Hawks owners want to know what you think of them (sort of)
Hawks owners Ed Peskowitz, Michael Gearon Jr. and Bruce Levenson look like they expect positive results from the survey.
(Update at 1:15 p.m.: The Hawks declined to comment on the survey.)
(Update at 9 a.m. Friday. The poll already has been shut down. Guess they got their answer.)
It seems the Atlanta Spirit’s past of running the Thrashers into the ground, selling them to a group that moved them to Winnipeg and possibly various decisions during their tenure with the Hawks have led them to wonder if that’s one reason fans aren’t going to basketball games.
Thanks to reader and former Thrashers season ticket holder Everett Duke for tipping me off to this: An Atlanta-based marketing research group, Alexander Babbage, sent out a survey via the Philips Arena account on Twitter Thursday morning, reading, “We need your help! Please take a moment to answer a few questions about the Atlanta Hawks.”
The Tweet includes this link to a survey, which is intended to gauge fans’ interest and feelings about the Hawks, the NBA and the ownership group. The survey is about 20 questions. (It goes to “No. 29,” but it’s actually mis-numbered and the last few questions seek personal information.) The survey is titled, “Hawks 2011-2012 Fan Pulse Study.”
The Hawks’ ownership group, led by my close friends (sarcasm) Michael Gearon Jr. and Bruce Levenson, has been trying to distance itself from the Atlanta Spirit brand and the Thrashers. Email addresses were changed from @AtlantaSpirit.com to @Hawks.com and news releases no longer reference Atlanta Spirit.
But there’s apparently enough concern about perceptions of the owners that the survey including the following:
– Question 4: Using a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 means “Not at all interested, I never follow” and 5 means “Very interested, I always follow,” please rate your level of interest in the following. The categories that follows are: sports in general; basketball; NBA lockout news; Hawks front office news; Hawks’ performances; news about Hawks ownership; news about the sale of the Thrashers; non-sporting events at Philips.
– Question 6: Using a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 means “Very negative” and 5 means “Very positive, what impact did the NBA lockout have on your opinion of the following. The categories are: NBA, Hawks overall; Hawks players; Hawks ownership.
There also are two questions gauging interest in the decision by owners to drop ticketing fees on game tickets.
Interesting that the survey avoids the direction question: “On a scale of 1 to 10, what is your opinion of Hawks’ owners?”
The Hawks declined to comment on the survey.
Here’s my view on this: There’s not a huge overlap in fan bases between the Hawks and Thrashers. But I certainly heard from several fans via email, Twitter, Facebook and in person who said the Spirit’s treatment of the Thrashers would affect their decision on whether to spend money on the Hawks or any event in Philips Arena.
Eight months later, I still hear from them.
It’s also safe to assume that even aside from the sale and move of the Thrashers, the reputations of the ownership group has been negative since shortly after their arrival, when fighting and litigation began with then-partner Steve Belkin after the Joe Johnson trade.
To what extent this survey shows that is uncertain. But I’m guessing there’s at least some ripple effect when it comes to Hawks’ attendance.
If you want to check out the survey and vote, here’s the link again: AlexanderBabbage.com/Hawks/Hawks2011pulsestudy.htm.
And as always, you’re more than welcome to vent right here.
By Jeff Schultz
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206 comments Add your comment
NCBravesFan
January 12th, 2012
2:51 pm
Given the fact that the Hawks have been stuck in the second round of the playoffs for three years running now (not to mention that Josh Smith’s contract is up at the end of next season), this is pretty clearly the year for the Hawks to play to win. If they don’t make significant progress in the playoffs this year, it’s time to blow up the roster.
With that as a backdrop, the ownership needs to do all it can (a.k.a spend money to get players in here) to help this roster progress to the next level. They need to get over the luxury tax silliness and go all out to win!
Doing that will do more to change people’s minds than any survey.
But I’m not holding my breath …
ATLien
January 12th, 2012
2:57 pm
@NCBravesFan – And they’ve already stated they will go into the luxury tax if presented with a deal that they thinks betters the team. Compare that to the Braves, who never spend on anything. I bet you’ll do better holding your breath for ASG going into the luxury tax than you will holding it waiting on the Braves to even be in the market for a major free agent.
