Report says Hawks and Thrashers may both be for sale (UPDATE: Spirit responds with silence)
The Atlanta Spirit has always been one big happy team. OK, maybe notsomuch.
The Atlanta Spirit ownership group has been disputing reports that it is seeking to sell the Thrashers and that the NHL team might be on the move to another city. Now comes a report that the Hawks also might be on the market.
A New York Times story on sports ownership during the recession references both the Hawks and Thrashers as being among franchises that might be for sale. The paragraph in question reads:
Now that the economy seems to be on the mend, owners who held off selling during the downturn are seeking to unload their teams. According to sports bankers, the teams thought to be for sale include the Atlanta Hawks, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Golden State Warriors and the Detroit Pistons in the N.B.A; the [Dallas] Stars, the Atlanta Thrashers and potentially the Columbus Blue Jackets in the N.H.L.; and baseball’s Houston Astros.
E-mails this morning to various club officials seeking comment have not been immediately returned.
(UPDATE: Despite emails and phone requests, the Hawks/Thrashers/Spirit have yet to issue a statement, either confirming or denying the New York Times story. Draw what you will from their silence. For what it’s worth, the Thrashers have been quick to deny past stories of the franchise’s possible sale and/or move.)
There had been no indication in the past that the Spirit is looking to sell the Hawks. However, the potential exit of partner Steve Belkin is expected to prompt the group, led by Michael Gearon and Bruce Levenson, to seek a new partner. Belkin and the other owners have been in litigation for about five years. Both the Hawks and Thrashers are struggling in attendance. The Thrashers rank 28th out of 30 teams in the NHL, averaging 13,397 announced per game. The Hawks rank 21st in the 30-team NBA, averaging 16,092 announced, despite having the third-best record in the Eastern Conference.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman recently told the Journal-Constitution that the squabbling among owners has affected the Thrashers’ operation and product: “Ultimately, the ownership situation has to be straightened out. It’s difficult to operate a franchise when owners aren’t getting along. It’s even more difficult in a recession climate. A team has to be at its very best. Issues have to be resolved and everybody has to be together so they can interact with fans. But that’s difficult when the owners aren’t together.”
The Times story addresses how devalued pro sports franchises are in today’s economy, and how new owners like Michael Jordan of the Charlotte Bobcats “are facing a future without the near-certainty of making up for any short-term losses by selling their teams for hefty profits later.”
“It used to be you got bailed out when you sold your team even if you lost money year after year,” said Marc Ganis, president of SportsCorp Ltd., a consulting firm. “Now, you’re no longer assured of cashing out to cover your capital costs and losses.”
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227 comments Add your comment
David E.
March 17th, 2010
12:06 pm
In regards to whether attendance might be better if the teams moved out of downtown, there is actually historical proof that supports the idea that attendance would go up if a team moved closer to where the bulk of their fan bases live. Many of you won’t remember this, but in 1979, the Atlanta Chiefs, a stuggling soccer team in the old North American Soccer League (NASL) played at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and drew an average of 3,000 per game. Amidst claims by suburbanites that they would attend Chiefs games if they were closer, the Chiefs tested the market once and played a game in what was then a suburban location – Adams Stadium in DeKalb County, I think, although I’m not positive – and 14,000 people showed up. Political pressure ensued, and another suburban game was never scheduled or mentioned and the Chiefs folded a year or so later. As for me, the location downtown does not deter me, and I’ll go no matter where they play. Also, admittedly, 1979 was a long time ago (Atlanta had just over a milion people then and MARTA was not yet viable). However, the fact is it happened, and it leads me to believe that the Thrashers and/or Hawks might draw better at Gwinnett or if a new arena was built in Cobb.
Pop
March 17th, 2010
12:09 pm
The Falcons are next……….
Reasons for Lack of Support
March 17th, 2010
12:19 pm
I’ll give you a few reasons why ATL doesn’t support the Hawks (Thrashers are simple- NHL simply doesn’t work- particularly in the South)
1. Hawks fans have endured 10+ years of total mismanagement starting with Pete Babcock and leading to greater incompetence with the Spirit. A series of bad drafts, free agent signings, and Billy Knight will not be easily forgotten.
2. NBA is way too expensive to attend – particularly when we’re all cutting back. Add up parking, food, drinks, and tickets for one game and you could buy a nice TV. With HDTV, it makes the decision to stay home even more compelling.
