Season Ticket Holder Roundtable

[Felton for Prez]

For better or worse, I was asked to attend a small focus group on how to improve the season ticket holder experience. While I certainly have my own views, I figured I'd gather any views that you all might have. I'd welcome all thoughts but am most curious about your views on:
1. affordability / relative value
2. concession prices
3. business units professionalism
4. marketing
5. public perception issues and potential resolutions for it
6. what are the top 3 things you would like to remove from the current game experience?
7. what are the top 3 things you would like to add to the current game experience (besides actually winning)?
8. information exchange
9. rufus - pro/con
10. compare and contrast the panthers vs the bobcats businesses/marketing

Thanks guys. I'll try and report back after the 12/5 meeting.

[teej]

For better or worse, I was asked to attend a small focus group on how to improve the season ticket holder experience. While I certainly have my own views, I figured I'd gather any views that you all might have. I'd welcome all thoughts but am most curious about your views on:

Disclaimer: I am not a season ticket holder, but after reading this, I think these questions are to get more in rather than make you guys have more fun. JMHO.


1. affordability / relative value

Just about every seat is worth the money, although I think they might make some of the tickets up top a little cheaper. Vlaue wise, it's great.


2. concession prices

Too high. Way too high. I know it'll never change, becuase every venue rips people off, but $10 for a tiny pizza? $5 for a side of fries? C'mon, man! MT compared it to the Panthers, but I don't think you can, since the Panthers is NFL and the 'Cats are NBA. Although the Frontcourt fine dining is well priced and excellent food.


3. business units professionalism

From my limited dealings, except for that bitch screwing up the BCP meetup last season, it's been very good. Though the lower level sales people are stupid, intelligence wise.


4. marketing

There's marketing? I have never seen a Bobcats billboard, ad, or promotion outside of bobcats.com. It's awful. Do they even have a marketing team? Seriously, amour could do their job so much better it's not even funny. Go viral, use iTunes, or just straight up advertise. Indifference is worse...


5. public perception issues and potential resolutions for it

Nothing other than BJ selling, IMHO. Winning cures all, but until then, BJ has pissed people off, fairly or not, and it's not going to change unless he sells or the team wins.


6. what are the top 3 things you would like to remove from the current game experience?

1. Volume on the PA - 10x too loud, outside of intros
2. Volume on the PA
3. Voulme on the PA
Other than that I can't really think of anything


7. what are the top 3 things you would like to add to the current game experience (besides actually winning)?

In this order:
1. More player interaction (i.e. what the Mavs did with the "Diop Diop" vid, what the Heat did with having the players do a Rock Band recording)
2. Actual Bobcat in the main entry
3. Bring back the Q&A's for STH's pregame (as far as I know, they don't do this anymore)


8. information exchange

I'm thinking this is a STH thing? IDK.


9. rufus - pro/con

If he wasn't so corny with his act and he wasn't orange, he'd be great. I don't mind the other stuff, though.


10. compare and contrast the panthers vs the bobcats businesses/marketing


Panthers are on tv for one. Marketing wise, they actually market stuff. They buy tv & radio spots, billboards, and other stuff. They get players out into the media. They make the team accesible and visible to those outside the QC. As far as business goes, well, they have a smart ownership group who let's the coach/gm make the team better without worrying about financials. And they make smart football moves.

One other thing. Maybe say something about getting a weekly Bobcats tv show on a Charlotte station. The Panthers have one, why can't the Bobs? And make this one accesible...

[Felton for Prez]

Great. Thanks. One question though..what is STH?

[davcbow]

Great. Thanks. One question though..what is STH?

season ticket holders

[TattoodCats4life]

There's marketing? I have never seen a Bobcats billboard, ad, or promotion outside of bobcats.com. It's awful. Do they even have a marketing team? Seriously, amour could do their job so much better it's not even funny. Go viral, use iTunes, or just straight up advertise. Indifference is worse...

.

Have you not seen the brand new Raja Bell billboards on I85 :) Its kinda ironic if you ask me, they had a big ass Okafor/Sprite/Bobcats billboard on 277/16 if you come into charlotte that way - poof gone - now raja - poof gone :)

[Dunk]

For better or worse, I was asked to attend a small focus group on how to improve the season ticket holder experience. While I certainly have my own views, I figured I'd gather any views that you all might have. I'd welcome all thoughts but am most curious about your views on:
1. affordability / relative value
2. concession prices
3. business units professionalism
4. marketing
5. public perception issues and potential resolutions for it
6. what are the top 3 things you would like to remove from the current game experience?
7. what are the top 3 things you would like to add to the current game experience (besides actually winning)?
8. information exchange
9. rufus - pro/con
10. compare and contrast the panthers vs the bobcats businesses/marketing

Thanks guys. I'll try and report back after the 12/5 meeting.

