OT: Attendance Issues - Not Devils

We always see the thread about problems with our attendance so I will not rehash that subject. However, I was looking in the paper at yesterday's attendance figures around the league and they are pitiful for a Saturday. Obviously in Canada it was fine, but here in the U.S., we have big problems and hockey is on its way to obscurity unless something is done. These figures are inflated because unlike the Devils, many of these teams have ticket gimmicks where they basically give them away for free.

Carolina at Islanders: actual 13,136 / capacity 16,234
San Jose at Columbus: actual 13,234 / capacity 18,136
Nashville at Florida: actual 15,767 / capacity 17,113
Philadelphia at Boston: actual 14,956 / capacity 17,565
Washington at St. Louis: actual 16,863 / 19,260
Atlanta at Chicago: actual 15,789 / capacity 20,500

even Friday night in Detroit it was 2K shy of a sellout. Houston, we have a problem!

Tampa @ Detroit 60,442 reported / Capacity 60k-70k for football
New England @ Miami 71,951 reported / Capacity 76,500
Indianapolis @ Jacksonville (Monday Night) 67,164 reported / Capacity 76,877-80k (they actually close off one entire section of the upper deck)
Filthy @ NY Jets Reported 77,189 / Capacity 80,242
NY Giants @ Atlanta (Monday night) Reported 69,828 / Capacity 71,228

I understand the point being made, but the reality is even the biggest league in the US doesn't necessarily have the best numbers or sell outs on a game by game basis, including 2 games on Monday Night. While their overall numbers are obviously about 3 times the amount of Arena capacity the reality is the league is also bigger in a lot of ways. But when you look at the comparison the number disparities are pretty much identical.

The reason for revenue sharing is to create that kind of financial equality, which is why the NFL does it. Not every team pulls it's weight...and not every game is going to sell out.

Regardless though, the NHL needs better marketing. The reason the NFL is so dominant is the fact that they have plenty of Nationally Televised games, they have amazing marketing, and the local teams are on local channels, not cable channels.

What the NHL needs is Thursday night Hockey back on ESPN, or even beyond. They should keep their Versus contract but expand. The NFL uses 5 networks to air games, their own, NBC, ESPN, FOX and CBS. The NHL needs to work on getting on these types of local networks. I know NBC did games but they start after the all-star break...likely so they can hand choose the games based on popularity, record, rivalry, etc. It's bogus. Just because teams aren't great doesn't mean the games aren't exciting to watch.

That's my take at least. Exposure comes through television more than it does attendance these days. Get more games on easily accessible television. That's the key.

It was great to see a sea of red at The Rock last night. So many fans in Devils jerseys.

We always see the thread about problems with our attendance so I will not rehash that subject. However, I was looking in the paper at yesterday's attendance figures around the league and they are pitiful for a Saturday. Obviously in Canada it was fine, but here in the U.S., we have big problems and hockey is on its way to obscurity unless something is done. These figures are inflated because unlike the Devils, many of these teams have ticket gimmicks where they basically give them away for free.

Carolina at Islanders: actual 13,136 / capacity 16,234
San Jose at Columbus: actual 13,234 / capacity 18,136
Nashville at Florida: actual 15,767 / capacity 17,113
Philadelphia at Boston: actual 14,956 / capacity 17,565
Washington at St. Louis: actual 16,863 / 19,260
Atlanta at Chicago: actual 15,789 / capacity 20,500

even Friday night in Detroit it was 2K shy of a sellout. Houston, we have a problem!

The Islanders are a bad draw like we are so that explains that game. Columbus sucks and the fans are tired of sucking. Florida is a bad market and half those seats were given away. The Bruins are playing better but I gotta give the Boston market a pass because the Sox were playing in the World Series. St. Louis was terrible last year so the fans are still skeptical about shelling out hard earned cash for this team. The crowd in Chicago is an improvement over the last few years. All in all those numbers are not that shocking.

