Bobcats Reaction to getting #2 pick-buy this season, get next season free

[BlockParty]

Just posted on their facebook and twitter feeds:


Take advantage of our exclusive season ticket offer: buy this season, get the next season FREE! Check out our "Ticket Offers" tab on our Facebook page or call 704.BOBCATS to speak with a representative.

[bes628]

They're trying to hold on to whatever fans remain.

[CatNation1]

all that does is make me think that the team is going to move. im sure theyd find some way to weasel out of reimbursement

[BlockParty]

all that does is make me think that the team is going to move. im sure theyd find some way to weasel out of reimbursement

$100 Million+ penalty if they move....no, that's not happening

[JGib23]

$100 Million+ penalty if they move....no, that's not happening

Guys this is something we really need to start worrying about. The penalty to leave is on a sliding scale, if this team continues to fail, it won't be long before some rich guy buys the team at a discount by agreeing to absorb the teams debts (MJ did this) and moves the fucking team....

This is the sign of a fucking desperate franchise.

[CatNation1]

$100 Million+ penalty if they move....no, that's not happening

add 100 million to our team value and we probably still are below league average. not that big of a deal to an investor because in the end we are still an NBA team like anyone else but our value is deflated because of our location and current revenue. a move to seattle with a new arena coming could wipe away that 100m hit in team value literally in a day

[SWedd523]

add 100 million to our team value and we probably still are below league average. not that big of a deal to an investor because in the end we are still an NBA team like anyone else but our value is deflated because of our location and current revenue. a move to seattle with a new arena coming could wipe away that 100m hit in team value literally in a day
Technically speaking, we'd be 13th.

[Icky Thump]

Been saying this for a while... we had best hope for a good turn soon or else. They won't make it through another few seasons like this past one unless there is high promise and a franchise type guy in the wings (which there currently isn't). They've had little to no success with this organization since it's come back to Charlotte.. we need some luck in a hurry and after today it's not looking great but I'll hold out till the end.

[CableBoxCat]

Guys this is something we really need to start worrying about. The penalty to leave is on a sliding scale, if this team continues to fail, it won't be long before some rich guy buys the team at a discount by agreeing to absorb the teams debts (MJ did this) and moves the fucking team....

Is this actually something you guys are worried about? I only ask because I'm going to be moving down to Charlotte soon and the presence of an NBA franchise was seriously one of my deciding factors in choosing Charlotte (the NBA & NFL are by far my two favorite pro leagues). I realize the Panthers moving isn't a concern, but that only provides 8 games of entertainment per year (not counting preseason & playoffs), whereas the Bobcats provide 41 dates.

Regarding this offer- I had actually purchased season tickets a couple weeks ago (cheap seats, upper baseline), but when I saw this deal on the website I contacted my ticket rep right away. He was able to get me better seats (albeit only slightly better) for an additional $387 and I now have tickets for a 2nd year. Great deal & fantastic customer service! With all the headaches that come with a major move, it's nice to know that such a big chunk of my entertainment for the next 2 years is taken care of (and paid for!).

Also, unlike the "Pay the Pick" promotion, I was assured that this deal still affords you all the rights & privileges of a season ticket holder: Cats 365, ticket trade program, team store discount, early entry to arena, etc.

[skratch]

i seriously hope not but its always in the back of my head since we never had success or did anything right

[JGib23]

Not in the immediate future but, if we can't turn it around in 2 or 3 years, I can see MJ looking to sell the team...when that happens who knows what can happen.

Seattle is actively working to approve an arena and have an ownership group in place ready to buy a team and move it there...

[CableBoxCat]

Well, with me moving to Charlotte, that's 2 fewer seats the Bobcats need to worry about selling. I'm doing my part. :-)

[CableBoxCat]

Not in the immediate future but, if we can't turn it around in 2 or 3 years, I can see MJ looking to sell the team...when that happens who knows what can happen.

Huh. I obviously wasn't following the Bobcats during MJ's purchase of the team, but I guess I always assumed part of this reason he bought this franchise specifically was because he went to UNC and he was interested in securing Carolina professional basketball. Was it just a case of it was available and he just wanted to buy any NBA franchise?

[SWedd523]

JGib, check your PM right quick fast

[JGib23]

Huh. I obviously wasn't following the Bobcats during MJ's purchase of the team, but I guess I always assumed part of this reason he bought this franchise specifically was because he went to UNC and he was interested in securing Carolina professional basketball. Was it just a case of it was available and he just wanted to buy any NBA franchise?

No he previously tried to buy into the then Charlotte Hornets, was part owner of the Wizards, then tried to buy the Milwaukee Bucks.

He wanted to own a team, the team being in Charlotte was icing on the cake.

[CableBoxCat]

No he previously tried to buy into the then Charlotte Hornets, was part owner of the Wizards, then tried to buy the Milwaukee Bucks.

He wanted to own a team, the team being in Charlotte was icing on the cake.

