Changes, Feedback

[Michael Thompson]

New uniforms, new blog site, upgraded home page. What do you think about all the changes? What else needs to be addressed?

[Felton for Prez]

Besides the PF position? Sorry...low hanging fruit.

Personally, I'm very pleased with the changes, except for perhaps the road jerseys but you can't please everyone all the time.

I think you guys have made a real effort to listen to fans both diehard and casual. Keep up the good work and thanks.

Now...come game time, we may have to address the cost of beer, but we'll see. :paddle:

[SCBobcat]

Michael, I like all of the changes. We here at BCP appreciate your efforts. Now the only thing I (and Swedd here in Columbia, and anyone else in the outer market) need fixed is this TV thing, but that sounds like a problem to take up with the NBA rather than the Bobcats. I am going to be in San Diego for the first 3 regular season games and they may be the only ones I will be able to see on the TV all season. Is there an end in sight for that madness?

[spectre]

I don't want to beat you over the head with it Michael, so I'll just 2nd SCBobcat's post.

If only FSN could work out a pay per view deal with the satellites I'd be more than happy. I'd GLADLY pay a buck a game (would most likely pay more)...and that 82 dollars is more than what FSN & DISH is getting from me now.

Any way the Bobcats could suggest that?

Loving all the other stuff. Just hang onto Raja for a while...I want his jersey!

[ohara831]

LIke the changes so far. But can this TV deal for the Upstate of SC get fixed as others are mentioning. We wont get any of the games here unless something is done.

[teej]

Love the jerseys, like the blog site, although the lack of updates on the main site isn't great.

TV issue being fixed would be great, though I know that's out of your control. And of course, letting the internet media have press passes would be awesome!

[ALong13]

I personally live all the changes so far, I've posted on the blog site a few times, and I love the new jerseys

Only a few more things I'd like...

Roster updates (addition of Flip Murray, Dontell Jefferson, maybe list the numbers so we know who has what number...Chandler is he #6 or #16, if he's 6 what is Nazr?

But Mainly something with the TV companies, I know its probably not a Bobcat thing, but living in NC and having Fox Sports Carolinas and everything I kind of expect to have Bobcats games and for them not to be blacked out..

[Michael Thompson]

I absolutely agree with you on the television situation. We partnered with FS Carolinas/SportSouth to put us in a position to be seen everywhere in North and South Carolina. Having individual cable operators here and there decide to not pick up the broadcasts was really disappointing last year. Some of them changed their minds mid-season under enough pressure from subscribers. Some of them use sports as a bargaining chip in negotiations over other properties and broadcast fees. Either way, the people that get hurt the most are the fans who can't see us play. We certainly want everyone to be able to watch us play on television, so we'll keep looking for solutions to the problem.

We should see some roster updates on the website soon. The uniform numbers thing actually has to be worked out at the league level, but I think they're close to getting it done (licensing agreements with video games, merchandise already in-market, etc.).

Everybody go and enjoy a drink at Sonic tonight! (shameless plug for new corporate partner)

[Muttley]

I don't want to beat you over the head with it Michael, so I'll just 2nd SCBobcat's post.

If only FSN could work out a pay per view deal with the satellites I'd be more than happy. I'd GLADLY pay a buck a game (would most likely pay more)...and that 82 dollars is more than what FSN & DISH is getting from me now.

Any way the Bobcats could suggest that?

Loving all the other stuff. Just hang onto Raja for a while...I want his jersey!

I'm still not sure if AT&T up here in Raleigh is picking up games. I've purchased the sports package until I see whether or not they have it. It's still an issue. If somehow the fans could work together with the organization to put pressure on the providers, that would be great.

Positives: Almost everything else. BobcatsBreak is excellent. Jerseys look very nice. You do your job very well.

[dnbman]

Michael, I like all of the changes. We here at BCP appreciate your efforts. Now the only thing I (and Swedd here in Columbia, and anyone else in the outer market) need fixed is this TV thing,

Another in Columbia, one of the bigger SC markets, wanting Bobcat games!

Like the other stuff very much.

[BigE]

I love the new jersey's and I really like the new blog site and the updates made the the official site. I just wish you guys would keep the video and photo area of the website updated, there are like no videos of last season. If some casual fan saw that area of the site they would think Jason Richardson and Matt Carroll were still on the Bobcats roster.