I can't wait to see the threads ripping Devils fans for the attendance next Wednesday against the lightning. My guess is 12,000.

The Islanders are a bad draw like we are so that explains that game. Columbus sucks and the fans are tired of sucking. Florida is a bad market and half those seats were given away. The Bruins are playing better but I gotta give the Boston market a pass because the Sox were playing in the World Series. St. Louis was terrible last year so the fans are still skeptical about shelling out hard earned cash for this team. The crowd in Chicago is an improvement over the last few years. All in all those numbers are not that shocking.

I can't wait to see the threads ripping Devils fans for the attendance next Wednesday against the lightning. My guess is 12,000.

In case you haven't noticed...the Bluejackets are 6-3-1 technically 3rd in the West (because they're behind Detroit in the division they're 4th by default) and they have 4 shutouts in 6 wins.



I don't think that classifies as sucking, just yet.

Edit: and for the record the Rags have the least goals in the NHL with 16, which is 4 behind the second lowest in Phoenix and they probably sell out of all their games.

The Islanders are a bad draw like we are so that explains that game. Columbus sucks and the fans are tired of sucking. Florida is a bad market and half those seats were given away. The Bruins are playing better but I gotta give the Boston market a pass because the Sox were playing in the World Series. St. Louis was terrible last year so the fans are still skeptical about shelling out hard earned cash for this team. The crowd in Chicago is an improvement over the last few years. All in all those numbers are not that shocking.

I can't wait to see the threads ripping Devils fans for the attendance next Wednesday against the lightning. My guess is 12,000.

Overall attendance in the NHL is not doing poorly, really. Islander attendance is actually up this year so far. Plus the Isles dont do the amount of giveaways people seem to think they do and they dont have much corporate seating or anything like that going on. They are also playing in the most run-down arena in the entire NHL, have few franchise players, and havent gotten out of the first round since 93. There is also NO direct way for anyone to get to the arena other than by car- which many of us dont have. But, proportionately, their attendance has STILL been completely comparable to the Devils- technically a tiny bit better. Theres no doubt in my mind that is going to change now, though.

It was great to see a sea of red at The Rock last night. So many fans in Devils jerseys.

Obviously it was pretty packed, but there were quite a few empty seats last night. On the other side of the ice from me (the side I could see) I counted 14 empty luxury boxes, and aside from that there were plenty of empty club seats and lower seats scattered. They did a poor job judging how many potential STH seats to hold back etc...

I think it's a bit rich for Devils fans to criticize other teams' attendance.

In case you haven't noticed...the Bluejackets are 6-3-1 technically 3rd in the West (because they're behind Detroit in the division they're 4th by default) and they have 4 shutouts in 6 wins.



I don't think that classifies as sucking, just yet.

Edit: and for the record the Rags have the least goals in the NHL with 16, which is 4 behind the second lowest in Phoenix and they probably sell out of all their games.

10 games doesn't convince a city that you suck (unless you're talking about the Devils). A lot of people in Columbus got tired of losing and gave up their tickets. If these winning ways last, you'll see an improvement in their attendance numbers. Wasn't there an Ohio State game yesterday?

Overall attendance in the NHL is not doing poorly, really. Islander attendance is actually up this year so far. Plus the Isles dont do the amount of giveaways people seem to think they do and they dont have much corporate seating or anything like that going on. They are also playing in the most run-down arena in the entire NHL, have few franchise players, and havent gotten out of the first round since 93. There is also NO direct way for anyone to get to the arena other than by car- which many of us dont have. But, proportionately, their attendance has STILL been completely comparable to the Devils- technically a tiny bit better. Theres no doubt in my mind that is going to change now, though.

The arena concerns/complaints about the Mausoleum are valid, but how is Islander attendance comparably better than the Devils? We've had years where we averaged over capacity for the dump in Uniondale.