Here some of my thoughts:

1: I think they're just okay in the affordability dept. The Grizz seem cheaper and they haven't won anything either. You can but top level seats for the rest of the year for $170 there. 'Cats are double that. I don't feel for where I'm sitting is bad but it's a big jump to get to the lower bowl which is the only place left I can go.

2: I pretty much don't buy anything in the arena anymore. I have food and a couple of drinks before I go in. It's crazy. I understand how arenas work (I've met the second in command at Compass Group who does the restaurants for The Biscuit - I mean, I know how it works). It's just that in this climate, why bother?

3: In the arena, totally happy. My experience with my season ticket reps has been just bad. My last one finally left. He sucked because I just never heard from the guy. This new one harassed me until I finally bought my tickets. Haven't heard from him at all even to tell me about open practice.

4: Marketing to my knowledge is a billboard on 74. Play The Right Way! I don't know, I wouldn't base it around a coach that's known to leave teams after a couple of years. Is it because he's white? That's honestly what I thought. Why not around Gerald Wallace? He's the franchise of the team, plays hard, people know and like him.

5: Perception issues are that we haven't won anything and the owner is selling the team and there's a lot of turnover. Just win.

6 & 7: Less hokey stuff on the monitor and more stuff during the game like replays and what's going on around the league that night. More rock music and less hip hop.

8: What information exchange? Everything that happens I get from this website. One thing I'd like to take away from here is that because I'm a 10 game STH (and was 21), I've really felt like this franchise hadn't cared a whole heck of a lot. As a former marketer, I'd be focused on taking those folks and trying to grow them into full season STHs and upgrading them. What's the benefit of buying 10 games when you can get into some of them for a song?

9: I like Rufus. That guy does a pretty good job

10: I don't follow the Panthers (I'm a Patriots fan being from New England) but in my opinion, they seem much more corporate focused. Each game is an event - and with 16 games you can be. They have a white southern guy as the face of the franchise. And they had won quite a bit until recently. Every banker in the city puts on his dockers and golf shirt and goes to the game on Sunday (puke). But they sell. It's a much more corporate, comfortable affair -- every guy I know takes his clients to Panthers games. Or NASCAR. And that, sir, is a lot of guys. If I'm in sales why would I take a customer to the Bobcats?



Hope that helps.

[Scottley Crue]

1. affordability / relative value
I think the ticket prices are pretty fair. I can't complain about mine. I love my seat, especially for the price. No issues here.


2. concession prices
Waaaaaaaay too high. Of course, this is not a new thing for sporting events. And though I appreciate that "shop the right way" card, 5% off concession is nothing. For a STH, it should be closer to 25%.

An idea...Lowe's Motor Speedway did something I thought was neat...they had a .99 cent menu at some of their concession stands...basic burgers, drinks, snacks. Nothing fancy, not huge portions. Maybe .99 cents can't be done, but what about a $1.50 or $2.00 menu? A 12-ouce water? Two slider burgers? Things along those lines.

One other idea...a little more on the healty items. Would love to have a small fruit bowl as a snack. (Or maybe they do and I just haven't found it.)


3. business units professionalism
I had a problem with the first rep I ever had there, but after he was moved, I've been more than happy with my reps. They're quick to help and friendly.


4. marketing
Like Teej, I wonder if there is a marketing branch. This is something the Bobcats are HORRID at. They don't even put out ads to simply let you know when the next game is. They need to get the name out in the community by literally putting their name out in the community. Ads, ads, ads...noone knows you're there unless you tell them. They need to come up with some good quirky, funny ads like the old Ric Flair/Baron Davis one the Hornets did. Something like that...and like Teej says, do it on as many platforms as possible.


5. public perception issues and potential resolutions for it
The public perception is that the owner and team is cheap. Fans want to know that an organization will do whatever it takes to win, which includes spending money. That's not the feeling the Bobcats put out there. Simply put...spend money or be under new ownership who will.


6. what are the top 3 things you would like to remove from the current game experience?
1-They started having the Rythmn Cats pounding the drums out on the concourse at halftime. If you need to make a call, you've got to run far away to make it. After the game, cool. At halftime, give it a rest.
2-PA volume is better this year, but could still be toned down a bit.
3-Goes with #2, but that silly "Let Me Hear You" thing. To me, that music is some of the most obnoxious and terribly loud stuff I've heard. Again, calm it down a bit.


