Year in Review and Next Steps

[Michael Thompson]

First off, thank you for welcoming me into your community. I'm sure there were some raised eyebrows at first, but hopefully I've answered your questions openly and honestly and given you some idea as to the direction and thinking of the organization on a variety of topics. I thought I would take a moment to re-vist a thread we started back in January, I believe, about the things you would like to see the organization change that could in turn help us build a bigger fan base. This is not so much an exercise in checking off items on the list, but more a remider of the great ideas you guys had that we as an organization haven't had a chance to evaluate and/or act on yet.

By sheer volume, the television situation appeared to be issue number one back then. While we have obviously taken enormous strides to improve our carriage throughout the region thanks to Time Warner Cable, FSN South and MyTV12, there are still a few kinks in the new system (Upstate SC, outside of Wilmington, etc) that we're working on now. As soon as I hear more I will post here on the board.

Issue number two appeared to be what we call internally "experential marketing" - the way you as fans experience our brand (game presentation, events and promotions, interactive opportunities, etc). This is a pretty broad category with a lot of different feedback ranging from the noise level in the Arena to player accessability to the dance team. In addressing your concerns, I can tell you that in the offseason, teams review every facet of their business - including all the things you've alluded to. There will be post mortems on our game presentation, player appearance program and dance team performance among many. Those reviews typically take place starting now, with the rest of the summer spent preparing for next season and beyond. Just like our players, we spend the offseason trying to improve as well.

Issue number three was the website. We've had a lot of discussion subsequent to the re-launch. Now that you've had it for a few months, what are your thoughts? Getting used to it? Like the emphasis on video? Is it meeting our goal of making Bobcats.com the most comprehensive source of news about the team? Let me know.

Then there were a number of issues that had one or two comments covering an extremely broad range of topics from the supposed "arena boycott" (of which I've never seen any evidence, but I love Mayor Pro Tem Burgess' response to that question: "The Arena is here, it's wonderful, get over it!") to the supposed "Hornets hangover" and antipathy towards the NBA. After a season like this, with 8 50-win teams in the West, a resurgence of the franchises in Boston, Philly, Atlanta and New Orleans, a phenomenal All-Star week, the tightest MVP race in years, a ratings bonanza across the board (nationally, regionally and locally), a new record for hits to NBA.com, and the emergence of the game's soon-to-be leading stars (Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Deron Williams, etc) who are all terrific guys off the court as well, I find it hard to believe that the whole world is excited about the NBA again - except for this market. Maybe it will take a playoff run by the Bobcats to turn things around. Which leads to the final issue. . .

"Coaching change/win more" games seems to be the most universally hailed cure to all of the above ills, based on the number of active threads devoted to this topic. There's no question that winning does that for an organization. The Hornets aren't doing anything new from a game presentation/dance team/website/television standpoint that has suddenly captured the imagination fans in New Orleans and given them 9 consecutive sellouts. But doing all of those things well in the first place, long before they had a division championship team, makes everything standout when the team starts winning. Internally, we call it being "50 win ready". And the great thing about the NBA is, putting a 50 win team on the floor can happen very, very quickly. That means we have to get ready right now.

With Coach Brown on the sidelines, great young talent whose potential will really have a chance to come out and a few players on the verge of becoming All-Stars, we should be on our way a level we haven't experienced yet. What else, as an organization, should we be looking at to get ready for success on the court?

[MattD]

thanks Michael. I will just say, I love the new website, and I think the franchise is moving in the right way. We can always nit pick about different players and stuff, but overall I think most of us are pretty happy. Soon enough, as the playoffs roll around and we make it, Charlotte will find a place in their hearts for the bobcats.

[ammofan]

I like the design of the new site but I think there should be a little more color...
I do like our current team, outside of a few players that I think need to be gone, but i think we can make the Playoffs for sure next season with the addition of Larry Brown!!

Go Cats Go! Good luck in the Lottery!

