Run with the Pack reminder
With this year winding down, I thought it would be a good time to remind everyone of the team's excellent season ticket offer going on during the month of March.
Yeah, the games are pretty rough to watch right now but the team should be commended for doing something that no other franchise in professional sports is doing right now: slashing ticket prices for next season. It's hard to think of a more fan-friendly offer on the local sports scene than this one...and no matter what is currently going on on the court, I think that deserves an above-the-fold mention.
Here's hoping Kahn can land a good draft pick (or two) along with a nice free agent and next year at this time we are talking about anything other than Korean recipes.
5 months ago
Stop-n-Pop
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Tickets for the Future?
Its kind of economic down-time for me and the NBA right now, so maybe I’ll jump in here with a little micro-economics.
Last week, I was reading Bill Simmons book (blasphemy?) and he made an interesting point that may apply to us.
His dad was a working class, Boston guy, who struggled to afford season tickets for himself and his son. However, when the Celtics bottomed out, they promoted his cheap tickets to lower level. The next year, the Celtics added a player named Larry Bird, and the Simmons’ were already locked into their great seats to watch him for years.
It strikes me how its possible that the Wolves could be in a similar situation. Right now, we’re awful, and fans have a chance to get good seats cheap for a bad team. However, if they happen to become a good team, those seats could become very valuable. Basketball, like few sports, has the chance to turn around quickly, if a team gets a superstar. I’m not a ticketholder and rarely go to games, but after reading Simmon’s story, I have considered buying a pair of tickets simply because they could become valuable.
I'm in the same boat
I think they’ll be great values in two years. At least I hope they will.
Forever splitting the Cheechakos from the Sourdoughs
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on Mar 15, 2010 10:43 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I imagine you don't want to get too involved in selling tickets
But with this deal it might be an idea for Canis Hoopus to try to match up followers who are interested but can’t attend 40 games. You could do a post giving people a chance to link up. I’d throw something like this out there, but I’m not sure you would allow it for ethical or legal reasons.
Maybe you could talk Kahn into keeping the special going until Canis Hoopus night, where some people could get together and decide to team up to buy season tickets for next season. If Kahn/FO agreed to this, you could post that fact and perhaps more followers will show up with the hope of forming a ticket buying consortium.
So we can actually pre-order
season tickets at this price? I guess I’m a wee bit confused.
Just remember, it ain't the 80's anymore
Teams used to thrive on long-time season ticket holders and rewarded them with better seats for about twice the cost of upper deck. I was in a Twins season ticket group in the early 90’s, I sat above the Twins dugout about 10 rows up. In 1991, the seats were about $11…those same seats last season were about $50. Except when teams are desperate, they price seats for business people looking to entertain…they justify the price as a cost of business and for the tax write-off, which is why you don’t see “working class” fans on the main level of any sporting event these days (I’m exaggerating, but I think you know what I mean).
My point is, if you’re looking for a long term benefit, just remember you will have to PAY for that benefit when times get good, it wasn’t that way in the time Bill Simmons is discussing. That said, if you just want to be in attendance, go for it and get the $10 lower level seats. Find some friends to split the games, worst case you see some games next year and sell the others at cost.
From a Wolves fan/writer on Bleacher Report
The expecations were low, and as Wolves fans we acknowledge that, but the competitiveness was absolutely abysmal…
That has gone the Wolves community to believe that head coach Kurt Rambis has been a part of this abysmal season due to the lack of rotations and not playing our best players for extended amounts of time.
But like Rambis said, he expects more out of Al Jefferson and Kevin Love, I mean come on… Andrew Bynum had sporadic minutes in his 2nd and 3rd season probably due to the very same things that Al and Love are going through. Love at times doesn’t seem to be into the game and Al just seems to give up at times..
But I think that there’s some optimism to be had even though the season has been lost for the Wolves…
There’s a possibility for 3 picks next season, signing some talent (more than likely not a big free agent) for some help off the bench (Darko, Outlaw, other prospects), and not to mention hopefully utilizing the D-League with better scouting (Kahn said scouting needs to be better), and utilizing our 2nd round picks to actually, you know, play….
Nikola Pekovic would be nice as a banger, and a verbal commitment from Rubio would REALLY spark this community again, but remember just 5 years ago that the Hawks won only 15 games, and now look at them, look at the Thunder last season, look at the Trailblazers some years ago….
We’re all going through what they went through now, and although it hurts right now, our future is bright, and hopefully we won’t be doomed for mediocrity, and hopefully with more talent, Kurt Rambis can really show us what he can do as a coach and David Kahn shows us his true brilliance… Not to mention David Stern owes us that 2nd pick god dammit…..
Hope this makes fans feel better
by MNTwolvesanalyst on Mar 16, 2010 1:09 AM CDT reply actions
Not to rain on anyone's parade, but ...
