NHL Franchise Notes: Flyers Ticket Plan Gives Fans Relief

Comcast-Spectacor, owner of the Flyers and 76ers, recently introduced a series of "Fan Relief" offerings for both sports franchises designed to appeal to fans in tough economic times. The plan will see Comcast-Spectacor charge fans for only the first round of the playoffs this season rather than requiring fans to pay for a two-round minimum. Additionally, the Flyers will have a nine-month payment plan for season tickets and the Sixers will have a 10-month plan. Comcast-Spectacor created a consumer assistant department to help eligible season-ticket holders with payment plans tailored to those fans' needs (Tripp Mickle, SportsBusiness Journal).

Capitals Have Sold Out 12 Of Their Last 13 Games At Verizon Center

WHAT'S THAT BUZZ? In Columbus, Aaron Portzline reported the Blue Jackets for the first 17 home games at Nationwide Arena averaged 13,950 fans, but have averaged 16,780 for the last 11, including three sellouts, up from two for the entire '07-08 season. Friday night's Red Wings-Blue Jackets game drew a standing-room crowd of 18,802, or 658 fans over the arena's capacity. The Blue Jackets, who have never been to the postseason, are currently tied for sixth in the Western Conference, and coach Ken Hitchcock said: "It's not the playoffs just for us. It's the playoffs for the fans, too. We've never, as an organization, been this close before" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 2/15).

NOTES: In St. Petersburg, Cristodero & Smith reported the Lightning through December sold an average of 14,119 tickets for 16 games at the 19,500-seat St. Pete Times Forum, though announced crowds "averaged 16,698." NHL teams announce attendance figures "based on tickets distributed," which means the Lightning for the first 16 games gave away an average of 2,579 tickets per game (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 2/15)....In L.A., Helene Elliott reported the Ducks yesterday launched a new initiative, called The Rinks, designed to "introduce kids to hockey and get them involved in the game at all levels." The program includes the three rinks the team owns and operates (LATIMES.com, 2/16).

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