Well since Hunt has such a lofty goal, I'm sure we'll hear plenty of updates on the numbers sold throughout the offseason so I figured it should have it's own thread. From the Star today. And, as of Friday, the Wizards had sold 2,468 full-season season-ticket equivalents (FSEs). That's fewer than the 3,416 season tickets the club sold last season and a third of the way toward the goal of 7,316. But there are still roughly four months before the season-opening game.
Whats everyones thoughts? I think this is pretty good considering there are still several months before the start of the season. I would think if we get Wolfe as expected then that would jump even higher. We are less than a 1000 under last years mark and it will surely grow more than that before the start. Not sure if it will hit the goal of what lamar wants but definelty will be a larger number than last year. What do you think?
I dunno, hopefully we'll get Wolff, it's not in the bag yet. But Lamar's gotta do something to actually get a few people around here excited about this team so if it's not him it's gotta be someone else. From the looks of these numbers we'll no doubt surpass last year's total, but I just can't fathom that we'll get near 7k season tickets. Maybe if they count every season ticket plan then ok cause that will include the non-full season varieties as well. If we surpass last years totals it's a success and if we get 5,000 I'll be extatic. But honestly if we get 7,316 I'm gonna be pretty pissed because then that means for the past 6 seasons we've been sitting on our asses not trying when we could have been out there selling season tickets. Of course I'll be happy at the same time, but c'mon, if you can more than double your season tickets in one off-season, you've been jerking off the last 6 off-seasons.
No it means they can't sell anything but your fans can. Which means maybe they should listen more. But seriuosly, they are not going to get 7000 and they will be lucky to get 4500. There is no need for anyone, beside us crazies to get a season ticket. It is not like there is a good product on the field. There will aways be tickets to games on gameday and most importantly Kansascitians don't give a damn about the Wiz. Well they might if we change our colors to Red and yellow and we are now the chef's
pessimism? i agree with what you are saying, but i think that even if there was a better product on the field it wouldn't change much. In 2000 we kept winning, and it rarely got more than a passing mention in KC news. We didn't even get much coverage when we won MLS cup. I think the real fight is with TV coverage that thinks High School football deserves more air time than a National Championship in Soccer. We need more and better tv coverage, i know people who arent soccer fans who will watch wizards games on Metros, but won't go to a game. We need to change how the media in KC deals with soccer, and Lamar Hunt talking about season tickets got as much coverage as us winning our 12th game in a row in 2000. Hopefully Josh Wolff will help, but how much? The people who will care already care. i think.
I don't know what's wrong. I was back in KC for the holidays, and the guys I used to go to Wizards games regularly with don't go anymore. One of them said he hasnt gone since I left KC, in 98! I scolded him of course, but these are soccer players/people. They are also the "casual" sports fan. I had season tickets, but I'd usually get 6-8 guys to go about 10 times a year, and now they arent going. Money is one of the major reasons....but there seemed to something else as well. I'm not optimistic that the goal will be reached. 5,000 should be considered a success. James
I dont think Josh Wolff will boost attendance very much. Most people don't know who he is besides the people who already go to games. The big name soccer coaches (when i say that I mean like u14 guys from pink panthers or whatever), they would know he was but thats probably enough to get them out there maybe once a year. I was talking to my friends dad whos a big soccer guy, goes to all the high school games and college games, but when I asked if he was excited about Josh Wolff, he just asked who Josh Wolff is.
He is not that big of a star and really he has no real drawing power. The only people that really know who he is are already going to the games. I don't see how this is going to help sell more season tickets.
No he isn't that big of a star. Obviously. But then outside of the soccer circle, who is? Meola, Lalas, Cobi Jones, maybe Donovan and McBride. This is about the media "educating" the public about who this guy is and getting the public excited about him. After all other sports "hype" their players, why not us?
season tickets I have been a season ticket holder for a couple of years now and I have come to the conclusion that it is better and cheaper for me to buy GA tickets at the game and sit in the Cauldron rather then buy a full priced ticket and sit anywhere else. Why would I want to pay an extra $5 a game just to have season tickets? Do I pay this just to have a lame jersey that isn't even the same color as our team kit? Anyone else have any thoughts on this? How many of the cauldron faithfull are Season ticket holders as compared to how many aren't?
