The Flyers started off the season with six consecutive losses. That's right SIX.
The Sixers picked up one of the top prizes of the off-season (Elton Brand), and were expected to be a contender in the Eastern Conference.
The Flyers have drawn more than 18,000 in all eight of their games this season.
The Sixers have yet to crack 16,000.
Can someone explain that to me? Is it just ticket prices? Is it something more?
My feeling is that there's a general lack of interest due to the way the "teams" are managed today. It used to be star players, Jordan, Magic, Bird, would stay with their teams their entire career, and build a cohesive unit that became a family, not only among themselves but to the fan base at large. Now players just go where the money is. Or where they think they'll win more (read: Shaq). Screw the team, screw the fans. Give me the money (read: Brand).
ReplyDeleteThe disinterest has been brewing for years now, and the economy could be a catalyst for the downfall of this league in no small way.
And after what Stern did to Seattle, I really couldn't care less if the entire league shut down.
My feeling is that there's a general lack of interest due to the way the "teams" are managed today. It used to be star players, Jordan, Magic, Bird, would stay with their teams their entire career, and build a cohesive unit that became a family, not only among themselves but to the fan base at large. Now players just go where the money is. Or where they think they'll win more (read: Shaq). Screw the team, screw the fans. Give me the money (read: Brand).
ReplyDeleteThe disinterest has been brewing for years now, and the economy could be a catalyst for the downfall of this league in no small way.
And after what Stern did to Seattle, I really couldn't care less if the entire league shut down.
damn double-click mouse.
ReplyDeletePhilly's dirty little secret for years has been that it is, in its blackest heart of hearts, a hockey town. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Flyers have clung to the Broad Street Bullies reputation that led them to their 2 Stanley Cups 35 years ago, and that's a big part of their sustaining appeal. It's the NHL's equivalent to the Raiders Mystique. Thus it puts asses in the seats, through good times and bad.
The Sixers don't have an equivalent team persona -- they work on the comings and goings of star power, from Barkley to Iverson etc. And as far as I know, right now they have a vacancy there.
Philadelphia is a hockey city though - the Flyers are always going to outdraw the Sixers. It's been this way since the 70s - the Flyers are even a top 5 valued franchise in the NHL - http://www.forbes.com/2008/10/29/nhl-team-values-biz-sports-nhl08_cz_mo_kb_1029nhl_land.html
ReplyDeleteAnd Philly has a minor league hockey team in the old Spectrum (the Philadelphia Phantoms) which also performs remarkably well with attendance.
I'm not from Philly, but I'm well aware that Philly fans are hardcore into hockey. Hardcore Sixers fans? Not as many.
NEWSFLASH! Hockey is going to beat NBA soon enough. This is just the start. NBA is a joke with corrupt officials and players.
ReplyDeleteIs it just the ticket prices? HELLO!! NHL tickets are much more expensive than NBA tickets! So wouldn't you expect the opposite!?
ReplyDeleteNHL expansion in Seattle is the Answer. Call them the Seattle Soniques, and offer cheap airfare back and forth between Quebec and Seattle. Done, problem solved.
ReplyDeleteSeattle Soniques... lol
ReplyDeleteSteff - Imagine the possibilities! Vancouver @ Seattle, we could call it the Duty-Free Cup! Now, I just got to figure out a way to get Bettemen to make it happen so we can issue a Roller Derby challenge to the Trailblazers.
ReplyDeleteNever fear, I'm on the case.
By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11/21/2008 11:23 AM
ReplyDeleteIs it just the ticket prices? HELLO!! NHL tickets are much more expensive than NBA tickets! So wouldn't you expect the opposite!?
^not really, hockey tickets aren't much more expensive than NBA tickets. Get your facts straight.
NEWSFLASH! Hockey is going to beat NBA soon enough. This is just the start. NBA is a joke with corrupt officials and players.
ReplyDelete^yeah right. When the hockey finals will beat the world series, exactly like the NBA Finals did last season, then we'll talk. As far as the corrupt officials, no one else (besides Donaghy) was found guilty. Honestly, I don't like accusing people (officials in this case) to be criminals based on a bad call. Aren't you innocent until proven guilty? Besides, there's a pretty nice report on NBA refs on USA Today. Maybe you should read it 'cause I'm sure it will change your perceptions about them. Plus, everyone who knows one thing or two about basketball KNOWS that this game is the hardest sport to officiate. Lots of judgment calls that can go either way..plus the speed of the game and the quickness of those athletes make it hard to officiate. So, SHUT UP.