[Scottley Crue]

Everybody go and enjoy a drink at Sonic tonight! (shameless plug for new corporate partner)

If you mention Sonic enough, I'll be forced to buy some tater tots. I really shouldn't but every once in a while won't hurt, right?

As for the changes, I like them. I LOVE the new uniforms. A tremendous improvement. (I'm a sucker for pinstripes). The blog site is a great idea; a good way to get what you want said out the the fans directly. Good changes, I say...keep it up!

[chabber]

Damn, a lemonberry slushy sounds pretty good right about now. Thanks a lot Michael. :p

The uniforms (especially the home white's), the blog site and everything else is all good for me.

What about HD games? How many does it look like we may see this year on FSN. (Edit: Just saw your post in the other thread about this. Thanks.)

[teej]

What about HD games? How many does it look like we may see this year on FSN.

He'll post that in the television schedule thread, but he's said it will be many more than last year.

[WAM9]

Thanks for asking our opinons. That actually means a lot for me personally.

I am in the same camp as everyone else in that I love most all of the changes but wish the TV deal was better. Other than that, my only feedback would be to have someone update the main website with video a little more. Great job overall and keep up the good work.

[ziggy]

New uniforms, new blog site, upgraded home page. What do you think about all the changes? What else needs to be addressed?

Hmm... Lady Bobcat Thong Night?? :g:

[spectre]

Hmm... Lady Bobcat Thong Night?? :g:

How can anyone NOT love this man?

[BigMike]

I am loving the bobcatsbreak.com and am hoping that you can keep them updating it regularly. Something new to read about the cats every morning keeps us happy ;)



-- thanks.

[polarcat]

I pretty much echo what everyone else has said. The new uniforms are awesome and a great improvement, as well as the new break website. Kudos on those improvements. The tv thing obviously is a thorn in everyone's side, and i hope they can sort out the problems. I'm hoping more games are in HD this year than last year. One other suggestion that I would love to see kinda goes well with the flashback to the pinstripe uni's that the former team had here..... a sick mural on one of the big buildings in uptown. It would be cool to have a huge starting 5 mural on the side of an uptown skyscraper. I know it's far-fetched maybe to pull off, but one thing that sticks out in my head from the marketing back in the day was the mural on the brick in Charlotte (wasn't it 'Zo, LJ and Mugsy?). Other than that, I think the 'Cats are finally starting to figure out the blueprint to winning fans back in the Carolinas. Thanks for checking in with us to Michael.

[TheLegend]

What we also need is a backup PF. Are you guys trying to pull of a trade you can tell us?

[CatNation]

Really excellent on jerseys, websites, ad campaign. Like others have said, I WISH I COULD FREAKING WATCH THIS IMPROVED PRODUCT. And I LIVE in North Carolina :ranting::banghead::banghead::banghead:. The only games I can watch are when I'm back in Charlotte but up here in Boone for college we get NO games. Tell whoever can solve this problem that people here are being literally forced to watch online streams of the games (which are almost always the other teams broadcasts). Gotta be some potential ad revenue there or something..

Edit: Also tell him with the Panthers sucking so much, people are ready to get on the bandwagon of a different Charlotte sports team if they can show some signs and at least have a chance at the playoffs! They just need to be able to watch. This is the time to make a move!!!

[BigE]

What we also need is a backup PF. Are you guys trying to pull of a trade you can tell us?

Haha... that would be funny if he would actually tell us.

[bbh2020]

Michael,

You guys have made some great changes!!!

But until the TV situation is worked out, I don't think you are going to reap any benefits from them.

People need to see this team play.

I'm in Sanford, NC and have DirectTV and cannot see any games.

I'm a die hard Bobcats fan but cannot watch my team play. It's very frustrating.

I know I'm just repeating what other folks have said, but its a huge problem that needs to be fixed.

I have no problem paying to see the games on TV, but they are even blacked out on NBA league pass. Makes no sense.

[spectre]

bbh2020...are you sure they're blacked out in Sanford?

On DirectTV's webpage:


The 27237 ZIP Code is in the home team territory for the following pro teams. With HD Access select channels and teams available in HD are noted below:

With any DIRECTV base package (CHOICE or above, or FAMILIAR or above):
http://sports.directv.com/img/global/spacer.gif
FSN South (Ch. 646) - Charlotte Bobcats (HD Available)
SportsSouth (Ch. 649) - Charlotte Bobcats (HD Available)

However...Zip code 27330 doesn't show the Bobcats.

How can one in Sanford be regional and another not?

