With tonight's home finale against the Lakers expected to sell out, the Kings "will finish the season with their highest average home paid attendance" since '07, according to Ryan Lillis of the SACRAMENTO BEE. Sleep Train Arena has been at 96% capacity this season for games, and the Kings said that their season-ticket base "has nearly doubled since a new ownership group took over" in '13. Team officials said that a "big reason for the increased attendance this season -- and the bump in season-ticket holders -- is the interest surrounding the downtown arena that is scheduled to open in 18 months." Current season-ticket holders "will be given priority for seats in the new arena, and the Kings could hit a self-imposed cap on season tickets in the new facility before the building opens" in the fall of '16. Getting on the priority list for the new arena "has drawn many new season-ticket holders." Sleep Train Arena holds 17,317 people for Kings games, and the "capacity of the new arena will be 17,500." Kings President Chris Granger said that demand "is also high for luxury seating in the new arena." More than 90% of the 34 luxury suites in the new building are "locked up in long-term contracts, and a majority of the specialty 'lofts' -- smaller premium suites targeted for small businesses and large families -- have also been sold." Current season-ticket holders "should start hearing about their spots in the new arena in the coming weeks." Granger added that the team also "plans to begin selling courtside seats soon" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 4/13).
MOTOR CITY MADHOUSE: In Michigan, David Mayo notes the Pistons "made another incremental attendance increase this year, their fourth in a row." Yesterday's home finale against the Hornets drew 17,297 to The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons coach and President of Basketball Operations Stan Van Gundy said, "I think our fans have certainly been good, especially as the year's gone on. It's been amazing because our record hasn't been great, but I think our fans have been really, really good." Mayo notes the Pistons' season home attendance "was 625,917 and their average was 15,266, 26th in the NBA, same ranking as last year, when they drew 615,238 (15,005 average)" (MLIVE.com, 4/13).
