENNESSEAN. So far the Predators have only sold out
Nashville Arena for their inaugural game, but "have given
away thousands of tickets and have faced sluggish single-
game sales beyond their reported season-ticket base." Team
President Jack Diller: "I think there is a pretty good
perception of what we're about but, yes, frankly I thought
that would translate to a lot more sales than it has."
Through their first five home games, the Predators have
given out 6,628 "complimentary" tickets to team employees,
players, coaches and sponsors, as well as for contest
giveaways. If the current average of 1,325 complimentary
tickets per game holds, the team will have distributed
54,350 tickets by season's end. Diller said these totals
were "in line" with other NHL and NBA totals, and that he
"expected" the number to "go down" if the Predators increase
their single-game ticket sales (TENNESSEAN, 11/12).