7. what are the top 3 things you would like to add to the current game experience (besides actually winning)?
1-Like Teej said, more player involvement. Again, having them in humorus skits or "getting to know you" blurbs during breaks in the action would be great. Let the town know who's playing for them...they might actually like them.
2-Other skits during breaks. Nothing fancy, just fun, funny stuff. T-Shirt cannons are nice, but not 2 or 3 times a game.
3-PA annoucer saying things that the crowd can get involved in. Kinda like "Deee-troit...Basketball".


8. information exchange
Not sure what is meant by this.


9. rufus - pro/con
Rufus is for the kids. (Much like Wu-Tang...;)) Really, he doesn't bother me. What he does is fine.


10. compare and contrast the panthers vs the bobcats businesses/marketing
Well, the Panthers actually do put ads out in the community. They are heavily involved with WFNZ, actually having players as regular guests. They're a known quantity. Currently, the Bobcats are not. The Bobcats need to get their name and players out there. If Gerald can be half the jokester on camera he appears to be in the practice clips you see, you can have a familar, interesting face to associate with the team.

Wow...I think I've said enough. Thanks for the opportunity, FFP. It'll be great to hear how things went.

[chabber]

1. affordability / relative value

I've been a season ticket holder all 6 years. No real complaints about the prices from me.

2. concession prices

Keep going up every year it seems. They may be into or past Panther territory now. Every once and a while I will get a drink but that is about it. I have had friends complain about the lack of choices in candy but I doubt that will get changed through a focus group.

3. business units professionalism

The last 2-3 years my season ticket managers have been great. Before that I never really heard from them. Jessica Berkshire was my last one and she was promoted. Alan Wheeling is my new one and I talk to him pretty often. He's done a great job so far at keeping me informed and happy.

4. marketing

I can't say I look for this stuff because I'm going to watch the team no matter what. I don't listen to the radio much and I FF through most commercials. I do see bill boards and other things though pretty often. Just the other day I was in AMC Theatre at Concord Mills and they have stand ups of the players all over. I thought it was a pretty cool idea.

5. public perception issues and potential resolutions for it

The only thing I can say regarding this is to prove that the team knows what they are doing from the top down because most people don't think they do. Including myself.

6. what are the top 3 things you would like to remove from the current game experience?

I don't have any problems here.

7. what are the top 3 things you would like to add to the current game experience (besides actually winning)?

Same as before. I enjoy the overall production from the compilation intro videos to the ladycats. As far as music goes I believe they use a nice mix throughout the game.

8. information exchange

Nada

9. rufus - pro/con

I don't have a kid so no real thoughts on him other than he's more interesting than Sirr Purr.

10. compare and contrast the panthers vs the bobcats businesses/marketing

I may be wrong but I believe the panthers players on the radio are mostly paid to be there by the station. That is the way it was when I worked there last but still they are out there and I'm sure their PR guy is pushing them. It would be nice to get the Bobcat players out in the local media in more ways than they are but I don't listen to WFNZ.

As for in game marketing/business the Panthers games are annoying as hell live at the stadium. They know they have a captive audience and I feel like I'm watching an infomercial instead of a football game. They have no idea how to get anyone involved in the game and will kill any momentum the crowd has by advertising you to death. The Bobcats have a nice mix in this regard as did the Hornets before them.

[TheBeagle]

1. affordability / relative value

I've been a season ticket holder all 6 years. No real complaints about the prices from me.

2. concession prices

Keep going up every year it seems. They may be into or past Panther territory now. Every once and a while I will get a drink but that is about it. I have had friends complain about the lack of choices in candy but I doubt that will get changed through a focus group.

3. business units professionalism

The last 2-3 years my season ticket managers have been great. Before that I never really heard from them. Jessica Berkshire was my last one and she was promoted. Alan Wheeling is my new one and I talk to him pretty often. He's done a great job so far at keeping me informed and happy.

4. marketing

I can't say I look for this stuff because I'm going to watch the team no matter what. I don't listen to the radio much and I FF through most commercials. I do see bill boards and other things though pretty often. Just the other day I was in AMC Theatre at Concord Mills and they have stand ups of the players all over. I thought it was a pretty cool idea.

5. public perception issues and potential resolutions for it

The only thing I can say regarding this is to prove that the team knows what they are doing from the top down because most people don't think they do. Including myself.

6. what are the top 3 things you would like to remove from the current game experience?

I don't have any problems here.

7. what are the top 3 things you would like to add to the current game experience (besides actually winning)?

Same as before. I enjoy the overall production from the compilation intro videos to the ladycats. As far as music goes I believe they use a nice mix throughout the game.

8. information exchange

Nada

9. rufus - pro/con

I don't have a kid so no real thoughts on him other than he's more interesting than Sirr Purr.

