I think I know why there aren't much people attend the Rockets game.

Below for my real post.

 

Its nba season time, people spose to watch tv and have sex.

 

I think this is the reason. I think there alot of people from other parts of the country that come to htown for jobs. They arent native Houstonians so they really dont feel bonded to the Rox. The people who were here cheering in 95 probably just either got to old to goto games or moved so far out(Kingwood,Conroe,Katy,Nasa) that its to far to travel. Travel to downtown to work,then travel back 30 miles in traffic to pick up kids,then back another 30 miles to game in traffic,then another 30 at home then wake up early. Not going to happen. Wasnt the home games in 95 on tv? I believe so. I also think that alot of people have spent $$ on the astros and Texans that the rox come in third place, and people decide thats to many games to attend. Also,playing bad as something to do with it. But not as much as you think. I have overheard people complain about the STYLE of play as opposed to the losing. The iso,iso really got on peoples nerves.

 

Houston has the problem of having their population too spread out and the money base of people who can afford tickets aren't too close to the arena.

While I want to revitalize downtown and see growth in downtown, I think the sports venues actually get hurt by being there.

While downtown IS centrally located, it really isn't close to any one location that has the population and money to afford to go to the games.

I know that doesn't really explain the last few years in the Compaq Center, since they were very close to the Westhiemer and Richmond area with a very rich base of people to go to games, but I see it as a contributing factor.

Also, since most of the population in Houston that works downtown doesn't live there, it is hard to balance going to a venue in the downtown area when family and kids are in the suburbs...the logistics for a lot of people just are not convenient.

The MAIN factor, however, is that the team has not won and gone to the playoffs in the last 4 years. If this team started to be one of the top teams in the league, you wouldn't be able to get into the Toyota Center.

As for ticket price...yes they are expensive, but they are playing in a small venue when compared to a sport such as baseball. Nobody complains when football tickets are expensive...they only have 8 home games so people understand the short supply despite having 60,000 seats. The team has to make as much as possible on every ticket to make money.

The same for basketball. If you only have 18,000 seats...(and only 8000-10,000 are "prime" seats) you have to make as much as possible on every ticket to make money.

So, even though tickets are expensive, and that deters a lot of people from going to games, they have to charge a lot to make the money...so I can kind of understand the high ticket price.

If it were only the ticket price that scared people away, every 10-30 dollar ticket would be sold out, but those are readily available.

I just think its being away from any one affluent population base, plus the fact that the Rockets have underperformed that are keeping people away.

 

I don't know about in houston, but over here in north California, all the games against are nearly sold out months in advance. Good luck getting Sacramento vs Houston tickets. I've seen front court seats sell for as much as 1800 dollars! Even Golden State Warrior vs Houston tickets are hard to get which is saying alot. It's mainly cuz of the popularity of Yao. I wonder if the rockets get any proceeds for road trips?

K.Yakko

 

Game 1: Sold out.

Game 2: Very close. Buy now if you want to be there.

Rockets attendance for pre-season games this year vs. last year: Significantly higher. Pre-season just isn't a big draw in the NBA unless you first sell out your regular season.

Tim