3. Traffic. ATL commuters spend way too much time in their cars as it is. Who wants to sit in traffic heading to a 7:00pm Hawks game after you’ve already logged 2 hours in the car that day?
edward
March 17th, 2010
12:19 pm
I don’t think the traffic is really the big problem. I live in Pittsburgh and believe me, it is a joy to drive into and out of Atlanta. 4 lane highways(2in/2out) here in Pittsburgh. The whole city is being changed by construction and it sits on a small island between three rivers. Don’t cry about traffic!!
I think it was David Justice who said it best…”The fans here are awful they don’t come out to support the team”. Or something to that effect. It’s true. I go to The Ted whenever I go home and it’s not really full. Same for the Hawks. These are not bad teams by any stretch of the imagination. The Thrashers are horrible but that’s because the owners have no clue about hockey. I think they thought it would be neat to say they own a hockey team.
It is the fans. It’s embarrassing to hear that we have the worst fans in baseball and basketball. The Pirates are horrible and are making new records of horribleness and yet they still sell seats. All you have to do in Atlanta is just have a plan on getting in and getting out. It’s pretty simple. The longest it has ever taken us driving time to go in and leave afterward is maybe 20-30minutes. As to it being a high-crime area, yes but aren’t all big cities? I always see at least 10 policemen within a mile walking distance. We park at the Tabernacle and walk down to Philips.
It’s a poor excuse to complain of the drive to the city. Just admit y’all are just lazy armchair fans!!
Peter
March 17th, 2010
12:20 pm
I have done business with the Atlanta Spirit Group……. And they do bad business, will take advantage of you, and won’t keep their word.
Gee no wonder they are going broke, and have a bad reputation !
MR164164
March 17th, 2010
12:20 pm
Co-sign Andre’s 10:03 post.
Otto
March 17th, 2010
12:21 pm
Thrasher Fan, The College Football argument goes to show that Southerners/Georgians do support local sports. Pro Sports just is not on the radar and on top of that many Georgians have never liked venturing into Atlanta at all. Decades of mismanagement (Falcons take those honors) further put Pro Sports in the backseat in Georgia. On the flip side up north college sports take a back seat to the Pro teams in many areas (NY/NJ, Boston, Pittsburgh, Philly).
High School is also fairly well supported but has decreased some especially in the metro area again due to transient population and the natives having split loyalties thanks to new schools and district changes. HS football and baseball is big in the more rural areas.
Gwinnett is a bit more of a pain thanks to 85. You will never make everyone happy but for the 75/400 commutes it really is not that big of deal. I was there before Olympic break shortly after the trades and was pleasantly surprised on the week night crowd. The Knights always had decent attendance. If a decent team is put on the Ice the crowds will grow (easily passing the Hawks) but getting there is another blog.
Richham
March 17th, 2010
12:22 pm
Let’s see the economy sucks, gas is fairly cheap at going on $3.00 a gallon, traffic, price of tickets to sit anywhere within 100 yards of the floor is way over priced, food, parking, traffic again which sucks big time on a weekday night.
No one has the extra money to support these teams. My family comes first over this type of entertainment and yes its an overall hassle/pain just to get downtown, park, etc. to watch a game. Not to mention that basketball and hockey are second tier sports, in popularity, here in the South.
Move to Boston or L.A. and you can get all wild and crazy over your basketball teams with everyone else.
Oh and I agree with the last poster Greg, if I actually enjoyed hanging out downtown I would have moved there. Different strokes for different folks. There is plenty to do here in the burbs, it just depends on what you enjoy doing. I live in Flowery Branch, so it is at least a two hour round trip for me to downtown and quite possibly three depending on traffic. I wouldn’t support the hawks if they were located in Gwinnett, Cobb, etc. If you love living inside the perimeter, that’s awesome, live it up. I could care less. The safety downtown is just fine, it all boils down to the fact that no one cares.
Do we even have to go into the mess that is the Atlanta Spirit??? I’m shocked people actually pay money to watch the Thrashers anymore. It is pretty evident that ownership could care less about hockey.
I simply have much better ways to spend my money and my time.
MR164164
March 17th, 2010
12:23 pm
Also- As long as these suburbs reject MARTA, no team will be there. There is nothing better than taking a train straight to the GAMES.
Otto
March 17th, 2010
12:26 pm
David Gwinnett would kill the Cobb audience and hurt the Alpharetta/Cumming viewers. Nobody wants to cross 285 to make a week night game. Further many in those areas do not see Gwinnett as an upgrade in terms of safety/crime.
Is crime that bad compared to other cities? maybe..maybe not but many did not like going into the city 20-30 years.
