Dude, people dont want to spend their hard-earned money on a team that shows no heart, effort, or desire to win games.
Thats what it was like last year, and so far this season people havent gotten a chance to see how motivated and entertaining they play this season.
I'm sure people will pack the arena like the old days if the Kings continue showing the hustle and motivated play as the season goes on. People need a REASON to go see games.. Noone wants to see a bunch of players with no goal
Well, you would also be wise to consider that the team jacked up prices like crazy over the past few years and only this year have really started looking at chopping that down a bit. Then you have state workers with furloughs and people like me taking voluntary 10% pay cuts (so other employees in the office don't get canned) and you have to realize that not everyone is in a place to pay for tix like a few years ago. Sacramento is one of the hardest hit areas right now....
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Give them time. It's not about respect for the squad, whatever that's supposed to mean. This is Nov. 8. I don't expect many people would have thought the Kings would actually have 3 wins out of 7 games at this point. I know I didn't realistically although hope always springs eternal.
The economy in Sacramento is terrible right now. The fans will come, if and when they can. And if our young team continues to play exciting basketball, win or lose, I guarantee people will find ways to get there. I also look for more package deals to be forthcoming from the marketing department of MSE.
The fans that were there showed heart, they showed support AND they were there for the right reason. They weren't just there to be seen at a Kings game which is what we had to put up with in the glory years. Give the others a chance to find a way to get back - unless you'd like to pay for a couple of tickets for some people close enough to attend.
The economy in Sacramento is terrible right now. The fans will come, if and when they can. And if our young team continues to play exciting basketball, win or lose, I guarantee people will find ways to get there. I also look for more package deals to be forthcoming from the marketing department of MSE.
The fans that were there showed heart, they showed support AND they were there for the right reason. They weren't just there to be seen at a Kings game which is what we had to put up with in the glory years. Give the others a chance to find a way to get back - unless you'd like to pay for a couple of tickets for some people close enough to attend.
And when you went when they sucked, tickets were freaking cheap. Like I say, if you feel that strongly about it, send me enough money for four tickets and I'll make sure they're put to very good use. Hell, I'll even give them to underprivileged kids for whom the experience would be once-in-a lifetime.
I'd thought you said you would support a team that "TRIED".
The fact is, fans got used to playoff basketball teams. And everyone can feed their BS lines of (I just want effort ... blah, blah, blah). There are a lot of fans, and I'm just going to assume you are probably one of them, who will show up when the team is a playoff team again.
There are fans who truly just want "effort", but if they are honest, their butts would be in the seats, because effort is one thing this team does not lack.
The fact is, fans got used to playoff basketball teams. And everyone can feed their BS lines of (I just want effort ... blah, blah, blah). There are a lot of fans, and I'm just going to assume you are probably one of them, who will show up when the team is a playoff team again.
There are fans who truly just want "effort", but if they are honest, their butts would be in the seats, because effort is one thing this team does not lack.
Ticket prices have not gone up in 4 years. Prices are actually significantly down from what they have been the past 3 years when they had been held constant. The number of people in the arena is partially due to the economy, as is lower numbers at NBA game throughout the country, but the empty seats are not primarily due to the economy.
As an ex-season ticket holder I've gone to so many games that I practicly had a relationship with the bartenders in the skylite lounge. I was there for Tim Roye's birthday party when everyone had a Tim Roye mask on a stick in front of their face when he started the show. I was there in the original arena with the noise thermomitor. I was there the night Rickey Berry and Harrold Presley set the three point record for one game. Since broken of course.
I'm retired now and I live in Baja Mexico. But if I were still living up there, I would go to the games. I certainly can't afford season tickets anymore. But I could afford to buy a ticket once a month, if not more. Talk is cheap. And I know tickets aren't. But I will say this. If you think watching a game on televison is better than watching a game at the arena, then you haven't been to a game at the arena. Its the difference between looking at a cake, and eating a cake. You choose!
I'm retired now and I live in Baja Mexico. But if I were still living up there, I would go to the games. I certainly can't afford season tickets anymore. But I could afford to buy a ticket once a month, if not more. Talk is cheap. And I know tickets aren't. But I will say this. If you think watching a game on televison is better than watching a game at the arena, then you haven't been to a game at the arena. Its the difference between looking at a cake, and eating a cake. You choose!