I don’t think the optimism expressed towards next year’s team is warranted. Our team looks like it has given up. None of our recent draft picks, Love included, can take over a game and win it for us. Should Pekovic arrive, he is not a game-changer, either. Darko will probably return to Europe. No one knows when, or if, Rubio will ever be in a Wolves uniform. Our luck in the draft is abysmal. I doubt that even if we get the 1 or 2 pick it will dramatically impact the team’s success. And with our luck will will get the third pick or less, anyhow. And we don’t know if Rambis has lost his players or not, but it might be getting close to that point. I applaud the marketing effort, but even if seats were free, most people would not go out to watch this year’s product. Before you flame me, I should point out that my family has had season tickets for many years and I still go to games despite living 2 hrs from the arena. But I go to fewer games each year and I am so turned off by their recent play that I didn’t even know they had played the Sacramento game. I didn’t miss anything, did I? Sure they could turn around. But I’ve been attending since ‘89 -’90. It hasn’t truly happened yet (except for the one year, sabotaged the next year by the selfishness of the very players who made it possible). Even Cubs fans are given greater reason to cheer than Wolves fans.
No "flaming" necessary . . .
Not only are you correct in your assessment, but unlike most of us here, you and your family are actually spending the money that the team needs to exist, and remain in Minnesota. So, “Cheers!”
The regression in development and effort over the past few months have turned up the heat that Tayor, Kahn, and Rambis should experience over the next 4-5 months, and then again at the trading deadline. There is little evidence that Taylor is willing to spend more money than is necessary to field a team, that Kahn and the scouting department can find, sign, and trade for talent moreso than what random chance would allow, and that Rambis can coach the players to improved individual and team play.
It’s a nice gesture by the Wolves, but I’d be a lot more impressed if it came off of a 50 win season and an appearance in the Western Conference finals, rather than at a time when ESPN is equating the team’s play with another squad that’s having one of the worst seasons in NBA history:
The Wolves have twice as many wins as New Jersey, but they’re also 1-15 since that four-game win streak before the All-Star break. Which makes them the easiest out in the league these days … essentially tied for No. 30
Of course, in an ideal world...
But that’s like saying, “I’m flattered that Heidi Klum wants to have sex with me, but I would’ve been a lot more flattered if she’d asked when I was single and she was younger and hadn’t had kids.” The ticket offer is still a very good deal and qualifies above a “nice gesture.”
by pagingstanleyroberts on Mar 16, 2010 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Interesting analogy . . .
In my interpretation, I’m at least as desperate to take Heidi up on her offer as the Wolves are to sell some tickets for next year.
In your version, the Wolves gesture is at least as benevolent as what it would be if Heidi made that offer to me.
PSR
As someone who has spent several thousands of dollars on tickets this year, I have a question for you:
What kind of deal should I have gotten THIS YEAR to make it be deemed a “good” one?
I ask this in that I am frustrating a Twolves ticket agent big time because I am, so far, refusing to renew. My contention, quite frankly, is that I was ripped off this year. I was promised a young team, that would be running, playing an exciting style, with lots of hard work and energy, that would improve over the year. Is that what I got for my $$$$?
I see next year’s pricing simply reflecting a more realistic price value relationship to the type of team I expect us to field. And this is being offered to everyone – not just renewing season ticket holders.
Am I justified in think that maybe I should be getting more? Be as critical as you want – I will not be offended.
I've always thought
renewing tickets should result in a discount no matter what is going on with the overall ticket price. And possibly every consequent year after in which the tickets are renewed (up to a certain point).
That said, it’s still tough to complain about getting tickets 50% off. Well…. I guess it’s not if they keep performing like this.
I think the team..
…has gotten a relative pass that they could have fielded a Curry/Miller/Gomes/Love/Jefferson starting 5 with Brewer and Foye coming off the bench and that this group would have won a fair amount more than what is out there right now without sacrificing a whole lot in terms of cap space and draft picks. Will it pay off? No clue but they really are a lot worse than what could have been the status quo this year.
Forever splitting the Cheechakos from the Sourdoughs
www.canishoopus.com
SnP
I really appreciate your comment. That was my position last summer – why the rush to turn over the roster for what looked on the surface to be lesser talented players and only very incremental cap space. I give Kahn a 100% free pass on the Rubio choice – the consensus #2 has to be taken at 5. But the pick of Flynn was curious then and baffling now.
I am not much of a hockey fan, but we have a fascinating study going on right now between the Twolves and the Wild. The Wild dumped a long time coach, a long time GM, (true, they changed owners too) and lost their best player who many felt was a top 10 NHL’er. The cupboard was bare due to poor drafting and player development. They were/are up against the cap and will be for a while. The new FO/coach promised a more uptempo style, a more aggressive use of assets and a commitment to work hard. They had a terrible start learning/implementing the new system. And there were plenty of tickets to be had when the season started (don’t let that Wild sell out streak fool you – the 3,000 “warming house” deposits were used up, there were group rates being offered for the 1st time (I got a call – and I never had bought tickets) ,and lots of individual seats too)
Does any of this sound like the Twolves?