FAN4LIFE
March 17th, 2010
12:26 pm
THE ATLANTA SPIRIT IS ABSURD! PLEASE DO SELL THE HAWKS AND THRASHERS TO SOMEONE WHO IS ACTUALLY A FAN….WHAT A NOVEL IDEA. I GO TO NEARLY EVERY HAWKS GAME AND SIT BEHIND THE “OWNERS” AND THE ONLY ONE I SEE THERE IS GEARON JR. I ALSO HAVE A SUITE FOR THRASHERS GAMES AND HAVE ONLY SEEN SEYDELL THERE ONCE. BOTTOM LINE IS THIS GUYS, DO ATLANTA A FAVOR AND SELL THE TEAMS TO SOMEONE WHO HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN THE CITY AND IT’S FAN BASE. HALF OF YOU CLOWNS LIVE IN ANOTHER STATE! MR. BLANK PLEASE, PLEASE BUY THE THRASHERS AND HAWKS….THEN WORK ON THE BRAVES. ONE LAST POINT, IF YOU CLOWNS WHO CALL YOURSELF ATLANTA SPIRIT, DO LOSE THE THRASHERS, YOU WILL HAVE FOREVER DENIED THIS CITY OF AN NHL FRANCHISE. DO YOU REALLY THINK THEY WILL GIVE US ANOTHER SHOT IF WE HAD TWO CHANCES. OH, THAT’S RIGHT, MOST OF YOU PRICKS LIVE ELSEWHERE. YOU GUYS SUCKS!
Otto
March 17th, 2010
12:32 pm
Atleast 2 hours from Flowery Branch to Downtown? I made the Varsity leaving Road Atlanta (6:00?) in an hour and 15 on a weekday afternoon last fall. Kennesaw/Woodstock to Road Atlanta is about an hour and half on the weekend.
Richham
March 17th, 2010
12:34 pm
Edward
Check your facts bro. You say we are the worst fans in baseball/basketball yet we ranked 15th out of 30 teams in baseball attendance. We outdrew Pittsburgh by almost 1 million fans, you guys were second to last in attendance and your talking trash about Atlanta?
We also outdrew pittsburgh in football, any you guys have a ton of super bowl rings and a strong loyalty base to depend on for ticket sales.
Atlanta has only 1 title between all 4 major sports and Pittsburgh has like 20 and the penguins only draw 4,000 more fans a game than the pitiful thrashers.
Get a clue!!!
Richham
March 17th, 2010
12:36 pm
I said roundtrip. Try rereading my post. It is easily an hour to Atlanta during rush hour traffic one way.
Not Surprised...
March 17th, 2010
12:41 pm
Unfortunately, Atlanta is not a sports city. We have rarely supported our sports teams even when we were winning on a regular basis.The closest time we have was when Mike Vick was part of the Falcons. And that was sporatic at times. The Braves seem to have somewhat of a following but that looks as if it is getting smaller each season. The location of these arenas may be the reason behind low attendance but I don’t think that if “They build a new arena or move they will come”….(Field of Dreams)…
The Monkey
March 17th, 2010
12:42 pm
Go back to the suburbs and stay there. What a sad, pathetic bunch we have here. I’m really surprised some folks have the ability to use the internet to post here.
The Atlanta Spirit sucks, no doubt. DW is questionable, but I think the real problem is the people who cut off Schultz from the free journalist buffet. Please feed this grumpy codger.
Jason
March 17th, 2010
12:48 pm
David E, the NHL outdoor game attracts more fans each year than any other game, including the playoffs or championship. Should all NHL games be played outdoors? Of course not! A big crowd will show up for a novelty. A single soccer game is a novelty. What size crowds did the Silverback pull in out their spaghetti junction stadium for regular season games? Not very large crowds and that was with the added advantage of being near the soccer obsessed Hispanic population.
tired of em anyway
March 17th, 2010
12:52 pm
To hell with atlanta’s collection of losing sports teams and their owners. It says a lot when the number one interest is the GA bulldogs. This city has more me-first mentality than anywhere in the U.S. I want out of this dump, just like the owners.
The Real Fan
March 17th, 2010
12:53 pm
“Greg Asking us to pay money to support sports we don’t like, playing in an area we don’t enjoy, is like taxing us to pay for your healthcare!”
Your’re already paying taxes for health care, or aren’t you bright enough to know that. That’s okay is was a rhetorical question. But don’t let the truth get in the way of a good arguement.