10. compare and contrast the panthers vs the bobcats businesses/marketing

I may be wrong but I believe the panthers players on the radio are mostly paid to be there by the station. That is the way it was when I worked there last but still they are out there and I'm sure their PR guy is pushing them. It would be nice to get the Bobcat players out in the local media in more ways than they are but I don't listen to WFNZ.

As for in game marketing/business the Panthers games are annoying as hell live at the stadium. They know they have a captive audience and I feel like I'm watching an infomercial instead of a football game. They have no idea how to get anyone involved in the game and will kill any momentum the crowd has by advertising you to death. The Bobcats have a nice mix in this regard as did the Hornets before them. Agreed on basically all points.

As an aside, I know, I'm glad she got the promotion, but Jessica was a very cool rep that whether it was an act or not, really made you feel like you mattered. I mean, damn, she called me weekly (being the general misantrhope I am, I only picked up once a month or less, but that's beside the point), that was still damn impressive. This Wheeling dude...got no idea; aside from a handful of generic emails, I've had no interaction with him, be it a "stop and chat" at a game, or a phone call. Besides being slightly misanthropic, I'm also incredibly low maintenace and really don't need anything aside from my 2 seats in 215 and I get those mailed to me for 41 games a year before the season, so I'm set. Still, it's kinda odd no attempt has been made to communicate with me in a personal manner and the Larry David/George Costanza in me will get progressively irritated the longer it goes on.....

Felton for Prez, just let them know that the arena experience is a great thing, and the wide array of different people I've brought to games over the years (some who don't like basketball, perish the thought) always remark how much fun they've had on the way back home. That's really saying something, and is noteworthy!

It would be nice to scale the PA volume down a bit so that I could get my dad to come to a few games; my ears have gotten used to it, but my dad wouldn't have a chance, and that's shame cause he'd like to come, and it would be a chance to spend some time together, but I'd never put him through the cacophony of the intros, pre-tip, pre-2nd half, and 12 minutes. However, from what MT has said, this isn't likely to change, but mentioning it won't hurt.

And as compared to the Panthers? I was eating at Bojangles long before Jake and Steve came to town! They do more marketing than the Cats, of course, but I can't say any of it's worth a damn. And chabber is right about the in-game marketing at BOA.....it's pretty nauseating and a reason I try not to go to more than 2 games a year. It's just not fun, and that's not even mentioning the braindead rednecks who inhabit portions of BOA. I guess the message here is, take whatever the Panthers are doing, and do the opposite.

[Felton for Prez]

Good color, all, thanks. Some interesting themes. I find it pretty interesting that everyone (myself included) more often than not enjoys the experience. I wish I had a ticket rep that called me weekly and didn't speak like robot programmed by Fred Whitfield.

Anyway, the discussion is 2 weeks from tomorrow so please add any other comments that you can think of.

[chabber]

That is weird Beagle. I'm sure once he meets you he'll try to keep in touch. I've seen Wheeling at every game so far and he's waived at me twice and stopped by to say hey and check how things are going every other time. He even tracked me down in different seats at the Portland game where I had swapped tickets so that I could get 4 seats together. He's genuinely a nice guy and has only lived in Charlotte here about 4-5 months.

[Speed]

Alan has helped me with a problem that I was having with my tickets. I thought that he went way out of his way to make sure things were taken care of.
Sounds like I am beating the same old dead horse, but please ask them to fix this TV thing. Those of us on Charter are still unable to watch the games. I understand that it looks like business between TW and Charter, but I would like to see the CB work with the cable companies to get the games out to all. Seems like it would be a win for everyone.

[fatlever]

sorry FFP, but i'm not gonna answer the points 1,2,3... i'm feeling lazy today. :) instead you get my thoughts as the come....


