NBA Franchise Notes: Pistons Drop Prices To Attract Fans

Spurs Fail To Sell Out Game One Of Western Conference Finals

The Spurs drew 18,300 for Game One of their Western Conference Finals series against the Jazz yesterday at AT&T Center, about 500 short of capacity, marking “the first time in the five-year history” of the venue that the Spurs failed to sell out a playoff game, according to Johnny Ludden (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 5/21). Meanwhile, in Detroit, Terry Foster reports writes the Pistons “announce sellouts for each playoff game, but [The Palace of Auburn Hills] hardly looks packed. The Pistons even reduced ticket prices — to $18 –- to lure more fans” (DETROIT NEWS, 5/21).

CAVALIERS: In Columbus, Bob Hunter writes unless the Cavaliers win the NBA title, central Ohio is “not apt to see anything approaching the kind of emotional outpouring that you might see in Cleveland.” Hunter: “Most fans in central Ohio are die-hard Ohio State fans, which consumes a huge chunk of the emotional budget” (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 5/21).

HEAT: In Miami, Michelle Kaufman writes with the Heat losing in the first round of the playoffs, the “biggest hit is in season-ticket sales for 2007-08.” Last year, the team sold out the season-ticket packages it had allotted for sale during the playoffs, but this year, the team “didn’t have time to get fans fired up enough to make the early commitment.” Heat President of Business Operations Eric Woolworth: “Our season tickets sold great during the long playoff run last year because we had marketing leverage, everyone was excited, we had a great platform. This year, everything ended abruptly and we lost that platform” (MIAMI HERALD, 5/21).