[ohara831]

Michael, it has been a real pleasure speaking with you on the BobcatsPlanet. Your insight has been of great benefit to us all, and given us great hope in the franchise. Hiring people like yourself is a great move and inspires confidence in the Franchise.

I love the website. Very fan friendly in my opinion. Thank goodness for the Coaching change. I have every confidence that Coach Brown can get the most out of the guys, and we have some pretty good talent. I am excited to see what he does with our roster and starting lineup. I feel the Playoffs coming!

*My biggest concern is the issue you are dealing with on the cable deal for us in the Upstate of SC with Charter Communications. Your folks have just got to find a way to get us the Bobcat games on FSN South and SportsSouth. I will keep waiting for any updates you can provide. I am not alone here in the Upstate as a Bobcat fan who wants desperately to see his Bobcats play on TV.

Thanks again, and we will speak with you again soon!

[Mustachio]

to be honest i think you guys know what your doing and are handling it well. It shows a lot to show up on a message board. shows that your willing to change and your willing to go directly to the heart to fix things.

like you said though. if you win, everythings good. if you lose, everyone thinks the team needs to leave the city and to burn down the arena. as far as arena boycotts and hornets hangovers... right now its nothing but a vocal minority that gets attention because they are the loudest. if you get rid of Tom Sorenson at the Observer and his hate spreading articles... youd be taking a major step .

basically all that will pass. just keep doing what your doin and thanks again for asking our opinion.

[dnbman]

Michael,

I brought several friends with me to games and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere of all of them. The only thing negative about any of the games was when we played poorly. So, if the on court product is fixed, I don't think the Bobcats need to do much more.

The only other thing I'd say is that you keep mentioning that the Bobcat's website is the most comprehensive site for news. In the flat world, as Thomas Friedman calls it, there's just no way the Bobcat's page is going to compete with message boards and outside news sites.

Instead, I think the Bobcats website should focus on bringing more and more color commentary, so to speak, about the players. More player blogs (like Agent 0's) would be especially interesting. Basically, most outside sources are going to beat the Bobcats' website to the facts. However, the Bobcats website could do a much better job of providing in depth information about the players, how they feel, and what's going on in their lives. Granted, I'm sure most of them want some privacy. However, goofy interviews with fun questions and the sort would be pretty interesting.

[ziggy]

Instead, I think the Bobcats website should focus on bringing more and more color commentary, so to speak, about the players. More player blogs (like Agent 0's) would be especially interesting.
Now that would be interesting and would get me to check the site on a regular basis. A couple of guys that seem to have the personality for something like that would be Jared Dudley or possible Sean May... I'd check it out if they did it.

And Michael I believe this is the year that things turn around for the organization. We have a Hall of Fame coach, We have 2 lottery picks returning from injuries and dammit, we're going get that top pick on May 20th when the balls drop. By the end of next season the Bobcats will be a tough ticket to get.

[Mustachio]

Michael,

I brought several friends with me to games and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere of all of them. The only thing negative about any of the games was when we played poorly. So, if the on court product is fixed, I don't think the Bobcats need to do much more.

The only other thing I'd say is that you keep mentioning that the Bobcat's website is the most comprehensive site for news. In the flat world, as Thomas Friedman calls it, there's just no way the Bobcat's page is going to compete with message boards and outside news sites.

Instead, I think the Bobcats website should focus on bringing more and more color commentary, so to speak, about the players. More player blogs (like Agent 0's) would be especially interesting. Basically, most outside sources are going to beat the Bobcats' website to the facts. However, the Bobcats website could do a much better job of providing in depth information about the players, how they feel, and what's going on in their lives. Granted, I'm sure most of them want some privacy. However, goofy interviews with fun questions and the sort would be pretty interesting.


there isnt any possible way i could agree with this more.

that is EXACTLY what the Bobcats website needs to focus on. there are hundreds of news and rumors sites. But none of them have the access to what fans really want and thats player inside info. the player blog is an awesome idea if someone possesses the ability and will to do one. but im willing to bet Jared Dudley would do one in a minute! If you had one to two or even more - player, coach and management interviews - i would be there all the time. little 3 minute video interviews are perfect. just to let us know a little of whats goin on inside at 333 Trade.