You're assuming I support the team only when they are good?
All I want is for my team to play hard and play entertaining basketball. I don't mind them losing as long as at the end of the game I can say "well they tried their best".
The number of my visits to ARCO doesn't have much to do with Kings' record, because I just go to support my team and watch some good ol' basketball. But I choose not to go to their games when the team doesn't play hard because I'd just feel like I got ripped off right after. It's frustrating for me.
I watched every single Kings game on TV for the past 2 years, and likely more. I would rather stay home and watch bad basketball for free, then waste $50 and watch uninspiring ball at ARCO
Why don't more fans go to the games? And who said anything about spending $50?? $10 tickets gallore! Just get in there and rock out with fellow Kings die hards! I think if we continue to play at a high level of energy and compete in the games the fans will start to come back. I understand things suck with the economy but every now and then shouldn't be impossible. Heck, you can even get a nice walk in if you want to save $10 on parking.
For the record I'm 2/3 at home games this year! Anyone got me beat?
For the record I'm 2/3 at home games this year! Anyone got me beat?
I can without a doubt say that the number one reason the fans are not showing up is because of this terrible economy. I mean it's really really bad, not sure if you guys realize how bad it truly is. Do you see all those empty commericial building everywhere? Just wait, soon the commercial real estate bubble is gonna pop, unfortunetly. Stocks have gone up a little but that does not mean people are getting back to work and people are keeping their houses or buying new ones. People are broke and jobless. Even if we had a great team I would say it would be hard to sell out right now. I think for sure our lack of effort last year definitely plays a part too but it's mostly economy. From what I can see this year we have a very fun, exciting team thats gives 110% effort so if we keep that going and by mid season we still have no fan support I think it will confirm my theory about the economy. I know with 5 kids and my wife is the only one working, there is no way I can get to a game currently. Heck I even had to drop TV service, so I scramble online to look for feeds
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There is no doubt that some of the people who came to games during the glory years did so because we had a winning team. Bandwaggoners can be found anywhere for any sport.
But, it is absolutely true that some of us flat cannot afford it. I am a state worker and almost 15% of my pay has been cut. I get by but that leaves little, if any, disposable income. Some months I have to really watch my grocery budget if an unexpected expense like a car repair sneaks up on me. For God's sake my mom passed away last month and I would not have been able to get home (Illinois) if my brother had not paid for the plane ticket.
Some of us are die hard fans and would have our butts in the $10 seats, at least, if we could afford it. I challenge anyone to buy me some $10 seats to some games and I WILL BE THERE TO SUPPORT MY TEAM. We are not all bandwaggoners waiting for a better product. I have been accused of being loyal to a fault, and believe me, my love for, and loyalty to the Kings would have me there every game if I could.
Sorry for the rant, but I just get sick of hearing how we are just waiting for a winning team to return. The economy in Sacramento really sucks.
But, it is absolutely true that some of us flat cannot afford it. I am a state worker and almost 15% of my pay has been cut. I get by but that leaves little, if any, disposable income. Some months I have to really watch my grocery budget if an unexpected expense like a car repair sneaks up on me. For God's sake my mom passed away last month and I would not have been able to get home (Illinois) if my brother had not paid for the plane ticket.
Some of us are die hard fans and would have our butts in the $10 seats, at least, if we could afford it. I challenge anyone to buy me some $10 seats to some games and I WILL BE THERE TO SUPPORT MY TEAM. We are not all bandwaggoners waiting for a better product. I have been accused of being loyal to a fault, and believe me, my love for, and loyalty to the Kings would have me there every game if I could.
Sorry for the rant, but I just get sick of hearing how we are just waiting for a winning team to return. The economy in Sacramento really sucks.
I understand yours and others' tough situations right now (I myself took a 10% paycut too. I just wish I'd get a day off every two weeks to make up for it). I am not in any way saying that the economy is not a factor in the number of empty seats. But the seats were empty long before the economy went bad.
Last year, I totally understand the empty seats. That team was pitiful, put no effort on many nights, and was painful to watch.