Interesting. As an outsider, it's truly mystifying to me that that the Bobcats moving would be a concern. I realize they haven't been good, but Charlotte is still the 4th largest city by population on the East Coast (ahead of Baltimore, DC, Boston, Atlanta, & Miami), and I've always viewed North Carolina as a basketball "hotbed." Even if the 'Cats are bad, I would still think locals would be eager to check out all the great visiting players at such a low cost. I'll have to do my part to recruit new fans when I arrive in Charlotte (which should be easy since I doubt my lady will want to go to EVERY game). Wouldn't want my new "hometown" team to move!

[DCAWFAN]

Charlottebound. The fans do begin to come even if we have a semi winning product and still fill up the arena when the "big teams" come to town, but alot of those that come come aren't actually Bobcats "fans". The Fan support is however there (see Charlotte Hornets). I have, like many others, have no idea where it has gone.

[JGib23]

Long story that would take too much typing to explain but in a nutshell

Hornets arrive- Charlotte goes apeshit and the whole town is a Hornets hotbed year after year lead NBA attendance.
George Shinn fucks up in every way possible
Charlotte denies Shinn a new arena, he moves
People in Charlotte turned off by the NBA and David Stern and vow to never support the NBA again
Charlotte agrees to build a new arena for the NBA, if they award an expansion team.
2 ownership groups fight for the team Steve Belkin/ Larry Bird vs. Bob Johnson
Bob Johnson wins and fucks up in nearly every possible way
Johnson losses his ass and sells the team
Jordan buys the team
We still suck

The team has never been embraced by Charlotte.
It's popular in Charlotte to hate the NBA for the way the Hornets situation was handled.

If the Bobcats were a stock, they wouldnt be in any intelligent investors portfolio.

It's not easy being a fan of this team... It seems we are snakebitten.

[KembaSlice]

This deal is so embarrassing.

[cltblkhscoach]

I wouldn't stress about someone moving the team right now....like someone said if we aren't any better with no upside in 2-3 years then I'd worry, but I believe we're good for now. Plus if there's any justice the NBA wouldn't allow the team to leave for a second time anyways, knowing they've screwed us over many times as it is in the past.

[Felton for Prez]

I'm pretty negative quite often more as a way to keep my expectations in check. That said, they aren't moving the team. The "sky is falling" talk is all a function of a historically bad season and some ill conceived news articles. The fastest I've ever seen an NBA team move is Vancouver to Memphis (5yrs) and a lot of that was currency related.

Relax. There is going to be an NBA team in CLT for a long time. Unclear what they will be named, but there will be one here.

[McBeastie]

I wouldn't worry about any move/contraction either. That's one of the big reason's there was a lockout, and subsequent change to the league's revenue sharing plan. So teams can at the very least break even when it kicks in fully. I doubt Stern or his protege, Silver, want to be the guys that took Charlotte's team twice; and if MJ for whatever reason did have to sell the team, he wouldn't sell it to a buyer looking to relocate. He's said before he wants to build something here long term that he could pass down within his family.

As far as this buy one, get one free season ticket deal - yeah, it's desperate, but it's still a good deal, especially if we land another lottery pick next season. The only place to go from here for the team is up, so if you're willing to invest in the team during a down year, hopefully you get to witness a resurgent year for free.

[JMo]

Seems like a promo similar to the buy one get one free they did last year?

[CableBoxCat]

Seems like a promo similar to the buy one get one free they did last year?

Wasn't here last year, but based on some Googling, I believe the promotion last year was "Buy 2 season tickets, get 2 more free," so a little bit different. Instead of doubling the duration of your tickets (1 year to 2), they doubled the number of tickets (2 to 4). I prefer this year's offer since finding 3 people to go to games with me 43 times a year could be difficult. :-)

I just checked Ticketmaster and it looks like this free season offer might be sold out unless they're simply having computer issues. I wouldn't be surprised if they make more available though (as they did with the "Pay the Pick" promotion). Glad people took advantage of it, and especially glad I got in when I did! EDIT: Nevermind, tickets are available again. I guess it was just computer issues.

[SJackson1]

this is a great offer !

[King Taharqa]

I like the offer. The team sells tickets to the general public for cheap and people are spinning it into a negative. The level of apathy is sad. The "Bobcats are near the end" talk is by Hornets fans who want us to fail like they did. Bobcats are gonna be here a long time. We will turn this around and stay the course.

[SJackson1]

we need the time warner cable arena packed out next season so i can understand the offer

[ND22]

You can write this off as negative if you want, but if I lived in Charlotte I would jump on this deal. A few years ago everyone complained about the team increasing ticket sales, now they come out with a 2 for 1 deal and everyone complains about how pathetic/desperate/doomed we are.

We need higher attendance, so why not given fans a great incentive to buy. If the team stronger in two years, it will feel even better for those fans knowing the seats they are sitting in are free.

[cltblkhscoach]

It's only negative for me because the seats they're selling are the ones I'm already paying for! I'm going to see as an existing season ticket holder if I'm grandfathered in, I've earned this right!

[Mustachio]

It's only negative for me because the seats they're selling are the ones I'm already paying for! I'm going to see as an existing season ticket holder if I'm grandfathered in, I've earned this right!

