NLL All-Star game...

[The Familia]

Just heard on CFCN that besides the 3200 season ticket holders who get a free all star game ticket, only 800 tickets have been sold to the game with only a month remaining! This is a joke! Calgary is going to be embarassed pretty bad on live NBC TV coverage that will not only be broadcast live on network TV, but all over the world! After having 2 successful seasons and winning the NLL title last year in front of 19,000 fans, Calgary would have stepped up big this season. So far for two home games we have had crowds of 10,075 and 9, 870...This is sad really. For such an entertaining sport, that is very reasonably priced, exciting, high energy, plus a winning team, Calgary has sure disappointed. I would have expected crowds in the 14,000 on a nightly basis. Toronto, Colorado and even expansion Minnesota have all drawn huge numbers. It will be a big joke to the Calgary sports scene if the NLL all star game isnt sold out. This is a prime time to put Calgary back on the sporting map on an international level. To see a half empty building would be a travesty. I don't get it, I would have expected huge crowds with no NHL. I woudl throw my money at these guys any day of the week over NHL players. Lets get out there and support the Roughies! The team has done their job, why can't we?

[calf]

You've convinced me! I'll now be going (seriously, I will!)

Ticket prices in case anyone's wondering:

Regular game: either 23.83 or 30.84 + applicable charges

All-Star Game: either 37.38 or 42.99 + applicable charges

...if you think the prices look odd, when you add GST they turn into nice round numbers . :P

[Super-Rye]

Some friends and I are going to buy tickets. Should be a fun time.

[Joe Nieuwendyk]

Last night was the first time I had actually heard that Calgary was hosting the game - I think they could advertise a bit better.

Now that I know about it, I'm definitely interested in going.

[rockstar]

Originally posted by Joe Nieuwendyk@Feb 3 2005, 10:28 AM
Last night was the first time I had actually heard that Calgary was hosting the game - I think they could advertise a bit better.

Now that I know about it, I'm definitely interested in going.

I think I'd also be interested, but as you said, I haven't heard too much about it outside of the free ticket with season's ticket purchases.
It's too bad that they only do all-or-nothing with the seasons tickets. I tried to get a 4 or 5 game pack (and get the free All-star ticket), but instead I had to buy 4 singles. Thus, no all-star game.

On a related note, Anyone know what the NLL All-star games are like? Because if they're anything like the NHL, then I wouldn't shell out that much dough to see it anyway.

[browna]

I know timelines are tight, but its pretty tough to get the excitement up for a bunch of strangers, when the home town team's only played two home games this season.

For a regular game that gets 10K people, from the season ticket numbers its pretty plain to see that 6K are walk ups. Its a good time out, sure, but for most, its a night out that maybe isn't planned weeks in advance.

I hardly see hosting the NLL putting us back on the international map...not to be a spoil sport, but who watches NBC Sports anymore anyways (I know, they'l have the NHL contract next)? Last week they put Arena Football on on Sunday. They have no football other then Notre Dame, and no Basketball.

A less then sellout won't embasrass Calgary in any way, shape or form. This is, and always will be, an obscure (yet entertaining to many) sport on the North American level. Other than the Gait brothers, and 4 or 5 Roughnecks, I couldn't name another NLL player....and I think I am in the minority with even knowing 6 names.

A premier market in Vancouver can't properly support a team, but I don't think their hanging their heads in shame out on the coast because the team's gone, or the city is getting lambasted and the image tarnished for losing an entire Lacrosse team, let alone a possibly lower then anticipated all star game.

They'll get a good walkup crowd, but I don't think the panic button has to be pushed.

Bannister has sunk a lot (too much?) of the teams money into this and is starting to get the sweats from a business persepctive for over promising, and so far, in his mind, underdelivering to those who backed him and/or chose Calgary as the site.