+ love the parking - cheap and easy to get in out out. 1000X better than hornets games.
+ my seats are insanely cheap - i'm still on the 199 per seat plan. not sure if thats some kind of grandfathered price or what, but i'm not giving them up at that price. 5 dollars a game is just crazy. i try to give my seats away whenever i'm not going. so far my seats have been used for every game.
- however, they obviously need to lower the prices of the seats in the lower bowl at halfcourt. the seats opposite the bench in this area are always empty. good thing the tv cameras are shooting the other side. you can tell where the good deals for prices are because those sections will be packed. they need to tinker with the pricing point until they get a happy medium. it looks bad to have those seats empty.
+ i think rufus is good. he makes me laugh at least once a game. he's no superhugo, but who is.
- the volume on the PA and songs is too loud, as everyone agrees.
- i HATE the song they used at the start of second half. it sucks.
- "12 minutes" is retarded.
- can i get some more 70s funk/r&b at the games. come on. at least now i get some curtis mayfield each game in the 3rd quarter (i think). i'm not asking for frank zappa or steely dan or phish or the dead (although that would be fucking fantastic)... just give me some 70s funk/r&b, something that is appealing to the masses. and if that doesnt work... you can never go wrong with 80s tunes.
= i cant really comment on prices. i never buy food or drinks at the games. but if i did, i'm sure it would be in the minus category.
= i never hear from my ticket rep. he sends me some generic e-mails. i've been season tix holder for 4 years and i have never seen my rep. i hear all these stories about reps coming to visit in the stands. i think its a myth, like hot girls in michigan or werewolves. whatever, i dont care. like beagle, i am easy to please, just give me my tix and leave me alone. i dont want to shoot FTs at halftime. i dont want to be the season ticket holder of the game (athough i would love to say that my fave bobcats moment was the day we traded okafor - that would be hilarious) i just want to be left alone. maybe they dont care about me since my tix are FIVE DOLLARS a game. haha.
- can i get a public service annoucement (like they do at the movies) before each game? "parents, tell your shitty kids to stop kicking my fucking seat" seriously. i hate kids sitting behind me at games because their deadbeat parents are always in outer space during the games while little-suzy-doesnt-get-enough-attention-at-home kicks the back of my seat the entire game. last game, the little girl was dropping peanut shells on my back. her dad, dressed in carolina blue, was in la la land, just sitting their waiting for psycho-T to enter game.
+ jordan is hot and should be given a raise.
- natasha should be given weekly STD tests. i'm pretty sure she is patient zero for swine flu.
- why does every free shirt have to be xtra large? are their that many fatties in charlotte? i'm a little dude. i have an entire drawer full of brand new bobcats shirts that i cant wear. the kids cant wear xtra larges. skinny hotties cant wear xtra larges. gay guys who like tight shirts cant wear xtra larges. how about we go to a large instead.... you know, split the difference. at least the free season tix shirts had a size choice. yay.
- i know times are tough, but how hard is it to get some halftime entertainment? i'm sure there are lots of people/groups that would glady do it for cheap or free just for the exposure. at worst, can we bring back tic-tac-tocado for halftime. that game was fantastic. nothing is funnier than seeing grown men who dont understand the concept of tic-tac-toe.
+ i love the giant bathrooms on the second floor near my seats.
- what happened to free tacos? i mean, we never score 100 points anymore. we should be rewarded with free diarrhea when we score 100.

ok, thats all i got...

[Felton for Prez]

Most entertaining response so far. Thanks Fats.

[dav7z]

First i love my seats . Cheap easy to get in and out only one step.
2nd Fats is right parking is so much better .
3rd I think over all seating is priced about right , Except court side 1000 a game is way to much for me.
4th Fats rep thing concerns me , I have two guys who works with me , Mike and Allen
I see or hear from thease guys regular. They both let you know they thair to make you happy. Fats your rep must suck big time and you should complain . Fats do you even have a discount card. Do you even know your reps name . If you don't pm me i can take care of that. This year so far ive been up graded twice and season ticket holders of the game once. You deserve to be up graded to the lower level mid court one game.
5th I love banking tickets . And i love the idea , But i would like to add to that bring a frind . What that would do is move you seats to be able to set with your party. At no exchange or extra cost to you. Unless the seat value was different. A simple mater your rep could takre care of.

BTW Allen and Mike both read the site daily now and love it . Im sure either would help if any one has any problems

[Felton for Prez]

BTW Allen and Mike both read the site daily now and love it . Im sure either would help if any one has any problems

You have normal human being conversations with your rep(s)? Mine is a robot. Drives me nuts. He won't even talk basketball. Its amazing to me.

[Dunk]

I'd really like to understand what the rep guidelines are. How often are you supposed to talk with your customers? Are there specific upgrade policies in place? Are there specific e-mail lists and are those sent automatically for communication? What are reps measured by other than ticket sales? What are this differences in how you treat full season and half season (and other package) people? Lower and upper bowl?

I wouldn't say I'm that hard to please either but I'd at least like to hear from my guy(s) every now and then. Or be notified of events and so forth. If I'm the 'cats, I'd be worried about the variation in experiences. That should be fairly consistent among folks across the board. Especially now - you want to keep your base happy.

Maybe a rep or MT can answer that while FFP provides feedback for the organization.

[Scottley Crue]

Alan is my rep too and I've been very pleased with how he's treated me. I'm like Beagle and Fatlever...give me my tickets and let me go. I'll occasionally email him questions while I'm at work (including a question about Bon Jovi tickets for my boss) and if he doesn't answer immediately, it's usually within an hour. He does keep me up to date on events. He's always willing to talk basketball (at the arena or email) and I've found him to be a good guy in general.

