The NBA "has an attendance problem this season,"
according to Craig Daniels of the TORONTO SUN, who writes,
"All those empty seats you've been noticing on highlight
packages aren't an illusion." Daniels reports that
attendance "has fallen" in 16 of 29 cities and the numbers
are "being skewed by the new arenas." Daniels: "It doesn't
look bad at first glance, but the severity is being masked
by all the new arenas that are being brought on line this
season." Daniels notes that aside from the Nuggets, Pacers,
Clippers and Lakers -- who are playing in new arenas -- and
the T'Wolves and Kings -- whose numbers have been "bumped
artificially" by a game in the Tokyo Dome -- only six teams
are "experiencing increases": the Cavaliers, Bucks, 76ers,
Trail Blazers and Suns. Pistons F Grant Hill: "I don't know
what the problem is. Is it (satellite) TV, or is it the
expense (of a ticket)? I don't know. It could be all of
the above. It could be the same problem baseball went
through (following labour trouble)" (TORONTO SUN, 11/16).
ROUND BALL: In Toronto, Maraschiello & Zicarelli report
that the Raptors have "yet to sell out a game" at the Air
Canada Centre. Raptors President Richard Peddie: "Am I
disappointed? No. Am I discouraged? No. It just means
that we have to work harder" (TORONTO SUN, 11/16).
ROCKETS FANS NOT BLASTING OFF: In Houston, Jonathan
Feigen reports that the Rockets' 176-game sellout streak at
the Compaq Center "ended" on opening night and the team has
"yet to begin another." Feigen: "The failure to move
tickets could be a long-term concern." Rockets COO George
Postolos: "The demand for tickets in the upper bowl is
weaker than it's been in the recent past. Part of the
reason may be we have had more focus on the arena campaign
than a ticket sales campaign" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/16).
...In N.Y., Peter Vecsey cites sources as saying that
Blues/Kiel Center Owner Bill Laurie is "close to backing
out" of a deal for the Grizzlies and is "now leaning toward
buying" the Rockets (N.Y. POST, 11/16).
DEAL: In Seattle, Angelo Bruscas reported that the
Ackerley Group -- the parent company of the Sonics,
Seattle's WNBA expansion team and Full House Sports &
Entertainment -- "has agreed to sell" for $300M its outdoor
billboard businesses in Miami, West Palm Beach and Ft.
Lauderdale to Eller Media (SEATTLE P-I, 11/15).