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Leagues and Governing Bodies

MORE MEDIA ANALYSIS ON WHY THE NBA IS STRUGGLING AT GATE

          After 307 NBA games played this season, about 47,000
     fewer total tickets were sold, compared to the same period
     last season, according to Mike Wise of the N.Y. TIMES, who
     reported that the league is averaging 300 fewer paid fans a
     game than it was "nearly two months into last season." 
     While the numbers "represent only a slight decline, the
     visual evidence is striking ... Vast empty spaces can be
     seen throughout the N.B.A."  NBA agent Keith Glass, on
     attendance: "We're pricing people out of these arenas,
     that's what happening.  Who is compelling out there right
     now?"  NBA Commissioner David Stern last week said
     attendance figures "need improvement ... They always have
     and they continue to need improvement.  It's hard work,
     given the entertainment options that people have, given all
     the things they can do."  Wise added that "what must be
     particularly distressing" for the league is the lagging
     attendance at new arenas in L.A., Denver, Atlanta and
     Indianapolis.  Wise: "Only the new home of the Pacers has
     sold out nightly."  Stern, asked whether the NBA has "rested
     somewhat on its laurels" over the years in terms of filling
     seats: "We used to be the hungriest.  And although we
     continue to preach hunger, some of our teams have gotten a
     little bit complacent as the market changes.  We're
     committed to being current" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/19).  In
     Minneapolis, Dan Barreiro quoted one NBA spectator who said
     that a night out at the Target Center for his family a four
     cost him $200: "For a lousy basketball game!  The seats are
     too high up.  You can't tell KG from Wally the Beer Man." 
     Barreiro: "Most hometown fans used to be able to view the
     act of going to a game as an emotional investment.  Now,
     many cannot help but look at the experience as a financial
     investment" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 12/19).  Spurs G
     Steve Kerr, on the state of the league: "It's not much fun
     to play, and it's not much fun to watch.  The NBA offenses
     have become very stagnant" (Bergen RECORD, 12/19).
          LOCAL NUMBERS: In IL, Paul Ladewsky wrote that the
     Bulls announced their 575th consecutive sellout Saturday at
     the United Center, despite an estimated 4,000 empty seats
     (DAILY SOUTHTOWN, 12/19)....Yesterday's Lakers-Raptors game
     drew 19,800 fans, the Raptors' first sellout this season at
     Air Canada Centre (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 12/20).
          OH BLEEP, REF! BLOOMBERG's Scott Soshnick reports that
     NBC is in "discussions" with the NBA and NBPA to have
     referees wear microphones during network telecasts.  NBPA
     Exec Dir Billy Hunter, on the plan: "I have some concerns. 
     In the heat of battle, sometimes players and even referees
     say things.  It's about what kind of image we want to
     project" (BLOOMBERG, 12/20).

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