10 games doesn't convince a city that you suck (unless you're talking about the Devils). A lot of people in Columbus got tired of losing and gave up their tickets. If these winning ways last, you'll see an improvement in their attendance numbers. Wasn't there an Ohio State game yesterday?

Yes there was, but it was at Penn St.

And anyway, I think you're making some pretty bold assumptions based on, well, nothing. Detroit is one of the best teams in the league and they've been falling short on numbers, including not selling out playoff games. Whether or not a team sucks really doesn't have a huge impact on attendance as much as economical factors, ticket prices, etc.

I think to go out on a limb and suggest you know the mindset of the fans as a whole is pretty stupid. Winning does draw fans, but that is not the sole factor. New Jersey is a perfect example of that...

Hey I think I saw some commercials about the Devils during the Devils game last night!

We always see the thread about problems with our attendance so I will not rehash that subject. However, I was looking in the paper at yesterday's attendance figures around the league and they are pitiful for a Saturday. Obviously in Canada it was fine, but here in the U.S., we have big problems and hockey is on its way to obscurity unless something is done. These figures are inflated because unlike the Devils, many of these teams have ticket gimmicks where they basically give them away for free.

Carolina at Islanders: actual 13,136 / capacity 16,234
San Jose at Columbus: actual 13,234 / capacity 18,136
Nashville at Florida: actual 15,767 / capacity 17,113
Philadelphia at Boston: actual 14,956 / capacity 17,565
Washington at St. Louis: actual 16,863 / 19,260
Atlanta at Chicago: actual 15,789 / capacity 20,500

even Friday night in Detroit it was 2K shy of a sellout. Houston, we have a problem!None of these numbers are that bad, really. The league is stronger than ever revenues are up. You think in 1985 all arenas were packed? Back in the day most buildings only held 15,000 to 16,000 seats so those aren't bad. Since last year 2 years after the lockout some teams have raised ticket prices. btw Florida was at Nashville.

The arena concerns/complaints about the Mausoleum are valid, but how is Islander attendance comparably better than the Devils? We've had years where we averaged over capacity for the dump in Uniondale.

They have been comparable and only marginally better, essentially equal.
Im talking about the last few seasons though, not the last 30+ years.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2007
#26 NY Islanders avg: 79.1% home capacity
#28 New Jersey avg: 74.5% home capacity

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2006
#26 NY Islanders avg: 77.4% home capacity
#27 New Jersey avg: 74.7% home capacity

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2004
#22 NY Islanders avg: 82.4% home capacity
#26 New Jersey avg: 78.3% home capacity

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2003
#17 NY Islanders avg: 91.6% home capacity
#26 New Jersey avg: 78.0% home capacity

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2002
#20 NY Islanders avg: 89.3% home capacity
#22 New Jersey avg: 83.6% home capacity

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2001
#23 New Jersey avg: 82.2% home capacity
#29 NY Islanders avg: 68.0% home capacity

And aside from a lack of giveaways, these stats do not factor in the unbelievable lack of corporate seating at NVMC... in these kinda of stats, if you could factor for that, the Isles would so even better. Islanders ticket sales are comprised more of simply Islander fan tickets than any other team in the NHL.

The Devs have not averaged a higher percentage of their arena full for home games since 2000-2001, which was the year before the Isles started making the playoffs again.

I think it's a bit rich for Devils fans to criticize other teams' attendance.
LOL- its something neither the Isles OR the Devs have had the right to say anything about!!! :D

But like I said, that is ALL going to change now that the Devils have somewhere so unbelievably beautiful to play and we just have... the Crapiseum.

Its like, you guys have an ice bar, while we have outdoor portapotties. And its not changing any time soon.

