Thrashers ticket office getting flexible with fans
The puck will drop on a new Thrashers season in just under two months now, but there are already many in Thrasherville who are already hard at work preparing for this the eleventh NHL campaign. Among those already in mid-season form is the team’s ticket sales department.
One of the new features that has been rolled out recently is the Thrashers Flex Plan in which fans can not only purchase partial season ticket packages, but they can pick and choose the games they want to attend. It’s a plan that Thrashers VP Ticket Sales and Service Kyle Brunson believes will be very popular with the team’s fan base, especially given the fact that it was they who helped formulate the idea.
“Overwhelmingly we heard fans wanted to choose their own plans”, Kyle told me recently. “They didn’t want us to say ‘Here’s your seven games option, here’s your thirteen-game option’. So we listened and decided to give them the choice.”
The new Flex Plan has been available for a couple of weeks now, but already it’s been well received in Thrasherville. Part of the appeal is not only the flexibility of games…but also the fact that fans can also watch from different locations if they so choose.
“We truly are flexible,” Brunson continued. “We allow people to choose any game on the schedule, no limitations. We also allow people to try out different seat locations. Most people prefer a specific seat location and they want to stick with it. But the option is there for those who might like to enjoy games from various vantage points.”
“If you have a special night where you wanted to upgrade or you wanted to go upstairs one night, you can do that. You can mix it up. We are as flexible as we can be about this.”
Flexibility is one thing, of course, but price and value is what drives sales. This is why Kyle explained to me why they’ve added other built-in extras with the Flex Plan.
As far as cost is concerned, it depends on how many games and where you buy your tickets of course, “but the savings start at 15%…and that does not include the money saved from any ancillary ticket fees.” While the savings don’t match those of a season ticket package, they’re far better than buying tickets on a single game basis.
And then there are the Home Depot gift cards that are added to help sweeten the deal. “We give you a $25 card with 6 to 10 games purchased then it goes to $50 gift cards for 11 to 14 games, $75 for 15 to 19 games and then a $100 gift card with 20 games plus.”
For those who traditionally purchase multiple tickets for each game attended, the gift card levels add up per ticket purchase. For example, if you buy four tickets for six games, that’s 24 total tickets so you would be eligible for the $100 gift card.
According to Kyle, the games that are selling the most in their Flex Plans are…in order… the Capitals on opening night, Chicago Blackhawks on November 6, Penguins on April 10, New Jersey Devils on December 18, the New York Rangers on January 22, Philadelphia Flyers on January 14 and the Penguins on November 13. The Red Wings are the eighth highest selling game so far…they come into Philips on Thanksgiving Eve.
After that are Vancouver, Carolina and Buffalo in total sales.
Improvements on the Thrashers ticket plans are one thing, but Brunson also keeps in mind their most loyal of customers…the full season ticket holders.
“We’ve been working on the season ticket holder pricing and value for the longest period of time. Everything starts there. Full season ticket holders have the best value, that’s the best way to experience Atlanta Thrashers hockey…both from a price standpoint and from a benefits standpoint.”
Yes, it can sometimes be a bit of a balancing act between honoring STHs and creating new incentives to attract more customers. But it’s something Brunson says the organization takes very seriously and they are committed to securing the best value and greatest incentives for full season ticket holders.
“Season ticket holders are the lifeblood and so we want to have the most value there. And not just with price, but also with additional benefits like ticket banks, exchange nights and invites to exclusive events.”
Kyle told me that the Thrashers ticketing and service department intend fully to keep the full season ticket holders and their feelings in mind while at the same time exploring all options to attract more fans.
“We have season ticket holders located throughout every price level in the building, and we want to honor their value and their commitment.” So the organization is ever mindful of these valued fans when ideas are placed upon the table for discussion. “We never want to do something that gives an appearance of undercutting those loyal customers. But generally speaking, when it comes to college students or military personnel, most everyone universally understands it makes sense to give unique deals to those individuals.”
“So it starts with full season ticket holders, flex plans are kind of the next level of value and then obviously on the single game side we’re going to continue to develop promotions that target families, college students and military personnel.”
“And on the single game side of things, everything is in ‘full discussion mode’…we’re engaging with sponsors and looking to roll out additional promos. We will continue to do things like Chick-Fil-A Family nights again and it’s our intention to do that that for as many games as we can.”
