Playoff Ticket Sales

[SBriand 4]

Thought this was interesting and decided to post about it. Today the Wings 1st and 2nd round playoff tickets went on sale at 10am. AM 1270, which covers all Red Wings games sent a reporter down to talk with the crowds. In years past, even with the ability to purchase tickets online and over the phone, the line would wrap around half of the Joe and people would camp out all night to get their chance at a ticket or two. This year. 5 people in line. That was it. Looking online I can buy seats anywhere for any game in the first two rounds. These tickets just are not selling.5 people. 5 people in line to get playoff tickets for a team that is still in contention to be the no. 1 team in the league again. I haven't been to a game yet this year but the talk is that the place is filled up no more than 75% during the season. Which is new for this team as they have had a long sell out record over the past few years or more. Seems the ticket prices for the 1st round playoffs were raised this year. A season ticket holder said that he has $22 upper bowl tickets and he can purchase 1st round tickets for $65 each whereas last year they were $44. Is it because the product is better? Doubt it. Is it becuase the Wings keep going out in the first round and thus making Mr. Illitch lose money by not selling tickets to later rounds so he may as well gouge us now in case the trend continues? More than likely. Southeast Michigan is also in terrible economic shape due to the failing Big 3. Thus disposable income is down. I have tickets to the last game of the season, 15th row, lower bowl, $72 a piece. Same seats are a lot more for playoffs. We also have the Tigers now and as a Tigers fan who has already bought 5 sets of tickets throughout the season, you have to do some major searching for tickets to any of the 81 games played this season, which just started yesterday. People seem to be spending their disposable income there rather than at the Joe. I bought 5 sets of tickets for $150. 5 games, from tomorrow till Aug 5th. Or I buy 1 playoff ticket in the 1st round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Come on. If you like both teams who are you going to spend that money on? Can't forget about the Pistons as well...The league? Tickets sales have diminished here since the lock-out. Add on the fact that we can't beat #8 seeds to save our life, it is really a big surprise? Do you expect people to pay more than ever for the product on the ice? This team does not look playoff ready and the league is still in shambles. We are tired here in Detroit playing Columbus 40 times a year. We want to see Buffalo, Montreal, Leafs, Bruins, Rangers, etc. But we get the Blues, the Blue jackets, Blackhawks, etc. Which is why we always do well in the regular season I believe...So just curious if this situation on Detroit is showing up around the country.

[digitalmonkey 929]

Interesting.I wonder if Bettman knows about this.

[goose 0]

Interesting.I wonder if Bettman knows anything.

fyp

[DanielNegreanu 141]

The league? Tickets sales have diminished here since the lock-out. Add on the fact that we can't beat #8 seeds to save our life, it is really a big surprise? Do you expect people to pay more than ever for the product on the ice? This team does not look playoff ready and the league is still in shambles. We are tired here in Detroit playing Columbus 40 times a year. We want to see Buffalo, Montreal, Leafs, Bruins, Rangers, etc. But we get the Blues, the Blue jackets, Blackhawks, etc. Which is why we always do well in the regular season I believe...So just curious if this situation on Detroit is showing up around the country.

It's kind of a double edged sword isn't it? Most teams would love the opportunity to have 30 games against weak teams like that to ensure a playoff berth, and a high seed for that matter, but at the same time, for the fans, that's 30 boring games. Detroit-Nashville games I'm sure do ok, but you are right I think. If they played Toronto, Buffalo, Rangers more, that would help ticket sales. What a horrible schedule the league came up with...

[dEv~ 19]

It's kind of a double edged sword isn't it? Most teams would love the opportunity to have 30 games against weak teams like that to ensure a playoff berth, and a high seed for that matter, but at the same time, for the fans, that's 30 boring games. Detroit-Nashville games I'm sure do ok, but you are right I think. If they played Toronto, Buffalo, Rangers more, that would help ticket sales. What a horrible schedule the league came up with...

I love the fact that the Penguins got 16 points in the 8 games they played against the Flyers this year. I don't see any problem with it whatsoever.

[SBriand 4]

It's great and all to see your team play weaker teams and get a good record. I do think it taints the record though. But as a paying fan I want to watch games against good teams that don't play at the Joe often like many Eastern Conference teams. I mean, my dad paid $144 for my Bday present to send me and my wife to see the Wings play the Blackhawks. Is the game even going to be worth that? Probably not since most Wings won't be playing and the Blackhawks haven't won a game at the Joe in years I think. But that is a whole issue within itself. For the playoffs I just amazed at how little interest there is. Season ticket holders usually bought up most of the playoff tickets and they would seel single seat tickets and they would be gone within 2 hours. Strange to go from hundreds camping out too 5 in line at 10am. If that doesn't send Mike Illitch and the league a message I don't know what will. Did I hear right that around All-Star weekend day that they decided again not to change the schedule format?

