“Seattle Fans Are Apathetic”
Sager Bombs
So says Clay Bennett in day 3 of the Sonics trial. My first thought is, “well, no shit.” No one in any city would support a new ownership group in this situation. Clay and company basically ran a How Not To Get Local Support clinic.
That being said, there is more than a little bit of truth to the idea that Seattle fans are generally indifferent. This stat in particular jumped out at me yesterday:
The Sonics sold just 5-½ of KeyArena’s 48 suites in 2007-08, a dramatic decline from 19-½ the previous season and 24-½ in 2005-06
In 2005, the year after winning 52 games, the club could only sell half of the Key’s suites? That’s… a little disturbing. Where was that corporate money going? Likely to Safeco and Qwest, where the product was more consistent in winning. Contrast that to the now tomb-like Safeco, which already broke down 8 suites in 2007 because “on a typical night 10 to 14 suites were sitting vacant.“
You think they might be wishing they broke down a few more?
Football is a safer bet for fan support considering its status as King of America, but we’re not that far removed from the horrible teams of the Flores/Erickson era. Even at absolute rock bottom they were selling enough tickets to fill the massive Kingdome at 68% capacity.
So are the fans apathetic, in this region, and if so, why? I’ve heard the idea that the region offers too many alternative activities on nights and weekends, as opposed to say, a Detroit, where fans pretty choose between sports and getting shot for their evening activities. I’ve heard the idea that the general newness of the teams lessens generational loyalty, creating a region of more fairweather fans. Maybe there’s only a good 10-15 thousand die hard fans for each sport, and attendance will ebb and flow based on success. Maybe people are tired of coming close to winning it all, but having their hearts ripped out. Maybe it’s just the economy, both for the individuals and the lack of corporate money to go around.
Fuck if I know, but it’s an interesting topic to discuss. Thoughts?
June 19th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I’m no Adam Smith, but if they weren’t selling any suites shouldn’t they have lowered the price?
June 19th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Aren’t we the first generation from this state that had these teams from day one? That’s what pisses me off about these “apathy” arguments.
Of course east coast teams have better support. Their dads and grandfathers rooted for their teams. My dad moved out here from somewhere else. You can’t fake long term loyalty.
That was a little muddled, but you get me?
June 19th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I agree with both of those points and want to re-emphasize an earlier point. We always shit the bed. The Mariners and the Sonics never go out and get the difference maker they need. When Juan Gonzalez was available, the Mariners got Al Martin. When Al Jefferson is available, the Sonics take Robert Swift. Pardon me if I don’t buy season tickets to watch Jose Vidro bat 3rd… and fuck you Clay Bennett you fucking perjurer.
June 19th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Present company very much excluded I think the reason why Seattle sports teams are not as maniacly followed as they are in other markets is the fact that the dumber you are the more you love/need sports.
Have you seen Steeler’s fans? Yea they sell out every season, but 80% of them can’t read or write.
June 19th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
LS-DubC may be on to something here. Your typical “Frasier”-Seattleite is more likely to spend his free time and money going to “cultural events” like the opera (we have the highest opera attendance per capita, I have read) while sipping organic grape pinot noir and buzzing about town in their hybrid.
June 19th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I just wish all NW sports fans were as committed as you all at HD&F. But at least NW fans as a whole still make the SoCal fans look like No/SoDak fans (terrible).
Keep up the good work, so I can keep from doing good work at work.
June 19th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Mambels-
That would go a long way to rationalize San Francisco losing NBA and NHL franchises. Maybe there’s too much smug in the air?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Replace Microsoft with say a Lumber Yard or Super Super Walmart and not only will we start selling more sports tickets I think we might finally be able to pull in that Nascar track we have all been secretly dying for.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Fuck secretly LS-Dubs, we need that track! If I were Jay Inslee I would be devoted full time to bringing NASCAR to Snohomish county…somehow I don’t think that it is a priority for him…
June 20th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Oddly enough, it’s been tough going finding legislators to sponsor any NASCAR legislation. Go figure.
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/02/10/area_news/news05.txt
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:04 pm
How does Seattle stack up for attendance against cities with an actual selection of microbrews? If I only had bud and miller at my disposal I’d be forced to look for the flavor on the court as well.
Plus, I’d bet you’d find a direct correlation between seats sold and “space bear” related commercials:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=p5ykK-gpeQ4