And as stated above, they are also committed to college and military discounts as well.
There are other ideas in the works as well that the Thrashers look to announce in the coming days before the puck drops on the 2010-11 season.
If you are interested in learning more about the Thrashers Flex Plan, you can phone 866-715-1500 or go to the Thrashers web site found here.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
122 comments Add your comment
rob
August 11th, 2010
2:22 pm
Speak,
I have argued about the song selection as well as the organ player. They will start the Lets Go Thrashers and then go into that bass pumping which you cant cheer against or over, so annoying they wont get the fans going with the music.
Sage of Bluesland
August 11th, 2010
2:25 pm
Some get it: Win and everything else takes care of itself.
Others are still listening to Don Waddell and his minions–and hoping/praying things will finally be different…
Nope, I’m not. Keep your “change”. Until the ownership is serious about winning titles, I won’t be. It’s just that simple.
Actions speak louder than words–which is all we’ve been fed for 11 years now. Keeping a buffoon like Don Waddell employed is nothing more than incompetence run amok…You seriously expect me to pay for this clown’s salary? This clown who has done nothing but run this franchise into the ground?!
Yet, the ownership keeps him in place–actually ‘promoting’ him!
It would actually be funny if it weren’t so offensive. Nope, like I said, you can keep your “change”….
Reggie Dunlop
August 11th, 2010
2:33 pm
Organ music? Just as long as they NEVER PLAY ‘LADY OF SPAIN’ AGAIN!!
Alan R.
August 11th, 2010
2:43 pm
At the Nashville roadtrip the arena was playing Pantera during the stops in play.
This is something else Glovesave and I talked about. The arena has been shifting more and more towards garbage music. This is hockey, not cheer. Take your Lady Gaga, Kanye West, and that techno crap elsewhere.
To wit, I love hip-hop and some techno, but I don’t go to a hockey game to hear it during warmups or stoppage of play. Play something mean! Not quite Dimmu Borgir mean, but Pantera is a great start. Old Metallica is another good one. Not that foo-foo Black Album garbage. Anthrax, Tool, Nine Inch Nails. Something to energize the fans, not try to induce suicide.
Mikey
August 11th, 2010
3:11 pm
Alan R., while I appreciate all your suggestions, the whole “what music should the Thrashers warm up to” business sound too much like the crap that gets bantered about on the Thrashers message boards. Let’s be careful not to turn this informative blog into that tripe.
Alan R.
August 11th, 2010
3:26 pm
Well, this is for all suggestions, you know? Besides, I don’t even post there. I don’t know what’s going on there. I’m not sure I’m even registered there (and if I am, I might have posted twice and forgotten about it). These are just my own ideas. You’re welcome to agree or disagree, but the “music” goes along with the “atmosphere” of the arena.
This isn’t a pop concert, this is hockey.
SomaAtl95
August 11th, 2010
3:27 pm
Mikey, Alan R and I have clashed in the past (to the point where I decided to take a break from commenting in these blogs, then I took a midol and got over it) but encouraging open conversation about the experience that we pay for should be openly discussed. That includes the music that is played. You want music to pump up the crowd, not deflate them. Hell, even “We will rock you” over and over again beats the hell out of the techno beat…. just sayin…. If todays blog were about players, coaches and/or ex-players then yes, I would agree, talk of music should not be here.
I’d take anything that actually pumps up a crowd over the current “Andy Griffith” style music they’re playing now.
Mikey
August 11th, 2010
3:42 pm
Alan R., maybe that came across more harshly then I meant it. I assure you I typed it with a smile on my face. In fact, I even agree with your music suggestions. I was just trying to say …….. oh heck, never mind.
Question for you and all else. What do you think about playing “mood music” after the opposing team scores goals?
To me it just seems over done, predictable even, what with Tom Petty’s “Won’t Back Down” or Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It”.
glovesave29
August 11th, 2010
3:48 pm
I’d rather us all hold up newspapers / programs to read, and have crickets chirping on the PA when the opponents score.
SomaAtl95
August 11th, 2010
3:51 pm
“Them Bones” by Alice in Chains would be perfect when the opposition scores. Better than “Thats life…”, even “You oughta Know” by Alanis Morisette. Something that conveys anger and revenge – not “Oh well, we got scored on again…. thats life….”