The Real Fan
March 17th, 2010
12:56 pm
“tired of em anyway
March 17th, 2010
12:52 pm”
I-75 goes north as well as south!
The Duck of Death
March 17th, 2010
12:58 pm
The IHL Atlanta Knights had solid attendance, a good fan base, and a much higher quality game presentation. Plus the prices were cheap and the product was good. The Thrashers games are dull and vanilla. The product is inconsistent and the prices are absurd. Lower the prices make it more enjoyable and the fans will show up.
Dickie Dunn
March 17th, 2010
1:04 pm
I told you so….see you in Winnipeg or Hamilton next year!!!
Worst Sports City Ever
March 17th, 2010
1:07 pm
ESPN routinely gives that title to Atlanta so we have no one to blame but ourselves. Surprisingly, they found the most consistent sports base – meaning stable support despite cyclical performance – was Dallas.
My personal opinion is the NHL should contract and take the Thrashers and a few other teams out. The Hawks and the Falcons are about what anyone can expect. Mediocre teams with mediocre histories displaying mediocrity.
Manny
March 17th, 2010
1:26 pm
You people don’t know what you are talking about. If the location of Philips Arena is the problem, then why does Philips get all of the good concerts and Gwinnett barely gets anything. It’s because Philips is a superior venue, is a more central location, and has access to public transit. If the stadiums were located in the northern suburbs it would be MORE inconvenient for many more people to attend the games. I, for example, would never go up there.
Tiger Time
March 17th, 2010
1:31 pm
My contact who knows the Toronto owners told me the Thrashers are moving to Winnipeg. It is a done deal.
Manny
March 17th, 2010
1:32 pm
Lets also not forget that the Hawks (and Falcons) have a pretty heavy African American fan base that generally lives south of town. So it would really make a lot of sense to move the team to Cobb or Gwinnett. With the Thrashers, though, you may have a point.
Brayne Varner
March 17th, 2010
1:32 pm
these comments are full of people making excuses as to why they won’t make it out to support Atlanta sports teams that desperately need it. Stop making excuses! If you are a real fan then you will make it out to the arena.
Also, anyone who is “leery” of coming to Philips because of crime lives in a silly suburban bubble where they are told that shady figures lurk around every corner. I ride Marta to most games and have never been hassled. Parking lots are patrolled by security and everyone I know who drives has never had a break in.
I remember when Gwinnett voted to not let Marta run through their county. People thought that Marta would bring crime (Black People). If your that afraid of “Crime” then just stay in Hickville. We don’t want you at Philips Arena.
smith30
March 17th, 2010
1:47 pm
Where do you people find the time to write a statement that is as long as the article?
dirty bird
March 17th, 2010
1:49 pm
What a minute here, let’s not brand all of Atlanta’s pro sports teams into this debate. I have been a Falcons season ticket holder for 10 years, and as I recall every game since #7 was drafted has been a sell out, now I’m sure Mr. Blank might have bought a few thousand tickets to a few of those games, but that’s what a good owner does, so the game isn’t blacked out and all the fans can watch on TV who didn’t go to the game. I have also noticed that the Falcons seem to be allot more involved with the community, and are out there for people to see. Now I don’t follow the hawks as much but I don’t see the same community involvement with them or the Thrashers. We all know the Thrashers suck, and mangment is more of a BB fan, not to mention the GM is incompedent.
Ownership has a ton to do with the success of the Franchise, and I for one am hoping the Falcons don’t build a new statium in the Suburbs. For one I don’t want to deal with the Traffic, with it being in downtown on a Sunday there are 20 different ways to go. Another reason is I don’t want to pay more than double what I pay now for my seats, plus a seat license fee. No way….
Transport
March 17th, 2010
1:53 pm
One day, scientists will uncover a deep mystery, the reason that when they built the braves stadium, it was not near a marta station, or why marta didn’t build a stop by the braves stadium. I guess geniuses in the fantastic city of atlanta marta board know this answer, but they are way above the intelligence of regular people, so everyone will just have to make do!
Tiger Time
March 17th, 2010
1:57 pm
Transport:
Don’t question authority.
StateBird
March 17th, 2010
1:59 pm
Transport – MARTA did not plan a stop at Atlanta Stadium/Turner Field to protect the interests of parking lot concessionaires and the taxi lobby. For similar reasons transit service was not orignally built to the airports in New York.
David McDavid
March 17th, 2010
2:04 pm
Shoot pardner. Don’t look at me. Dang, I already tried to buy them Hawks once before.
homeless
March 17th, 2010
2:06 pm
I’m a homeless person. Please let the Thrashers move out of my part of town. They are bringing down the value of my shopping cart and cardboard box.
