What makes you think the media is actually seeing the 1200 figure? I know that's what's on the stats report, but do you think the Trib editor is actually perusing those stats and deciding whether to send a reporter to the next game? I highly doubt it. Anyways, don't blame the media for this one. Not even close. When there was more mass media coverage last year, when Len Ziehm was at over half the home games last year with no Blackhawks, and Nate Whalen with the Southtown was there even more . . . how many butts in seats do you think their presence accounted for? You can criticize the media for a lot, but it's not the media's fault that the Storm have struggled. Here's why there were 1200 people at the game on Sunday, in no particular order. 1) They were going against the end of the Fire. 2) They were going against the Bears. 3) They were going against the start of the Hawks. 4) Indoor soccer is a niche sport who's popularity has faded over the last two decades, especially with a viable outdoor league in town. My novel solution to the whole problem...if you're concerned about the team continuing, stop pointing the finger at the media, or even the management, which is a whole other enchilada you could blame. Point the finger at the ticket guy and say I want 4. Then pull out your cash and pay for the tickets. This is not a league that's gonna thrive on radio or TV "revenue". They need fans to buy tickets, but their marketing budget is limited. So bring a friend. Have them bring a friend. Have those friends bring friends. Bring a group. Word-of-mouth it. At this point, I think it's gonna require a grass-roots effort like this. Sorry for the ramblings.
I don't have any ill wishes for the Storm. I hope the organization does straighten things out. I did skip the opener because I didn't think the Storm would be prepared for the game in light of the chaos surrounding the team and because I wasn't even sure who would be playing. It's really up in the air whether I will attend any Storm games this season.
I don't buy your solution at all. If an automobile manufacturer isn't selling its product, it's not up to consumers to undertake a grass roots effort to save the company by purchasing its cars. Sports fans are consumers, too. It's up to the Storm organization to sell the team to Chicago area sports fans.
Skipper, you go to sporting events based on who is playing? the thought to do that has never occurred to me in any sport...or any game i have been to... I think glen's idea is a valid one with word of mouth, I have done that and turned quite a few people into soccer fans...people i would have never thought would give up 3 hours of their day to come, i invited them on a fluke as they were standing there while i was talking to someone about a game last year....now they are season ticket holders...I dont even have season tickets...if you enjoy the game, spread the love.....
Actually, they do. I mean, they do if it comes down to "do we cover this or not?" because it gives them ammunition to be able to say "No one cares." But, to be honest, for the most part the decision on whether or not to cover this team or that team is made before the first game, and there has to be a compelling reason (team gets really, really hot or signs a woman or sells a boatload of tickets for many games in a row) for them to move off of that stance. But trust me, they know when something isn't capturing the public's attention. That is absolutely true. And it's absolutely not true that Frank being on Comcast Sports Net before bobblehead night was the reason for the attendance spike. Media coverage is nice, and you'd rather have it than not have it, but it's overrated as a ticket sales strategy unless it enhances what you're already doing to sell tickets. Actually, here's the main reason, in this particular order: 1) This staff hasn't been in place very long, and it takes a while to sell tickets - especially groups. Because of #4, this product is hard enough to sell when you have time to do it (or, like Milwaukee, you've been doing it for years), but it's really, really hard when circumstances put you behind the 8-ball from the get-go. The other things are just convenient excuses, but they really aren't in the top few reasons.
I do like to know who is on a team's roster because of an experience I had years ago attending a game between the Chicago Power and a team called the New York Express. Many of the Express players had jerseys with tape over the name on the back of the jersey. A lot of those players looked and played like they were recruited from recreational indoor soccer leagues. The game was a travesty. I'd rather not have an experience like that again.
Kenn...you have made a few references to the spike in the attendance after the Comcast show, what do you attribute the spike to? It never occurred to me there was a spike in attendance, was it surrounding their winning streak, i can't remember the specifics....the front office does need time to get it together, brian lofton will do a great job if given a chance.....I mean by people here, not the Storm Organization....I have heard they are behind him and his efforts
well, I do hope you will change your mind about Storm games, to me whether they win or lose i always have a good time and more likely to be fun now that they will be serving beer soon
Im glad you can make the assumption on me being Storm Chaser... Great Job! I don't know who Storm Chaser is? I didn't even ever notice him/her. But hey, apparently you know more about me than I do myself
Im confident that the next game this weekend in Milwaukee will be more exciting and hopefully the Storm can be 1 and 1.
It's been very challenging to go word of mouth when the Storm hasn't been sharing any information, and raised ticket prices. If it lands on my shoulders to sell the team to people, they haven't sold it to me yet...
It's apples and oranges. Automobile manufacturers are a billion dollar industry. Indoor soccer isn't. I think a better comparison is a band signed to an independent label. That label isn't going to have the marketing strength that a Sony or RCA has, nor will they get the "media attention" (radio airplay, MTV when they bother to show videos). So that band is going to have to rely on two things to get popular...1) Novel ways of getting people to see their shows or listen to their albums, and 2) People telling other people about the band.
Tell me again why Brian Loftin is so great? I don't know anything about him, but I heard good things about him at the beginning of last season, too. But in his one year in Milwaukee he presided over a 40% drop in attendance. And the Storm opener this year was about a 60% drop from last year. It probably wasn't his fault, but that's what is on his resume so far.
nsl....Brian was NOT the COO of the Wave....and to get ready for the Storm opener he had no sales staff basically....basicaly he had 2 months to prepare, hiring staff etc....with all that said... "Brian joined the Chicago Storm on September 6th of 2005, after serving as the Vice President of Business Development for the Milwaukee Wave. Brian brings a solid understanding of the inner workings of Indoor Soccer. After retiring from playing in May of ’03, Brian transitioned very smoothly into the business world serving as the Director of Soccer Operations for the Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club and Uihlein Soccer Park. The Milwaukee Kickers boast nearly 8,000 players and a 14 field outdoor complex, with three full size indoor fields. Brian returned to the Wave only a year after his retirement, and aided the organization in its transition in ownership and personnel. Brian was named to the Milwaukee Business Journals Top 40 under 40 in 2005. Brian’s 10 year professional career saw him play in over 300 regular season indoor games tallying 289 goals, and multiple appearances with US National Futsal team. He won Championships in 1997 with the Kansas City Attack and three with the Milwaukee Wave, two as a player 2000 & 2001 and one in the front office in 2005." Chicago Storm website Give him a chance...Can't blame him for Milwaukee's attendance or the Storm opener for that matter
[ Actually, here's the main reason, in this particular order: 1) This staff hasn't been in place very long, and it takes a while to sell tickets - especially groups. Because of #4, this product is hard enough to sell when you have time to do it (or, like Milwaukee, you've been doing it for years), but it's really, really hard when circumstances put you behind the 8-ball from the get-go. The other things are just convenient excuses, but they really aren't in the top few reasons.[/QUOTE] Amen, preach it brother. I think this point is the biggest one that people keep over looking. It's almost a completely different staff from last year. And for ticket sales season / groups it's all about building those relationships with the people that put groups together (individuals/ teams / organizations). And it takes time to build those. Also, all organizations try to get to the point where their best customers are also their best sales people. There are a bunch of compaies that have grown because of this. Apple is a great example customers have become just as important in their marketing campaign.