MB
August 11th, 2010
4:01 pm
Glad to hear that they’re offering the Flex Plans, but more than a little incredulous that they’re just now getting around to it. Would pretty much seem like a no-brainer for an organization that consistently has difficulty filling seats.
As for the STHs, yes, give them deeper discounts than those for other ticket purchases and yes, provide them with special incentives for signing on. But enough about worrying that you’ll “offend” them. Sheesh! We all know (or should know) that it’s a business, and sometimes businesses have to create special offers to bring in new customers.
STHs pay up front for season tickets and for that they are GUARANTEED the seat(s) that they selected for every single game. By now they should be well aware that there is a possibility/likelihood that another fan may be able to buy a similar or better seat for less come the day of the game. By the same token, that fan may not be able to find a seat for a sold out game without paying an exorbitant price.
As they say, ya pays your money, ya takes your chances. The hope is that the boys play inspired hockey, win a bunch of games, and that tickets become a hot item around town. But if not, why grouse if the team offers good discounts that put more butts in the seats and exposes more people to this great game?
Alan R.
August 11th, 2010
4:03 pm
I understand now Mikey. It just seemed as if you were saying I was bringing the message boards here. I most assuredly am not.
While “silence is golden” and all that, music that is loud, energetic, and is defiant in nature would be good too. Don’t get me wrong, some of the music they play in-house is good, it’s just not hockey music.
Soma – If we ever clashed, I certainly don’t remember it. I do tend to be quite strong-willed with my comments, though. If it was me that caused your hiatus, I respectfully apologize.
SomaAtl95
August 11th, 2010
4:12 pm
Alan R. – all water under the bridge. As I said before I took a midol and got over it. All good.
glovesave29
August 11th, 2010
4:20 pm
Let’s all just be glad Brian is no longer around to start fights with EVERYONE…including himself. The current crew is a good group. Hope more join. I really enjoy talking hockey with y’all. Its truly amazing how much more informed and civil we are than the Canadian blogs.
schroeder
August 11th, 2010
4:26 pm
I don’t want to break up this group hug,but I want to know about Little and Bergie,get them signed,get some more goal scoring and DROP THE FREAKIN” PUCK ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!! I am jonesin’ for some real live hockey!!!!!!!!
schroeder
August 11th, 2010
4:54 pm
Sorry,between the TROLLS on C-VIV’s blog and the extra cup of coffee after lunch I snapped.
SomaAtl95
August 11th, 2010
6:28 pm
@ schroeder – rather it be a group hug of Thrashers fans than having to listen to Leafs fans all day long. Go to TSN.ca/nhl and see just how important they think they are
We want the season to start as well, but can’t make time go any faster.
Hockey Biltong
August 11th, 2010
7:08 pm
You want pain on a blog, check out the Saint trolls on D.Ledbetters Falcons blog….
SomaAtl95
August 11th, 2010
7:13 pm
Hell, I am surprised Aints fans even know how to spell, much less type on “one of them ‘com-pooters”
But they still aren’t as bad a leafs fans…. Saints Fans are just like Penguin Fans – once the team goes back to crappy their allegiances will change to whatever team is doing well…
rob
August 11th, 2010
7:13 pm
Maybe the organ/music people can take that suggested field trip with the marketing department???
hockey knowledge
August 11th, 2010
7:33 pm
UGA and GT tried to schedule a doubleheader at Phillips last season but the ASG/Phillips Arena wouldn’t guarantee that they could play a full regulation game (3 20 minute periods stop time).
Alan R.
August 11th, 2010
7:51 pm
It shouldn’t be hard to properly schedule a doubleheader. It’s not like the OT periods are 20min long anymore. Lengthy shootouts are not the norm.
Other arena crews have been able to quickly convert an arena from basketball to hockey with near perfection in the past. There’s no reason you can’t have two hockey games at the arena in one afternoon/evening.
In other words, that was a pretty stupid move by Philips/ASG.
R. Stroz
August 11th, 2010
8:51 pm
A few years ago the treatment of STH was horrendous. Discounting of tickets was rampant, the benefits were putrid, and some sales reps treated their customers as if they only had a fifth grade education.
