Season-ticket prices will not increase next season, but single-game tickets could sill cost moreNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Hornets attendance this season "declined by 5.5%" from '16-17 after the team missed the playoffs for the second straight year, according to Erik Spanberg of the CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL. The Hornets "sold and distributed 671,404 tickets" in '17-18 for a per-game average of 16,376. During '16-17, the Hornets "attracted 17,332 per game for a total of 710,643." Despite attendance being down, the Hornets did increase "sponsorship and merchandise sales this season while enjoying a strong rebound in outside events such as concerts" at Spectrum Center. The Hornets have "built a season ticket base of 11,000 fans, with nearly 1,000 more full-season equivalents sold through various mini-plans." Season-ticket prices will not increase next season, but Hornets Exec VP & COO Pete Guelli said that the team "has yet to decide whether single-game tickets will cost more." Guelli and the team "are looking ahead to next season, pointing to a franchise milestone -- the upcoming 30th anniversary of NBA basketball in Charlotte" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/10).
IN WITH THE NEW: The Hornets yesterday introduced new President of Basketball Operations & GM Mitch Kupchak, and the AP's Steve Reed writes he was "vague when it came to pressing questions surrounding the futures" of G Kemba Walker, C Dwight Howard and coach Steve Clifford. Kupchak was also vague on "whether the team needs to undergo a complete rebuilding process." Kupchak inherits a team with 10 players "under contract next season leaving the Hornets close [to] the luxury tax threshold -- making turning over the roster a little difficult" (AP, 4/10). The CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL's Spanberg noted Hornets Vice Chair Curtis Polk "pointed to Kupchak's skills as a talent evaluator and his extensive network of NBA contacts as important factors that made him the Hornet's choice as GM." Kupchak replaced Rich Cho, who was "fired in February after seven seasons." Polk said that the 60-day search was exhaustive, and Hornets Owner Michael Jordan wanted the "'right fit culturally' and skills wise." Polk: "All things pointed to Mitch" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/10).
