1. It's bold, honest and unique.
2. The team really doesn't need to market to the diehards (and I define that as anyone who takes the time to read or write on this blog) because they know you'll show up anyway. You may threaten, complain, whatever, but you'll also be there because you are always there. It's part of who you are. I also think there are fewer of you than there were 20 years ago. We can debate all day why that is.
3. They are marketing to the folks who are not already planning to be there, and that's definitely the target audience of that ad. It will definitely get their attention.
4. It's also completely true. Look at the TinCaps. The vast majority of the market is the disposible income, family looking for an inexpensive good time, who go 8-10 times per year. That's who the ad will get. You've got to have a theme to attract casual fans to games today, and the Komets do that very well.
5. It's a discussion-starter and will get people talking, which is what marketing is all about.
Very, very interesting. I don't necessarily like it, but it's not going after me. It is bold and very effective and will do what it is designed to.
Comments
Does Peoria own their own barn? I thought someone brought that up as a reason that they could have lower ticket prices at that level of hockey, then I never saw anyone respond back to that the last time we had this same exact discussion.
http://www.muskegonlumberjacks.com/auction/index.php?-action=list&-table=products&product_categories=8
Sorry no Robin Bigsnake jerseys :(
If you want cheaper tickets get a coupon from the Fort Wayne papers. Any upper level seat and unlimited number of seats from one coupon for $6. This is were I sat last year for all but 2 of the games I attended, usually in the first 2 rows. And the vantage point is great. You can see everything happening on the ice. Its more expensive going to the movies. And has anyone actually seen premier AA hockey as opposed to low AA hockey? I would bet there is not much difference. I remember reading that nobody gave Kalamazoo much of a chance in the ECHL and they had a very good year. I would bet many of the players they had were the same ones they had when they were in the IHL2. And everyone is worried about another enforcer. Mr. Franke:GET ANOTHER GOALIE PLEASE!!!
I hope i'm wrong about the quality of hockey in the chl. After the few komets games I went to last season the chl can't be any worse. But we will see.
And when I presented you with facts that in black and white contradicted your argument you decided that was the time to stop responding to me.
"The ECHL is not a higher or much higher league then the IHL, the IHL is a good league. But what the ECHL offers is affiliations with NHL teams. So you have to go to one of these destinations, play well, get looked at, and usually get bumped up to a American League Team when they have injuries and call ups, and that's where you get your opportunity, you know."- Robbie Laird, Senior Pro Scout for the LA Kings in an interview on the "Game of the Week".
This was part of a conversation about Schrock's chances at getting to the NHL. Robbie also talked about how the pro scouts just look at current NHL an AHL players and rely on recommendations from coaches (he specifically mentioned his relationship with Coach Sims here) and other contacts for the players in the lower leagues. NHL teams don't have the staff or enough days in a week for more then that he said.
I think it's important to keep in mind this was in reference to last season's IHL, he wasn't asked about the CHL because at the time of the interview the merger probably wasn't a thought yet.
So either the same applies to the CHL or it doesn't, my point in posting is to counter the argument that the ECHL was a more skilled league then the IHL. Also based on conversations with a couple of players who have played in both leagues, again last year, they said basically the same thing. They felt the IHL had better skill because of its vets and fewer mistakes then what you see in the ECHL, but you have a better chance of getting called up to the AHL from the ECHL due to their affiliations. Now that we're playing by CHL rules and cap this may no longer apply, we'll just have to wait and see.
Or we can accept what is being said by someone who has attended a few Komet games and maybe has or has not attended games in the other two AA leagues.
Let's see, what an NHL Senior Pro Scout and two players with experience in both the IHL and ECHL leagues say vs someone who has attended a few games. Yeah, tough choice.
OK, here is the list I made showing the season ticket prices for the teams in the AHL that show the high end and low end for each team... These are full season ticket prices, I did not factor in any teams promotions, group ticket discounts, etc... I wanted to stay strictly to what most of us here would be purchasing for our families...
Note: Most of the crazy high end numbers are for seats right on the glass and drop down substantially after that first row... single game regular prices to the side...
