Rockets have sizzle, but where's steak? Ticket renewals way down, team says By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle The Rockets have a catchy new slogan, eye-catching billboards and an enormous new poster child bringing all kinds of attention. But some things don't change, at least not yet. Ticket sales remain among the lowest in the NBA, and to owner Leslie Alexander, that's a huge concern. "Definitely, it's a big concern, a very big concern. That hasn't changed," Alexander said Monday. "Our numbers are down, season-ticket wise. Attendance has been off. I can see the fans have reasons -- the team hasn't been that good on the court. I hope they respond when they see what a terrific team they have." Alexander said rebuilding the Rockets' diminished fan base is a slow process that even the high-profile selection of Yao Ming with the first pick of the NBA draft could not change. New-ticket sales have increased and been encouraging, Rockets chief operating officer George Postolos said. But renewals have fallen dramatically. "We've lost a lot of support here," Alexander said. "People are spending their dollars in a more judicious way because of the economy. We're becoming the hardest-working team in all of sports to win our fans back. We're doing all we can do to win our fans back and make us a winner. And we think we will be a winner on the court. "It takes time and a lot of hard work to build up a ticket base when you lose it. We've made a big investment. But it doesn't happen quickly. It takes a lot of hard work and effort and good marketing and conscientious people working days and nights to have sellouts." The Rockets finished better than only the Charlotte Hornets in attendance last season, and the Hornets, who have since moved to New Orleans, had to break league rules to juggle the numbers enough to be worse. The Rockets averaged 11,737 per home game and hoped an aggressive marketing campaign with a bigger budget and the slogan "Be part of something big" would turn around a three-year attendance slump. "We're very fortunate that Les is making the commitments necessary to put us in a position to win on and off the court," Postolos said. "There's no question there is much higher interest in the team. We have been doing things to take advantage of it. You can see it in the billboard campaign, to be followed up with a much greater advertising campaign than in the past to grow and develop that interest. In time, that will lead to increased ticket sales." Postolos said an immediate increase based on a draft pick is "very rare." For example, the home debut of Steve Francis, the second player taken in 1999, coincided with the end of the Rockets' 176-game playoff and regular season home sellout streak. "I'm not really aware of an example that the draft has had an effect on renewals," Postolos said. "Most season-ticket holders make decisions whether to renew or not by then. People made up their minds before the season was over, the NBA Finals were over and before the draft rolled around. We need to build hope with new customers, people looking toward the future. Those are the people where a new player might have a new impact." Alexander has been consistently optimistic about the team. If his confidence proves warranted, he said that would translate to increased ticket sales. "I was talking to someone who told me except for maybe Michael (Jordan), players don't sell tickets -- winning does," Alexander said. "It's getting a little better. But there's not that rush to `I've got to see Yao Ming play,' or `It's going to be a great team,' or `We're going to a new building (in 2003-04).' "I think we've been hurt dramatically (by the Texans). Most people have limited disposable income, and the Texans and the Astros took a lot of money out of this market. They had the first two new buildings in this market. "I especially appreciate the fans that stuck with us. But when the Houston fans see the team is healthy on the floor with a little experience and see what a wonderful group of players this is, I believe they will support us in higher amounts."
Whoa! I don't live in Houston, so I don't really have a sense of the pr thing, but this is a little shocking. I thought this would be a slam dunk. What's the problem? Do you think that if/when Yao signs, it will turn around?
I never understand why people respond by quoting an entire huge article that someone posted. It's like we might not know what you are referring to, so you better quote it all. my $.02. They lost fans to the Texans.
Most of the games are on TV and it costs a fortune to go to the games. The Texans and economy are probably the biggest hits. There isn't a cheap way to go like the Astros ($5 ticket - go out to Ruggles). I think non fanatic people look at the salaries in disgust and just refuse to pay the high costs of going to the game. You hear that about all sports anymore, but more about the NBA.
Some people can't afford to buy season tickets. I'm a huge fan and usually make 10-20 games a year but I never buy season tickets because I can't afford the huge price tag. I get some tickets from vendors and some from friends, then buy tickets to games I want to see. The rest of the games I'm glad to watch on TV from the comfort of my couch with my little girl and boy.
don't forget that renewals include a lot of companies, not just regular people like you and me. Compaq, Anderson, Dynegy, Continental and Enron all took huge hits. And many companies who support them probably had tickets, too.
It's the economy stupid! Honestly I think alot of people are eitehr unemplyed, worried about the possibility of unemplyment or just worried about the economy in general. The Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) kept there renewals at 98% but had to get more creative. THey worked out a payment plan with a local bank to allow people to receive (no interest in most cases) loans to pay off their tickets over 6 months. I believe the Bank is one of their big sponsors so I assume their was additioanl spots, banners, etc. But the economy stinks and many can't afford the same luxuries as past years.
