Comments on: Following lockout, NBA raises ticket prices. Nice.

By: ramblingalb

ramblingalb — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:29:11 +0000

There was a common refrain during the lockout, which was: Doesn’t the NBA realize that whenever they get back in business, the fans won’t be there waiting? Not so, evidently. The first 325 games of this NBA season averaged attendance of 17,094. That’s better than 89 percent of capacity, and a hair better than the first 325 games of last season, which averaged 17,057.

But almost every other indicator blows those in-arena numbers away. Viewership is going a bit nuts: ABC has had just three games, so it’s hard to say anything conclusive, but the audience is up five percent compared to a year ago. ESPN viewership is up 23 percent. TNT viewership is up 50 percent. NBA TV viewership is up an insane 66 percent. NBA on regional cable sports networks are up 12 percent. Local over-the-airwaves broadcasts are up 36 percent. NBA TV is particularly interesting. Five of the channel’s ten most viewed games ever have been this season, with January’s Lakers-Clippers game the most viewed game in network history.– ESPN.com

If only the fans were a fraction as pessimistic as Mr. Helin. You think he’d be too busy shaking his fist at the sky and telling those kids to stay off his lawn to type up such negative fiction.

By: ramblingalb

ramblingalb — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:39:31 +0000

I’m sure AP is using “regular” pricing, never mind most teams are running oodles of specials and promotions. No way any research is going to be done by the site, too busy complaining about capitalism and hoping for the Marxist Basketball League to begin play soon.

By: The Baseball Gods

The Baseball Gods — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:22:21 +0000

Except for the Philadelphia 76ers. I just went to two games, one of which I paid $17.76 per ticket and the other where I was able to get 6 tickets for $40 (less than $7/ticket).

By: thraiderskin

thraiderskin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:10:52 +0000

you have got to be kidding me… I don’t go to any games, but how are you going to roll the fans that do, like that? Your call on the lockout, your loss.

By: tdstevie

tdstevie — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:13:58 +0000

The NBA will never see a dime from me…

By: bjavie

bjavie — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:09:09 +0000

Sightly off topic, but…I for one appreciate the condensed schedule. Last year I didn’t even pay much attention to the NBA, let alone watch the games. But this year, now that I don’t have to wait 4, sometimes 5 days between games, it is much more exciting and entertaining. You know they could end the playoffs prior to the first heat wave if they simply eliminated some of the ridiculous stretches of off days in the normal 82 game schedule.

“Hey, we’re only two games out of first!”
“Yeah, but it will take us 9 days to find out if our next two games make a difference!”

Having stretches of off days is one thing when you have a schedule like the NFL, but in the NBA and NHL you really don’t know when your team is playing next without a schedule in your pocket. I for one hope ratings are way up and the NBA gets the picture.

By: AlohaMrHand

AlohaMrHand — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:07:11 +0000

My city doesn’t have an NBA team.So no worries

By: ramblingalb

ramblingalb — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:42:12 +0000

Another “sky is falling” post? Yawn.

And you know, there’s no way the lockout will be settled in time to save the season.

By: dirkified

dirkified — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:50:23 +0000

And you will see a record attendance drop this year as well. Is there any team that has not had injuries from cramming in all these games? Who wants to pay $300 to see a Dirk”less” Mavs game.. WHo wants to see the Bulls without Rose for $300..