D man
January 12th, 2012
2:58 pm
Also, I stopped going when I could not buy a decent seat in the $30 – $35 range. A LONG time ago. Why? Several reasons; the high crime city, secure parking is $20, I live 45 miles away so that would be $16 of gas, plus eating for 3 is $100. You want me to pay around $400 for a family of 3 to go to a game and sit in the good seats? Your nuts. Bring in Dwight Howard with the current roster and I will change my mind… I would even buy a package of games so I could save money…
D man
January 12th, 2012
3:01 pm
Oh yeah, I used to go to 20 hawks games a year. I can’t remember the last hawks game I went to.
Kate
January 12th, 2012
3:03 pm
They are the pits letting go of the Thrashers. I feel bad for all the Thrasher fans. Spirit? THEY SUCK!
I Am Gearon's Crocodile Tears
January 12th, 2012
3:07 pm
As a former Thrashers’ season ticket holder for 7 years, all I need to know about this organ-i-zation is how they sent me an e-mail asking me to buy Hawks tickets not more than one month after they shipped my hockey team off to Winterpeg. Now that’s class, pure and simple. (sarc/off)
42-10
January 12th, 2012
3:08 pm
There is a place on survey to express your opinion..couple times..I did!
R.I.P. Thrashers
January 12th, 2012
3:10 pm
I will never go to another Hawks game, purchase merchandise, or watch them on TV, even if by chance hell freezes over and they make it to the championship for as long as the owners have any interest what so ever with the franchise after they destroyed NHL hockey in Atlanta.
NCBravesFan
January 12th, 2012
3:13 pm
@ATLien: sure, but how many times have they said they were going to get an impact player in the past, only to hold onto their coins? I’ll believe things are different this time when they actually do something.
lilibeter
January 12th, 2012
3:14 pm
Just in case readers are mislead into believing that all hockey fans are Yankees and that all Southerners are poorly informed…
I am a Southern lady, born and raised on a farm right here in Georgia. I am a sports fan who loved hockey more than any other sport. I was a rabid Thrashers fan, and I supported them with both my heart and my money.
ASG made a mockery of my fandom and crucified my favorite sports team.
tyger
January 12th, 2012
3:19 pm
As a life-long Atlanta fan, Hawks, Falcons and Braves, I have mixed feelings towards personnel decisions and salary restrictions but overall am pleased to have winning teams in all major sports.
No champions but winners. In retrospect, that is a victory in and of itself, all three have been the jokes of their respective leagues at some point over the last 30 years. Today, they are all competitive.
Clearly, the ATL Spirit were over their head, but rolled the dice on the Hawks/Thrashers/Phillips deal. I admire them for wisely removing the Thrashers from their portfolio. It was not weak but smart.
Moreover, I understand the adversity faced by many business people in this economy, so being smart with payroll, especially when a championship is not near isn’t a negative in my book.
So, in sum, I’m pretty indifferent on the ownership. I wish they made better personnel decisions (all three) which would lead to a better product on the floor and more fans in the seats. It all goes together.
In fact, I give a thumps up to Hawks ownership for fighting the good fight and hanging in there when/where alot of others would have abandoned ship.
thethird
January 12th, 2012
3:21 pm
more people have posted here than attend any hawks game…there is your survey
not only will they never see my money, but center ice was canceled and anything nhl related burned behind my house
randy
January 12th, 2012
3:21 pm
one word…………………sux
they took my hockey team away and they can go to hell
if they put half the money in the thrashers that they put in joe i cant hit the big shot johnson they would have made the playoffs every year.
i follow the team in winnipeg and watch the games on the nhl channel and i can say now that the douche bag owners were the problem.
hey levinson you should be in the movies acting with those crocodile tears you gave the thrashers fans….you and your hawks can go straight to hell
kycats1972
January 12th, 2012
3:23 pm
The Hawks attendance has been pretty good so far………I can’t stand the clowns of the ASG, especially how they ran the Thrashers out of town……but that will not stop me from going to Hawks games; that’s the attitude that caused the Thrashers to leave
R.A.H.
