The Bobcats would have more fans if. . .

[Michael Thompson]

My name is Michael Thompson and I'm the new Director of Corporate Communications for the Bobcats. My job is to craft and deliver messages through the media that help build our brand and create brand loyalty, so the organization can do things like sell tickets and sponsorships more effectively, and engage more people in ways that only sports can.

As Bobcats fans, you're all brand representatives as well, and a big part of my job is making sure all of our representatives are armed with information and facts on the team, Arena and our products/services. From insight on the team to single game ticket offers and everything in between, think of me as a resource to help you communicate more effectively about the Bobcats, provide answers for questions that you or others may have about the organization, or be a conduit for delivering messages directly to Bobcats' senior management. This is a partnership between fans and the organization, and the conversation should go both ways. I can help do that for you.

I'll be posting a lot on here. You've already seen the threads on Guns N' Hoses and the now-famous MJ practice. As news happens I'll bring it here. As questions arise, I'll answer them here. Feel free to reach out to me either on this forum, or at my work email: mthompson@bobcats.com

I look forward to working with all of you. Even some guy named Ziggy.

[Dunk]

If this is true, I'm impressed with your willingness to interact with the fans. A couple of points.

- Winning cures a lot of ills so that should be priority one towards getting butts in seats. We speculate on how to do that here in multiple threads so I won't do that in this post.

- Please, please, please expand the television coverage of the team. I've heard that there is a possible move to FoxSS. I think the 'cats need strong regional coverage throughout the Carolinas that covers over the air, basic cable systems, and satellite.

- We would love an HD feed of the games. At least I would.

- The Bobcats have a charitable foundation, how can we assist with that? Recently I was looking to make a holiday donation and wanted a worthy charity...I'd be happy to do something as a season ticket holder.


Thanks for your post. No one wants the team to succeed like we do.

[dnbman]

Michael,

Thanks for posting. As far as fact checking, these a few things I know fans on various websites have been wondering:

1. What is Bernie's role now? Is he still involved with decisions on players or has is job changed?

2. As Dunk pointed out, many folks around the web have said all manner of things about the TV deal. What is the current deal and are the Bobcats involved in trying to get more games on the air in future seasons?

3. Has there been any progress with the arena naming rights?

4. Somewhat related, several people have suggested there's some sort of arena boycott. (Most don't believe it) Do you have many (or any) actual protesters who have contacted you or refused to do business with you because they thought the democratic process was hijacked in regards to the arena? (If that feels like a leading question, it's mean to be.)

If you can't answer any of these questions, I understand. However, all of them have been involved in tons of posts around various websites. Some truth to the matter might at least put the threads to rest. (Although, many of them have somewhat disappeared since the start of the season.)

Thanks again for posting. That's quite noble and bold of you. On a side note, my wife and I have thoroughly enjoyed the games we've been to this season, and my wife's not even a basketball fan.

Take care.

[MattD]

Two ways jump to mind...

Out of game experience, aka watching on TV, is not an option for many people, the deal is killing you guys, and the fans... the quality is crappy on the games that are televised, get a HD option, I would buy it seriously! Put all the games on the air... no more news 14, everyone in charlotte and maybe a 250 mile radius of the city nc and sc should be able to watch them play... make people want to see their team.

Second, in game experience... the arena is great, the layout terrific, but the announcer, it has been mentioned here before, is so damn obnoxious. I think a good idea would be instead of having the announce shout "lets go cats" out of sync with the beat, but it up on the big screen flashing, Lets go cats, or Louder!!! whatever, we dont need the announcer screaming at us. Furthermore, there needs to be some way to pump noise and life into the arena on a weekday... its quiet, too quiet. I also think it might draw some people if MJ came out on the floor before a game and just said thanks for coming etc, let us know hes around and involved, the practice was good, but we (the fans) only saw it in the news, not real life.

I have noticed more and more of my friends have been gaining interest in the team, so time will tell, but the stigma about the NBA playing no defense is one the bobcats cannot help and the bitchy people of charlotte wont lose. They want an immediate winner and a contender, when the bobcats get there, the arena will sell out.

[davcbow]

Well said MattD thats how I feel......

Go Bobcats!!!!!!!

[Dunk]

One other point that I forgot. Is it possible to get a bit more interaction with the players and coaches? For example, signings, online chats, and other events?
Something specific to more dedicated fans of the team. This is my first year as a season ticket holder and I thought there would be more opportunities for that kind of thing (and there probably is at the higher levels). Unless I'm missing out on that sort of thing on accident.

Just to echo what's been said, the arena experience has been much improved. Especially with the change in music and announcing and the earlier start time.

[Keetch]

I don't know if its just me, but I have heard others complain some...but the volume of the PA system makes the games a double-edged experience. Love the Bobcats; love the NBA...DESPISE what the PA system is doing to me. I have tickets for every single game; and I fear it is destroying my hearing. Not to mention that it is very difficult to hear the person next to you or to speak to them. I'm not talking about some of the time; I'm talking almost all of the time during games. It's so disheartening and more than a little disrespectful.

When I leave games now, often my ears are ringing and the headache is coming on by the time I get home...and I don't drink so its not a hangover. If the core of your ticket sales are season ticket holders; then why do you abuse us?

I know of folks who have attended one game and not returned because of this.

The Bobcats have in their midst the single-most pre-eminent basketball icon; Michael Jordan; but for some reason he remains completely isolated from the community. Instead of MJ asserting a potential community relationship he instead gives the appearance of elitism. So in essence, how about a little MJ? We don't need a lot. Little bits would have tremendous impact.

[Shrimpy_Jackson]

Yes, MattD is spot on with the tv thing, I'm in Greensboro and don't have the time warner so I've seen maybe 6 games this year and I hear last night Wallace almost fought Garnett and I'll never be able to see that. I've cried a little today. Just so you know. It looked a little something like this


because when I cry.... bad things happen.

SJ

[davcbow]

Viewing games is bad out my way too, same general veiwing as GSO but I have directTV and the only way to see a game if its not on regular tv is to buy a sports package or the NBA league pass. To get new fans you need to get the game to them so they can watch the team play and get them interested in the Bobcats (more regular broadcast games are needed) Dont expect them to buy a expensive sports package so they can get interested in a team they have no clue about. Same goes with the female fans except even less likely to get them interested through some sports package (the wife said that to me just now).

Go Bobcats!!!!!

[Alex]

Whatever happened to the new website that we were promised in the off-season?