NBA Franchise Notes: Hawks Decrease Capacity, Free Tickets
The Hawks have decreased capacity at Philips Arena from 19,445 in ’04-05 to 18,729
this season amid “seating and suite redesigns,” according to the ATLANTA BUSINESS
CHRONICLE’s Rachel Tobin Ramos. The team averaged 14,302 per game last year, and
Atlanta Spirit Exec VP & CMO Lou DePaoli said the Hawks’ goal this season is to
average 15,000 per game. He added that the Hawks “were first in the NBA in giving
away free tickets” in ’03-04, but dropped to 21st last season after handing out
170,000 fewer (ATLANTA
BUSINESS CHRONICLE, 10/31 issue).
HORNETS: In Oklahoma City, Gilman & Koehler reported the Ford Center court
reads “Oklahoma City Hornets,” as do T-shirts sold at the arena during two preseason
games played there. The Hornets have sold more than 10,000 season tickets in Oklahoma
City, and Owner George Shinn “has taken every opportunity to tell Oklahoma supporters
that he considers this a ‘major-league city,’ though he’s been asked at every
turn about the team’s future.” Shinn during the Heat-Hornets preseason game in
Baton Rouge October 25 “made sure to say a return to New Orleans was ‘the plan
right now’” (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 10/30).
KNICKS: ESPN.com’s Darren Rovell reported the Knicks have created a ticket
package called the “Brown Seats” after coach Larry Brown. Fans can buy tickets
to games against any of the seven NBA teams Brown has previously coached and receive
a discount on tickets to the Kansas-St. Joseph’s college basketball game December
6 at MSG. Brown also coached the Univ. of Kansas from ’83-88. The “Brown Seats”
cost $40-75 per seat per game (ESPN.com, 10/31).
NETS: In N.Y., Ohm Youngmisuk reports the Nets have a 94% season-ticket
renewal and have increased ticket sales by 33%. Nets Sports & Entertainment President
& CEO Brett Yormark hopes to increase by “a couple thousand” last season’s average
attendance of 15,090, which was fifth-lowest in the NBA. Youngmisuk notes there
was a “mass exodus of irate ticket holders from [the ’03-04 season], people who
abandoned the Nets after new owner Bruce Ratner dismantled a two-time Eastern
Conference championship roster, announced the [intended] move to Brooklyn and
raised ticket prices” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/1).
SONICS: The PUGET SOUND BUSINESS JOURNAL’s Eric Engleman reports as of
October 24, Sonics ticket sales were up 20% compared to the year-ago period, with
a season-ticket renewal rate of 92%, the club’s “best performance in that category
in a decade.” The team also sold 1,350 new season tickets, upping the total to
7,401. The Sonics have sold all but 50 of the 540 courtside seats, and “are forecasting
a complete sellout of the section by mid-December.” Suite sales remain flat, with
23 sold, and six unused suites have been turned into party rentals (PUGET
SOUND BUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/31 issue).
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