Now, I've never had a rep visit me at my seat, but I'm fine with that unless they say they're going to and don't. The first rep I had kept telling me that and never showed. That says alot when you do stuff like that. I've been upgraded a handful of times in the four years I've had season tickets, but I don't think to the frequency that others have. Of course, I don't ask for them, either.

Overall, I guess I've had it pretty good with reps...other than the first one I had, they've kept me well informed and have been extremely helpful and friendly. They've upgraded me a few times, but haven't come by my seat or called/emailed on a regular basis...but I'm Ok with that. As long as they help me when I need it, I'm cool.

[fatlever]

cedric is my rep. i guess i dont expect a lot of frills since i have the cheapest STH seats in the arena. and plus, i dont make any effort at all to contact him, so.....

he sends generic emails occasionally. last year he called me a couple of times when i was at work, once to remind me to use my $250 upgrade they gave everyone and once to remind me to get my free STH shirt. i've been upgraded once in 4 years, last year i got moved from my nosebleeds to the front row of the upper deck at halfcourt. that was pretty cool. i'm not really complaining. sure, sitting lower bowl, halfcourt is awesome, but i still like my nosebleeds. i can see fine. its nice and dark up there and usually there is nobody around me so i can stretch out and relax. plus, less chance of seat-kickers.

[Felton for Prez]

I've never been upgraded once in 5 yrs. I really didn't care that I wasn't until I started on these boards and kept hearing about folks getting upgraded all the time. I have a buddy who got upgraded to courtside!!! I don't ask for much, if anything, other than consistancy. That's my biggest issue as a season ticket holder. It seems that the squeaky wheel gets the grease and that should never be the case.

[bfer]

Here are my 2 cents. I have been a STH since day 1 and have been to over 90% of the games since then. I thought the value of the seats during Season 1 is still the same value as today, although it has doubled in price. I have a hard time renewing my tickets for basically the same results. The first 2 seasons my ticket rep was awesome. She was always calling me and asking me what can they improve etc. I dont get that now. if i saw my ticket rep in the hall, no way he would know my name and a 50% chance he would know i am a STH. They used to call me about upcoming games and if i wanted to play 2 ball with Morrison. I also took my work there for about 75 people. You would have thought i would have gotten a thanks or anything.

I know a lot of people complain about the PA announcer, but i have no issue with it. With that being said, people i bring to the game complain about it as well. Sounds like a problem for a majority of people so we need to get that fixed.

As far as a radio show, i completely agree. Duirng season 1, they had it at Champions downtown. It was great. I believe it was at 7pm on Wednesday. The players would be there and we could get autographs and ask questions. It is a novel idea! I remember Okafor being there to talk about his ROY race etc. It was a small place with just Steve Martin and the players. It was awesome and i wish they could bring it back. It would take care of the issues about the fans being out in the community etc.

I think Rufus does a great job with the kids and dancing. He is always nice and giving them high fives etc. I think they need to do more outside the arena to get the fans and community aware of them. If you ask 9 out of 10 people how the Panthers did last week they would know. 9 out of 10 people wouldnt know how the Bobcats did for any game last week. They have to fix that and create a buzz around the team. They need to be out promoting. i know they had lay offs, but come on. That isnt going to help them if they arent out and about.

I hate the ushers at the top of the sections. i will leave and go get a beer and come right back and they ask me for my ticket stub. Lets use some common sense and know that you just saw my leave my seats about 5 minutes before. Edward in section 117 is awesome in game usher, he does a great job and adds to the overall experience. Each game he greats me and asks how my family is etc. Awesome guy.

Value of the concession is pretty much standard. I expect that and dont think it is out of control for a game.

One issue-get the lower bowl across from the bench filled with some fans. It is terrible. Sell those seats and make it respectable. Some games i have seen at least 3 rows completely empty. Also, this is what the players look at when they sit there. that has to hurt to look at that.

All will be solved with just winning.........

[eleaf14]

Ive been lucky to have the cheap seats at a good rate for the past 3 seasons...and my family had tickets the year before that one.

My issues are mainly w/ in game production. Its quite obvious that the announcer needs to work on his calling. There is a time to be over the top. But when we are down in the 1st half to the lowly Nets...on a Monday night...empty arena (maybe 3,5000)...its not exactly ideal to hear "GGGG-Gerald Wallace". He just sucks...so either have him go to some workshops...or pink slip him.

Second is the music. I had heard that the music played during the game was pretty standard around the NBA. Not the case at all. Watching the Hornets, Bucks, and other road games...I have come to realize that not every team plays top 40 hip hop...and other current radio jams. I should note that I am a fan of some of the music they play at the arena, and hip hop in general.

We need the D-Fence chant, charge chant, etc. We havent had that old school basketball production since the hornets left. It gets the fans involved other than our awful announcer annoying everyone with "Lets Go Cats" til you cant hear your neighbor. When was the last time he even got the crowd to stand in a close one?