Greg
March 17th, 2010
2:14 pm
Do we say that Boston is not a sports town because they don’t routinely attract 90,000 people to Boston College football games? Of course not.
And just because Edmonton sells out their hockey games, does that mean they are such a sports town that we should move an NFL franchise there? (or an NBA franchise, for that matter?) Yeah, good luck with that.
Now, do you really think that all of the people at UGA games are from Athens? Try driving on 316 on a football Saturday.
As someone else said earlier, different cities (and areas of the country) are into different sports. You can’t say Atlanta isn’t a sports town, it’s just not an NBA and certainly not a hockey town.
Kevin
March 17th, 2010
2:22 pm
I come up to games and events from Columbus, Ga I never have trouble getting to the games and nobody has ever bothered me. People need to stop making excuses and start supporting these teams. The Hawks are the most exciting team to watch in basketball and I think the Braves may finally get it right this year.
TD
March 17th, 2010
2:26 pm
What was the actual attendance of the hockey game last night?
Dr. Warren
March 17th, 2010
2:30 pm
I’ve followed the Hawks, Braves, and Falcons for 40 years. Suffered is the more appropriate word. After all that, If these buffoons (The Spirit) end up sending the Hawks to Vegas or Seattle or wherever, without us ever even reaching the semifinals in 42 years, I won’t know whether to laugh, cry, or just give up on pro sports in Atlanta altogether.
Otto
March 17th, 2010
2:41 pm
Greg,
I agree with you until you get to Atlanta is not a hockey town. Have you been to a KSU hockey game? Very solid attendance given their short history. The Hawks are 3rd in their division and draw ~2,500 more than a hockey everyone knows does not stand a chance. Knights attendance was strong enough to get the attention of the NHL.
Atlanta can be a solid hockey town, of course at a Canadian support level but put the Thrashers 3rd in their division after a few decent season as the Hawks had and attendance will pass the Hawks.
Brayne, Crime did go up with Marta. Bridge Mill in Canton is filled with former Stone Mountain/Gwinnett residents. Please expand MARTA in other areas of Metro Atlanta, my property value will thank you.
In Conclusion.....
March 17th, 2010
2:52 pm
Well, Several People on here have taken the words/thoughts that I had planned to type on here and stated them already….I am a “REAL” Atlanta Pro Sports Fan (Been in Atlanta all of my life) and I will simply state some facts, issues, and remedies regarding our “Fan Base”
1) Get a F*ckin owner who actually cares about the the fans and the team
2) Marta needs an expansion/ Gwinnett County…. Especially YOU!!!
3) Speaking of Marta….Wasn’t some of the same people who are complaining about the Metropolitan’s traffic nightmare the same individuals who didn’t want Public Transportation in their communities a few years back?
4) Yes, Unfortunately; Atlanta.. (Georgia) as whole is full of transients who go to games to see their home teams…
5) The Question may come up to why don’t the true fans just hurry and buy out the tickets before the transients??? Because many of these Companies BUY OUT several of the seats for games and several of the home team fans are left with sorry, overpriced seats….No, not all of the great seats are brought out, but a HUGE Section(s) of seats are…For instance, sometimes Falcons games are proclaimed to be “sold out” but when a person watches the game on television, there are several ‘empty seats’
6) For the people scared to go downtown, look at it this way, the city of Atlanta is more safer than it has ever been, if you were here during the 80’s and 90’s, you will agree… Atlanta use to a section 8, drug infested, dirty city and in some spots it still is… however, during a period in the 80’s and 90’s, it was listed as the NUMBER 1 ranked city in HOMICIDES, or at least in the top 3, if you were from here, you may have knew that…. Now, Atlanta is full of Businesses, Condos, and all types of fancy bar/clubs. The Olympics was the changing point for my city….
7) We, as residents need to speak up and design alternative ways in which traffic can be avoided, the former/probably the present Management of Marta has screwed this city from the inside out…Back in the 70’s, Marta should already been in some of the high traffic volume areas…and when the Olympics were announced in the early 90’s, sidewalks, public transportation, etc. should have been put in place yet again….
Once the Thrashers get better management and stop throwing away GREAT Talent, fans will come….
9) Questions????
26belly
March 17th, 2010
2:52 pm
In the words of the late Lewis Grizzard from Moreland, GA (southside, Coweta Co.) to all of those who complain about downtown and the ATL, “Delta is ready when you are!” You can get the H- – - on back where you come from!
