Hornets' Hike In Season Tickets Ends Long-Term Viability Worries
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Shinn, Hornets Seeing Viability
In New Orleans Market |
The Hornets have sold more than 10,000 season tickets for the upcoming season, "thus putting behind concerns about its long-term viability" in New Orleans, according to Jimmy Smith of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. The Hornets in January finalized a two-year lease extension for New Orleans Arena with the state with the "caveat that attendance needed to average 14,735" from December '07 through the end of the '08-09 season or the Hornets would "have the option of leaving after the 2009 campaign." However, Hornets officials said that this year's season-ticket numbers -- "the entire lower bowl of the New Orleans Arena virtually is sold out, and the team has never sold as many season-ticket packages since relocating from Charlotte in 2002 -- make the attendance benchmarks in the lease moot." Hornets Owner George Shinn said, "There were a lot of naysayers who gave me hell for coming back [from Oklahoma City]. And I'd just like to say, 'I told you so.'" Shinn added, "We've been very blessed with good people, good athletes, good coaches and a top-notch organization. We've put together a great plan. We've worked it very hard. We spent an enormous amount of time working to lift up this city with all the problems we've been in. We embraced the community, and the community in turn embraced us. ... I've had a number of conversations with (NBA Commissioner) David Stern, and David doesn't pass out compliments. But he told me he's just amazed and happy at how well everything has turned out. It's been wonderful." Smith wrote Shinn's "faith has been rewarded with his team's long-term stability." Shinn: "People ask me, 'Would you move?' I mean hell no I wouldn't move. We're right at 11,000 season tickets, we're pushing to be in the top in the league in the smallest market, in a market that's been damaged by the worst storm in the history of the country, and we're making it work. It's incredible" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 10/26).
BUILDING A BUZZ: In New Orleans, John Reid reports the worldwide economic downturn is "not expected to keep ... Shinn from meeting his financial bottom line this season." The Hornets "have not reported any significant cancellations of season tickets or sponsorships because of the struggling economy." Shinn: "This coming season, I believe, is going to be our best ever and not just from the standpoint of wins and losses, but from the standpoint of how the community has been involved. It has been crazy good" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 10/27).
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