The Hornets' attendance problems "hover over" talks on
a new arena, according to Bonnell & Markoe in a front-page
feature in Sunday's CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, as "more than half
the seats" in the Charlotte Coliseum "have been empty" for
many recent home games. Bonnell & Markoe question if
spending public funds on a new $220M arena would "make
sense" for the city. Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, on
attendance: "There's no doubt [the Hornets and the NBA] are
in a down cycle. It's one of the many factors that will be
part of our financial equation regarding how much we can
afford, because part of our revenue stream is attendance.
Attendance impacts our long term operating costs." Bonnell
& Markoe wrote that it "seems a curious time" for the city
to invest in the Hornets and the NBA, as "actual turnstile
count" has been under 10,000 for each of the Hornets' past
six home games. While winning is "supposed to cure all" in
terms of attendance, Bonnell & Markoe write that does not
"seem to apply" to the 16-9 Hornets, who post the third-best
record in the Eastern Conference, but are 22nd among 29 NBA
teams in home attendance. Hornets co-Owner Ray Wooldridge
said "as fans see us playing completely consistently, it's
going to have a very positive effect" on attendance
(CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/17). Also in Charlotte, Tom
Sorensen wrote the city "has lost its passion" for the
Hornets. On a new arena, Sorensen wrote the Hornets "have
to pay their share and they have to endorse a referendum.
The longer they wait, the more they appear greedy, uncaring,
and willing to leave" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/17).