Barry
March 17th, 2010
2:53 pm
Hey Y’all:
If you want fans to come to the game, it all starts with MARKETING. The Hawks and all the other teams in Atlanta do not have a great marketing plan. The do their social marketing stuff on the computers and advertise in the papers, but that is not going to reach the people. They have to conduct a “GORILLA MARKETING CAMPAIGN:. They have to market to the small businnesses and non-profit organizations in the metro area. They have to reach out to the state,counnty and city governments for attendance packages. They have to reach the school systems and specials for atheltic programs at the high schools. They have to get the youth in the community who play basketball more than interested in coming to professional games ( basketball, football, hockey, etc.) in the city. They need to invest in mailing directly to residents adresses of their teams and sales packages throughout the metro areaa. It will be an investment well spent. They need to be “CONSISTANTLY AGGRESSIVE” in this marketing area. This need not be a 1 year thing, but an “ALWAYS” thing. They need to do this all the time. THEY NEED TO REACH OUT TO ALL THEIR CONSUMERS MORE AGRESSIVELY. Once the consumer is at the games, the team will take care of itself due to they stadiums will be packed with happy, excited fans who were courted, through GORILLA MARKETING, on a “DAILY” basis. We have to be agrresive. ANd if I know this, and not getting paid, what the hell are those people on these teams marketing department doing while they are getting paid. THEY ALL NEED TO CHANGE OR GET FIRED!!!!!!! Make us want to come to the games. COME AND GET US. WE ARE THERE!!!!!!
GO ATLANTA PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS!! GET A BETTER MARKETING APPROACH!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from an ATLANTA SPORTS FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!
…………………”GO GORILLA MARKETING”…………
Steve
March 17th, 2010
2:54 pm
tony t,
You put that quite bluntly lol but I couldn’t agree with you more. There’s not a single major city in the country that isn’t full of crime. If Atlanta sports fans worry about that more than they care about supporting their pro teams, does this city really deserve these teams?
Really?
March 17th, 2010
2:54 pm
KSU has a hockey team?! Who do they play? I could imagine that they have to do a lot of traveling.
Greg
March 17th, 2010
2:56 pm
26belly,
I SERIOUSLY doubt that Lewis Grizzard was a big fan of downtown Atlanta!
Theels23
March 17th, 2010
2:58 pm
Anyone who thinks Hawks games are like “Hip-Hop” concerts clearly has not been to a Hawks game this year.
As for moving into the suburbs, that logistically makes no sense and leaves no chance of ever selling out. It may be nice for the Gwinettians and the 400-N folks but not anyone else.
giving all my money to the altanta spirit
March 17th, 2010
3:02 pm
i don’t know if the atlanta spirit is trying to sell the hawks or not, but they definitely don’t want to if the price increase on my tickets is any indication. my season tickets have nearly doubled from $12,000 last year to $22,000 this year. (i like the good seats). what they are “giving” me to offset this price increase is 2 extra tickets behind the goal for me to give to someone else. these seats can not even access where my seats are, so if i give them to friends, we wouldn’t even really hang out. also, why am i being forced to, basically, buy extra seats i don’t want? they are making me fill the seats for them because they can’t do it themselves. they won’t even let me refuse the extra tickets to lessen the price. they say there is a great demand for where my seats are, yet they have an average attendence that is ranked 21st (?). these guys are idiots. i have so many other complaints, i can’t even list them all.
however, in 11 years of having hawks tickets, i have never once had anyone harrass me or felt as if i were in danger at a single game. the police presence is very obvious and they do a good job.
i haven’t decided if i am going to renew for next season or not.
Brian
March 17th, 2010
3:12 pm
The problem with those two Atlanta franchises is that most of the people in Atlanta are not from Atlanta, so their loyalty lies with teams from their home areas. When you go to a Hawks game, there are just as many fans for the opposing team as their are for the home team. The same with the hockey team, the Thrashers will never have the history that the Bruins, Red Wings, Rangers, etc…have. Are there any die hard Hawks or Thrasher fans out there that will sell out the arena, I doubt it.
26belly
March 17th, 2010
3:12 pm
Greg:
Of course he WAS NOT a big fan of downtown, but all Atlantan’s learned that phrase from him when expressing our displeasure of “damn Yankees”!
niremetal
March 17th, 2010
3:17 pm
You know it’s getting bad when Schultz can’t even print his own speculation anymore…now he’s using the New York Times’ speculation.