Too expensive, too many games (for the NHL, anyways), and too many other things to do.
I've turned down free tickets to the dome because it was too cold out and/or I just didn't want to put in the effort of getting down there, paying $15 for a beer (or whatever it is) and quite honestly be a little bit bored because the game is essentially meaningless and the dome atmosphere is mediocre. Playoffs are a different story, obviously. But a mid-season game in the middle of a cold snap? Nah.
That's going to be the bottom line when all is said and done. They maximized short term revenue and in the process priced out the people who actually cared enough to spend their own money watching games.
1. TV viewers are increasingly cutting the cord and TV viewership is declining. Both decreasing advertising dollars for the networks and sports industries.
2. Revenue doesn't equate to net incomes. In the face of declining viewers and ratings the NFL, MLB, NHL, etc. contracts are squeezing the sports franchises and the networks who contracted for those production rights.
3. In the face of that attendance is dropping. Especially in baseball, college football and select NHL markets.
Too expensive, too many games (for the NHL, anyways), and too many other things to do.
I've turned down free tickets to the dome because it was too cold out and/or I just didn't want to put in the effort of getting down there, paying $15 for a beer (or whatever it is) and quite honestly be a little bit bored because the game is essentially meaningless and the dome atmosphere is mediocre. Playoffs are a different story, obviously. But a mid-season game in the middle of a cold snap? Nah.
I think that is exactly the issue. I know I've turned down tickets and frankly when you have people on this board turning down free tickets it's a problem. And for a fair number of people who have to give away tickets it's a hassle.
The atmosphere is so bad. It's astounding to me that the league seems to care so little for its fans. Like why are there no supporters clubs? Why have we had two lockouts with next to nothing for the fans coming out of them? I look at the Premiership and things those clubs do for their fans and its miles ahead of what we have here. The just take it for granted that we should build them arenas and fill it up 41 times a season.
But if the games cost less, then they could be one of those things you take your son to, correct?
yes and no - I typically will go and see about 5 flames games per year, and I will get free tickets to 4 of them, so when I go to the fifth game (my son is an LA Kings fan), I will buy more expensive sets down low with the thought that I am spreading the cost of one game over 5. I could go to more games buying tickets up in the PL, but my thought is that I'd have a better viewing experience watching the game at home versus sitting up in the PL.
this season is a little different for me as my son will be playing/practicing hockey several times per week, so I don't see myself getting to even one flames game, and I will likely not watch much either.
I also find that I now really need to be emotionally invested to watch - and I am no longer emotionally invested in the flames due to my son playing.
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I think that is exactly the issue. I know I've turned down tickets and frankly when you have people on this board turning down free tickets it's a problem. And for a fair number of people who have to give away tickets it's a hassle.
The atmosphere is so bad. It's astounding to me that the league seems to care so little for its fans. Like why are there no supporters clubs? Why have we had two lockouts with next to nothing for the fans coming out of them? I look at the Premiership and things those clubs do for their fans and its miles ahead of what we have here. The just take it for granted that we should build them arenas and fill it up 41 times a season.
I went to a game in Germany two years ago, and it was such a great fan experience. People signing, chanting, dancing, flag waving for the entire game. The team skated around the arena at the end of the game for 5 minutes, thanking every section. We could learn a great deal from them.
Last edited by troutman; 09-29-2017 at 09:54 AM.
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I think that is exactly the issue. I know I've turned down tickets and frankly when you have people on this board turning down free tickets it's a problem. And for a fair number of people who have to give away tickets it's a hassle.
The atmosphere is so bad. It's astounding to me that the league seems to care so little for its fans. Like why are there no supporters clubs? Why have we had two lockouts with next to nothing for the fans coming out of them? I look at the Premiership and things those clubs do for their fans and its miles ahead of what we have here. The just take it for granted that we should build them arenas and fill it up 41 times a season.
I think the number one reason why there are no supporters clubs is that the people who would want to be a part of said supporters clubs are priced out of the game. As a result, those who are actually at the Dome look at anyone trying to make noise with disdain.
And from my personal experience in running a supporters group for another club in this city, people tend to look at you like you're a drunken ass hole who must not have a job or contribute to society in any way. That gets discouraging after a while.
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I think the number one reason why there are no supporters clubs is that the people who would want to be a part of said supporters clubs are priced out of the game. As a result, those who are actually at the Dome look at anyone trying to make noise with disdain.
And from my personal experience in running a supporters group for another club in this city, people tend to look at you like you're a drunken ass hole who must not have a job or contribute to society in any way. That gets discouraging after a while.
even standing up to cheer for a goal or chanting Go Flames Go in the 2nd bowl I often feel like most people around me are not participating and it reduces my desire to cheer
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Yes, having been to a few sporting events Flames games are so quiet. It's become very corporate. Heck curling and tennis are louder.
To be fair, most of the noise during curling or tennis is from the players themselves.