:(

They have been comparable and only marginally better, essentially equal.
Im talking about the last few seasons though, not the last 30+ years.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2007
#26 NY Islanders avg: 79.1% home capacity
#28 New Jersey avg: 74.5% home capacity

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2006
#26 NY Islanders avg: 77.4% home capacity
#27 New Jersey avg: 74.7% home capacity

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2004
#22 NY Islanders avg: 82.4% home capacity
#26 New Jersey avg: 78.3% home capacity

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2003
#17 NY Islanders avg: 91.6% home capacity
#26 New Jersey avg: 78.0% home capacity

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2002
#20 NY Islanders avg: 89.3% home capacity
#22 New Jersey avg: 83.6% home capacity

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2001
#23 New Jersey avg: 82.2% home capacity
#29 NY Islanders avg: 68.0% home capacity

And aside from a lack of giveaways, these stats do not factor in the unbelievable lack of corporate seating at NVMC... in these kinda of stats, if you could factor for that, the Isles would so even better. Islanders ticket sales are comprised more of simply Islander fan tickets than any other team in the NHL.

The Devs have not averaged a higher percentage of their arena full for home games since 2000-2001, which was the year before the Isles started making the playoffs again.


LOL- its something neither the Isles OR the Devs have had the right to say anything about!!! :D

But like I said, that is ALL going to change now that the Devils have somewhere so unbelievably beautiful to play and we just have... the Crapiseum.

Its like, you guys have an ice bar, while we have outdoor portapotties. And its not changing any time soon.

:(


Those are skewed numbers because it's percentage of filled seats. If the Devils drew 17,000 fans average those years and the Isles drew 15,000 average, the Isles would have a higher percentage of filed seats. I'd like to see the actual attendance figures, not that it really matters. Up until last year both teams played in dumps and had horrendous attendance.

I dont know whats up with Chicago, I'd be at every game if I lived there. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews alone are worth the price of admission.

I dont know whats up with Chicago, I'd be at every game if I lived there. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews alone are worth the price of admission.

Well by not airing many home games, i think they've alienated a lot of fans. Not to mention having fallen apart over the past 3-4 seasons (if not longer).

They have been comparable and only marginally better, essentially equal.
Im talking about the last few seasons though, not the last 30+ years.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2007
#26 NY Islanders avg: 79.1% home capacity
#28 New Jersey avg: 74.5% home capacity

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2006
#26 NY Islanders avg: 77.4% home capacity
#27 New Jersey avg: 74.7% home capacity

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2004
#22 NY Islanders avg: 82.4% home capacity
#26 New Jersey avg: 78.3% home capacity

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2003
#17 NY Islanders avg: 91.6% home capacity
#26 New Jersey avg: 78.0% home capacity

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2002
#20 NY Islanders avg: 89.3% home capacity
#22 New Jersey avg: 83.6% home capacity

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2001
#23 New Jersey avg: 82.2% home capacity
#29 NY Islanders avg: 68.0% home capacity

And aside from a lack of giveaways, these stats do not factor in the unbelievable lack of corporate seating at NVMC... in these kinda of stats, if you could factor for that, the Isles would so even better. Islanders ticket sales are comprised more of simply Islander fan tickets than any other team in the NHL.

The Devs have not averaged a higher percentage of their arena full for home games since 2000-2001, which was the year before the Isles started making the playoffs again.


LOL- its something neither the Isles OR the Devs have had the right to say anything about!!! :D

But like I said, that is ALL going to change now that the Devils have somewhere so unbelievably beautiful to play and we just have... the Crapiseum.

Its like, you guys have an ice bar, while we have outdoor portapotties. And its not changing any time soon.

:(

I don't feel like getting into a pissing match over the Isles and Devils attendance numbers, since they both generally suck, but going by capacity is stupid. The Isles capacity numbers should be better than the Devils at CAA since CAA has almost 3,000 more seats.

Those are skewed numbers because it's percentage of filled seats. If the Devils drew 17,000 fans average those years and the Isles drew 15,000 average, the Isles would have a higher percentage of filed seats. I'd like to see the actual attendance figures, not that it really matters. Up until last year both teams played in dumps and had horrendous attendance.