Some more. The FO made a major mid season trade sending a young established player out for another which also sent a message to the team that performance was required (or out the door you might go). They flipped players that they could not sign/did not want to sign for draft choices at the trade deadline. They gave an older pro, certainly not a long term part of the plan, the option to stay at the trade deadline – creating a large amount of good will for “treating a player right”. They have played .500 + for the last 3 months having adjusted to the coach’s change in philosophy. The coach has established a rotation of players and the younger players are gaining experience (and getting better). They outbid several teams for a highly rated free agent college player.
Does this sound like the Twolves?
Neither team will be in the playoffs. Which team had the better year?
Valid point, but flawed analogy
The NHL and NBA, while tantalizingly similar as games, are totally different in how teams are built and kept together. NBA teams try to keep good teams together for a decade, with changes around the margins. NHL teams are overhauled by 25% even in good seasons, often by moving very good players. The chemistry thing in hockey makes teams much more fluid. Most NHL rosters totally turn-over every five years (some exceptions of course), which makes it easier to re-build if you have an eye for talent and aren’t afraid of looking foolish once in a while.
I think you have every right to be "concerned", "annoyed", "feeling used", etc
Perhaps I can relate because I’ve had Gopher football tix for about as long as the Wolves have been around. I had the same frustration when the new stadium was being built and I heard the “best” seats would go to people who contributed extra money. I felt like my “contributions” for over 15 years to watch often lousy football at my alma mater was going to be for naught. In fairness, they did a pretty good job because many of the contributors were ahead of me in tenure, and they have to contribute every year. However, I am still on the 7 yard line, after being on the 15 at the Dome, and half the people sitting between the 20’s just started buying tix, not sure I was “rewarded” for loyalty.
However, you have a better gripe because new ticket holders will be sitting right next to you without paying more, basically eliminating any reward for your loyalty. Of course, that would be the case with any new season ticket holder since so many have bailed. With this new plan, the Wolves really should look at how to “Make Good” for this year’s season ticket buyers. They could do some financial incentives (mailing out vouchers for $1 beer, pop or hot dogs, etc). They could also mail you unsold tickets for later this year (bring a party day) which would really cost them nothing and possibly generate revenue with extra concession sales. At a minimum, they should offer all current season ticket holders a free five game bonus package for upper deck seats next season (low turnout games that again cost the team nothing) as well as some freebies like free media guides and cheap concessions.
BTW, if you really want to know how badly you have been burned this season, walk around the arena before games and see what scalpers are getting for similar tickets…then do the math for a whole season. I have season tix for Gopher football and basketball, as well the Twins. I sell about half to friends, go to about a quarter, and sell the other quarter either at the stadiums or on-line. It is a real eye opener to see how often it is at best a break-even to buy season tickets. We ultimately do a lot of the team’s marketing by buying a whole season and re-distributing them through whatever means we have at our disposal. I am seriously re-considering buying season tickets. Frankly, I think buying tickets from scalpers or individual season ticket buyers may be better in the long run….Sure, in good years against popular teams you pay a premium, but you save big-time in the bad years, and save even more by not feeling obligated to use a pre-paid ticket in a lousy season like you are currently experiencing. I think many people are starting to see this, especially as ticket prices went up so much in the last 15-20 years. This is why bad stretches are starting to affect teams quicker. I’ve also noticed teams are making a bigger effort to help season ticket holders sell on-line. The team probably gets a cut, but they are starting to see how much season ticket holders help them in tough times, and also how quickly season ticket holders now give up, knowing they can come back in a few years and not lose much (see Wolves fans who gave up season tickets the day it became obvious KG would be traded).
Hey, at least Kahn has a plan. I just heard Joel Maturi getting interviewed by Dan Barriero on KFAN. Basically, he fired Mason and brought in Brewster to be an Uber-Recruiter. Now Maturi realizes they should strive to be middle of the pack in Big-10 recruiting (in other words about where Mason had them while trying to convince kids to play at the Dome). He also won’t fire this over-matched head coach because he deserves a 4th season….I wonder if I’ll get anything as a season ticket holder when they finish 4-8, and start over next season instead of now?
I wouldn't go to any games the remainder of the year...
even if they were free. Probably wouldn’t even go if the Wolves paid me, it’s not worth the hassle to leave the house.
by College Wolf on Mar 16, 2010 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions
I would go and cheer like hell don't the bucks have a paid fan section? We need one too.
Go Wolves I think we can tonight
Well, right.
I guess I was taking it a bit far. But you get my point.
by College Wolf on Mar 16, 2010 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Just got tickets for Turnerfest
when we play Golden State in April, looking forward to it. got 85$ tickets for 20$, if anyone else is interested, go to Travelzoo.com
by nocturnalstinger on Mar 16, 2010 12:37 PM CDT reply actions
wow sounds exciting. An action packed Twolves-Warriors matchup in April.
you could have gotten a ticket to that for like $5 and sat anywhere you wanted because there will be no one there…
Yeah, exactly.
I haven’t paid more than $5 for a ticket this year the half-dozen times I’ve gone, and I was able to sit pretty much anywhere I wanted.
by College Wolf on Mar 16, 2010 10:02 PM CDT up reply actions
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