[spectre]

Agreed with the player info, especially since Coach Brown is on board. Didn't he say he's going to start practicing the guys now? Weekly reports (at the least!), player's opinions, Brown's opinion on how they're doing (you know he'll give it) all would make me visit that site daily.

Oh, and more cheerleader pics...have to throw that in there. ;D

[swetooth9]

I agree...I don't really go to the bobcats website for my news as much as on message boards such as this one, but if there were exclusive interviews with our players and coach, that would get me to visit the site more often.

And I was not able to catch the last 4 or 5 games of the season on FSN south after the Time Warner deal. I live in Raleigh and stay in Chapel Hill during college. Just wondering if it was an isolated incident or if the actual Time warner bobcats deal won't be up til next season.

Thanks

[dnbman]

One other consideration: orange give away t-shirts.

I know they're probably more expensive. However, a lot of teams are establishing a single color for all fans to wear during important games (ie playoffs). We're in a unique position to establish orange as our color.

Wearing orange could help create solidarity and unity amongst fans, plus add to the experience of attending a game. It's the kind of little tradition that helps people with marginal interest in the game normally (house wives, children, etc.) get more into the game.

[Mustachio]

eww i cant agree with orange making a comeback. get rid of it... and give away blue ones instead. blue with orange wouldnt be bad maybe.

[dnbman]

eww i cant agree with orange making a comeback. get rid of it... and give away blue ones instead. blue with orange wouldnt be bad maybe.

Mustachio, I tend to hate wearing orange and 95% of all my shirts are blue or are based on some blue based pattern.

That being said, orange is what would separate us best from other teams. Plus, a giant coliseum of orange would energize the team more than a giant wash of dark blue. Even though I wouldn't normally wear the color orange, I would definitely do it if we had a big game and that became the thing to do.

[Muttley]

Mustachio, I tend to hate wearing orange and 95% of all my shirts are blue or are based on some blue based pattern.

That being said, orange is what would separate us best from other teams. Plus, a giant coliseum of orange would energize the team more than a giant wash of dark blue. Even though I wouldn't normally wear the color orange, I would definitely do it if we had a big game and that became the thing to do.

I agree, 'Orange-outs' would be awesome.

[Alex]

First off, thank you for welcoming me into your community. I'm sure there were some raised eyebrows at first, but hopefully I've answered your questions openly and honestly and given you some idea as to the direction and thinking of the organization on a variety of topics. I thought I would take a moment to re-vist a thread we started back in January, I believe, about the things you would like to see the organization change that could in turn help us build a bigger fan base. This is not so much an exercise in checking off items on the list, but more a remider of the great ideas you guys had that we as an organization haven't had a chance to evaluate and/or act on yet.

By sheer volume, the television situation appeared to be issue number one back then. While we have obviously taken enormous strides to improve our carriage throughout the region thanks to Time Warner Cable, FSN South and MyTV12, there are still a few kinks in the new system (Upstate SC, outside of Wilmington, etc) that we're working on now. As soon as I hear more I will post here on the board.

Issue number two appeared to be what we call internally "experential marketing" - the way you as fans experience our brand (game presentation, events and promotions, interactive opportunities, etc). This is a pretty broad category with a lot of different feedback ranging from the noise level in the Arena to player accessability to the dance team. In addressing your concerns, I can tell you that in the offseason, teams review every facet of their business - including all the things you've alluded to. There will be post mortems on our game presentation, player appearance program and dance team performance among many. Those reviews typically take place starting now, with the rest of the summer spent preparing for next season and beyond. Just like our players, we spend the offseason trying to improve as well.

Issue number three was the website. We've had a lot of discussion subsequent to the re-launch. Now that you've had it for a few months, what are your thoughts? Getting used to it? Like the emphasis on video? Is it meeting our goal of making Bobcats.com the most comprehensive source of news about the team? Let me know.