1. Lake Erie: $2400-$400 ($65-$10)
2. Houston: $2160-$390 ($75-$16)
3. Texas: $1764-$350 ($50-$9)
4. Manitoba: $1744-$588 ($43-$23)
5. Bridgeport: $1480-$630 ($46-$19.50)
6. Abbotsford: $1399-$664
7. San Antonio: $1400-$280 ($40-$9.50)
8. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton: $1281-$609
9. Toronto: $1240-$350 ($43-$23)
10. Charlotte: $1170-$400
11. OK City: $1040-$470 ($36-$14)
12. Springfield: $1000-$440
13. Chicago: $990-$360 ($35-$11)
14. Grand Rapids: $880-$440 ($30-$13)
15. Hartford: $880-$400 ($33-$10)
16. Peoria: $800-$400 ($25-$10)
17. Milwaukee: $790-$550 ($23-$16)
18. Adirondak: $780-$340 ($26-$12)
19. Hershey: $755-$555 ($22-$16)
20. Manchester: $750-$560 ($24-$18)
21. KOMETS: $675-$475 ($21-$10)
22. Rochester: $610-$320 ($20-$11)
23. Syracuse: $560-$330 ($19-$15)
24. Norfolk: $550-$350 ($17-$12)
25. Binghamton: $555-$516 ($18-$17)
26. Worchester: $550-$450
27. Albany: $522
28. Portland: $520-$400 ($18-$15)
29. Providence: $500-$400 ($28-$18)
30. Rockford and Hamilton= sites were down
Now, most of the teams in the top ten that have those crazy high end prices for season tickets drop down into the $900-$1000 range for the majority of thier high end prices. That one row on the glass in some of those arenas must be golden seats or something and really distort some of the numbers...
By what I could find of this years full season ticket prices the Komets fall into the #21 spot if they would be in the AHL... The K's single game prices fall into the majority of the AHL teams single game prices...
we are gettin screwed!! low AA hockey, b.s!
Really Ben? How is that? Would you only have been happy if the Komets were at the VERY BOTTOM of that list? Wonder what Binghamton fans feel about paying a minimum of $17? Or $18 in Manchester? I wonder how Komets fans would feel about paying $18 for an upper deck ticket AHL or not.
And to what do you attribute your statement that this is "low AA hockey"? How many CHL games have you seen? How much have you paid attention to the rosters/signings of other teams in the league? I am sure you are smart enough to know that talent levels in AA hockey can vary from year to year based on league restructure, teams folding, salary cap changes etc.
JR - thanks for the list.. depending on who is reading it will say 2 different things.. glass half empty - glass half full scenario. . personally, I feel we are falling in line with AHL prices.. now is that good or bad thing?? to each his own.. Ive argued down this road before, and the same people will say the same things no matter what you say. Can formulate the best argument possible and provide loads of evidence to support your claims.. at the end of the day it seems opinions of those around these forums are rock solid non wavering.
Do we have the same data for the ECHL and the rest of the CHL?
Since I don't buy season tickets, I don't know this for sure, but aren't all the single-game $21 seats taken up by season-ticket holders who pay a reduced rate for them?
Komets123... I would bet (and am willing to admit I am wrong if I am) that the bottom 1/3 of AHL pricing falls right in line with CHL/ECHL pricing.
If you look at that AHL list, just check how many teams have a minimum ticket price of $15 or more, I believe I counted 10 with a couple of the teams near the top not showing that data I believe the Komets still offer a nice value even at the lowest price point. Normally the cheapest seats are in the upper corners of an arena with bad view lines. The Upper deck seats... (how many?) and the view up there is actually quite good.
Blake in the past I was able to buy those seats . They were not always available though. In this economy they may be available in larger quantities? Season ticket holders can buy their seats in just about any section and I would guess some of the lower priced areas start to see more and more STH.
Sorry for the triple post but to finalize my position on ticket prices, every one of the teams below the Komets on that list charge more to get in the door at the cheapest point than the Komets do. Only 2 teams on that list have a cheaper ticket and if you dive into the promotional rates, I doubt many have a deal where you can get into any game for $6 like the Komets do. I am sure some have some deals for select games that might be at that price or cheaper but if you buy fast, you can get into opening night or NYE for $6.
Snuff--How many of the teams listed own the buildings they play in. Perhaps you can let us know just how many of the buildings are in fact controlled by the parent club. It may be easier to figure out how many teams are not controlled by the parent club. That factor must be added into or figured in those prices. The Komets do not own or have control of the Coliseum. They pay a surcharge per ticket that in reality comes off of the top of each ticket sold. That is monies they do not get from each ticket sold.
JR--I am sorry. Maybe I should have directed the above post to you. Thank you for your efforts.
I think it's $2 or $2.50 off each ticket goes to the coliseum.
JR - Thanks for putting up the list of AHL ticket prices. However, you're numbers don't even come close to comparing prices correctly. The HUGE difference in Fort Wayne is that they don't just offer one price for each seat. They have lower prices for STUDENTS, SENIORS, and CHILDREN. The child prices range from $10 for Lower Arena to $6 for Upper Deck. Students & Seniors are $18 - $9. Have you ever taken a look around you during a game to see how many people there are that qualify for a lower ticket price????? That doesn't even take in the fact that there are other "deals" out there...newspaper, military discounts, marathon cards, etc. I am sure other teams offer similar promotions, but I am not seeing anyone else offering tiered pricing.
