MJ. wants the team Brown wants more fans

[dav7z]

MJ is wanting controling instrest in the Bobcats. Thoughts
L Brown thinks the team deserves more fans. Thoughts
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/bobcats/story/1193458.html


Charlotte has be come a quility product . And like Brown i want to see the place packed . I think attendance is starting grow. The place is getting loud . But i want us to become like the carmron crazys. A damn hard place to come into town and play.

[Fred Williamson]

MJ is wanting controling instrest in the Bobcats. Thoughts
L Brown thinks the team deserves more fans. Thoughts
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/bobcats/story/1193458.html


Charlotte has be come a quility product . And like Brown i want to see the place packed . I think attendance is starting grow. The place is getting loud . But i want us to become like the carmron crazys. A damn hard place to come into town and play.

That would be so awesome. I think this would give our players an extra Boost and we would be unbeatable at home. Teams would be scared to come to Charlotte.

[BRNC]

I think teams (this year) are scared to come here...

BJ may have come to terms that he was asking too much for the team and might give MJ a better price now...would be nice...and I would really like our home attendance to jumped...these players deserve to be seen...

[spectre]

In regards to the "more fans" by LB...Bill Ingram of Hoopsworld expanded on that:

NBA At 2: Wake Up, Charlotte! (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=15052)

[docend24]

You know, for me the place is a non-issue, I would be a fan even if they would move the team elsewhere. But I'm used to you all on both boards and I know seeing that twice would break some hearts so I hope for the best for you. I would miss some.

[TheBeagle]

In regards to the "more fans" by LB...Bill Ingram of Hoopsworld expanded on that:

NBA At 2: Wake Up, Charlotte! (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=15052) Great article! Yeah, I'm actually quite pissed about this recent homestand in terms of folks coming out. And, yes, this is coming from the guy who doesn't like full houses because of traffic issues, but shit, this team is too good to get such pitiful turnouts. Ingram was right, last night was horrific considering the circumstances. Shit, there were more people coming out for the Sam Vincent Cats than what've come out these last 6 games!!! I and MT had a pretty long discussion on some issues during the garbage time that was the 4th quarter last night, and the attendence issue came up. I was red in the face and spouting out occassional foul language at the people of Charlotte, and MT was equally distressed indicating that people said that if the Cats won, people would come....so where are they?

It's ironic, it's the greatest time EVER to be a Bobcats fan, yet I am bitter as all hell about the city they play in. Really, I'm to the point I fucking hate Charlotte and the fuckers that live there who don't support the team. One of the largest city's in America, and we can't get at least 17K actual humans to come to see some of the best basketball the city's ever seen? Fuck 'em. I love this team and I love driving 70 miles each way to see them play, but I hate the piece of shit city they play in, or more to the point, the pieces of shit that inhabit the city.

[bozzy]

You can thank the Bobcats for screwing all of the fans of the Carolinas so they can't actually watch the team. There's a reason why no one is showing up even though they are playing like this. Most of the people in the Carolinas have no chance to see how great they have been playing.

[dav7z]

It was more than 5000 at the last game . But Beagle is right it hasn't been much of a differance in ticket sales . Though Mondays day game a lot of season holders couldn't come to . None of the regular season holders around me could come. Wensday a lot of people go to church so that might have hurt i don't know . But the Orlando game Saturday night should give us a good idea if attendance is going to grow. Good team good time no excuses for a bad croud. I expect the cable box packed . Things are starting to get out . One good home stand won't do it but a winning record should . My rep told me he had more calls last week than any week this season. And he thought things are about to turn around

[Ghost Kat]

Bob Johnson aka Dick Dastardly may be a billionaire but his products suck. That stupid horse show last year that caused us to play the last ten or so games of the season on the road year, Bad choice. BET, bad choice. His handling of the Cats so far...nothing but bad choices. He is an " in name only" owner. But since the Cats are winning I think he'll ride it out, trying to see if he can sell for more profit.

[Wolfpackbobcat]

Don't complain about not getting the game...im from Charlotte and i can watch them here in Raleigh on FSN..the problem is marketing...there is ZERO marketing outside of Charlotte it seems....nothing at all.....the Bobcats have to cater to nc/sc ..not just Charlotte...also around here there is still the vibe that the Bobcats are a tarhole laden team...which is a little bit true (Larry Browns staff) but that shouldnt matter...i hate the tarholes as much as anyone ..but they were in school a long time ago..

