Roughnecks for sale

[calgaryrocks]

Originally Posted by Slava

I've also been to a game and am only a little bit ashamed to admit that I really didn't know what was going on. Not all the time of course, but sometimes there were whistles and I looked at the guys I was with and asked why play stopped...it was a mystery to us all.

The comparison to hockey in Phoenix is a good one I think; as a sort of casual fan I just couldn't get into it, and really just needed more education before I could go to more games. On TV its fine because there is someone to explain things, but live it was lacking for me.

I think the TV thing is definitely key. I went to a few games (including both the championship games in Calgary) but the second one I understood more having watched it more (tv and in person). I think you are right that most people need to see it on tv with people explaining things, just going to the game could be very very confusing. look at what TSN has done for junior hockey and Canadian football. having games on tv is key but Roughnecks games are never on. They were on a bit more often early in the decade and I think they were doing well, the last few years you see the occasional Rock game on tv, but who in the west cares about Toronto teams?
tough to establish a team here competing against hockey, I wonder how things are going with the Edmonton team?
the culture isn't there yet for lacrosse watching, it did get more kids playing it though.
it's definitely not a money-maker at this point, flying players across the continent to Calgary to play each game, paying for championship rings etc. the games are much more affordable to go to then a Flames game, but just not as popular. If it was on tv more, and if they played more games they might do better attendance wide, garnering more interest.

as for the ingame music etc, I enjoy it as it gives a different feel to a game and tries to keep the fans involved, but it is so different from hockey (good and bad I guess) that it is hard to get the traditional hockey fan to buy in. with a large baby boom generation entering retirement, the demographics probably aren't suited for loud music etc at the games. I enjoy it, but I am a young adult

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

Basically Calgary is only a hockey town. People used to criticize the Montreal sports fan for not supporting the Expos and only caring about hockey but Calgary is the same way.... the flames put on a pretty poor on ice product, yet they still sell out. The Rigger games are a great time, hopefully they remain in calgary

The Stamps and their 30k average would like to remind you that Calgary is more than just a hockey town.

As far as Roughnecks attendance goes, the NLL is a minor league. One that I enjoy very much, but still just a minor league. The prices are similar to what you would pay for an AHL game, and the (real) attendance is similar. There is nothing unusual about this. The only market that draws "major league" numbers is Colorado in the 15k range. Edmonton, Philly, Toronto and Calgary will all announce in the 9-11k range for most games - and Toronto has seen its attendance plummet in recent years.

I hope the Flames are willing to take on the team, but if they don't, I wouldn't blame them. From what I understand the lease isn't nearly as bad as Bannister would have you believe, though the Flames do get the concessions. They also, of course, operate the concessions.

Hopefully someone does keep the team around though, as it is a fun sport to watch.

[Resolute 14]

Incidentally, the Roughnecks home opener is tomorrow, and they have a really effing stupid home schedule. Home games each of the next four Saturdays, then four weeks on the road, then four more consecutive Saturday/Friday home games.

And with all Friday/Saturday home games, it should be noted that the Flames are really helping the team out with quality dates for their games, even though the Flames and Hitmen have scheduling priority.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Incidentally, the Roughnecks home opener is tomorrow, and they have a really effing stupid home schedule. Home games each of the next four Saturdays, then four weeks on the road, then four more consecutive Saturday/Friday home games.

And with all Friday/Saturday home games, it should be noted that the Flames are really helping the team out with quality dates for their games, even though the Flames and Hitmen have scheduling priority.

you are aware the NLL only plays on weekends? They only have 3 days a week to choose and really they are all quality dates

[Resolute 14]

Yes I am. I am also aware that the Roughnecks first couple seasons featured a lot of Sunday afternoon games. No such games this year.

[jtfrogger]

I'm glad that Bannister is selling and I really hope that the Flames buy them.

I had season tickets for about three or four year, but I gave them up when it got to the point where it was cheaper to get tickets outside of being a season ticket holder. As a very recent example, I picked up tickets last week from Groupon for half price. I only bought one game, but all the tickets from the first month were available (i.e. the first half of their home games).

If they were owned by the Flames, they would be able to treat season ticket holders much better, like what they do with the Hitmen.

[fundmark19]

Looks like the roughnecks might be folding mid season. Really hope someone steps up to help them out cough flames cough

http://www.ilindoor.com/2011/02/23/r...used-on-floor/

[pylon]

Add me to the list of people that can't take a sport with blaring music during gameplay seriously. It gives it a total bush league feel, and is the single reason I won't go to the games. Until the NLL takes itself seriously, and acts presents itself like a pro sport, the fans won't either.

[3 Justin 3]

I have been to a couple games and watched the championship game the first time we won it. In my opinion they just aren't marketed well enough. The flames are marketed way more (they have the money, but still) and they really don't need to as we all know the flames (my entire work knows and they are all immigrants).

I never see anything for the Roughnecks anywhere, tv, newspaper, radio, nothing. Maybe I am just not tuned into Calgary enough but I only know of them because of when they first moved here and I have sort of forgotten about them over the years.

[troutman]

The game never worked for me, mainly because the goalies have ZERO chance. If they make a save, it is usually because the ball hit them.

[Resolute 14]

You should have watched the game early in the season when Colorado won. We should have beat them 20-10. We lost, mainly because their goalie was harder to beat than Kipper on outdoor ice...