How many times has the weight room in CAA been filled with raw sewage?
How many times did YOU pay for a seat and when you get to it find out that it was broken and you couldnt even sit down? Happened to me more than once.
How many rows of portapotties did CAA have to bring in just so people could pee after buying beer off rolling carts without having to wait 35 minutes?
How many water-filled buckets did Devils fans have to step around due to the leaks in CAAs roof?
How many times were the Devils afraid to step on the ice because the scoreboard was about to fall down and kill them all as they were playing?

PLEASE- even the discarded CAA is a flippin PALACE compared to the Crapiseum. If you could transplant it to LI there would be celebrations in the streets- THAT is how bad things are for my poor boys on Long Island. In all honesty the fact that ANY of us still go there is a testament to how much we love our team and NOTHING else.

But its a MOOT POINT because, AGAIN, it will no longer be an issue for you guys.

How many times has the weight room in CAA been filled with raw sewage?
How many times did YOU pay for a seat and when you get to it find out that it was broken and you couldnt even sit down? Happened to me more than once.
How many rows of portapotties did CAA have to bring in just so people could pee after buying beer off rolling carts without having to wait 35 minutes?
How many water-filled buckets did Devils fans have to step around due to the leaks in CAAs roof?
How many times were the Devils afraid to step on the ice because the scoreboard was about to fall down and kill them all as they were playing?

PLEASE- even the discarded CAA is a flippin PALACE compared to the Crapiseum. If you could transplant it to LI there would be celebrations in the streets- THAT is how bad things are for my poor boys on Long Island. In all honesty the fact that ANY of us still go there is a testament to how much we love our team and NOTHING else.

But its a MOOT POINT because, AGAIN, it will no longer be an issue for you guys.

You win. Nassau is an absolute dump. I do feel a bit sorry for Isles fans. At least you guys have a better record than us.

You win. Nassau is an absolute dump. I do feel a bit sorry for Isles fans.

Yay, I win.
Great.
:cry:



At least you guys have a better record than us.

Nah, our records are comparable as well.

And with improved attendance in a beautiful venue along with the fact that you wont always be playing teams like OTTAWA, I think things for the Devs are going to be fine.

And your point is?

Funny you should say that, I was wonder the same thing with your post. While all of that might be true, seems to me it's more because someone proved you wrong by pointing out the disparities with the percentages, that you went to sympathy tactics to try and be right.

just drop it. it's moot because it's all irrelevant on this level, it really is.

The Coliseum may be the worst place in the world. Over the years, I've had to sit in a folding chair and a stool. I've been accosted by a Dragon, and I've lived in fear that the building was certain to collapse around me.

I go to about 4 or 5 games a season at that death-trap, so I can sympathize with Ice-lander fans. It was fine in 1983... but they have got to blow that piece of **** up!

Funny you should say that, I was wonder the same thing with your post. While all of that might be true, seems to me it's more because someone proved you wrong by pointing out the disparities with the percentages, that you went to sympathy tactics to try and be right.

just drop it. it's moot because it's all irrelevant on this level, it really is.

Um, nobody proved me "wrong" about anything. I said that the Devils and Islander attendance has been comparable. Do you know what "comparable" means? It means that one cant look down at the other. Where was I proved "wrong" about THAT???

And FYI *I* am not the one who brought the Islanders and their attendance up on your board, I simply responded to it. And I was also RESPONDING to the comparison of NVMC and CAA.

Why dont you go look around- I have not said ONE thing that was anything BUT respectful to this team or its old/new venues. Cant say the same about your response to me, though.

Man- theres always one in the bunch, huh? :shakehead

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/7919/attendance07chartaw0.jpg

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6905/attendance07jp1.jpg

Please note that Philly got a new arena in the mid-90s as well.

I'm going to do the whole league today as well.