At one point, on the old Nasty Nest website, a list of bullet points was set up by STHs from phone calls to their sales reps. The bullet points ranged from “you have your own sales rep” to “it costs more money to freeze the ice due to the increase in energy prices” as excuses as to why STH prices were going up while ticket discounting was running wild. Many STHs converted to $10.00 tickets as a form of general admission seating. Many STHs didn’t renew and waited for the discounted tickets. During this period of time, Bruce Levenson was ignorant enough to tell STHs at a Towne Hall Meeting that prices would continue to increase and “we needed to deal with it.”
Well, the STHs dealt with it. They didn’t renew. A STH boycott was implemented so the ASG management would “get the memo.” Someone with the ASG management took notice that the customers were sick and tired of being treated like crap. An ephiphany occurred: if the customers are being treated poorly, they stop spending money. Finally, some upper management heads rolled and individuals who understood customer service were able to begin initiating a new format.
The new format: treat the STHs with respect, enhance the benefits, and lower the pricing structure for STHs. For the last year and a half, my experience with the customer service staff has improved greatly. The reps listen and seem to be “happier” with their job. The confrontational attitude is gone.
To whomever at the ASG that changed the customer service culture, from one of acrimony to harmony, I commend you for your efforts. Your efforts have been noticed and greatly appreciated. Hopefully, many customers who have walked away will give the organization another chance “to make things right.”
If you’ve been on the fence for awhile, I encourage you to give the organization a chance again, whether via a flex plan, half or full season plan.
The times, they are a changing.
World Be Free
August 11th, 2010
9:07 pm
None of these plans are really necessary if you just win. Turn this team into a winner and you won’t need an adundence of plans to get people to the arena.
totally different subject- Jim Gray is the biggest “ay” hole in sports.
Alan R.
August 11th, 2010
9:25 pm
Winning takes time to build up to, WBF. Til then, we need to fill the seats. The more people show up, the fewer empty seats.
Once we win, the more people show up, the fewer discounted tickets, the more money made, and the more money that can be spent on personnel.
Really, this is all Marketing 097.
World Be Free
August 11th, 2010
9:30 pm
Alan R, yup it does take time, let’s hope Dudley’s moves will translate into some early wins and good walkup crowds for this season
Alan R.
August 11th, 2010
9:45 pm
In Dudley We Trust
R. Stroz
August 11th, 2010
11:34 pm
In regards to the arena atmosphere issue, the Thrashers need something considerably “flashier” than “Believe In Blueland.”
I’d like to suggest, BE PROUD TO BE LOUD. It’s enough of a twist that the remains of Pantera wouldn’t have a problem with it.
Besides, the arena needs more than one BULLHORN.
Brendan
August 11th, 2010
11:43 pm
I liked this 4:01PM post by MB. http://blogs.ajc.com/iceman-thrashers-blog/2010/08/11/thrashers-ticket-office-getting-flexible-with-fans/#comment-34631. I never quite understood why fans couldn’t pick the games they wanted, with the understanding that games featuring Crosby and Ovechkin might be restricted.
I never understood why a fan couldn’t say, “Gimme both Flyer games, both Maple Leaf games, both Ranger games, both Sabre games, and Tampa Bay and some Western Conference team to round it out.” Or a “Division package,” where you get Carolina twice, TB twice, Washington twice, and Florida twice, with your choice of any non-restricted game, like maybe the ones around Thanksgiving or Christmas. That seems fair.
I also never understood why you couldn’t front-load or 2nd half load your package? I mean, if you’re moving out of Atlanta in January, why can’t you attend your 10 or 15 games all in October, November, and December? Some fan think, “Well, really … I just want the stretch-run games. So, give me all of the March and April games.
Supply vs Demand
August 12th, 2010
1:20 am
Taking care of the “needs” of STH and offering Flex Plans as the “next level of value” are great and all…But the last time I checked, we’re living in a macro economy that’s got one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. Many of us have been forced to cut back on what used to be luxuries like tix to college fb/bb, professional fb/bb and yes, Thrashers Hockey. These budgeting decisions become more compelling when you have a family of 5 and all of the expenses that come with it. I’m not complaining, I’m just sayin’……How about a little love for the rest of us?
