The Hurricanes, who had been "tight-lipped" about
ticket sales figures, say they have sold "only" 6,000 season
tickets for their inaugural season in Raleigh, according to
Cecil Harris of the Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER. The figure,
which was "confirmed" by team parent Gale Force Holdings
President & CEO Dean Jordan, "would be among the lowest" in
the NHL. Jordan added that the Hurricanes have leased 56 of
their 58 luxury suites. Jordan, on whether the season-
ticket sales figures are "disappointing": "It's where we
thought we would be." Muhleman Marketing President Max
Muhleman, whose firm advises teams on ticket-selling
methods: "I felt all along that it would be difficult for
(the Hurricanes) to get to 10,000 season tickets initially.
It's just not a sport of the South. I think they will
continue to sell season tickets throughout the season as
people are pulled into the arena." Jordan said that the
team, which averaged 8,188 fans per game in Greensboro last
season, could have a "break-even figure" of 12,000 fans this
year "if it meets projected concession and merchandise
revenue and can sell all its advertising in the arena." The
Hurricanes open against the Devils at the new arena October
29 and the game is sold out (NEWS & OBSERVER, 10/19).