I doubt it has anything to do with the uncertainty of Yao's arrival (which I don't think is uncertain, but that's a different thread). As it says in the article, the arrival of one player rarely has much effect on renewals. Probably drafting Yao has propped them somewhat -- I know it has created a swell in new sales -- but you can't expect him to offset all the other components of the drop. Btw, I wish they had written something about league-wide renewals. My guess is they've dropped somewhat for most teams.
HeyP, I agree, I used to get free tickets to the Astros all the time from businesses I worked with in telecom. Last year - none. You just don't see those perks anymore...
I hope to go to at least 5-10 games this year. With my income this is alot.. I got a contact with a big company that gets corporate tickets and he says that it probably wont be a problem gettin me a couple of games worth of tickets. (I hope) And then I will try to get some tickets to games myself(about once a month)...and then add in the Smeg tour game..This will be the most I have gone to since I was a kid. I really need to get a better job tho..my daughter is gettin into watchin the Rox and I'd love to take her to some games. I was talkin ball with a neighbor the other day, and he asked her what team she liked...and she told him that she liked watching the ROckets with Daddy.....I was so proud!
The team sucks. Hopefully that will change and we will bring back the fans. I hate that the team can't draw an audience. But if you go around Houston (when I was there last year, and the year before, anyway), you get a lot of apathy among the white populace about the Rockets. You get some enthusiasm in the black community, but, as we have noted, ticket prices are high. Also, as HP noted, the Texans have robbed a lot of potential Rockets fan base. Texas is a football hotbed, and the Texans have done a good job creating excitement for themselves. And yet we did lose the Oilers, so there's another problem: keeping fans with the local teams. So many people move here from other places (and they have the money) and they often stick to old sports allegiances. I really hope this season begins a turnaround for the team, leading to a full house (fingers crossed) next year in the new arena.
That you don't get, but you have no problem with taking up apparently valuable reading space in your seemingly tireless quest to have this site's other members adhere to your version of BBS decorum!?!? Tell you what, HP, why don't you just make it easier on all of us and publish your own Ten Commandments Of The BBS or some such thing...Then we could all do things exactly like you do, and you'll be happy, and we'll not be subjected to another session of Miss Manners...with rolley eyed guy as her faithfull sidekick. I have never been part of the whole HP bashing thing, and have in fact defended you in the past, but seriously, give the whole Internet Etiquete thing a rest, will you?
1st let me say I have not been to a game in years BUT I plan on going to at least 3 games this season I am not rich e-nuff to get season tickets OR I would have them over all other sports in the city I was born in now for my 2 cents ...I think the Rockets will draw ALOT more this year with maybe 50 to 75 % sell outs ...Most people want to WAIT and see what Yao does in his 1st few games before they buy those mini packages Because there has been a whole HELL of alot of good and BAD talk on Yao the laymen want to make sure they have not been sold a rotton bale of goods AS most of us here know he is the REAL DEAL we know that the old saying If you build it THEY will come ....And Les has built it .....
Before you guys blow up at each other, remember that arguing takes up server space. I too am surprised by the news, but as others point out, it makes sense given the economy, etc. Of course, theories always seem obvious after the fact.
Revamping the marketing scheme would help. Make all communties feel like they are a part of this organization. "Be part of something big" is cool but more could be done. A couple of years ago Bob Watson circulated billboards in South Park, Trinity and Kashmere Gardens and the Wards that featured black Astros with the caption, "I thought you knew.." even though in high school, I urged my parents to take me to games, because I connected. I think that the marketing powers that be assume that because the Rox are mostly black that our relatibility is a 'given'. It isn't. Once they learn that and do something about it, the stands will never have the representation of blacks that could truly make a difference. I am personally a little pissed that the Asian community is getting the attention for reasons dealng with race. Why shouldn't we?
...and Another Thang... I'm sick of all the stats and figures that point to blacks, and how because of 'whatever' we are somehow not worth investing advertising dollars in (http://bbs.clutchcity.net/php3/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42150). We invest money in events that appeal to our community. The Kings of Comedy was one of the top grossing tours of all time and THE top grossing comedy tour. Yeah if the Rockets win people will show invariably, but it sure would be nice to see some effort on their part to add some hue to their ad campaign. BTW how did the Margret Cho tour do?
It is due to bad season last year...I am glad to hear the new regular game ticket sales are up..... New-ticket sales have increased and been encouraging, Rockets chief operating officer George Postolos said. But renewals have fallen dramatically.
