We aren’t even a full month into the NBA season, and this has the makings to being one of the most exciting in years.
Yet, overshadowing sports in this country has been the troubling economy. Fans young and old have been laid off, facing foreclosure, and are stretching to make ends meat like never before. To many fans, taking the family to a NBA game is a escape from reality, but that escape comes with a cost.
The New York Post is reporting that last weeks Knicks vs. Grizzlies game in Memphis had a estimated crowd of 3,800-4,000 people. This is for a professional basketball game, in an arena that holds over 17,000.
Major college basketball, the NBA, and even some big time high school teams draw that. Many NBA franchises have held various marketing ploys to get people out, yet its not working. So far, here are the attendance leaders this season:
1. Detroit - 22,076/game
2. Chicago - 21,828/game
3. Portland - 20,575/game
4. Cleveland - 20,418/game
5. Dallas - 20,126/game
6. Utah - 19,833/game
7. L.A Lakers - 18,997/game
8. Atlanta - 18,970/game
9. Toronto - 18,831/game
10. New York - 18,818/game
Now the Bottom four, or cities who may be in trouble if this pattern continues:
30. Sacramento - 11,947/game
29. Memphis - 12,129/game
28. Philadelphia - 12,601/game
27. Charlotte - 13,312/game
With the exception of Philly, the other three are all current NBA cities that either have had discussions of relocating, or are rumored to possibly be flirting with new homes. The ownership of these teams are in the business of making money, and while there may be a large contingency of fans in these cities, they aren’t getting out to support the teams.
Some point to the product being put out on the court as further reason why people aren’t coming out. If you look at the standings, the bottom four’s combined record as of November 14th is 12-21. The combined record of the top four teams in attendance is almost reverse, at 22-12.
Winning definitely helps, but it is not the only factor. Of the bottom four team’s, all have been effected by the economy by major layoffs in industries in those cities. On the court, all of those teams, again with the exception of Philly, are young and rebuilding.
So if you lived in or around Memphis, would you pay as little as five dollars to see OJ Mayo in person? How about if you are in Philly, where many claim they are die hard Sixer fans through and through, yet ever since "The Answer" left attendance has slowly dwindled.
Are the new look Sixers worth the family fun pack they offer of four tickets, four movie passes, four sodas, and four hot dogs for $99? A family of four can see a game for $25 a person, which isn’t a bad way to spend a weeknight.
The fate of some current NBA cities could hinge not on wins and losses, but the hope the economy can turn around.
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