The attendance troubles facing Phoenix area sports
teams were examined by Collins & Armijo in a front-page
story in Sunday's ARIZONA REPUBLIC under the header,
"Spreading The Fans Too Thin: Teams Struggle For Way To
Bring Back The Glorious Days Of Packed Stadiums, Arenas."
Collins & Armijo: "Welcome to the Valley sports market 2000,
where major events see tens of thousands of fans stay away
in droves." Suns Chair & D'Backs Managing General Partner
Jerry Colangelo said, "There's always a reason to be
concerned when attendance is down. I think the biggest
reason is the market is a little soft right now. I don't
see anyone busting at the seams in the entertainment
business. Retail sales are down, dollars are down and,
therefore, all sports teams have felt that impact."
Attendance has fallen for every one of the nine "major pro
and college teams in the Valley" compared to last year,
ranging from a 3.5% decline for the D'Backs to a 34% decline
for AZ St. Univ.'s men's basketball program. Five teams had
double digit percentage losses, and the WNBA Mercury and NFL
Cardinals have lost more than 10% in average attendance in
each of the last two years. Colangelo, on the future of
sports in the Valley: "It's a growth market on one hand, but
it's kind of growing in a peculiar way. We're certainly not
building a corporate base. In fact, the corporate base is
shrinking. That's where franchises will feel the impact.
Corporate sales -- suite sales, advertising -- are vital, so
it will become very competitive for that shrinking market.
It makes it even more of a problem." Colangelo, on his
priorities: "I think there's a reason for concern and a
reason to question whether, in the long term, the four teams
are going to be adequately supported" (AZ REPUBLIC, 12/17).
VALLEY NOTES: In Phoenix, Bob McManaman noted the NHL
has "assured" the Coyotes of hosting the '04 All-Star Game
if a new arena is built (AZ REPUBLIC, 12/17)....The Coyotes
plan to introduce Wayne Gretzky as Managing Partner during a
pre-game ceremony on January 4 (AZ REPUBLIC, 12/17).