Then there were a number of issues that had one or two comments covering an extremely broad range of topics from the supposed "arena boycott" (of which I've never seen any evidence, but I love Mayor Pro Tem Burgess' response to that question: "The Arena is here, it's wonderful, get over it!") to the supposed "Hornets hangover" and antipathy towards the NBA. After a season like this, with 8 50-win teams in the West, a resurgence of the franchises in Boston, Philly, Atlanta and New Orleans, a phenomenal All-Star week, the tightest MVP race in years, a ratings bonanza across the board (nationally, regionally and locally), a new record for hits to NBA.com, and the emergence of the game's soon-to-be leading stars (Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Deron Williams, etc) who are all terrific guys off the court as well, I find it hard to believe that the whole world is excited about the NBA again - except for this market. Maybe it will take a playoff run by the Bobcats to turn things around. Which leads to the final issue. . .

"Coaching change/win more" games seems to be the most universally hailed cure to all of the above ills, based on the number of active threads devoted to this topic. There's no question that winning does that for an organization. The Hornets aren't doing anything new from a game presentation/dance team/website/television standpoint that has suddenly captured the imagination fans in New Orleans and given them 9 consecutive sellouts. But doing all of those things well in the first place, long before they had a division championship team, makes everything standout when the team starts winning. Internally, we call it being "50 win ready". And the great thing about the NBA is, putting a 50 win team on the floor can happen very, very quickly. That means we have to get ready right now.

With Coach Brown on the sidelines, great young talent whose potential will really have a chance to come out and a few players on the verge of becoming All-Stars, we should be on our way a level we haven't experienced yet. What else, as an organization, should we be looking at to get ready for success on the court?

1 - I'm really happy and excited that the team got the TV situation solved, good job to everybody who was involved in doing that it's just too bad that we kept the team away from millions of people for 4 seasons but the bright side is they'll start seeing us right when we're gonna be getting good.

2 - I have a problem with in-game atmosphere. I believe that the PA announcer is WAY TOO LOUD. There is no reason for him to be screaming like that and sometimes he's just way too hyper and excited. I understand that's his job, to pump up the crowd but to be honest the crowd gets more pumped up when free shirts are thrown into the stands than any time the PA screams something. It's uncomfortable to listen to and just sort of gaudy. I'm also of the opinion that the reason why you come to basketball games is to see the basketball because after all that's the show that you paid the money for; saying that, I'm not a big fan of all the extra stuff going on before, during and after games. To me, a lot of that stuff is very corny and actually brings the whole experience down but I definitely see the purpose of it and I doubt it will ever leave. I mean I don't know this but do they have clowns walking around on stilts and random people singing in the concourse at say Knicks/Lakers/Bulls/Celtics games because for some reason that seems unlikely to me.

3 - I was critical of the website at first but now I love it, it's a tremendous improvement and I love all the videos, the more of them the better.

[x2pacalypse]

wasn't there a study that brighter colors have a larger psychological effect on people? i think that's the reason the heat have the whole white tshirt thing going, i think a sea of bright orange would effect the opposing team more than dark blue... plus i mean white isn't a staple of the heat uniforms...so i mean if we have orange in the crowd that doesn't mean our uni's have to be orange

[Alex]

"Color"-outs only look good if it's a sell-out and if everyone in the arena puts the shirt on.

[dnbman]

"Color"-outs only look good if it's a sell-out and if everyone in the arena puts the shirt on.

Yeah, I don't think we should try for a color-out every game. However, if the free t-shirts they gave away were orange instead of gray or white, more people would have orange shirts for the bigger games.

However, if it did become the norm to wear orange during games, the color-out would take care of itself.

On Alex's point about the random stuff going on at games: that kind of stuff is pretty crucial for the folks who come to games that aren't big fans of the game/team. My wife hates sports but really enjoyed the games she went to because of things like the camera views on the jumbo-tron, the dramatic entrance, the games during time-outs. I think it's corny too, but it's undeniable that it generates interest for the casual fan or the folks who are just along for the ride with a real fan. I don't mind it as long as it doesn't take away from the game, like last night's fire ring debacle in New Orleans!

