After losing to the Coyotes in the NHL Western Conference Semifinals, the Predators "will try to build on the successes of the season and hope that the fan base remains galvanized," according to Josh Cooper of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. Predators CEO Jeff Cogen said that there are "positive markers such as increases in season ticket sales and sponsorship deals over this time last year." Despite the team's elimination from the playoffs, there are "no indications a significant portion of the fan base has given up." Cogen said that he is "confident the positive vibes of the season will help maintain the momentum needed to drive revenue." He said that season ticket sales are up 20-25% "compared with the same time last year, and there’s a chance of cracking 10,000 season tickets." Cogen added that sponsorship has "followed the same track," increasing 20-25%. Cogen: “If you win games you create fan interest, and that fan interest turns into increased attendance. The sponsors want to associate where the people are." Cooper notes the Predators "had a record 25 sellouts this season." Cogen said, "The longer we go, the more fan excitement we create in terms of ticket sales and television viewers and the like, and we won’t have that luxury. On the other hand, we think we have a pretty good story to sell and we’re starting that right now" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 5/10).
