NBA Franchise Notes: Grizzlies Try To Buck Ticket Sales Trend

Grizzlies Marketing "Serious Basketball" In New Campaign

In Memphis, David Williams notes the Grizzlies are marketing "serious basketball" with a new campaign that uses slogans like “New Game” and “Doubt, Meet Redemption.” The campaign, developed jointly by the team and Red Deluxe, Memphis, includes TV, radio and print ads, billboards, buses, posters, e-mail and direct mail. Grizzlies President of Business Operations Andy Dolich said, “We believe that that reality is a better way to go than something that’s so cute that it won’t stand the test of time” (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 10/10). In a separate piece, Williams writes the team is still struggling with declining ticket sales, as season-ticket equivalents are “poised to fall for the third straight year.” Dolich said reaching the 8,000 mark “would be a challenge, by the start of the season." Dolich: "I won’t talk about a specific number, but it’s not where it should be.” Hoops LP President Gene Bartow said, “There are so many great basketball fans in this city that over the long haul, it will be supported. But … you need to win, and you need to be entertaining" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 10/10).

ROCKETS: The HOUSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL's Greg Barr reports the Rockets have added about 1,700 season tickets, pushing their base to 8,000. The team also has a 94% retention rate for major sponsors. Rockets CEO Tad Brown said, “We’re three times further ahead than where we were at this time last year in (corporate) sales.” The team has debuted "It's Time" as its new marketing slogan, as well as a corporate sales program called the “Rockets Launch Lunch,” where team execs and cheerleaders will visit offices with free pizza and gifts trying to sell high-end tickets.  The club is also giving color-coordinated marketing to corporate clients, as some clients and sponsors will receive Rockets jerseys bearing company logos (HOUSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/5 issue).

SONICS: Hornets Owner George Shinn “is hopeful the Sonics and the city of Seattle can reach a deal,” but said that he “wouldn’t be opposed to voting in favor of the team moving to Oklahoma City if [Sonics Owner] Clay Bennett applies for relocation.” Shinn would favor the move “only with the NBA’s recommendation should the decision come down to a vote of the league’s owners.” Shinn: “I normally vote the way the league recommends” (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 10/7).