Red Wings Have Empty Seats For Early-Round Playoff Games
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Red Wings Seeing Some Empty Joe
Louis Arena Seats At Playoff Games
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Empty seats were a “common sight in the early rounds” of Red Wings Stanley Cup
playoff games at Joe Louis Arena, according to Steve Pardo of the DETROIT NEWS.
While “competition from the Pistons, the Tigers and even the weather may be partially
responsible,” Red Wings Senior Dir of Communications John Hahn said, “The number
one reason is the economy here in Detroit –- the layoffs and business closings
here in the region. These are the people that come to the games.” Fan Rich Green
said, “Given [the Red Wings’] playoff performances of the past few years, spending
money to watch the game in person is an investment I don’t want to make.” Pardo
noted season-ticket holders had to pay for the first two rounds in advance. Season-ticket
holder Patricia Nemeth said, “Nobody likes it. And you don’t get your money back
until next year (if they don’t advance). You don’t get any interest on your money
back, either.” But FSN Detroit spokesperson Tim Bryant said the net has averaged
an 8.9 cable HH rating for five Red Wings playoff telecasts. That translates to
about 172,500 HHs; regular-season Wings games on FSN averaged less than 70,000
HHs (DETROIT NEWS, 5/12).
SABRES: In N.Y., John Branch wrote the Sabres, who play in the NHL’s smallest
U.S. market, sold out all 41 regular-season games at the 18,690-seat HSBC Arena,
and revenues “rise with every playoff game.” The Sabres are down 2-0 to the Senators
in the Eastern Conference Finals. Sabres Owner Tom Golisano: “Chances are we’re
going to make a profit this year. ... We can remain profitable as long as we play
decent hockey. If the team were to evolve into a lower-echelon team, I think there
would be significant concern about losing money.” Branch noted Golisano has “no
plans to rescue other ailing sports franchises, unless it means helping western
New York.” Golisano: “I would hate to see the Buffalo Bills leave the area. And
if a situation arose where I needed to be involved in that, I probably would consider
it” (N.Y. TIMES, 5/11).
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