I'm going to do the whole league today as well.
Some of them have games tonight, better get busy! :naughty:

Um, nobody proved me "wrong" about anything. I said that the Devils and Islander attendance has been comparable. Do you know what "comparable" means? It means that one cant look down at the other. Where was I proved "wrong" about THAT???

And FYI *I* am not the one who brought the Islanders and their attendance up on your board, I simply responded to it. And I was also RESPONDING to the comparison of NVMC and CAA.

Why dont you go look around- I have not said ONE thing that was anything BUT respectful to this team or its old/new venues. Cant say the same about your response to me, though.

Man- theres always one in the bunch, huh? :shakehead

Well for one you're going off on a tangent (you know what those are, right?) about respectability in terms of the context of your points. But the Islanders were merely one aspect of the entire point and the picture was overall. The basic point was teams are not selling out games. Then you turn it into the Islanders only when they were merely one example of many.

To further your point you go and post all these percentage statistics, having never taken into account the capacity of each respective building, therefore skewing the perception slightly to your advantage.

Are they comparable? sure they are, but I also never said they weren't FYI! (snoot snoot snoot)

But regardless, you gotta throw a pity party about the condition of your building. In all honesty, I highly doubt anyone here really cares about the condition of your building. Sure it sucks, I agree. But I also wouldn't support a team that doesn't have the consideration to give it's fans a decent venue to watch the team.

CAA sucked, but as you even said, it wasn't THAT bad. Especially not as bad as things you've said and I've heard about Nassau. So don't come here and whine about the conditions of your building just to make a point. It is moot, you said it yourself so why say it? Because you wanted the sympathy.

Theres always one person that has to go to great lengths to prove absolutely nothing, that my friend, is you. :shakehead

Let it go, and get your nose out of the air.

Some of them have games tonight, better get busy! :naughty:

Yepp, first I'm going to do all the full seasons, and start from there. Breaking up comparisons by divisions, conference, and league as a whole.

Yepp, first I'm going to do all the full seasons, and start from there. Breaking up comparisons by divisions, conference, and league as a whole.

where were you when I needed help with my Stat homework? hahaha

Are they comparable? sure they are, but I also never said they weren't FYI! (snoot snoot snoot)
And *I* didnt say you DID, "snoot snoot snoot". The only one that did was the guy telling me how "wrong" I was. As logic would dictate, he apparently thinks you are wrong as well.


But regardless, you gotta throw a pity party about the condition of your building. In all honesty, I highly doubt anyone here really cares about the condition of your building. Sure it sucks, I agree. But I also wouldn't support a team that doesn't have the consideration to give it's fans a decent venue to watch the team.
You dont know the situation. Im certainly not going to get in to it here, but believe me- this has NOTHING to do with the team or their consdieration, it has to do with contracts signed by previous owners and with Nassau County. To blame the Isles themselves for this mess would be crazy and unfair.


CAA sucked, but as you even said, it wasn't THAT bad. Especially not as bad as things you've said and I've heard about Nassau. So don't come here and whine about the conditions of your building just to make a point. It is moot, you said it yourself so why say it? Because you wanted the sympathy.

Theres always one person that has to go to great lengths to prove absolutely nothing, that my friend, is you. :shakehead
Ya know, I could see if someone came in and started **** with you guys, but I didnt. If its the case that you just dont want to hear from Islanders fans AT ALL, even when they are conducting themselves respectfully, then it might not be a great idea to bring them up in the first place... ESPECIALLY when it is regarding something that both teams have struggled with.


Let it go, and get your nose out of the air.
Again, I have not said anything disrespectful about your team or your venue(s). If you think that what Ive said here is "nose in the air" then you have a really unusual definition of that one.

Things may look bad now, but with Chicago having possibility of gaining fans again and actually starting to get noticed in Chicago, Devil's attendance which will be up, St. Louis's excellent attendance, Islander's better then expected attendance, its not all bad. Sure Detroit didnt sell out, but that doesnt really have to do with their fan base. Economy, and arena is the factor. Colorado didnt sell out. World Series. Overall, attendance loss of NHL was more than made up by teams with horrible attendance last year.