Remember this state has great basketball...its not all about the tarholes...the Cats should use some of that history to lure in newer fans

[Dcarnys]

Don't complain about not getting the game...im from Charlotte and i can watch them here in Raleigh on FSN..the problem is marketing...there is ZERO marketing outside of Charlotte it seems....nothing at all.....the Bobcats have to cater to nc/sc ..not just Charlotte...also around here there is still the vibe that the Bobcats are a tarhole laden team...which is a little bit true (Larry Browns staff) but that shouldnt matter...i hate the tarholes as much as anyone ..but they were in school a long time ago..

Remember this state has great basketball...its not all about the tarholes...the Cats should use some of that history to lure in newer fans

Its not marketed in Charlotte ethier, I remember growing up 50 miles out of NYC. All i would see anywhere is Yankees, mets, jets, giants etc. The logos were plastered all over the place. Weither it was cars, billboards, houses the whole 9. I see it for the Panthers and the tarheels but thats it. I remember the Hurricanes won it all in 06. Nothing. any explaination. Its a shame that its not like that BUT its somthing I would love to see in the future.

[BobCatsFanInTx]

Marketing or not any sports fan can tune in to NBA TV, FSN, ESPN or for that matter TNT and see what is being said by sports broadcasters and analyst about the Bobcats. The Bobcats have been getting plenty of coverage and attention for a little over a month and there is no reason that alone should not work as a marketing tool to get fans in TWC arena.

The sting of losing the hornets should be less of a reason by now for people. I predict that if this keeps up into next season with the Bobcats winning and making the playoffs that Charlotte and more or less all of the North Carolina will lose yet another team. The difference this time though is that it won't be the fault of a shitty owner. Yes Mr. Johnson has not been the best owner in the world but he has not tried to move the Bobcats. If that happens this time it will be on the people of North Carolina and not a shitty owner.

I know it is a touchy subject to take on the lack of support for the Bobcats but it has to be acknowledged. It at some point becomes irrelevant to make excuses for the poor turn out at TWC arena. With the Bobcats climbing to over 500 the earliest in the franchises history there is no reason that TWC can't do better.

Hell, with the Bobcats making noise in the NBA fan turnout has fallen as opposed to risen. Even if one can say that marketing has been poor after this much time in Charlotte that should be much less an issue. For one, word of mouth will at some point start to be effective. With the Bobcats now in Charlotte for a sixth season word should have spread.

I would like to be pissed at your areas sports fans and basketball fans but I remember when they were considered the best and most loyal fans in the NBA. I suppose these Bobcats would be like an arranged marriage. Your state went through a bitter divorce where your wife the Hornets left and ripped out your hearts so you were not ready to get remarried. However through no desire of the city or states people an arranged marriage was forced down your throats.
In that way of looking at things I can see how some might view these Bobcats. With the desire for this wife to be like the last almost immediately the Bobcats could not win. However the Bobcats have for the most part been a classy wife.

In the world of expansion even today, it is rare for a new organization to make ALL the right moves and be a contender in five years or less. The last time I remember an expansion team being a real contender in five or less was when Orlando's Magic made the finals in year five. As far as other expansions they were no more successful this early on than the Bobcats have been. Players for these other expansion teams came and went in five years or less. Former Hornets fans of the Carolinas should remember this. As of now though there are a few mainstays in Crash and Felton who have shown class and hard hustling throughout their careers. The Bobcats have been a loyal wife with no talk of moving even with a husband that does not pay attention to the wife. It is time the marriage of the Bobcats and the people of Charlotte and more or less the Carolina's becomes fruitful. The days of making excuses are nearing an end. If this Bobcats organization hits the half way point above 500 then the people of North Carolina have no excuse not to support this team and be happy with this wife.

[catsandheels]

did anyone see in sports illustrated they had a little side article about lb and mj. They said that new ownership wont want jordan and dont expect LB to be coachin us next year

[teej]

did anyone see in sports illustrated they had a little side article about lb and mj. They said that new ownership wont want jordan and dont expect LB to be coachin us next year

First, there's no guarantee Postolos is buying.

Second, I expect MJ to be given an opportunity to match the Postolos offer.

