Vinnie Viola Prepared To Spend Big Bucks With Panthers

[juliansteed]

Nope. And there was a major push for local businesses to help get butts in the seats. So the numbers were affected a bit. But they typically didn't sell much out before the Buckeyes inevitable annual collapse. Still don't. Second half of the season has much better attendance than the first half.

And the free tickets and ticket promos are almost non-existent now. So the butts in the seats paid to be there.


I read somewhere that the Panthers biggest problem is the trendiness of the city. Unless the famous people there want to go to the game, no one else does. It's a social event, not a sporting event. They are all social events there. People go to be seen being there, and if no one is looking to see who's there.... It's why the Heat got LeBron. Same deal. They were suffering revenue, got a star and everyone wanted to be seen there.

Their youth hockey enrollment is dismal. All of Florida has 11,000 registered players. Just Western PA has 13,000. All of PA is over 30k. PA has 12.6 million people. Florida has 20 million.

That's interesting. That might be what they had in mind when they came up with the "We win, you win" promotion they are advertising on their website. The promotion is simple. Buy a single game ticket and if the Panthers win that game, you get a free ticket to another game. Not a bad idea since they aren't selling out anyway. It's a good way to make sure the arena should start filling up a bit if the Panthers keep their current (somewhat) hot streak going. It doesn't ensure there will be celebrities but it might seem a bit trendier. People could attract more people. I still remain skeptical of the long term success of the team in Florida but who knows? Unless they are willing to try new ideas they might as well just pack them up and relocate them now (yup, mid-season in fact).

 

[juliansteed]

Don't look now but the Panthers are 1 of the hottest teams in the league. They have won 5 in a row and 7 of their last 8. Who would have thought? Peter Horachek has to be considered an early favorite for Coach of the Year!

 

[dash]

I have no issues with the Pans finishing ahead of the Flames in the overall standings this season...

 

[KennyBanyeah]

I have no issues with the Pans finishing ahead of the Flames in the overall standings this season...

I DO have a problem the Pans finishing above the Sens this year. A big problem.

Sadly the Sens players seem just fine with it.

 

[dash]

I DO have a problem the Pans finishing above the Sens this year. A big problem.

Sadly the Sens players seem just fine with it.

I'd probably feel the same way if the Flames were in the same conference as Florida.

/I think the Flames will still finish ahead of the Sabres, Oilers, and Isles in any case. Potentially a couple of other teams as well.

 

[juliansteed]

I DO have a problem the Pans finishing above the Sens this year. A big problem.

Sadly the Sens players seem just fine with it.

I imagine Anaheim fans wouldn't have a problem with it.