Caps See Rise In Fan Interest, But Team Expects To Lose More Money

Capitals Averaging More Than 17,900 Fans  Per Game At Verizon Center This Season

The Capitals and the NHL have seen a "strong rise in fan interest so far this season, placing them in a somewhat unique position in sports as many fans struggle with the loss of jobs and income," according to Tim Lemke of the WASHINGTON TIMES. The NHL said that it is "on track for at least" 5% revenue growth this season, while the Capitals have seen revenue rise by more than 40%, "largely because of an increase in attendance of more than 2,500 a game" at Verizon Center. The Capitals this season have averaged "more than 17,900 fans a game," and "fewer than 7,000 tickets remain available" for the club's remaining 18 home games. Meanwhile, TV ratings on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic have risen 130% over the first half of last year and an average of 28,000 fans have watched Capitals games. But Lemke notes "not all news has been positive." Capitals Owner Ted Leonsis said that he "will lose more money on the team than he did last year because of a higher payroll and warned that ticket prices for games at Verizon Center will likely increase again next year." Sponsorship revenue for both the Capitals and the NHL has been "close to flat in the last year as companies have cut back on advertising spending." Leonsis: "Every time we add a sponsor we lose a sponsor." Leonsis said that he would be "comfortable operating the club on close to a break-even basis financially, but to reach that point the team likely will raise ticket prices again next season, bringing it closer to the league average." Team Marketing Report indicated that the team this season "charged an average of $41.24, about $8 less than the league average" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 1/29).