We attended 10 Thrashers games @ Blueland last year, including opening nt, the 1/9 Snowstorm pummeling of 8-1, the 2/6 post-Kovy debut, the Devils game that knocked us out officially and the season finale win over the Pens. With a mortgage, orthodontics, college & retirement savings and all of the other “benefits” of a credit-based society, we probably would’ve been forced to watch all the games on Fox Sports South if we’d really had to pay some $50 per ticket to sit in the upper bowl, $12-15 parking & $60 for Cokes/hotdogs/popcorn/nachos per game.
Obviously Philips will not fill up with just STH and Flex Plan owners. Many of us were there because of single game ticket promotions like the TravelZoo $8 tix in the 300 level. Would I love to sit Rinkside every game? Sure…..But I won’t take out another equity line for all 5 of us to do so.
I hope this is not forgotten while single game promotions are in “full discussion mode”. The harsh reality is this economy sucks right now and Thrashers avg home attendance declined last year by 1,019 (per game) from the previous year. Normally, when supply is fixed (excessive) and demand is decreasing, either the product (quality) must be improved and/or price must fall. They do still teach things like that in Marketing classes, don’t they? At this time, any perceived increase in product quality is still unproven on the ice, so removing extreme single ticket discounting prior to the start of the season probably won’t do anything to reverse the trend of declining attendance.
Surely a team that is 3rd to last in avg home attendance and that’s struggling to meet the Cap Minimum can afford to continue offering extreme discounts on single game tix. Please don’t forget this when considering “the rest of us” who LOVE Thrashers Hockey, but can’t financially commit to game packages without taking on more family debt.
I don’t need free tix. But give us deep discounts and we’ll bring the family and drop $100 or so per game, while an empty seat = $0 Revenue. Please don’t forget this…….
hockeymom92
August 12th, 2010
6:09 am
SvD – could not agree with you more! We are in the same economic boat – which seems to be taking on water at an alarming rate these days. Here’s hoping that they will remember those of us who cannot afford a package deal.
Putting On The Foil
August 12th, 2010
7:21 am
Buy a ticket to a Thrasher’s game, if they don’t win, get a voucher for a free ticket to another game. Should keep the arena full.
World Be Free
August 12th, 2010
8:10 am
Putting Foil-now there’s an idea!
R. Stroz
August 12th, 2010
8:25 am
For those that can only make one or two games for a variety of reasons, there are Chick-fil-A nights where the tickets are discounted for the benefit of famalies.
kracker
August 12th, 2010
8:32 am
Marketing has it’s place but only so far. If it’s cheap marketing, do it. Otherwise, put the money into another $2-3M player. Winning games is the only marketing that generates more than a momentary buzz.
I’m not saying don’t let the students in for nearly free but they are a break even (hopefully), band aid approach to fixing a problem. The hidden plus would be years down the road when a few of these broke college students that liked the game are working and they can/will buy non-discounted.tickets.
Building a base takes time. And wins.
glovesave29
August 12th, 2010
8:34 am
SvD – this is just a way to fill the final 2-3000 seats after the STH, the full price single tix and the discounted seats have been sold. The difference between 15K in the arena and 18K is huge. Those empty seats don’t go buy the nachos / popcorn / beer. Someone getting in at $5 or even free will.
I’d like to see the STH’s get extra benefits. The team could throw some freebie tickets their way for games that will not sell as well to help fill the arena. They should ALL get into the suite side for the good food and drink. Steeper discounts on food and souvenirs.
Winning will cure the need for any of this. As will an improving economy. Until then, I do not care how they fill it, just do it. I can tell you, I have a source within the team that oft tells me the players have bets in the locker room as to how few people will be in the building that night. We start to fill it, any way, any how – more players will find this an attractive location.
glovesave29
August 12th, 2010
8:37 am
“The hidden plus would be years down the road when a few of these broke college students that liked the game are working and they can/will buy non-discounted.tickets.” – Kracker
BINGO!
That is exactly what Alan and I said. You never know, one of those engineering students at Tech could invent the next greatest thing. Become fabulously wealthy…and have warm fuzzy memories of Thrashers games. Buy out the Octotards. Sure – far fetched….but stranger things have happened!