Yeah im gonna ask too. Some bandwagon dude gets half price seats and guys that have had seats since the bobcats played in the coliseum pay full price. Only negative about this great deal. Just think its weak that johnny come lately that didnt have to sit through a 7 win season gets to sit through next years terrible season beside me for half the price. I dont mind what im paying and think its fairly priced even for seven wins but it cant hurt to ask.

[CableBoxCat]

I'm sure they'll work with you guys on this. I had already purchased normal season tickets when they announced this promotion. I contacted my ticket rep and he was able to move me into a couple of the seats that are a part of this deal.

Keep in mind that this promo only includes the worst seats at the $537.50 & $752.50 price points, so you would probably have to give up your existing seats to take advantage of it (as I did). So if you're paying $537.50/seat to sit in Section 228 or 206, you're going to get moved to either Section 231 or 203 to take advantage of this offer. It doesn't include every seat at those price points.

[cltblkhscoach]

Good info, thanks man. I'm in the first row of 228, so I'm definitely down for moving back a few rows to save $750, lol....

[Mustachio]

Yeah thanks. I'm in 216 so I think I'll just shut my mouth and be happy.

[cltblkhscoach]

Just wanted to give an update - my rep moved me from 228 Row A to 231 Row K, so I moved over 3 sections and back 11 rows to save $750....I think that's a more than fair tradeoff! Once again the Bobcats Customer Service gets an A+ in my book!

[King Taharqa]

Congrats cltblkhscoach. Good to see customer service getting the job done.

[ncstamey]

I contacted my rep to see if I qualified for this deal (I bought my season tix back in March). She had to check and when she called back told me I could upgrade (about $200 more) and get in on the deal but all the single seats were gone... so I'd have to get 2 seats. Can't do that... I'm a little disappointed but oh well.

[Jerp]

Seriously considering taking advantage of this, 2 seasons for the price of 1?!?!

[BlockParty]

Just wanted to give an update - my rep moved me from 228 Row A to 231 Row K, so I moved over 3 sections and back 11 rows to save $750....I think that's a more than fair tradeoff! Once again the Bobcats Customer Service gets an A+ in my book!

I've had between 2-5 seats in Sec 231, row C for the last 6 years. Hang up the B's every time the Cats get a Block (hence BlockParty) Welcome to the neighborhood.

[cltblkhscoach]

Thanks man....glad to be around some fellow BCP's

[SJackson1]

how many season ticket holders were there last season ?

[NotFromAroundHere]

Im new to Charlotte and I love the NBA so I decided to do this deal. I gotta say I was happy the Bobcats didnt get the 1st pick. I really think Davis is going to be a bust. He's Serge Ibaka but skinnier and his jumper isnt as good. Sure he can block shots for days and catch alley oops, but he has absolutely no post game.

[CableBoxCat]

I've had between 2-5 seats in Sec 231, row C for the last 6 years. Hang up the B's every time the Cats get a Block (hence BlockParty) Welcome to the neighborhood.

I'll be in 231 as well. Sounds like this section is the place to be!

Anybody else here have seats in 231?

[CableBoxCat]

BUMP! For those still on the fence about this promotion, they still have 25 seats remaining, including 16 at the cheaper $537.50 price point. They use that Ticketmaster "select your seat" program, so you can actually see/count the remaining inventory. All the seats are in sections 203 and 231. I'm going to be in 231, so let's fill up that section with BCP posters! Don't you want to be here:

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/748/sect231b.jpg

[BlockParty]

BUMP! For those still on the fence about this promotion, they still have 25 seats remaining, including 16 at the cheaper $537.50 price point. They use that Ticketmaster "select your seat" program, so you can actually see/count the remaining inventory. All the seats are in sections 203 and 231. I'm going to be in 231, so let's fill up that section with BCP posters! Don't you want to be here:

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/748/sect231b.jpg

Awesome pictures you have of the "BlockParty" That was Morrison's rookie year, Fear the Stache, Way To Go Fabio, Forreee THreeee and Air Carroll

[CableBoxCat]

Awesome pictures you have of the "BlockParty" That was Morrison's rookie year, Fear the Stache, Way To Go Fabio, Forreee THreeee and Air Carroll

Not mine, but I do like it! I found the pic on the Bobcats' official site. I've actually never even been in the arena, let alone Section 231. The home preseason games this year will be my first time! Hoping to make it to 30-35 games this season. Plus the playoffs of course. ;-)

Awesome that it looks like 231 will be rocking all season though, as it appears to be almost a total sell out. Only 17 seats in that particular section remain (12 at the lower price point). Hopefully some BCP posters can snatch them up. Even if some other sections have a lot of empty seats, at least 231 will be packed!

EDIT: Ok, I just realized what they're doing, and it means there will probably be a few more empty seats than I anticipated. Apparently not every row in 231 is part of this promotion. They skipped some of the better ones and those remain "normal" season tickets (i.e. not BOGO) and a bunch are also unsold. Still, the turnout in 231 looks to be fantastic relative to other sections. This is where you want to be folks!