Third, the article was talking about after the 2010-2011 season.

And if we keep winning, I don't expect Bob to sell. He might not always have good products, but he's a smart man. He knows a winner in Charlotte will bring the fans, and money with it.

And tex, the lease agreement the team signed means it might cost more for the team to move than it would to buy the team in the first place. I think it'd be like $250-300 millon to violate the lease...

[BobCatsFanInTx]

First, there's no guarantee Postolos is buying.

Second, I expect MJ to be given an opportunity to match the Postolos offer.

Third, the article was talking about after the 2010-2011 season.

And if we keep winning, I don't expect Bob to sell. He might not always have good products, but he's a smart man. He knows a winner in Charlotte will bring the fans, and money with it.

And tex, the lease agreement the team signed means it might cost more for the team to move than it would to buy the team in the first place. I think it'd be like $250-300 millon to violate the lease...Maybe so Teej but that is sad. If this team receives little support throughout the lease it is really sad. I hope what you all have said about success bringing in the fans is true. Your state had the best fans in the NBA for many years. It is a shame that the Hornets leaving have caused such deep wounds. It will be a real shame if the people of the state can not get past the heartache of the past and that the Bobcats would be stuck where they are not wanted.

[Felton for Prez]

Hell, with the Bobcats making noise in the NBA fan turnout has fallen as opposed to risen. Even if one can say that marketing has been poor after this much time in Charlotte that should be much less an issue. For one, word of mouth will at some point start to be effective. With the Bobcats now in Charlotte for a sixth season word should have spread.


Is that accurate? Has it really fallen? I kinda doubt that. I thought I saw we were 22nd or so in attendance which is better for us. The whole issue of "if you win they will come" has to be long term. A 6 game winning streak is great but that is just enough to get people's attention and maybe attend a weekend game (hence the Magic sellout). It has to be more sustainable for folks to attend the weekend day games. The fact that its the teams 6th year only adds to fans frustration. You can get by a few years and fans will give you a pass, you get past yr 3 and people want results. So this team has had 3yrs of added frustration for already frustrated fans.

I wouldn't expect any major shift in attendance for the rest of the season. If the team makes the playoffs and wins a game or two, I'd expect to see some more excitement next season and a gradual increase in attendance. The only thing that will cause a massive attendance shift is a long playoff run (doubtful) or some equally unlikely FA signing/trade that brings in a star.

[spectre]

Agreed FFP.

Wasn't the Hurricanes' big bump the playoff run where they made it to the finals to get beaten by the Red Wings? I'd been to a couple of games previous to that, but that's when they really got my attention.

[SWedd523]

Agreed FFP.

Wasn't the Hurricanes' big bump the playoff run where they made it to the finals to get beaten by the Red Wings? I'd been to a couple of games previous to that, but that's when they really got my attention.
They won the cup a few years ago without so much as a peep.

[spectre]

They won the cup a few years ago without so much as a peep.

Nah, that's not true. During that run we were considered the loudest home court in the league. In the final game at home the fans stood the entire game.

After they won they almost had to shut down Raleigh the celebrations were so big.

That just happened to be the year I went to the most games (12-15). I even have a stick with all the players' autographs.

[Felton for Prez]

Nah, that's not true. During that run we were considered the loudest home court in the league. In the final game at home the fans stood the entire game.

After they won they almost had to shut down Raleigh the celebrations were so big.

That just happened to be the year I went to the most games (12-15). I even have a stick with all the players' autographs.

Hockey even got run on the local sport stations here. I NEVER thought I'd hear hockey discussed on CLT radio. It was a pretty big deal. It also shows how fleeting most fan bases are.

[spectre]

Hockey fans are serious too.

Buffalo fans were the worst. A whole crowd bussed in during those playoffs, formed a double line on the way to get into RBC and heckled/threatened all the fans going in. After we beat them they were starting fights, standing in the way of cars, yelling obsenities and pretty much being pure jerks.

When the Canes went to Buffalo they hired bodyguards during that series.

[teej]

Problem is we haven't had any pro sports teams in the Carolinas long enough for a baby to be born and graduate college with said team around the whole time. Once there's a generation that grew up with the team that also has discertionary income, then the teams in the Carolinas (Bobcats, Panthers, Hurricanes) will be fine. Too bad Shinn had to keep the Hornets from being the first to get there.