In order to put the Komets on a list comparing their ticket prices to other teams. You need to look at the BIG PICTURE. the only thing that matters is what the team brings in from the gate receipts. Without even considering the fees that the Coliseum or TicketMaster charge the Franke's, I would bet that their average ticket price is much closer to $10. If you are going to compare prices you need to come up with a list of average ticket prices...then we might be getting closer to seeing where they rank.
$6? Really? Who wants to sit up there? Honestly, 85% of people don't want anything to do with the "upper deck" I've been up there once and watched a period of hockey, it was ridiculous. I don't sit in the "luxury suites" either when offered tickets by my more important friends.
JR, good work on the prices.
My feelings are it's very hard to make direct comparisons because of so many variables involved as some are pointing out. I've never looked at parking prices but those also have to be factored in and in the Ks case the Coliseum gets all of that, not the team or event.
So, we are about in the middle of the pack price wise and on top cup wise, not bad......... :-)
Anyway, nice work.
I knew I would have on person who didnt read my post besides just looking at the prices....
jdhockey: I clearly state that I didnt factor in ANY promotions from any team in the AHL or the Komets... Every team in the AHL offered the same style of "tiered" pricing as you indicate the Komets do... Children, Seniors, student, Military, groups, etc... In fact, were I to factor in some of the mammoth perks packages that some teams give thier STH's I think the Komets would shoot higher up that list...
Unfortunatly, it is impossible to do a quick averaging of prices for each team due to not knowing all the factors in regards to pricing for EVERYTHING like parking, concessions, programs, etc... You can, however find the basic full season ticket pricing for each team for both STH's and individual games...
If I have time tonight, I will try and do a comparison for the ECHL and CHL...
it should also be noted that when it comes to gauging ticket prices and the big picture... the komets DO NOT get anything from concession sales or parking lot reciepts. thats great we are in the middle of the pack ahl wise.. but please research the league we are in and the echl.. we are no different.. really people.. where can you get 3 hours of quality entertainment for 10.00 ?
Jungle Monkey, I won't sit that high either.....how would Bouchard ever hear me yelling inappropriate comments at him unless I just come down and steal your seats? ;)
FMM, your seats are THE best for yelling at the opposing teams.....I'm sure they don't think so. I do, though. I will miss yelling things at certain IHL players.....I believe Robinson from Muskegon will need to know when it's his bed/naptime (or past it), and he will be tragically uninformed for a while....
true hockey fan aka naif.. you still dont get it! they can NOT pay the "better players more money" because they have higher ticket prices. unfortunately it doesnt work that way.. do the math 20 players divided by salary cap $13,500.00.. you think the low end players are playing for free? and.. if your from ft wayne and want such great hockey. buy a season ticket to the wings or columbus , they both are within 3 hours
brian - the argument about a cap will never work. Too many teams find ways to cheat the cap. Do the Komets find ways to cheat the cap? I am not saying that. ... I am saying many teams have found ways to cheat a little.. usually the teams with the most money find the crafty ways.
I did your work for you JR
Central Hockey league season ticket packages
Allen Americans $1250-$306
Arizona Sundogs $620-$295
Bloomington Praire Thunder $475-$250
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs $1,040-$343
Colorado Eagles $768-$480
Dayton Gems $367.50
Evansville N/A
Fort Wayne Komets $675-$275
Laredo Bucks $1,116- $408
Mississippi Riverkings $630-$252
Missouri Mavericks $950-$320
Odessa Jackalopes $704-$320
Quad City Mallards $770-$315
Rapid City Rush $956-$424
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees $763 - $480
Texas Brahmas $891-$357
Tulsa Oilers $625-$300
Whitcha Thunder $608-$336
So, with that said, the Komets are clearly not selling at AAA level. Some of the other teams are. $1250 for a seat on the glass...WOW..is that seat made of gold to.
JM while the upper deck may not be right for you and your level of fandom, it is certainly right for many who like a full view of the play developing that you can't get from the fifth row. I don't have a firm preference either way but a family of 4 can get in the door of ANY Komets game including parking using the coupon for less than $30 or under $1000 for the regular season. Unless I am wrong there are no blackout dates to that promotion. Those seats come with a virtually perfect view of the ice and the chairs are just as comfortable as the lower level chairs.
How many teams on these lists can get your family of 4 into every game of the season for under $250? Only Bloomington offers a season ticket package that low.
I set as close to the class as you can get. While my chair is at least comfortable I assure you is not made of anything close to gold. As a matter of fact it (in my opinion) is the worst seat in the building. I am not about to give it up. Ask Wendy she sat down there for one game.
At $1,250 for a rink side seat that should include refreshments and dinner. Maybe a chase lounge to set in. Burgee is the only person I know who could even come close to paying that much and even he would be struggling with the size of his family.
I don't think he paid that much for Stanley Cup Play-off tickets in Philidelphia for his son and himself. That included round trip airfare.