[Golden Jet]

Not to belittle the NLL, but they are a lot like the ABA. They play, they go away & then come back again. Little or no media coverage between games. Like it was said, the Roughnecks have only played 2 home games so far this year.
The NLL is trying to pretend it's big league, but there are no mid week games. The majority of players don't even live here in Calgary during the season. The players fly in for the home or away games a day or two before they play, have one, maybe 2 practices & then fly out again after the game.
If the NLL wants to be perceived big league, then have a schedule that's big league & pay the players accordingly & maybe more people will take it seriously.
Otherwise Brad Bannister & NLL officials should expect crowds of 8-10,000 a game & quit complaining. Matter of fact, they should be pleased with those numbers for a part time league.

[The Familia]

So I guess only playing 16 games is small league? Than the CFL and NFL are small league cause they only play 16-18 games and only on weekends. I see your point in the other areas, but the schedual has nothing to do about it, and neither does living in a city. How many Flames players actually live here full time?

[An Old Edmonton Poster]

From what I've read, the NLL is paying NBC to put the game on tv.

No question it's a bush league...just look at how many teams in the past 3 years have folded or relocated.

[Pagal4321]

Originally posted by Sundeep Malhi@Feb 4 2005, 10:28 PM
From what I've read, the NLL is paying NBC to put the game on tv.

No question it's a bush league...just look at how many teams in the past 3 years have folded or relocated.

I think someone would have a different outlook if there was an Edmonton team....
Say the Edmonton Greasers.....

[The Familia]

Ahhh good old Sundeep. So misunderstood. It's gonna be funny when I see your face at an Edmonton game. The league is starting to really grow with expansion to 16 teams in a couple years. You can bet Edmonton will be one of those teams since there are many rumers they will get one. The NLL is bush league? I don't see too many bush leagues sell out stadiums with 19,000 fans (NLL final last year in Calgary)...This season Colorado and Toronto have averaged over 16,000 fans for each home game. Calgary and Buffalo are close with over 10,000 per game, as well expansion Minnesota has gotten 12-13,000. All the other teams have done failry well including Rochester and Philly with crowds around 10,000. A bush league doesn't average those kinds of crowds. The NLL is broadcast on The Score as well as Sportsnet and many US stations. The NLL paying for NBC is a way to get the game out to a big audience for the first time. Mark my words this league will become fairly popular in the markets they get into and can only grow. I would rather throw my money at these guys who work hard and put out a VERY entertaining product, then give my money to some overpaid hockey players whos gonna do nothing but cry for more. The NHL is becomign a joke. The NLL is a game fans can relate to.

[Resolute 14]

The NLL isnt bush league, but minor league. It is still trying to establish itself overall, and this is only the fourth year it has had teams outside of the eastern time zone. The league is trying to find it's place.

It is slowly improving. Colorado, Calgary and Minnestoa all seem to have added stable franchises to the roster, while the league has decided to award teams only to owners with strong existing sports investments in their own cities (ie: NHL owners) to prevent a repeat of the situations in Columbus and Vancouver.

That Brad Bannister has been able to do what he has in a market with virtually no lax community is remarkable.

There will be more relocations, becuase I have no doubt that Anaheim and Phoenix are no more lacrosse markets than they are hockey, but the league is slowly moving in the right direction.

Expect to see teams in Edmonton (if the Oilers or Eskimos are interested in owning them) and Winnipeg (Moose or Bombers) within the next three years.

[An Old Edmonton Poster]

Originally posted by Snakeeye@Feb 4 2005, 11:26 PM
The NLL isnt bush league, but minor league. It is still trying to establish itself overall, and this is only the fourth year it has had teams outside of the eastern time zone. The league is trying to find it's place.

It is slowly improving. Colorado, Calgary and Minnestoa all seem to have added stable franchises to the roster, while the league has decided to award teams only to owners with strong existing sports investments in their own cities (ie: NHL owners) to prevent a repeat of the situations in Columbus and Vancouver.

That Brad Bannister has been able to do what he has in a market with virtually no lax community is remarkable.