Mine too, the only good thing you are doing is holding on to those seats. Maybe someday will have 30000 people at the games and you will still have premo seats. Hopefully by that time the Mystics are big enough to get the midfield location we all so desire.
i'm liking lamar's efforts for the season ticket drive but why would you want to be in the midfield? seriously i mean you are talking about the supporter's section, that's why i ask (the only reason)
Better seats the only real reason. I don't care where we are. I just want us to be able to stand and not be messed with that is all.
You are right on everything but the third thing will never happen. Reason being Metrosports is the only soccer friendly media in KC. The paper still sucks and radio still acts like we do not exsist.
"Come out and see US World Cup star Josh Wolff and the Wizards!" That's drawing power "World Cup Star" cause that's something we didn't have before. No it's not going to mean a huge increase of season tickets. But walk-up tickets it will increase.
No becuase people still need to know about when the games are and umless you get the Star you really don't have a clue when the Wizards play. The only reason I mention the Star is that little box on page 2 of the sports section of upcoming games. Sure every now and again there might be a radio add but not very often.
Bingo. I haven't lived in KC since 96, but it seems from down here that you wouldn't know that the Wizards were playing unless you were already a big fan. Do they distribute those little schedule cards like the Royals and Chiefs do? Are there any big billboards advertising them? The only mention they seem to get on the news is a half-azzed mention of the score at the end of the sports segment, and maybe a first half highlight. I have never seen a preview of "the big game" like they do for the Chiefs and even the Royals sometimes(I must admit I hardly ever watch the news anymore, so let me know if I'm wrong). I know they can't control the media, but I think some creative advertising could go a long way to create some awareness.
are the star articles that get linked to the daily news only on-line? because they are fairly regular during the season (better than other places)
fair enough... better seats they are and i suppose it would probably help you guys more in attracting new faces to the cauldron... being in a more centralized area perhaps working with management to set something up like what the burn had going at the cotton bowl would help... have a festive side and a family side cauldron centered on the festive side (and in the sun), with things being more in tuned with active support during the game just a thought to throw out -jim
FYI, we switched sections last year (really the end of 2001 season) and are no longer in the sun. I think we still have the stereotyped/percieved notion that we're an unruly frat/sports guy section, which isn't allways the truth.
For example, we have never chucked lemons and cups of ice water (throw in the sugar and we could have made lemonade) across the tunnel at opposing fans. We also aren't mullet wearing idiots who get on Arrowvision at least twice/game.
There would have to be something else. A season ticket is rediculously cheap. What, it's $12 for GA?!? Six tickets qualifies as a "seson ticket". That's $78 plus a little parking. It's cheaper than 2 videogames for X-box. A whole heckuva lot cheaper than most other habits. Plus tickets are even cheaper via the Entertainment book or the "Family 4-packs" during the season. Hmmm, 6 live professional games in the warmth of summer with tailgating in the lot, instant friends, chanting in the Cauldron, lightly dressed women, Wizards' dancers, activities, nice giveaways of team gear, and possibly a free pizza every game OR one first date with dinner, drinks, and dancing OR 1 Chief's game OR 1 speeding ticket OR 1 concert ticket and T-shirt OR 1 bad trip to the boat OR 3 cartons of cigarettes OR 2 boxes of Nicotine patches or gum OR 3 trips to the movies with your girlfriend(probably forgettable ones better suited for rental anyway) OR a new pair of butt-ugly shoes pimped by some guy you'll never be like and don't know personally OR a new baggy earth-toned whatever that you will not be caught dead in three years from now OR 1 anything T-Hilfiger, etc. OR a few meals out OR a few bar tabs and cover charges trying to hit on women you didn't take home OR 2 tanks of gas in a SUV No money my a**! Learn how to cook actual food (it tastes better), have a DD and get drunk before going out(you can pour your own drinks), rent a movie and be with her under a blanket(seriously), quit smoking (it's bad for you and others), quit gambling (the house always wins), cut back on the Vice City(be social-it'll still be there when you get home), wear Levi's(Tommy's not paying you to advertise for him), drive a real car(you don't need to be 5 ft. in the air to get where you are going), buy a ticket, have fun and quit whining. Beer's cheaper in the parking lot anyway. Hmmm, what to do, what to do, what to do? Give me a break.