Ayton has provided the Suns' fanbase with hope entering this season after several down yearsNBAE/getty images
In Phoenix, Brandon Brown noted Suns ticket sales are up 111% over last year, which the front office attributes to the "excitement around adding" No. 1 overall pick C Deandre Ayton. Suns President & CEO Jason Rowley said that the team's season-ticket renewal rate is approaching 90%, which is the "highest its been in several years." Suns single-game sales are up about 30% "compared with last season, and new season ticket memberships" are up 57% over last year. Last year, the Suns "ranked 23rd out of 30 NBA teams in attendance with an average of 16,866." If the team "performs better on the court, Rowley expects that number to rise, which will increase all of the team’s other revenue streams" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/18).
PRICING PROBLEM: Get-in prices to the Pistons' home-opener against the Nets on Wednesday were "cheaper than parking passes" on the secondary ticket market for the game at Little Caesars Arena. As of 1:30pm CT on Wednesday, "less than six hours before" tipoff, fans could still purchase "multiple tickets right next to each other for less than $15 apiece." Hundreds of tickets still "were available for less than $20." Meanwhile, the "cheapest parking pass available was about $18" (DETROITNEWS.com, 10/17).
GOLDEN YEAR: The Hawks have begun their season-long 50th anniversary celebration that will be highlighted by interactive fan activations, including a virtual timeline and fan voting on the Hawks All-Time Team. During the season, the Hawks will complete 50 acts of service throughout the greater Atlanta region. Budweiser has partnered with the team to present several signature moments, including two 50th Anniversary game nights and a digital heritage hall (Hawks).