Get The Puck Out
August 12th, 2010
8:37 am
There shouldn’t be a problem with helping STH’s and discount single games. Just make sure you help both. Now if we could find someone to do something with this economy….
thefish
August 12th, 2010
8:41 am
Another waste of time. You want people in the building? Then put something on the ice worth seeing. I’m still bitter that it took me 9 years as a STH to realize what a bunch of bums these guys are. Call me when the bums win a playoff game or two. In the meantime, enjoy an empty arena.
Red Light
August 12th, 2010
8:43 am
Since the Thrashers first arrived on the scene, there are two vastly different types of crowds: the weekend night crowds versus the weeknight crowds. This isn’t molecular biology. While school and football are in session in the fall, weeknight crowds are awful, while weekend games are much better attended. When the holidays come, attendance increases. After the holidays, it goes back to the fall levels.
The most logical approach, such as those implemented by any business dealing with capacity issues, is to charge less for games that historically are weak, such as Monday-Thursday, and charge more for weekend and holiday games. Lets not forget, ticket revenues are a minor part of the solution, concessions are where the mark-ups are, thus theoretically, the more people in the building, the more resulting concession sales.
For many teams in major markets, New York, Toronto, LA, Chicago, etc., weeknight games mean corporate entertainment. The Thrashers used to have a lot of that going on in the pre-2007 years. Since, that portion of the market has virtually disappeared. That’s why I always believed that weeknight games should never have been moved to 7 pm. The Thrashers did so because they thought it would be better to entice more parents to bring their kids to weeknight games. AIN’T gonna happen, because there simply is too much going on during the week for families with kids aged 5 to 16. Weeknight games should start at 7:30 or 8 pm. Traffic to the games will have subsided somewhat to allow quicker travel times to the arena. Games will still conclude by 10 or 10:30. The weeknight games have to mean “business” not “family” because any kind of corporate sponsorships or corporate expenditures mean more to concessions and ticket revenues than a family of five (no offense Supply v Demand, my family is larger than that).
There’s no question, the atmosphere needs improvement. There’s no question that ASG dropped the ball on STH’s toes in the past by discounting other seats in the past. Frankly, if you are a STH, you, not the casual fan should be rewarded with promotions — first and foremost. In fact, I believe a STH should be entitled to offer friends fractionally-priced tickets for all weeknight games, and those games that are less than 70 percent of capacity.
And, there is no question that economic factors have played a part in attendance in all sports, which I feel is the main reason people sit their a**es on the couch rather than spending money to attend games. All the other stuff like the music played, the in-game “entertainment” etc. etc. is merely window dressing that does not address the other issues like winning, past management failures and the perceived lack of value vs. the outlay.
Nate
August 12th, 2010
8:54 am
Mikey – I like your idea of mood songs after an opponent scores a goal. On NHL 10 I have it play the “F-Word” song by Reel Big Fish. Inappropriate for an actual hockey game, but pretty funny for online gaming.
Alan R., glovesave, and Soma – Like the ideas. Another one to bring up to local reps is advertising Thrashers/hockey during other sports. Start a marketing campaign in the next few weeks during Braves games. Have Thrash throw out the first pitch at a game. Have some players do an autograph session in the plaza out behind center field. Do the same for the Falcons second or third home game. Advertise around the Georgia Dome and during Falcons’ broadcasts. Same for UGA and Tech.
And for the music thing – Throw some punk into the mix. Play some Pennywise, NOFX, or Bad Religion every once in a while.
Joe Friday
August 12th, 2010
9:14 am
Jettison the Blueland campaign and associated pansy blue uniforms. Phillips Arena will now be known simply as Our House. You come into our house, you better keep your head up, we are playing hockey, old style. Every shift, every period, we’re going to lead the league in clean hard checks. Our new home unis will be Black and Blue. All marketing will show our colors, we are black and blue and we send our opponents off the same way, win or lose.
$78 ticket in the lower bowl is now $70 per game (similar drops for every seat in the place) and there’s going to be two and only two season ticket holder plans:
1)Full season ticket holders buy that seat for every regular season game at 25% off the listed price, receive complimentary preseason tickets, and get exclusive meet and greets with the players as well as the option to buy additional seats on a game by game basis at $25 per seat as available. Only full season ticket holders will receive game day giveaways, bobbleheads, etc. Full season ticket holders will have access to the new season ticket holder pavilion for exclusive food and drink discounts.