January 12th, 2012
3:28 pm
@JimmyCrack
I have been saying this for years. Very few people want to go downtown to watch a game. I know the Falcons have done well, but they play most of their games during the day and they only have 8 games. The problem is the City of Atlanta and it’s leaders will not allow a team to build an arena or stadium out of the city limits. Marta would definitely be in trouble if that were to happen. Just my opinion.
Rufus1
January 12th, 2012
3:30 pm
ASG> Arthur Blank….
Blank talks alot, but ASG are better WINNERS.
They are winning more with LESS resources.
JJ is the only Star to lead HIS TEAM to a PLAYOFF/ SERIES win in the past 4yrs. (Not chipper or Ryan).
Only in the SOUTH is WINNING secondary to LIKING a person. Your VISION is clouded by STUPIDITY if your think the FALCONS are a better organization…. THIS IS MATH and not some ABSTRACT CONCEPT of SUCCESS… The Hawks have WON more and have done better job of DRAFTING and DEVELOPING young talent.
GIVE THEM SOME CREDIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oh my!
January 12th, 2012
3:31 pm
Are you serious?!!! hahahahahahha, narscicistic jerks. I honestly couldn’t get past the headline without laughing. Maybe I’ll read story later.
SELL NOW, THAT"S WHAT WE THINK!
January 12th, 2012
3:33 pm
Is this Three Jews and a Baby (Hawks)?!
Jeff
January 12th, 2012
3:39 pm
@Rufus, The Braves have done a much better job drafting and getting their own talent thank you, Hawks are a team that will be good every year then lose in the playoffs, thats not winning. Not when you do the SAME EXACT thing every offseason, and expect different results. One year its anthony johnson and speedy claxton, then its crawford and maurice evans, now it is mcGrady and Radmonvic, and i guess willie green, and the same thing will happen yet again, well actually with Horford going down, this team is a lottery team now, and I am a huge Hawks fan, I am just telling it like it is.
Jeff
January 12th, 2012
3:40 pm
ASG, please leave, whats next year are we going to sign Allen Iverson and Shaquille O Neal?
TC
January 12th, 2012
3:41 pm
The owners are not as bad as most people think. However. years of negative PR, a lot self induced by ASG has given the owners a very negative perception. I don’t think it is warranted today. I know plenty of bulldog fans that will support a lack luster program and a bad coach no matter what. But decide they do like the hawks and asg. It makes no sense. The Hawks are the winningist sports team in the state of georgia over the last few years. Where are the complaints for the Falcons and Arthur Blank?
joe in tucker
January 12th, 2012
3:42 pm
we have a basketball team?
TC
January 12th, 2012
3:42 pm
@Jeff Why would they sign Allen Iverson and Shaq?
Supes
January 12th, 2012
3:44 pm
I’m one of the people boycotting all things ASG/Phillips Arena.
I’m a casual hockey fan as far as attending the games in person, went to average of 4-6 weekend games per year, but watched them on SportSouth all the time. I’ve been to concerts and other events at Phillips.
I will never spend another dollar as long as any of the ASG remain in charge and or are associated with Phillips arena or the Hawks.
Rufus1
January 12th, 2012
3:49 pm
In a CITY that Mark Richt gets a pass…With an ENORMOUS amount of TALENT
Chipper Jones gets a pass….
Bobby Cox got a pass….FOREVER!
MV7 got a pass… After he DESTROYED the franchise.
^^^ These are the PPL you LIKE!!
ASG and Joe, YOUR DON”T LIKE. They don’t get a PASS….But they have had the MOST recent SUCCESS.
Rufus1
January 12th, 2012
3:52 pm
“Hawks are a team that will be good every year then lose in the playoffs, thats not winning”-jeff
In what WORLD is that NOT WINNING!!!
Kris
January 12th, 2012
3:55 pm
The hawks just need new owners.
Darkhorse
January 12th, 2012
3:55 pm
This ownership group has no clue how to properly market and run a sports franchise, or doesn’t really care too(exhibit A: Thrashers-no money spent on smart marketing, payroll, front office, bad rosters until recently, offering bad contracts-10mil to Kolvachuk but still would have been in the bottom 5 in roster payroll, and so on….)
Maybe the owners do enjoy running the Hawks more than hockey, but the only thing they are good at is running the franchise into the ground.