Anyway, for me now to go to games, the only affordable option is in the PL, but who wants to take a family there only to have to suffer people who are drunk by the 2nd period, acting up and swearing, and don't even seem that interested in watching the game at all, and that was virtually every game I attended when I had my own seats in the PL. Attending in person isn't fun - I mean, you have to be lucky to get seats that are in an area that isn't funeral and not bombastic with non-hockey related nonsense.
or the world doesn't accept high prices for their sports like here. And in the world it's bascially just a sporting events, no entertainment.
As its been mentioned a few times, this is the crux of the matter. Its way too expensive to actually go to the game.
The NHL is a 'Gate-Driven' league, pretty much the only one I'm familiar with, most other sports make the majority of their money from TV deals so they can afford to have cheaper tickets.
And its becoming a problem on all sides. Those insane TV deals are apparently not such great investments, they've ruined Soccer in a lot of ways but the NHL still needs to put asses in seats.
You wouldnt know it by how they treat the fans though.
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To be fair, most of the noise during curling or tennis is from the players themselves.
Anyway, for me now to go to games, the only affordable option is in the PL, but who wants to take a family there only to have to suffer people who are drunk by the 2nd period, acting up and swearing, and don't even seem that interested in watching the game at all, and that was virtually every game I attended when I had my own seats in the PL. Attending in person isn't fun - I mean, you have to be lucky to get seats that are in an area that isn't funeral and not bombastic with non-hockey related nonsense.
This is the problem for me too with the NHL. I want to bring my kids to a game as they are getting to an age they can appreciate it but it will be over $500 for the 4 of us to sit in decent seats outside of PL. Even going to games sitting in PL is no fun anymore and they are not good seats to bring kids to.
The lower bowl is a funeral. The flames have depleated any bit of energy that was built during the 04 run. Tickets have been priced out of range for most rabid and loud fans so you get a bunch of suits and trendys in the lower bowl.
This is the problem for me too with the NHL. I want to bring my kids to a game as they are getting to an age they can appreciate it but it will be over $500 for the 4 of us to sit in decent seats outside of PL. Even going to games sitting in PL is no fun anymore and they are not good seats to bring kids to.
The lower bowl is a funeral. The flames have depleated any bit of energy that was built during the 04 run. Tickets have been priced out of range for most rabid and loud fans so you get a bunch of suits and trendys in the lower bowl.
Even then, factor in Parking, food and Lord help you if you want to have a beer.
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As its been mentioned a few times, this is the crux of the matter. Its way too expensive to actually go to the game.
The NHL is a 'Gate-Driven' league, pretty much the only one I'm familiar with, most other sports make the majority of their money from TV deals so they can afford to have cheaper tickets.
And its becoming a problem on all sides. Those insane TV deals are apparently not such great investments, they've ruined Soccer in a lot of ways but the NHL still needs to put asses in seats.
You wouldnt know it by how they treat the fans though.
You will remember Liverpool fans protesting an increase in ticket prices a couple years ago and the owners backed off.
But in the franchise system here we're stuck. The Flames will charge as much as they can, put out a poor product (not the team but the arena experience) and then if the fans begin to waver, they'll threaten to leave.
At least Liverpool will never leave and cannot threaten to. If the unthinkable happens, they'll just start up another team.
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But in the franchise system here we're stuck. The Flames will charge as much as they can, put out a poor product (not the team but the arena experience) and then if the fans begin to waver, they'll threaten to leave.
At least Liverpool will never leave and cannot threaten to. If the unthinkable happens, they'll just start up another team.
This is part of exactly what I mean, Liverpool did indeed have a protest and many other clubs' supporters have done the same.
Because the tickets to go to the game dont need to be expensive. The tickets are Gravy.
Thats not how the NHL works though, the tickets are the bread and honey while the TV money is the gravy.
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I think it's mostly due to the breakout of digital entertainment. Cord cutters + the massive increase in entertainment options (relative to years gone by) declines viewership which in turn declines community engagement (and by extension gate).
Just wait till the new arena opens and all pricing goes up 25%...
Even if i could afford season tickets to my favourite team I wouldn't buy them. There is no value in that investment IMO.
Currently I'll buy tix to 2 or 3 games a year and get free tickets to 12-15. This year I'll likely buy less tickets.
It's getting to the point where it is almost cheaper to travel to Vegas and pick up tickets before the game from Tickets-for-tonight then to sit in the lower bowl in Calgary or Edmonton.
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It's getting to the point where it is almost cheaper to travel to Vegas and pick up tickets before the game from Tickets-for-tonight then to sit in the lower bowl in Calgary or Edmonton.
No....we passed that a long time ago.
It is cheaper to fly to Anaheim for a Flames game, spend the night and have lower bowl tickets than to go to the Dome.
Granted, we're going to lose because its Anaheim, but its cheaper.
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