[teej]

How can one in Sanford be regional and another not?

It's where some beaurocrat in DC drew the line...

[spectre]

It's where some beaurocrat in DC drew the line...

If you notice in the other thread according to DISH the Leagues set the regional lines.

[teej]

If you notice in the other thread according to DISH the Leagues set the regional lines.

From what I've read on MLB blackouts it's set by congress. And I think your "team" is set by DC, whether or not you can watch your "team" on leaguepass is set by the league? IDK. It's all retarded.

[dav7z]

Micheal come by and see us at half time some this year . I have moved over to section 211 row B . Im sure Beagle will come down and set a few games with me when my wife dosen't go.
I love the ticket packets this year . They even seem a little early. The site is much better but remember we looking for information ever day so i would like to see more up dates . Player interviews , coach interviews , etc . That site could be a untaped market for ticket sales.

People like you and Mike my rep are the best. The rest of the organization could learn from you two guys. Sonic is my favorite and i will be sporting the Bobcats when we drive throuh . Leting those guys know the Cats is the reason we regular costmers.

BTW guys games when we get Luxery sweet or court side seats , We will be giving our regular tickets away to Bobcatsplanet members . I will post those early if any one is instrested in going for free. I just don't know the dates yet.

[bozzy]

I could really care less about the changes at this point. I still have no faith that anyone in SC with Charter will ever see the games on TV this century. Having new uniforms is only nice if you can actually see them.

[fatlever]

adding fuel to the fire...

i live in charlotte and can luckily see all 82 games. however, this TV situation is a nightmare. until its fixed, this team will suffer major lack of fan support throughout the nc/sc. that's a fact. and while the bobcats officially say they are concerned, i honestly dont get the feeling the organization is doing everything they can to fix this situation. just saying "its out of our hands" "sorry a FEW (whatever... how about MOST) providers arent picking up the games" etc... that isnt good enough. i dont have any answers but i'm sure there is a solution out there. also, the NBA league pass being blacked out is just as ridiculous. maybe the bobcats can put some pressure on the league or whoever decides these blackout rules. you have an entire state of fans dying to see your product and they cant. they cant see it on local tv and they cant even PAY for it. how insane is it to have a product and have customers who are dying to buy the product yet the NBA decides they dont want their money. they cant even PAY for it via the website. the only choice is to watch the games illegally. yes, the solution is to STEAL the games because they NBA wont sell it to them. its time to start really thinking long and hard about this issue and how to come up with a solution. everyone likes money and i'm sure the NBA would love to get some of that NBA league pass money. until then, god bless those sites who stream games for free.

btw... uniforms look great.

oh yeah, some of them new ladycats... yikes.

[spectre]

Well said Fats!

[davcbow]

adding fuel to the fire...

i live in charlotte and can luckily see all 82 games. however, this TV situation is a nightmare. until its fixed, this team will suffer major lack of fan support throughout the nc/sc. that's a fact. and while the bobcats officially say they are concerned, i honestly dont get the feeling the organization is doing everything they can to fix this situation. just saying "its out of our hands" "sorry a FEW (whatever... how about MOST) providers arent picking up the games" etc... that isnt good enough. i dont have any answers but i'm sure there is a solution out there. also, the NBA league pass being blacked out is just as ridiculous. maybe the bobcats can put some pressure on the league or whoever decides these blackout rules. you have an entire state of fans dying to see your product and they cant. they cant see it on local tv and they cant even PAY for it. how insane is it to have a product and have customers who are dying to buy the product yet the NBA decides they dont want their money. they cant even PAY for it via the website. the only choice is to watch the games illegally. yes, the solution is to STEAL the games because they NBA wont sell it to them. its time to start really thinking long and hard about this issue and how to come up with a solution. everyone likes money and i'm sure the NBA would love to get some of that NBA league pass money. until then, god bless those sites who stream games for free.

btw... uniforms look great.

oh yeah, some of them new ladycats... yikes.

