Attendance - further decline or improvement?

[kgrichwine]

High ticket prices, the poor economy, and a team struggling to win 30 games will all be factors to abismal attendance.

 

[ZZE916]

High ticket prices, the poor economy, and a team struggling to win 30 games will all be factors to abismal attendance.

I agree. After sitting in row G for 23 years, I gave up my tickets for the reasons you stated. I still get emails and calls from the Kings trying to tempt me into coming back, so I guess there is not a huge list of people waiting to lay out serious money.

 

[Gary]

A bit of a decline because of gas prices, and the crappy economy.

But after a couple years we should see an upswing.

 

[kgrichwine]

It might be simple economics but you're forgetting a key part of the equation. Does the word "expenditures" ring a bell?

I cannot think of a scenario under which the Kings would lower ticket prices this season. As has been pointed out already, the season tickets have already been ordered and paid for. They aren't going to refund money.

I agree, The Maloofs will simply keep prices where they are and let inflation lower the prices for them.

 

[NoBonus]

I have a number of friends who did not root for/follow the Kings while they had Artest because of their feelings about Artest. They became temporary Warriors fans and drove all the way to Oakland to see them play. Now the Kings are their team again and they will be going no further than Sacramento to watch NBA action. This factor could drive up sales.

 

[Warhawk]

I really have no idea. Just about everyone has their opinion based on different things and the vast majority are valid - record, no Artest (both pro and con folks), playing the kids (both pro and con folks - record-wise, I guess), BJax return, the newer players, no Sean (for a few - never really got into the hype on my end, I just hoped he could play since we used a pick on him), the economy, Petrie pointing to the moon, you name it........


My Magic 8-Ball says: maybe slight increase.

 

[Wuster]

As former season ticket holder - shared, this is an interesting question. I personally will attend a few games, because this is the Kings. But I have no intention in jumping back into the season ticket situation. And even if they were a playoff team, I really can't afford the seats any more - I've been priced out.

In general, and it's all really a guessing game, I think attendance will be a bit less than last year.

 

[Rockmeister]

I agree. After sitting in row G for 23 years, I gave up my tickets for the reasons you stated. I still get emails and calls from the Kings trying to tempt me into coming back, so I guess there is not a huge list of people waiting to lay out serious money.

I, too, get emails and calls from the Kings. If I called them now, it wouldn't be that hard to be a season ticket holder again and I wouldn't be surprised if I got my old seats back.

 

[ESP47]

You guys have to remember that theres a big difference in normal fans and "message board" fans. Most of the people on this board (and any other sports board) look at sports at a more in depth angle than most fans do. Thats why they search for a forum to talk about the team on. Most of us here are excited to see what Salmons and the new guys can do. A lot of the regular fans just see Salmons as a bench player and Sheldon Williams as a "never heard of him" player. Regular casual fans don't even know what rebuilding is. I'd say our attendance is gonna be sparked by Kevin Martin, Bobby Jackson and to a lesser extent, Brad Miller. If we're not winning, people at least want to show up and see some big names. Kevin Martin is a no brainer, Bobby Jackson is bigger in Sac than any other place in the country and Brad Miller is at least a familiar name people have known for years.

 

[ZZE916]

I base my prediction on the desirability of my tickets. The first 2 years the Kings were here, I would get calls daily asking if I had any "spare" tickets. Going to a Kings game was an exclusive event. The next 10+ years I couldn't give tickets away. Enter Vlade, Chris, et al. I started getting calls again...daily. I could sell selected tickets to ticket brokers and get enough money to pay for my entire playoff package. The last two years - nada! Everybody loves a winner, and will pay to see them in person. This year will see a decline...unless they start winning consistently.

 

[bajaden]

I started out sitting in the red seats pretty much dead center, section 103. When the prices went up, I ended up in the blue seats. Section 107. Both were aisle seats, so that was cool, except for the idiots that liked to stand in the aisle and talk to someone. Got priced out of those and ended up in the first row, center court in the upperdeck, right behind those little boxes they have up there. I think they actually were the best seats I ever had as far as seeing eveything that was going on.

Got priced out of those and ended up about half way up the upper section, but still pretty much center court. I finally ended up about 10 rows from the top and off to the side. When I started, I probably had about 10 or 12 friends that had season tickets. At the end, I was the only one left. So for me, it was the price that did me in, not the product. Although it was on the decline when I gave up my tickets for good. Its not likely that I'll be buying season tickets anytime soon, since I live in baja mexico. But when I visit my son and daughter during the season, I'll certainly try to make a couple of games.