Also...Rock N Roll part 2, and twist and shout are long time basketball songs. Bring them back.

I really think that this would make gameday more generic...and fan friendly. If people want top 40...the Epicenter is 2 blocks away.

Old School Production!

[cls77]

Hey guys -- new to the forums here. STH for 3 years. Here goes....

1. affordability / relative value

For ticket prices there are some great values in the arena (ie $5-10 ticket deals in upper level... lower level corners for $30-35) but as someone else mentioned you will have entire sections jam packed and then others nearby completely empty. They need to introduce new single game ticket price levels for the empty sections (reimburse season ticket holders for those areas with extra tix or store credit). I have been a STH holder in the upper level for three years and have zero complaints. I take friends to the games on weekends via the ticket exchange and use the STH discount for better seats when the top teams come to town.

2. concession prices

I've certainly seen worse (Anybody here been to the New Yankee Stadium? Sheesh!) -- I liked the idea of having a "budget" style menu (two slider burgers, etc.) I think that would especially encourage more family attendance.

3. business units professionalism

No real complaints. My ticket rep knows me -- I'm pretty low maintenance. Ran into him for the first time last week at the Pacers game and he knew me (my last name isn't exactly common but I still appreciated it)

4. marketing

I absolutely love this team... and I just don't get how you can't pack 18,000 people into an arena for an NBA game. At least on the weekends! The Bobcats need to understand that they need to GROW a fanbase. I know the Bobcats have the Ticket Foundation for kids... but they need to expand it a lot more. Sure, give some kids/college students some free tickets.... they will buy a jersey, they will take family, etc.

The mission statement in sales should be to PACK THE HOUSE every night! By any means necessary!

I could rant on this for a while (I've been meaning to start a similar thread here with ideas to boost attendance to give to the sales dept) -- but if you pack the house every night it WILL generate revenue. People will buy merchandise, they will purchase concessions, they will actually TELL OTHER PEOPLE positive things about the team/arena/experience.

As it is right now this season people are going to the games, talking about how empty and lifeless the arena was, and not returning.


5. public perception issues and potential resolutions for it

I addressed a lot of this in #4 but if you strive to pack the house I think you will address a lot of the public perception issues that the Bobcats are either boring or not worth paying to see.

6. what are the top 3 things you would like to remove from the current game experience?

I don't really have problems with the game experience... I might be one of the few people here who even LIKES 12 Minutes. But it is designed to pump up a crowd, which is hard to do when you will often find yourself being the only person (or group) in the row. The Bobcats need to either focus on a more intimate playing environment (closing off entire sections) or find a way to put people in seats.

7. what are the top 3 things you would like to add to the current game experience (besides actually winning)?

This is a recurring theme with me, but I think the Bobcats are doing a lot of great things with the game experience.... its just hard to rally the fans when you will have 10 people sitting in an ENTIRE SECTION!!!

8. information exchange

Not exactly sure what is meant by this. I generally find the concourse attendants to be less than knowledgable (ie when I asked if the Sushi vendor had been moved and I had to explain to him where it used to be) -- at least have some sort of pamphlet I can get my hands on that can answer these questions.

9. rufus - pro/con

Rufus is interacting with fans non-stop. I've always found him to be pretty hokey, but then again I'm not 8 years old anymore. The kids love him, and he gives them plenty of attention, and thats all that matters.

10. compare and contrast the panthers vs the bobcats businesses/marketing

The Bobcats aren't going to become the Panthers overnight. I've only felt solidified local loyalty to the Panthers in the last few years and they've been around since 1995. Still... this is the Bobcats sixth season and they seem to be regressing.

I imagine the Bobcats resources-wise are struggling to reach out to just Charlotte, but they do need to find more creative ways to reach out to the surrounding area. I wasn't in Charlotte back in the Hornets days but you were packing the arena not just from Charlotte locals but people coming in from Rock Hill, Hickory, Greensboro, etc.... if you ask people where they are coming in from for Panthers games I often hear places like Wilmington, Charleston (3-4+ hour trips). The Bobcats need to market themselves better throughout the Carolinas.

[spectre]

Wow...what a great first post!


I absolutely love this team

Then you are most certainly in the right place at BCP.

Welcome!

[fatlever]

funny someone mentioned the ushers... ugh. so last weekend my wife went to get a beer with about 2 mins left in the 3rd quarter. she was coming back to the seat right after the buzzer sounded for the end of the 3rd quarter. the usher stopped her and said "hey, i dont think you can bring those beers in the stands, the 3rd quarter just ended", my wife just lauged and said "um, no... you cant SELL beer after the 3rd quarter" and kept walking. that is minor league stuff right there.