I agree dude and what happened to ladycat Jordan?:cool:

[fatlever]

lets look at the tv situation like this...

lets say i live in statesville and i want to buy a brand new authentic bobcats jersey. so i go to the local sports store and they dont have any jerseys for sale. they tell me that the bobcats decided that only Dick's Sporting Goods can sell bobcats jerseys. too bad they dont have a Dick's in Statesville. i beg them to order me a jersey and i will gladly pay for shipping costs. but they refuse and tell me its out of their hands. i should complain to the bobcats. Poor me i cant buy a jersey. So i save my money and decide to travel to Charlotte to go to a game in person. While at the game i visit the team store to buy a jersey. when i get to the counter they ask me where i live and i tell them Stateville. They immediately snatch my jersey and tell me they cant sell me the jersey because i live outside of their jersey sellling range. I plead with the sales staff showing them my crisp 100 dollar bill i have saved. but they claim its "out of their hands". i even tell them there is a guy standing on the corner outside of the store who has a rack of replica jerseys that he stole from the store last week. he is apparently giving them away for free. i tell the sales staff i would rather pay for the authentic jersey than to get a stolen replica jersey for free. they simply shrug their shoulders as if they cant help me any further. they tell me to take it up with the NBA. i finally give up, go get a free stolen replica jersey and spend my 100 dollars on a brand new panthers jersey instead.

[SCBobcat]

Does anyone know if you can use Dish in Columbia, SC (for example) but have the billing address and/or set it up in Charlotte and get the games that way? For USC football tailgating we use a Dish TV. This year for our first tailgating TV game we brought it to Athens for the Georgia game and set it up to read the satelite signals from an Athens zip code. Now when we have it in Columbia for home games we turn it on and it works off the same signal we used in Athens (just because we were too lazy to re-set the unit). It stands to reason we could do the same thing for Bobcats' games using a Charlotte zip code.

[teej]

Does anyone know if you can use Dish in Columbia, SC (for example) but have the billing address and/or set it up in Charlotte and get the games that way? For USC football tailgating we use a Dish TV. This year for our first tailgating TV game we brought it to Athens for the Georgia game and set it up to read the satelite signals from an Athens zip code. Now when we have it in Columbia for home games we turn it on and it works off the same signal we used in Athens (just because we were too lazy to re-set the unit). It stands to reason we could do the same thing for Bobcats' games using a Charlotte zip code.

Brilliant idea, idk if it would work or not. The zip code here is 28602, and we get it on DirecTv and Dish.

[polarcat]

not trying to go too OT here, but does anyone in charlotte know if tonight's preseason game against the cavs is on? i searched through time warner's guide and didn't see it. wasn't sure if i overlooked it or if it's on another network, and i can go to a bar to watch it.

[teej]

not trying to go too OT here, but does anyone in charlotte know if tonight's preseason game against the cavs is on? i searched through time warner's guide and didn't see it. wasn't sure if i overlooked it or if it's on another network, and i can go to a bar to watch it.

It's on FSNOhio. And WFNZ. That's it. If it's on at a bar, I'd be shocked. Most will be shwoing the Twins-Tigers playoff.

If we can find it, we'll post a link to a stream here on the boards.

[Chef]

changing the billing does work. i have a friend in baltimore who grew up in pittsburgh. rather than getting nfl league pass, he used his parents current address as the billing address and gets all of the steelers games as local broadcasts. downside, no actual local channels. also, don't know if they catch on to it or not.

[TheBeagle]

lets look at the tv situation like this...

lets say i live in statesville and i want to buy a brand new authentic bobcats jersey. so i go to the local sports store and they dont have any jerseys for sale. they tell me that the bobcats decided that only Dick's Sporting Goods can sell bobcats jerseys. too bad they dont have a Dick's in Statesville. i beg them to order me a jersey and i will gladly pay for shipping costs. but they refuse and tell me its out of their hands. i should complain to the bobcats. Poor me i cant buy a jersey. So i save my money and decide to travel to Charlotte to go to a game in person. While at the game i visit the team store to buy a jersey. when i get to the counter they ask me where i live and i tell them Stateville. They immediately snatch my jersey and tell me they cant sell me the jersey because i live outside of their jersey sellling range. I plead with the sales staff showing them my crisp 100 dollar bill i have saved. but they claim its "out of their hands". i even tell them there is a guy standing on the corner outside of the store who has a rack of replica jerseys that he stole from the store last week. he is apparently giving them away for free. i tell the sales staff i would rather pay for the authentic jersey than to get a stolen replica jersey for free. they simply shrug their shoulders as if they cant help me any further. they tell me to take it up with the NBA. i finally give up, go get a free stolen replica jersey and spend my 100 dollars on a brand new panthers jersey instead. Wow, two fatlever posts in two days?!?!?! I know you got your Realgm duties, Lafayette, but it's always a pleasure to have you 'round these parts!

Also, great analogy with the jerseys.....all too true.