The year before when the seats began to empty, the team hustled, was in nearly every game, and beat some big time opponents at home (Lakers, Spurs, Mavs, Pistons, Hornets, etc.) The seats were still empty.
I think there are just a lot of people who used to go to games when the Kings were horrible, got used to it, and accepted it. Then, when the team got good, they saw the possibilities, and now won't accept anything but winning. Unless the Kings sign some big time superstar, I think the next sellout will be the first playoff game. And if the economy is bad (or worse), it will still sellout. Because a playoff team will put butts in the seat regardless of how much money people have.
Last year, I totally understand the empty seats. That team was pitiful, put no effort on many nights, and was painful to watch.
The year before when the seats began to empty, the team hustled, was in nearly every game, and beat some big time opponents at home (Lakers, Spurs, Mavs, Pistons, Hornets, etc.) The seats were still empty.
I think there are just a lot of people who used to go to games when the Kings were horrible, got used to it, and accepted it. Then, when the team got good, they saw the possibilities, and now won't accept anything but winning. Unless the Kings sign some big time superstar, I think the next sellout will be the first playoff game. And if the economy is bad (or worse), it will still sellout. Because a playoff team will put butts in the seat regardless of how much money people have.
I totally agree with this sentiment, I think a lot of the general sacramento populace got a bit spoiled by the good teams, and isn't as interested anymore. That may be the difference between 10,000 and 18,000, is the 10,000 we have going now represent our areas more die - hard fan base, and the other 8,000 are our area's 'bandwagoners'.
I'm really confused. You have back to back posts replying to basically the same statement from me which is: A lot of fans only show up to games when the team is winning.
First it is "nonsensical and disingenious" to say so. And then in the very next post you "totally agree".
(And yes ... I will ALWAYS say that fans who show up regardless are better fans, but I think we will never agree on that one).
First it is "nonsensical and disingenious" to say so. And then in the very next post you "totally agree".
(And yes ... I will ALWAYS say that fans who show up regardless are better fans, but I think we will never agree on that one).
Why would you go to a game with such a bad team. I am not saying that they arn't better, but its way to early to say since all they did was beat a few scrub teams. The kings did this to themselves since you cant sell out a game when you only win 17 games the year before. Thats nice that you want to spend money and watch your team get blown out in most of the games, but I like having the option to change the channel when that happens.
The essential point would be that 10 years ago that wasn't the case. 10 years ago the fans in Sacramento were simply better fans. Okay, make that 15 years ago. Whatever. For over adecade the teams trotted out had no hope, never won (literally) but the place was always sold out anyway. That was the whole reason the Sacto fanbase was considered so special.
Keflang has it right, and its something I've said for years (not sure whether he borrowed it from me or came up with it independently, but obviously I am going to agree) -- the winning spoiled things. A great irony, but it did. Spoiled the fanbase, and now you can never get that innocence back. As long as the team had never won people accepted that as the norm and went + had fun anyway. Once people got used to the winning, then nothing but winning, and winning big, was good enough anymore.
And it is what it is. I do think people haranguing others about it are kind of stuck in the past. This is the new reality. But it wasn't always that way. Sacramento was living proof that it didn't have to be that way. Its just not anymore. Now they will only come back once its clear the team is back on the upswing. I agree one or two games aren't going to do it. Maybe after a few months, if the media reports continue to be favorable, rumor that there is a new kid in town filter down etc. But its going to take a while to build this back up.
How's the media outlets over there in Sac like KXTV and KOVR or even that Morning show they have on CW? Any buzz or talk by them?
All I have here is to read the Whackbee.com(bleh) and they're coverage is still poor. And more than half of the commenters on Sacbee are cynics who complain about the economy and how the greedy the Maloofs are.
All I have here is to read the Whackbee.com(bleh) and they're coverage is still poor. And more than half of the commenters on Sacbee are cynics who complain about the economy and how the greedy the Maloofs are.
I mostly agree with this but when I was in high school face value on the best seats in the house was $30 so I think people being priced out is a very real part of the equation. There is a cause and effect here because the winning brought in the fans that were willing to pay more to see a winning team but not pay at all to see "lovable losers" and priced out long time ticket holders who couldn't keep up.