Well for one you're going off on a tangent

Let it go, and get your nose out of the air.

there, i highlighted the important parts of what I said to elaborate slightly:

Tangent: Repeatedly making the statement about not disrespecting our venue? Relevance=0.

Let it go: Shouldn't you have better things to do than argue something this stupid? Yes it's stupid, but at least I have the excuse of being young, bored, and stupid enough to argue it. You pretty much don't.

Let me reiterate: Let It Go

There should be a rule preventing Devils fans from talking about attendance issues of other teams.

We have a Buisiness of Hockey forum for that.

Things may look bad now, but with Chicago having possibility of gaining fans again and actually starting to get noticed in Chicago, Devil's attendance which will be up, St. Louis's excellent attendance, Islander's better then expected attendance, its not all bad. Sure Detroit didnt sell out, but that doesnt really have to do with their fan base. Economy, and arena is the factor. Colorado didnt sell out. World Series. Overall, attendance loss of NHL was more than made up by teams with horrible attendance last year.

I'm really pulling for Chicago. If you ask me their story is a much sadder affair than that of Nashville, in that they're an original 6 team that was basically decimated by their former owner over the last decade +.

I really hope people can see the extremely bright future of that team and get behind them again and support them.

Thus far I find that Toews and Kane has been a way better combination than a Malkin + Crosby. Not to take anything away from Crosby and Malkin but that's just how I see it so far this season. I wish I could catch a Blackhawks game to see those two kids in action.

I am sure Hawks will come to Rock some time this season.

I am sure Hawks will come to Rock some time this season.

I don't think we play at all this season, actually. Hopefully next year with a new schedule.

just a quick question guys. I know his has probably been asked a million times, but just humor me. Is the new arena for the devils only, or do other teams play there as well????

just a quick question guys. I know his has probably been asked a million times, but just humor me. Is the new arena for the devils only, or do other teams play there as well????

I believe Seton Halls basketball team plays there...um, I think an indoor soccer or Lacrosse team? Someone else might have better info on that.

And I think the practice rink is going to be used for local hockey teams, but I'm not positive on that one either.

Things may look bad now, but with Chicago having possibility of gaining fans again and actually starting to get noticed in Chicago, Devil's attendance which will be up, St. Louis's excellent attendance, Islander's better then expected attendance, its not all bad. Sure Detroit didnt sell out, but that doesnt really have to do with their fan base. Economy, and arena is the factor. Colorado didnt sell out. World Series. Overall, attendance loss of NHL was more than made up by teams with horrible attendance last year.And if Columbus continues to win they'll get their fans back. The Jackets were getting 16,000 plus crowds every year at the 18,000 seat Nationwide Arena.

And if Columbus continues to win they'll get their fans back. The Jackets were getting 16,000 plus crowds every year at the 18,000 seat Nationwide Arena.

Right.

I still maintain my opinion that this is a novelty and the building is more of an attraction and a place to be. I am sure the Devils will sell out 15-20 games this year unless they are just an absolute joke and the Devils are not that bad once they find a happy medium and they get a few key players back from injury.

If this were next season and the Devils had the start they they have had this season I do think it would effect attendance. just like if the Rangers stunk up the joint, it would hurt their attendance as well. I am not talking about tickets sold. I am talking about fans in the stands.


If the Devils have a miserable season and then come back next year as an elite power house this building will be rocking every night.

We always see the thread about problems with our attendance so I will not rehash that subject. However, I was looking in the paper at yesterday's attendance figures around the league and they are pitiful for a Saturday. Obviously in Canada it was fine, but here in the U.S., we have big problems and hockey is on its way to obscurity unless something is done. These figures are inflated because unlike the Devils, many of these teams have ticket gimmicks where they basically give them away for free.