[digitalmonkey 929]

It's great and all to see your team play weaker teams and get a good record. I do think it taints the record though. But as a paying fan I want to watch games against good teams that don't play at the Joe often like many Eastern Conference teams. I mean, my dad paid $144 for my Bday present to send me and my wife to see the Wings play the Blackhawks. Is the game even going to be worth that? Probably not since most Wings won't be playing and the Blackhawks haven't won a game at the Joe in years I think. But that is a whole issue within itself. For the playoffs I just amazed at how little interest there is. Season ticket holders usually bought up most of the playoff tickets and they would seel single seat tickets and they would be gone within 2 hours. Strange to go from hundreds camping out too 5 in line at 10am. If that doesn't send Mike Illitch and the league a message I don't know what will. Did I hear right that around All-Star weekend day that they decided again not to change the schedule format?

Yes, they had GMs vote on it and the majority voted to keep it as is.Obviously GMs are going to vote based on what is best for their own team. For example, why would New Jersey vote for much more travel? I don't understand why the NHL doesn't make a decision in the best interest of the league. Well I guess I do....Bettman is a puppet for the GMs.

[DB10-2 0]

daniel and digital have a very good point. as an objective detroit fan, it's easy to see why they make a run at the president's trophy every year: any decent team would when they get to play 24 (almost 1/3 of their) games against st. louis, chicago, and columbus, 3 pretty weak teams these days. it also has the unfortunate effect of misleading wings fans into thinking their teams each year deserve to go deep into the playoffs when the reality is that their ability to compete against the rest of the western conference--nevermind the league--may not be nearly as high as it seems. as a wings fan, i would rather not be subjected to this disappointment every playoff season, and i would also rather watch games that feature good opponents. seriously: why would i pay for center ice to watch detroit when nearly 1/3 of these games are comprised of divisional matchups against some of the worst/most boring teams in the NHL? it's terrible for the league...

[strategy 4]

any decent team would when they get to play 24 (almost 1/3 of their) games against st. louis, chicago, and columbus, 3 pretty weak teams these days.

p.s. St. Louis went 4-4 against Detroit this season

[bdc30 0]

Don't forget the Lions when you talk about disposable income drains on the Detroit economy. They're always sold out, even though they suck, and tickets for that aren't cheap either.You all make valid points about the schedule, weak opposition, and reason for Detroit's demise in the playoffs almost every year....Why are the wings not in the Eastern Conference....On a (non) related note, the Leafs reported today that they've sold out all of their playoff tickets, for all rounds, including the Stanley Cup final, no matter HOW high they set the friggin prices, and are now taking reservations for spots along Bay St. for the victory parade....(sw)

[TheDaveyG 6]

I mean, my dad paid $144 for my Bday present to send me and my wife to see the Wings play the Blackhawks. Is the game even going to be worth that? Probably not since most Wings won't be playing and the Blackhawks haven't won a game at the Joe in years I think. But that is a whole issue within itself.

In addition, Havlat got injured on Tuesday so he might not be playing. The Hawks have won 3 in a row. It's hockey! Who cares who you're playing! Every team has good players and anything can happen. That game will be the second of a home-and-home against the BlackHawks, so maybe there will be some bad blood spilling over. BTW, the Hawks just beat the Preds to help out the Wings.

[nell789 0]

Yes, they had GMs vote on it and the majority voted to keep it as is.Obviously GMs are going to vote based on what is best for their own team. For example, why would New Jersey vote for much more travel? I don't understand why the NHL doesn't make a decision in the best interest of the league. Well I guess I do....Bettman is a puppet for the GMs owners.

[SBriand 4]

In addition, Havlat got injured on Tuesday so he might not be playing. The Hawks have won 3 in a row. It's hockey! Who cares who you're playing! Every team has good players and anything can happen. That game will be the second of a home-and-home against the BlackHawks, so maybe there will be some bad blood spilling over. BTW, the Hawks just beat the Preds to help out the Wings.

If the Wings get a point tonight then they win the Central. I suspect that if they get that point, bad blood or not, saturdays game will be the Blackhawks vs. Grand Rapids Griffins.