[Keetch]

I try to wear my (cheap!) orange Bobcats tee shirt to games as often as I can. I take a lot of pride in it.

I agree with Dnbman. The external "festival" atmosphere is important for the casual fan, so the music, clowns, dancers and all is very nice.

But as Alex mentioned there are two components of this that remain....one which I'm sure won't change....but the other definitely should.

First, the blatant commercialism of the events.....is kind of embarrassing after a while, but hell if you took that away you might have to decrease players salaries or worse yet increase ticket prices. At least we're not the "Lowe's Tee Shirt Give Away Charlotte Bobcats" and Emeka Okafor isn't our "Harris Teeter Starting Center!" DON'T USE THAT IDEA!

Second though, as has been often mentioned...the volume of the PA is outrageous. I'm not sure why you guys don't see this. It goes on virtually non-stop all game. Its so loud that you can not carry on any form of conversation with the person next to you unless you yell directly into their ear. That plus for season tickets holders that DO go to a lot of games, YOU are damaging our hearing. You've got to deal with this, you're killing games out there.

When there's only 10,000 or 12,000 people in the stands....TURN THE DAMN THING DOWN! :hypo:

[Mustachio]

rather than turn the PA guy down. Just get a guy who does a better job than the current PA. Id like someone a little smoother. this current PA sounds like its his first time doing this kind of gig

[MattD]

I just had to bring this up. I am sitting on my couch watching the introductions to the celtics game and getting chills. I know there are a lot of uncontrollable factors (pressure for the series and all), but seriously if we could get an environment like this, it would be great.

Or like Atlanta's, that place has been insane

[Alex]

I just had to bring this up. I am sitting on my couch watching the introductions to the celtics game and getting chills. I know there are a lot of uncontrollable factors (pressure for the series and all), but seriously if we could get an environment like this, it would be great.

Or like Atlanta's, that place has been insane

The change in Atlanta has been sparked by wins, same in Boston. Remember what those atmospheres were like when theses teams weren't good?

[MattD]

yeah I know, but still. I am just dreaming about it.

[Muttley]

The change in Atlanta has been sparked by wins, same in Boston. Remember what those atmospheres were like when theses teams weren't good?

Especially in Atlanta. Do you remember what those crowds looked like in the first half (and maybe beyond) of this season? Worse than in Charlotte.

[MattD]

yeah they compared the arena to a cemetery or something before. We could be that change

[Dunk]

I think filling in the gaps on the TV coverage is still an issue and I know you are working on it. What's the prospects on HD for next year?


I love the idea of exclusive content on the website. Specifically, player blogs and other video content. Maybe even a daily update or feature. Some ideas:
- Player blogs
- Coach (or assistant coaches) blog
- Fan profiles
- Behind the scenes tours
- Day in the life
- Live practice cams

I could go on but you get the idea. The thing that you have is the product and access to the players. That kind of stuff we CAN'T get here on The Planet or at ESPN or wherever. And if you're doing blogs, REALLY do blogs. As in don't water it down for public consumption. If all I'm getting is the corporate line, I become a lot less interested because the content isn't genuine.

[dnbman]

The other special content that would be nice would be some kind of sidebar with the various players' charity organizations. I know Okafor and Wallace both have pretty big projects. Links to their sites with weekly/bi-weekly updates would be nice and generate positive buzz for the organization.

[supadiscofly]

I agree about having player's blogs added. That would be nice. I have enjoyed the behind the scenes videos on the new website with Jared Dudley and Sean May.

I would also enjoy a couple of bobblehead night promotions next season...Dudley and Carroll, perhaps?

I live in upstate, South Carolina so I am still concerned about the television schedule. Other than that, I have been happy with the way things have gone.

I have been really impressed with the arena every time I have gone to a game. The staff has always been really friendly and helpful which you don't find very often anymore. They have always made me want to come back.

Andrea