2)1/2 season ticket holder plan geared toward weekends receive 15% off the listed price and also get the exclusive meet and greets with the players
The cheerleaders go. There’s no cheerleaders in hockey. The girls cleaning the ice during timeouts will stay but they’re going to be decently clothed. Thrash will go back to being the old Thrash who can actually dance and rappel down a rope from the ceiling. The jumbotron will be replaced with an actual high def screen that isn’t covered with screen burns. AC/DC will be prominently played pushing our Black and Blue theme. An actual organ will play music in Our House, a real pipe organ, played by someone that has a clue on how to get a crowd rev’d up. And we’re going to hire our award winning in-game producer back away from the Crapitals.
All weekday start times are 7:30pm, Saturday 7pm, Sunday at 5pm.
“If you build it, they will come”
“Just win, baby”
Drop the puck.
kracker
August 12th, 2010
9:17 am
Glovesave — “I can tell you, I have a source within the team that oft tells me the players have bets in the locker room as to how few people will be in the building that night. We start to fill it, any way, any how – more players will find this an attractive location.”
That’s predictable, I suppose, for a franchise whose tradition is losing. Change the tradition, fill the arena most nights and let the players bet on who is going to score tonight…who will score the winning goal.
kracker
August 12th, 2010
9:42 am
As a STH, I vote NO on moving the weekday games to 7:30 or 8:00PM. I usually take MARTA during the week. As it is now I get home later than I’d like for a regulation game. Add on OT and sometimes a shootout, too, and I’m looking at 10:45 to 11:00 to get home. Sometimes I like to attend the post game show. As it is now, after getting home and taking care of things there, undwinding, etc., I get to sleep maybe by 12:30 to 1AM following a weekday game.
If you are retired or you work later in the day, I can see how you are unconcerned about how late people get home from the games. For me, 5:30AM comes awfully early on the mornings after weekday games. Pushing the start time back 30 minutes or an hour is most unfriendly to working people that must get up early.
Alan R.
August 12th, 2010
9:47 am
Lets not forget, ticket revenues are a minor part of the solution, concessions are where the mark-ups are, thus theoretically, the more people in the building, the more resulting concession sales.
And it doesn’t take a genius to know that the opposite is true as well: Struggling team + Higher ticket prices = Fewer people buying concessions. That includes merchandise from the team gear stores.
You can’t be an owner of a hockey team that has done poorly throughout its existence, and adopt the Toronto Maple Leafs model of doing business. KNOW YOUR MARKET. This is seriously remedial Marketing stuff, here.
Joe Friday
August 12th, 2010
9:57 am
“Pushing the start time back 30 minutes or an hour is most unfriendly to working people that must get up early.”
Kracker, that’s true for your situation, but look at what’s going on. You’re sitting there surrounded by empty seats, so it’s broken and needs to be fixed. What is working for your individual situation, is not working for most (now former) season ticket holders. I and most other season tix holders are “working people”. But we work until 5:30. It is impossible to drive home from work pick up the family and drive back down through the 2nd worst traffic in the country to an arena situated in the worst possible location it could be for the fan base (and don’t bring up Smarta, I’d have to drive 45 minutes just to hop that poorly designed system and I live in the heart of where the former season tix holders live).
7:30 start time meant I could leave my house at 6:35, 6:40 and come in behind the end of rush hour and make the 7:40 puck drop and we always made it home by 10:45.
7pm start times mean we can’t be season tix holders. We had to drop the 1/2 season weekend plan when they did make that move. Only way I can make a 7pm start time now is to leave directly from my office at 5:30 and then it’s still a struggle to get there in time with a 90 minute drive time down there (again, no Smarta from my office and I work in a huge business center).
But, what have we come to expect from the Spirit Squad? Ineffective marketing, poor customer service, inane start times. Mabye it’ll all change one day, when things change at the top, like what happened with the Blackhawks when old Dollar Bill finally kicked and his son immediately made smart fan friendly moves that filled the place back up, allowed them to build a competitive team, and voila . . .