There will be more relocations, becuase I have no doubt that Anaheim and Phoenix are no more lacrosse markets than they are hockey, but the league is slowly moving in the right direction.

Expect to see teams in Edmonton (if the Oilers or Eskimos are interested in owning them) and Winnipeg (Moose or Bombers) within the next three years.

I doubt you'll see an Edmonton team here.

Investors had a good chance of snatching a team for 500,000, and they didn't.

I've given NLL a chance. It's nothing special I would pay $25 to go watch, let alone waste 3 hours of my time with.

Vancouver Folded. Montreal Folded. Ottawa folded. About 5 American teams have moved or folded. That's BUSH.

[An Old Edmonton Poster]

Originally posted by Pagal4321+Feb 4 2005, 10:01 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Pagal4321 @ Feb 4 2005, 10:01 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Sundeep Malhi@Feb 4 2005, 10:28 PM
From what I've read, the NLL is paying NBC to put the game on tv.

No question it's a bush league...just look at how many teams in the past 3 years have folded or relocated.

I think someone would have a different outlook if there was an Edmonton team....
Say the Edmonton Greasers..... [/b][/quote]
You really are Pagal.

I could care less if an NLL team was here.

I guess it helps you fill in 3 hours of your weekend.....for me, I have better things to do.

[Pagal4321]

Originally posted by Sundeep Malhi+Feb 5 2005, 02:33 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Sundeep Malhi @ Feb 5 2005, 02:33 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

I think someone would have a different outlook if there was an Edmonton team....
Say the Edmonton Greasers.....

You really are Pagal.

I could care less if an NLL team was here.

I guess it helps you fill in 3 hours of your weekend.....for me, I have better things to do. [/b][/quote]
You have better things to do then to come to CP and bash everything Calgary?

Sorry I'd rather go to the dome and watch a Roughneck game then go to, say Oilfan and bash Edmonton. Hell I'd rather go watch a pee wee hockey game then even go to oilfan.com.

[Fire]

The NHL had a lot of teams that folded or moved when it was first starting out as well. This happens with every growing league. I believe the NLL will have a long and strong future in the North America market.

I am thinking Sundeep is just jealous the Edmonton doesn't have a team.

[calf]

Originally posted by Sundeep Malhi+Feb 5 2005, 01:33 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Sundeep Malhi @ Feb 5 2005, 01:33 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

I think someone would have a different outlook if there was an Edmonton team....
Say the Edmonton Greasers.....

You really are Pagal.

I could care less if an NLL team was here.

I guess it helps you fill in 3 hours of your weekend.....for me, I have better things to do. [/b][/quote]
I bet you haven't even been to a game. Go to one, you'll have a good time.

[An Old Edmonton Poster]

Originally posted by calf+Feb 5 2005, 10:43 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (calf @ Feb 5 2005, 10:43 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

You really are Pagal.

I could care less if an NLL team was here.

I guess it helps you fill in 3 hours of your weekend.....for me, I have better things to do.

I bet you haven't even been to a game. Go to one, you'll have a good time. [/b][/quote]
Uh no...I've seen it on tv, and it's not something that interests me.

[An Old Edmonton Poster]

Originally posted by Fire@Feb 5 2005, 10:42 AM
The NHL had a lot of teams that folded or moved when it was first starting out as well. This happens with every growing league. I believe the NLL will have a long and strong future in the North America market.

I am thinking Sundeep is just jealous the Edmonton doesn't have a team.

Oh yeah...I'm having trouble sleeping at nights because Edmonton doesn't have a bush minor league

and No, it doesn't happen with EVERY growing league. Besides, the NLL has been along for a long time. No excuse for losing or relocating so many teams.

[calf]

Originally posted by Sundeep Malhi@Feb 5 2005, 12:11 PM
Uh no...I've seen it on tv, and it's not something that interests me.

I hear ya. I was the same way. Then I got cheap tickets through a buddy that goes to SAIT, and we had a blast. It's WAY different live.

But if you're going to be closed minded....