[TheBeagle]

cedric is my rep. i guess i dont expect a lot of frills since i have the cheapest STH seats in the arena. and plus, i dont make any effort at all to contact him, so.....

he sends generic emails occasionally. last year he called me a couple of times when i was at work, once to remind me to use my $250 upgrade they gave everyone and once to remind me to get my free STH shirt. i've been upgraded once in 4 years, last year i got moved from my nosebleeds to the front row of the upper deck at halfcourt. that was pretty cool. i'm not really complaining. sure, sitting lower bowl, halfcourt is awesome, but i still like my nosebleeds. i can see fine. its nice and dark up there and usually there is nobody around me so i can stretch out and relax. plus, less chance of seat-kickers. LOL. Fats, I knew we had similar tastes in throwback unis, but if you weren't married, and it didn't sound homosexual, I'd say you're a man after my own heart :p My seats in 215 aren't nosebleeds per se (row J), but they're up there enough, but I absolutely love 'em. Your $5 seats are grandfathered because $10 seats have been the cheapest the last two years, which is what they are in 215. And yeah, how about these kids that kick in the back and stare in the front? I'm sitting there trying to watch the Cats and I have these beady eyes burning a hole in my soul from kids that sit in row I over the years. And then when I ask them, with more than a little sarcasm, "Are you enjoying the game?" they don't have the common courtesy to answer; they turn around and 15 or so minutes later, those pulsating eyes are right back on me. Oy vey....

And you're right on about the music selection.... 70s RB/funk would be heaven and have broad appeal.



As an aside, I got a call on the answer machine from Allan Wheeling. Very well spoken, seems sincere, so all is cool on that front! So Allan, if you're reading, the guy with the initials MW in 215, row J, seats 1 and 2 says hi and thanks!


Good first post and welcome, cls77! You're right on about concession prices. I haven't been to Yankees Stadium new or old, but every spring/summer I go visit my cousin and his better half in Baltimore and pick up either a Orioles or Nats (if they play my 'Stros!!!) game or two and I'm reminded how much better I have it at the TWC. It's not the best or the most variety, but at least I'm not paying $9.25 (no, they don't even round off at Nationals park...they just gotta have that extra quarter.)

[Felton for Prez]

Had the meeting yesterday. It was run by the infamous Michael Thompson (who's probably reading this at some point. Hi, Michael. It shouldn't be hard for you to figure out who this is.). It was an interesting back and forth. I am very grateful for being asked to participate and thought it was great that our feedback was solicited.

Highlights include:
- it was an interesting cross section of STH, young and old, those that care primarily about the game, those that appeared more concerned about the amenities than the game, some that understood our situation as a basketball team, some that didn't.
- I don't envy Michael Thompson and his team. I don't think I had an appreciation for the reasons people go to games. Its gotta be tough to determine a marketing strategy with such a varied level of interest
- I thought it was going to be only on the ticket holder experience but it turned into a discussion on the team as well. Not really sure that is where Michael wanted it to go. Not sure how that's helpful for him. Anyway, I was clearly the most frustrated by the team. I wish I had the optimism of the others.
- Michael asked us all a bunch of questions and the results generally mimicked the responses in this post. The game experience is top notch even though the product may not be.
- We talked about the lower bowl and what to do about that. Variable pricing was discussed (it is do-able)
- The most common response on what to tell Bob Johnson was to spend more money. We've talked about this before, he's been spending money (and losing it too). Some of the folks seemed to think we should have a Yankee's style approach to building a team. I was pretty disappointed in that view. It just seems uninformed.
- The most common complaint was about the lack of halftime shows or quality of. I could care less since I don't watch them anyway. Apparently, the halftime show is a big deal for some. Who knew.
- Lots of venom towards the Observer. Lots of it.
- The information flow was primarily one way. Michael answered some questions but nothing we didn't already know. I asked him about the potential sale and he said that Bob Johnson has never said the team was for sale. While technically true, he clearly didn't want to volunteer any info (which is fine, its not his responsibility to that, but it would nice if someone would)
- One of the comments I agreed with was getting the players involved in some of the jumbotron stuff. I referenced KG in Boston (love that) and someone commented on Brevin and the piece he used to have. Good chat on relatability of players.
- No real discussion about outside charlotte. Sorry about that.

There were a few others discussions but nothing groundbreaking. It broke down into a discussion about the product on the floor which wasn't overly productive. I'm pretty sure they already knew that STH weren't satisfied with the teams performance.

All in all time well spent. I knew it was tough trying to sell tickets to an apathetic fan base during a massive recession but I don't think I ever really thought hard about how to attack it. Not an easy task. Best of luck to them.