Capacity crowds will likely be far and few between for the Thunder this season as the team rebuildsNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Tickets for the Thunder's home opener Friday night against the Wizards have been "available on the secondary market for as little as $13.29 after taxes and fees," and as a result, the team has "tried to strike an encouraging note" with season-ticket holders who are trying to sell their seats, according to Joe Mussatto of the OKLAHOMAN. The Thunder in an email to season-ticket holders wrote, "Couldn't help but notice your tickets for Friday and Sunday's home games are posted for resale. ... The Thunder is committed to return this team to the elite level our community expects, so when you get to have the opportunity now to watch talented young players develop, you will be able to say ... I was there for every part of the journey." It concludes, "We hope you are successful in reselling your tickets this week. But if you're not ... there's always a seat for you at our house." Thunder VP/Broadcasting & Corporate Communications Dan Mahoney said this is "nothing new" for the team. He said, "We always communicate with our season ticket holders and encourage them to be in their seats for our home games" (OKLAHOMAN, 10/24).
RIDE OR DIE? In Oklahoma City, Berry Tramel notes the Thunder are "entering a rebuilding phase that could be lengthy," and it will be "quite tempting for Thunder fans to stay home." Chesapeake Energy Arena has been "loud and proud every single game of the Thunder's 11-years-plus history," but the "volume might be tempered." Instead of 18,203 fans every single game, "crowds of 14,000 could become the norm." Tramel: "Soon enough, we'll find out how permanent is the devotion of Thunder fans" (OKLAHOMAN, 10/25).