This is not a top 4 team in the East. At best, they are the 4th best team in the conference that has NO shot at beating the top 3 seeds. Another 2nd rd playoff at best doesn’t exactly fire up the luckwarm fanbase.
No way after how the ASG mis-handled the Thrashers would I set foot in Phillips again while they own the Hawks. There’s plenty of other things to spend my families entertainment dollar on anyway. Not losing any sleep over it, because the franchis is a mismanaged joke anyway.
The Real TC
January 12th, 2012
4:02 pm
Hey TC: the owners are just as bad as we think they are. go back to licking levenson’s boots.
Anyone? Anyone?
January 12th, 2012
4:02 pm
How does Ted Roof keep getting jobs at big name schools? He certainly wears out welcomes quickly. Even if he has a bit of success (didn’t he luck out at aub w/Scam on other side of ball?)
This guys been on more big time staffs with crappy defenses than anyone in recent history.
John
January 12th, 2012
4:08 pm
Thanks for posting the link. I just told them how bad they suck.
TC
January 12th, 2012
4:10 pm
REAL TC, explain please
Delbert D.
January 12th, 2012
4:10 pm
The Hawks owners want to know what I think. I think they have way too much money if they can’t find a better use for it. Build a spaceship or something.
TC
January 12th, 2012
4:13 pm
How is it that the winningist team in atlanta is the most hated. Maybe most of you would rather have Blank own the team and mark richt or Freddy Gonzalas be the coach and not win any post season games. I personally would rather win in the post season unlike all of the other more popular sports in the Atlanta area
Former Hawk Fan
January 12th, 2012
4:13 pm
I was suspicious of this group from Day 1. They have proven to be far more disastrous than I could have imagined.
Not only will I never return to Philips, I refuse to watch the Hawks on TV until Spirit is gone! The Hawks are dead to me.
Let’s make these jerks pay for selling out on this town’s hockey fans: TOTAL BOYCOTT OF EVERYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH “SPIRIT”.
TC
January 12th, 2012
4:14 pm
Everyone loves Mark Richt and Arthur Blank but hates the ASG, go figure
bye bye hawks
January 12th, 2012
4:15 pm
bye bye Horford, bye bye Hawks
tmc
January 12th, 2012
4:16 pm
HOT GARBAGE!
TC
January 12th, 2012
4:17 pm
They clearly did not want to own the Thrashers and I guess that is too bad for you yankee transplants. But now that they have cut them loose they are doing a good job with the Hawks
Delbert D.
January 12th, 2012
4:17 pm
Oh, wait…starting a company to build spaceships would require too much thinking, and that’s not something that they are good at.
Former Hawk Fan
January 12th, 2012
4:17 pm
I will never support the Hawks until they have been sold; I don’t even watch them on TV.
bye bye hawks
January 12th, 2012
4:19 pm
nba is boring….too many games…just watch the last 3 minutes (that’s all that ever matters)….too many playoff rounds….ends in june…..hawks don’t get past 1st or 2nd round ever…..shall we go on as to why lethargic over b-ball and ownership not helping change that.
TC
January 12th, 2012
4:19 pm
Former Hawk Fan – you don’t sound very bright
TC
January 12th, 2012
4:20 pm
bye bye hawks What Atlanta teams do you like?
Former Hawk Fan
January 12th, 2012
4:20 pm
@TC: Are you aware that the Spirit sold the NHL out of ATL?
TC
January 12th, 2012
4:21 pm
So what?
Former Hawk Fan
January 12th, 2012
4:26 pm
Never mind. I think of you when I’m laughing my butt off after the Hawks get eliminated in Round1.
Don!
January 12th, 2012
4:34 pm
For what this ownership group did with the Thrashers, I will never, ever forgive them — nor the NHL for letting it happen. I love my Hawks, but if it meant 10 straight losing seasons for this ownership group to lose their houses and never be able to own another professional sports franchise — I’d take that.
James
January 12th, 2012
4:35 pm
THEY’RE TERRIBLE! SELL THIS TEAM ALREADY! (but stay in Atlanta I might add)
THE ATLANTA SPIRIT GROUP IS HORRIBLE!
heartofdarkness
January 12th, 2012
4:45 pm
They should write a book. It could be the basis of a new Will Ferrell movie, where he owns a basketball team.