has our attendance increased recently at home? I know that against phili there was like 15k so are we improving or what? It dissapoints me that we have all these diehard fans on the website and the premiere website in the league yet we still have the worst attendance.
I was at the Philly game, lots of empty seats. Fyi, I was also at the oppener and Hakeem's retirement. Both "sold out games" had empty seats. I'm not talking about unused seats in good sections, I'm talking about entire rows in the nose bleed sections. A friend of mine suggested that they are "obstructed" view, and therefore do not have to be sold to get a sell out. The good news is that the crowd is definately more active than last year, and the games are fun (though I have seen only wins). There is room for more. Come on in!
For the record, we're up a little over 1,000 fans a game vs. last year through the first 8 games. We have a ways to go still, but that's progress -- and we fully expect that gap to build over the course of the year. TV ratings are up 30%, our no-show rate has improved by 27%, individual game tickets are up 35%, and group sales are up 170%. Mini-plans are also 100% incremental, since we didn't offer those this early last year. All together, despite a decline in full-season ticket sales, we're up 9% overall. Last year's first Sacramento game was 10,467, and tonight we'll be up near 12,000. We'd love to be selling it out every night, and that's what we're fighting towards, but we're still encouraged by the advances we're seeing. Hope to see you out there, Tim McDougall Vice President of Marketing Houston Rockets and Comets timm@rocketball.com P.S. -- Cuttino Mobley water bottles for the first 5,000 tonight. They were just joking about them on 610 a few minutes ago, which reminded me. Check rockets.com for pics if you want to check it out.
Thanks for the information Tim. I do have a suggestion. Have gifts like bubbleheads or water bottles in this case for first 10,000 instead of 5000. If you think the cost is high do that less frequently. I think it's more effective because people would think that they have a higher chance of getting one and so they would actually show up. If it's just 5000.... maybe I won't get it even if I go.... so why not stay at home? Maybe there's some reasons I don't know that makes 5000 a good number. I live in Chicago and the Bulls give gifts in 10000 most of the time.
Tim, I wish you would have given somthing out to mini-plan buyers. I see other towns are giving away caps and autographed stuff if you buy the packages. I think GS even gives away a free ticket to a Yao Ming game. Also, is there way to exchange my tickets for better seats. My wife bought the tickets for me and she didn't realize row K in the upper bowl are almost nose bleed even though the cost 46 dollars a pop.
I just got 4 tickets (2nd row lower level behind the basket - 2 on each side of the tunnel - had to pay ticketmaster 2x for that but oh well) to the Jazz (the only game I'll be in town for). I have a couple of questions for those who know - I live out of state: Do people waive balloons behind the basket during FT at the Rocket games? If so, are they provided or is it bring your own (what color)? Can you bring still or video cameras in (non-pro)? I'm pumped - even though I'm behind the basket. My last game was in Chritmas of 97 Knicks vs Rockets - low center seats - Evander Holyfield(sp) and his crew sat in front of us then (sorry no pics).
I was pretty impressed by seeing the VP of Marketing post on this site ! That's one good point for the organization... On the other hand, i think that if you like to read his posts you should avoid asking him for tickets or ways of exchanging tickets...suggestions are fine, but favors, well that's something else...i don't know him, but that's the way i would feel if i were in his position
Tim, I just got Direct TV this year and watch all the Houston games. I wonder if the ratings folks are catching all us new directtv Rockets fans. Thanks to satellite tv, we can fans from afar.!
I saw that one a couple days ago...I just don't know about the concept, it kinda freaks me out like I would be sipping on Mobley's brains or something.
We hand out bangers (not exactly balloons -- they are like the things you probably saw in the World Series) behind the visitors basket for the second half. They are white with blue letters. They aren't sold in the stands yet, but we're working with the merchandise vendor at the arena to get them to carry them. Also, you can bring cameras that are non-professional quality. I don't know the specs for video cameras off-hand, but for still cameras that generally means no zoom over 80mm. Rockbox -- call your ticket rep or send me an e-mail. If there's a way to help you out, we will. Mark Norelli (Ticket Sales VP) and I had a discussion about this kind of thing this morning. We want you to like your seat. DallasThomas -- that's what makes it cool. orateam -- The DirectTV League Pass numbers don't count against our ratings, since only local eyeballs count there. But we're happy to have you in the fold regardless. Tim
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1697669 Faces in the crowd The Rockets finally climbed out of last place in attendance. With Saturday's crowd of 15,522, the Rockets passed Atlanta and on Tuesday, moved close to the Nets -- baby steps to be sure, but steps better than as Steve Francis said being "30th out of 29 teams." The Rockets crowd of 13,158 on Tuesday, with a season-high Compaq Center ticket window walkup of 1,000 tickets, moved the Rockets to an average of 12,816, up from last season's average of 11,737. The Hawks average 11,757 per game. The Nets average 12,850. Francis said the team has paid attention to the attendance problems, but said that he thought the team's success at Compaq Center this season -- 8-1 -- would finally bring the large crowds back to Compaq Center. The Rockets have sold approximately 6,800 full season ticket packages. But with their first full assortment of mini-ticket plans, with about 4,000 of various sizes sold, they said they have a chance of reaching their preseason goal of 12 sellouts. They have two sellouts this season. "We're tired of hearing people say we're 30th out of 29 teams in attendance," Francis said. "That really takes a toll on a team. As we continue to mature as basketball players, people will realize we're really serious. "All season this year, we displayed we're really serious. We played San Antonio really tough. And with all the fans that were there (Saturday), it was a good environment."
Tim -- with games like the one last night, coupled with the wins over Philly and SA, your walkup sales should start improving big time! this team is fun to watch...and they're winning!
Thanks for all your contributions Tim. It is great that you, as a Rocket representative, care enough to come here. Now after buttering you up, here's my question: Explain to me again why I never get Bill and Calvin on my NBA League Pass games? If you've answered this before I apologize.
How the hell are the Nets third to last in attendance? Better question, why are the Knicks ahead of the Nets? Besides having some of the highest ticket prices in the league, they suck ass...I know I'd rather travel down to the Meadowlands to see a Nets game than see a Knicks game...
They need to get some chants going in the stands during the games. Leaning to one side of the stadium: YAO! shouts the crowd. Lean to the other: MING! yells the other side. ANYthing to get some excitement into Compaq Center.
