Both games were played at the same time (essentially) and at the same place. The Metros had the benefit of all the Freddy hype, and the game was the home opener. They had months to promote the game and sell tickets. The Nets had the benefit of having a team that's been among the best in the league for a few years, as well as it being a playoff game for them against a rival. Also, by virtue of the fact that the Nets' opponent was the Knicks, the Nets could sell tickets to two sets of fans. The Nets had less than a week to promote this specific game, although they knew they would be in the playoffs for weeks if not months. Still, the Metros drew 31,000, while the Nets drew 18,000. According to the report in Newsday, 1000 Nets' tickets went unsold. What, if anything, does this mean? I'm not about to say that this proves that MLS is more popular than the NBA, but the inability to sell out a playoff game has to be a little embarrassing for the Nets and the NBA. The fact that the Metros sold over 70% more tickets for a soccer game played at the the same time and in the same place seems to render the date, time and location as irrelevant when trying to explain the Nets' failure to do better at the gate.
truth is, had it not been the Knicks that they were playing, attendance very likely would've been even lower...it is unfortunate for the Nets that they put together a winning team and brought in a true Superstar, yet have not seen a strong, reliable fan base come of it...despite efforts to keep them in New Jersey, i don't blame them for leaving...however, while it's great to outdraw anything really, i don't think it's too important...ideally, we get the F out of that hellhole ASAP and it all spontaneously implodes..
Move NJ Nets It would be nice if the media would mention that Metros sold more tickets than the Nets-Knicks playoffs game.
First of all, I'm amazed the Nets didn't sell out their playoff opener. Under normal circumstances it wouldn't be that surprising, but vs. the Knicks you'd figure they could manage to draw 19k. Then I looked at ticketmaster and, lo and behold, there are still tickets available in the 15th row on the floor for the Knicks-Nets series at the Garden on Thursday. I was able to score tickets to the first 2 Knicks playoff rounds in 1994, but I needed to send in a postcard and win a lottery for the privilege of being able to buy a block of 2 tickets to each game of the first two rounds... in the nosebleed seats. These days I could just walk up to the box office today and buy a ticket in the 15th row. While the Nets have never had a huge fanbase, even as they've made it to the finals in recent years, it's obvious the Knicks are not at all the draw they once were, either... playoffs or no playoffs. So yeah, basketball is going through a tough time in the NYC area. In the meantime, being outdoors on a beautiful spring day to see the Metro home opener and Freddy Adu was appealing to a few thousand folks who might have otherwise stayed home to watch the Yanks-Sox or Knicks-Nets game. That's the extent of what this all "means" right now. But if these folks liked what they saw of Metro and come back to the stadium consistently, that would mean something else entirely.
Here's my opinion of what it means: 1. On Thursday, Ticketmaster's website indicated that Games 1, 2 & 5 were sold out and people made other plans because of the nice weather. All of a sudden, I checked the site on Friday out of curiosity and found that tickets were available all of a sudden. 2. The 1,000 tickets you're referring to were in the Upper Tier in the corners near the ceiling. These tickets are worth $40, but I wouldn't sit there for free (unless it's the NBA Finals).
The nets game had everything going for it- the NY/Nj rivalry & the Marbury/Kidd matchup. Its pretty cool the Soccer game outdrew it. But it was a gorgeous day for a soccer game. Speaking of pathetic, I read the Stanley cup champ devils only get a 0.25 rating locally in the NJ area. Thats only a few thousand households tuning in. I think if the NHL goes on strike, the Devils may be moving from NJ. At least that leaves more fans for the Metros!
If the Metros beat the Nets... why did MSG devote an hour AFTER the game to the "Nets Press conference" Footie will always be the bastard child.
As soon as the Nets had a some-what decent team, they rose all the ticket prices on the fans. Between the price hike and the Brooklyn move, I say fcuk the Nets! I've always been a Knicks fan anyway.
Well don't forget that they are planning to move the Nets, so that has to kill any hope of having good attendance.
Let's face it, the Devils never had that many fans. Heck, my Flyers put 5,000 or so fans in the CAA just about every time they play in the swamp, playoffs or not. That there are three NHL teams in the NYC area boggles the mind. In any event, the Devils fans I know are largely not soccer fans, so I doubt the Metro would see a substantial bump. Even if every Debils fans switched and became ardent Metro supporters, you're talking about a small number of people judging from attendance and tv ratings. My guess is that Devil fans would switch back to the Rangers or Isles before they go to MLS. Besides, the two sports play seasons that have very little overlap.
Am I the only person on BigSoccer who likes soccer and other sports? Seems that way sometimes. Maybe I'm weird, but I am a soccer fan and a hockey fan. And a basketball fan too. I don't understand rooting for other teams/leagues to move or fail because that will somehow help the MetroStars and MLS. It won't. The NHL self-destructing won't help MLS or soccer in general one bit. And the Metros "beating" the Nets (hard to beat teams you don't play) ain't that big a deal, all they had to do was beat 20,049 and it was a guarantee.