SomaAtl95
August 12th, 2010
9:58 am
If you build a winner, they will come. If you treat the fans that were there when they weren’t a winner better word spreads to the “casual fan”. Anyone who had “NHL Center Ice” last season let me ask you this: did you notice that the Caps have a special club, just for the ladies? did you see the commercials for the Islanders and their annual “Youth Hockey” day where players teach the kids @ the arena? How about the fact that the ducks have plans with all their respective ice rinks to offer reduced admission with ticket purchase? As much as I love SportsSouth they have a bad habit of playing the same.boring.commercial.all.the.time. I still think several short 10 second spots each with Kane, Boults, Buff, Hainsey, Borris, (different players for different spots) each saying “Hi, my name is _____ and Thrashers hockey has me black and blue” then the usual voice over saying “Come join your Thrashers as they face____” It’s short, gets to the point, and stops using the same canned footage from years ago. If our ad people watched the way other teams (even the bad ones) market themselves then our ads would improve. Ads improve, casual fans go. Casual fans go and winning product on ice = casual fans turning into die hard fans.
I’m not a STH, believe me if I could afford it I would be. My wife has had spinal surgery twice in the past year and may have to have it again so as much as I would like to go to games this year I probably will be unable, so I have SportSouth, and a wobbly cameraman who has problems following the puck. The same 3 commercials, wobbly camera and “The Hockey Way” drive me insane, but I love the Thrashers and deal with it.
Presentation is everything. If you put a turd in a dress, eventually some guy will hit on said turd. As bad as the Oilers were last season they still had fuller arenas the us and they sell specific games ON PPV. People actually PAY to watch that team on TV. Even though they suck HARD CORE, they are still presented as winners.
I fear this “Chicken vs Egg” mentality that we are going through will only get worse. Present them as winners and they will win. They win and ticket sales will go up. Ticket sales go up and top tier players will want to play here.
glovesave29
August 12th, 2010
9:58 am
JF- 5PM sunday wont work – NFL football will take too many fans away
Brendan
August 12th, 2010
10:06 am
For a franchise that isn’t winning … and is just looking to give away the store, to get more people in, to qualify for more revenue sharing dollars, this theory might work. Buy three season tickets at full price, get two more season tickets FREE. That’s five (5) tickets. For every game. And you can turn around and sell your surplus tickets for what the market will bear. Or right there, at the arena, for “face value.” A-hem. Adjusting my tie.
Or, you can find 2-3 people at the office and ask them, What would you three guys/gals pay me for 3 season tickets, sitting next to me, for this season? It might work out well for all parties involved. And let them divvy up which games they’ll go to amongst themselves. If you normally buy 2 season tickets anyway, you’re just buying a third which will be utterly reimbursed by the 3 people you find to buy the remaining 3 seats. You might even get one and half times (1.5X) what you paid out for that 3rd season ticket, even at full price. The trick is finding three people willing to pony up for three seats, and willing divvy them up amicably. (No way you’re gettin’ that Flyer game, Phil! Over my dead body. Hey, I’m not missin’ out on my Rangers game, Fred! And then a fight breaks out. Finally, some guy named Stan breaks it up.)
The “buy 3 season tickets, get 2 free” idea works best in an office full of hockey fans. You’ll all get to sit together. You’ll all see the games you want. And you’ll all be willing to swap out tickets as “life events” force you to change plans for the evening.
I don’t know if Thrashers would like this idea or not. They’d be the ones giving up 2 FREE season tickets. Of course, winning would change everything. The Octotards would never have to give away free seats if the team won consistently. But that might mean firing Waddell, as in making him clean out his desk and leave. Or at least relocate to the basement, with a stapler.
Joe Friday
August 12th, 2010
10:16 am
“JF- 5PM sunday wont work – NFL football will take too many fans away”
What? Those games are usually the best attended at Phillips, packed with families. We’re east coast in the 1st place and even if watched in real time those games are over early. Most importantly we live in the DVR era, when’s the last time you sat and watched a 1pm game in real time? I haven’t in years since the days we had to go to Jocks and Jills and watch all the games on their feeds. Bears and Falcons are DVR’d and I watch both the games that night in about 1and 1/2 hours (NFL game has about 3 1/2 minutes of actual playing time, everything else is unload the pile, talk a little smack, grab the crotch, huddle up, timeout, hut hut hut 39 blue, hut, fire fire, swing 42 swing 42, hut!). Only games games that are must see in real time are the playoff games and that’s why you get club seats, to watch NFL and be at the hockey game, silly.