The Bobcats would have more fans if. . .

[dvdbumpus]

Welcome Michael! It's awesome to have you on board and being some open to discussion with some real fans at this site! With you coming over from the Hornets you bring a history of success and it's good to have you in your position. I posted kind of late, but here are some things that I picked out of other people's posts that I completely agree with:

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.

I live in Ohio, and I watch as many games as I can, which is a pain because unless it's a Cavs game, I have to sit at my work (which has directtv) and watch the games there. I know it's far away but it's next to impossible for even my family in Greensboro to catch games.

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.

I'd love to help in any way I can. I think that Cats are a great organization in what they do for the community, so please, please don't change what they're doing, but let us help!

But the announcer, it has been mentioned here before, is so damn obnoxious

Agreed. Even on TV it drives me insane.

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.

I agree with this entirely also. I'd drive from Columbus, OH just to see him if there was an event. He is only the best basketball player to ever walk the earth and was nearly everybody's idol growing up, including mine.

Is it possible to get a bit more interaction with the players and coaches? For example, signings, online chats, and other events?

I have seen some online discussions on the bobcats website, like with the wretched Gerald Wallace "G-force" naming contest (should be crash!), but there is never too much exposure!

Once again, thank you for your time and contribution! We'll definitely have plenty of ideas, feedback and desire to support our team. We also welcome any information or ideas that you have and we'll support the team through thick and thin!

[TheBeagle]

....Charlotte wasn't such a fickle sports city. During the early Hornets run, this was the place to be. I remeber as a kid, when somebody in class said they were going to a Hornets game, we were all in awe, and I'm from northern Davidson County, 15 miles south of Winston Salem.

For whatever reason (Shinn/Woolridge debacle, arena ultimatums, "hip-hop" culture, etc.) it became en vogue to badmouth the NBA in the Carolinas. Because people like to feel a part of a group, the more people talk bad about the NBA, the more people will come to their point of view, whether they know the first thing about basketball or not. So while there was enthusiasm for the Hornets, replaced by antipathy when they left, there is now apathy for the Bobcats.

Solutions: (in no particular order)
1. The PA volume has to be turned down. The pregame intro music is too loud. A lot of the music during timeouts is also just too loud. It's like Keetch says, you can't even talk to the person sitting next to you no matter where you're sitting, and it's irritating to be in mid-sentence and have your voice drowned out by the blasting music or PA announcer shouting. This has kept many, many people I personally know away from the games, and that is an absolute shame.

2. If there was some kind of ticket giveaway or something. The arena is a fabulous place, and it is a wonderful experience in and of itself to take in a game. I was a fan of the Coliseum, but it puts that old relic out to pasture. Just a great place, staffed with nice, courteous ushers and other staff members. If there was a way to get someone in there that has sworn off the NBA, or may not otherwise go to a game, I know there would be a great "conversion" ratio after having been inside the arena and seen a game (taking into account, point 1, of course). Even if the game itself is not of interest, there are plenty of diversions inside the arena, for the casual fan to take part in. They just need to get in the arena.

3. Better TV deal. Mark Packer, who hosts a popular regional radio show out of Charlotte has said as much, as have callers to the show who have been eager to catch the Cats, but have satellite, and therefore can't view the games because of the TW deal. This doesn't affect me, as I have TW, but the more people that can see the Cats play is always better.

4. Winning

[spectre]

Welcome Michael!

TV is obviously the biggest thing as the others have said. I thought Bonnell had a good thought (really...he did!) with maybe swapping naming rights to TWC to get out of the contract, but no doubt you guys are aware of the problem and doing what you can.

Access to top dogs...like Higgins. The GM of Portland actually has an open email address where fans can ask questions and he responds...the responses usually get posted on a forum and that way the organization gets out what it wants vs. some reporter's spin. Yes, I'm looking your way Bonnell...

How's about a blog from the Bobcats where THEY give some of that info we all crave...like why Nazr's PT went down so drastically after the NY game. As it is now we get Bonnell's "gotcha" take or we just guess...neither of which is a good thing.

After the Boston game I had people coming up to me at work (Raleigh) the next day saying "How about those Bobcats!!!"...people at my work NEVER talk about the Bobcats. Wins and access is the bottom line in getting fans. As soon as you guys address that we'll be in business.

[amour217]

1. Games were easier to access on TV.

2. The players were more accessible. I remember a couple years back around Valentine's Day the players signed at the Carolinas Place Mall. It was great and I went with a friend of mine. It was cool to interact with the players and take pictures. Some were real great (Okafor, Knight, Carroll, Robinson, Burleson) and some were major a-holes and I'm not ashamed to say it (ahem Sean May and Kareem Rush, good riddance). But that's neither here nor there, players should know how to act with fans...but it'd be nice to be able to interact with them and see them more often. Aside from seeing Raymond Felton shopping for bedsheets at JC Penney one day, that's the only other time I've interacted with players.

3. Have the dancers dunk off trampolines...that would be AWESOME

[spectre]

3. Have the dancers dunk off trampolines...that would be AWESOME

Yes...Michael we have some HOT cheerleaders. We should use them a lot more. Maybe a calender?

[davcbow]

Something else I thought of; this season we play most of our home games the beginning of the year and have these gigantic road trips the last part of the season due to the college basketball torniments, why not play a game in Winston Salem, a game in Greensboro and another game in Raliegh during these college basketball torniments maybe even 2 games in each city instead of these drastic long road trips. We want fans? thats a way to do it. We played a preseason game in Greensboro this year and it had a really good turnout (I was there) to watch us defeat the Maimi Heat.

[123together]

if they win more?

[davcbow]

if they win more?

Whats that mean?

Go Bobcats!!!!!
Gehen Sie Luchse!!!!!

[bizzlecatz]

As a Bobcats fan outside of Charlotte, I really don't know why prople are not coming to the games,but judging by the comments from
others. I would say Publicity is the main problem.


Publicize the team more, and curiosity along with winning will bring out the fans.

Just my 2 cents

[123together]

if they win more?

its not negative, its kinda true about charlotte. when the panthers are winning, everyone goes to the games, but when they are losing they still "sell out" but half of the seats are empty. if i had the money to go to every game i would be there in a heartbeat, but being in college and about an hour away its hard for me.



Go Bobcats!!!!!
Gehen Sie Luchse!!!!!