Carolina at Islanders: actual 13,136 / capacity 16,234
San Jose at Columbus: actual 13,234 / capacity 18,136
Nashville at Florida: actual 15,767 / capacity 17,113
Philadelphia at Boston: actual 14,956 / capacity 17,565
Washington at St. Louis: actual 16,863 / 19,260
Atlanta at Chicago: actual 15,789 / capacity 20,500

even Friday night in Detroit it was 2K shy of a sellout. Houston, we have a problem!

There's not much that can be done. Letting the game stablize for more than a
week at a time would help.

Prices are out of whack. The salary cap bloats. As this continues, less and less
***** will end up in the seats. Don't forget, those "actuals" count comps. And the team can say whatever they want vis a vis people showing up.

The worst thing for the league is that there is sag in places like Dallas and Colorado
over the last couple of years, those are places where the teams are not what they
used to be (although Colorado does have some hope to get back in the future), and
you have to wonder if the extended honeymoon is over.

With the US/CDN exchange the way it is, the cap will probably go up again and
teams will spend and charge more. And there's the potential for a charity case
franchise to move to Ontario and become a big moneymaker.

The league has alot of problems brewing in US markets.

Tampa @ Detroit 60,442 reported / Capacity 60k-70k for football
New England @ Miami 71,951 reported / Capacity 76,500
Indianapolis @ Jacksonville (Monday Night) 67,164 reported / Capacity 76,877-80k (they actually close off one entire section of the upper deck)
Filthy @ NY Jets Reported 77,189 / Capacity 80,242
NY Giants @ Atlanta (Monday night) Reported 69,828 / Capacity 71,228

I understand the point being made, but the reality is even the biggest league in the US doesn't necessarily have the best numbers or sell outs on a game by game basis, including 2 games on Monday Night. While their overall numbers are obviously about 3 times the amount of Arena capacity the reality is the league is also bigger in a lot of ways. But when you look at the comparison the number disparities are pretty much identical.

The reason for revenue sharing is to create that kind of financial equality, which is why the NFL does it. Not every team pulls it's weight...and not every game is going to sell out.

Regardless though, the NHL needs better marketing. The reason the NFL is so dominant is the fact that they have plenty of Nationally Televised games, they have amazing marketing, and the local teams are on local channels, not cable channels.

What the NHL needs is Thursday night Hockey back on ESPN, or even beyond. They should keep their Versus contract but expand. The NFL uses 5 networks to air games, their own, NBC, ESPN, FOX and CBS. The NHL needs to work on getting on these types of local networks. I know NBC did games but they start after the all-star break...likely so they can hand choose the games based on popularity, record, rivalry, etc. It's bogus. Just because teams aren't great doesn't mean the games aren't exciting to watch.

That's my take at least. Exposure comes through television more than it does attendance these days. Get more games on easily accessible television. That's the key.


Until the NHL gets TV deals in the billions and marketing deals in the god-knows-what, this comparison is not good.

The NHL needs ***** in the seats.

And marketing is not the difference between the NFL and the NHL. Almost everyone is a football fan in some way, shape or form. It's become an American "tradition".

Hockey, not so much so. It's a niche sport that is regional. I mean, what do you
think the NHL on NBC or Versus numbers are in say, Omaha, or any midwest market
without a team? Even those *with* a team.

I'm going with flat zero.

I think it's a bit rich for Devils fans to criticize other teams' attendance.

I don't see it as a criticism. It's a serious problem. Hopefully the Globe and Mail
does the papering expose again to show how bad it is.

People have to get past this Devil fan, Ranger fan, Shark fan, Canuck fan, Coyote fan, whatever fan stuff. We're all in this together. As someone that has "invested" alot of money into a black hole, I'd really not want to see that go to
naught. And right now, I don't think the league's long term prognosis, to survive as it is today, is all that good.