Can Ottawa survive a rebuild?

The one thing about ottawa though is that in the past, the fans have come back to save the team when the posibility of them leaving the city was made public.

Ottawa wants the team to stay, its just hard to watch them loose all the time.

SensGirl11 wrote:It's weird going to games now and seeing rows upon rows and some sections empty. I've never seen that in Ottawa and it freaks me out a little.

The only reason I say that we can lose our team is because of that and because of the economy. Things are not going to get better in the economy for a minimum of 3 years (probably much more). It could really get tight for us, unless some things start to change. Another season like this one and fans are going to drop like flies unfortunately.

We are nowhere near a team like Montreal or Toronto. They've been around for sooooo long and have a Dung more fans than we do at the moment. I can't see them ever having problems selling out no matter how badly they're doing.

I worked at SBP when it first opened and was there for 8 years. I can tell you that many a night not only were there empty seats, but we (building operations) didn't even staff Ushers in some sections as there were not enough tickets sold in those sections to warrant having someone there.

They will survive. There is definately 15000-17000 fans willing to pay to see their team play. Sure games like Buffalo, and Atlanta will suffer because they don't have a strong following but Ottawa will do fine. As long as they don't do what the CFL owners in this city have done and screw things up.

May be it is the time to lower the costs of the tickets too I would definitely go see more games ^^

marakh wrote:May be it is the time to lower the costs of the tickets too I would definitely go see more games ^^

I second that, or make parking free.

Another thing that has yet to be brought up is that during economic hard times people tend to be more interested in distractions such as sporting events.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Another thing that has yet to be brought up is that during economic hard times people tend to be more interested in distractions such as sporting events.

I agree. The corporate dollars are the riskier proposition. Then again, bigwigs tend to make sure perks like luxury suites are spared before peoples jobs.

Just to continue the devils advocate role... last night's attendance was a 5 year low... 16,541. Pretty bad. Just goes to show that fans will not go watch a struggling team.

True but considering how far out of the race we are in late February, on a Tuesday Night, against the Canes, 16,541 is an impressive number. Look back at November and December numbers and they weren't bad. The numbers will really suffer this time of year on a losing Sens team IMO.

Carolina is one of the league low draws and the Sens are eliminated - and it was a Tuesday in economically bad time. 17000 will probably be the average for a while, same everywhere pretty much.

Dash wrote:Just to continue the devils advocate role... last night's attendance was a 5 year low... 16,541. Pretty bad. Just goes to show that fans will not go watch a struggling team.

The worst part is most of the empty seats were in the 20-30 dollar range.

We're not talking about big dollars. For those that want ticket prices lowered, don't hold your breath. Tickets are already among the lowest in the NHL and to be honest, if you can't spare 30.00 to go to an nhl game then really what are you looking for?

Teams like Tampa, Florida, Phoenix have to offer tickets for 10.00 as no one absolutely no one will go and pay more than that.

I find it funny that people will pay $$$ when the team does well, but when it struggles they won't. Maybe that's why Ottawa is regarded as one of the worst sports towns in North America (to those outside Ottawa). The perception, right or wrong, is that fans will only go when the team is doing great.

11 years of making the playoffs, you know that there was going to be some down time eventually. I'm happy that they are struggling in a year when the draft is so strong. At least they have a chance to rebuild with drafting some better players.

Sorry to say this, but stop Wing Dang Doodle and appreciate what you have. My friends in Winnipeg are all wishing they still had their team and dream of a day when the NHL may return. They all to a man say they would take a team that would only win 25 games or less a year, just to have a team back.

DW

I wish we had more teams in Canada - Winnipeg, Quebec City, and even some uncharted territories (not literally).

I remember being able to get tix for $17 bucks even as a student for games that they had trouble selling out. They should do that, but not just for students. If by say 3 days before the game and they have not sold out, they should do this. Would you rather get something for the seats or nothing at all? Plus it always looks good having seats filled.

It is true that Ottawa fans are spoiled. A game is a game, it is supposed to be a fun, family entertainment. You never know what will happen. If you don't support your team through thick and thin, Betmman's got plenty of cities waiting for a team.

Dash wrote:I wish we had more teams in Canada - Winnipeg, Quebec City, and even some uncharted territories (not literally).

I remember being able to get tix for $17 bucks even as a student for games that they had trouble selling out. They should do that, but not just for students. If by say 3 days before the game and they have not sold out, they should do this. Would you rather get something for the seats or nothing at all? Plus it always looks good having seats filled.

It is true that Ottawa fans are spoiled. A game is a game, it is supposed to be a fun, family entertainment. You never know what will happen. If you don't support your team through thick and thin, Betmman's got plenty of cities waiting for a team.

remember whether you like it or note the Senators get a tax break for unused tickets. Not all of them but some amount, so it's not always a matter of getting something for the seat and not let it be empty. Sometimes the empty seat is worth 20.00 in tax savings and thus the reason the tickets are not cheaper than that.

Just putting it into the conversation, and to come to my defense, I have season tickets, and while our family is ok financially we're not so well off that we can throw 4000.00 around without concern. We choose to get tickets and not go on big family vacations.

With my son starting hockey next year, I expect the decision will be hockey, or hockey tickets...

Jesus, it was 1 game, against the Hurricanes, fresh off the bus strike (its still feb and people dont have bus passes) and those tickets areusually for students. People are still tentitive about the economy, oh, and we are a last place team!

If thats the worst draw a last place team gets, against a team like the Hurricanes, than your fine. Let the students get their bus passes back for March, same with the people who have families and are on a budget.

The Sens are fine, they have been last place for a while now, and this is the first time we have had n e where near, below the 17 000 mark.

Also, remember, when SBP was first built, a sell out was 18 500, it looks worse now because they have added 2000 seats.

Dash wrote:I wish we had more teams in Canada - Winnipeg, Quebec City, and even some uncharted territories (not literally).

I remember being able to get tix for $17 bucks even as a student for games that they had trouble selling out. They should do that, but not just for students. If by say 3 days before the game and they have not sold out, they should do this. Would you rather get something for the seats or nothing at all? Plus it always looks good having seats filled.

It is true that Ottawa fans are spoiled. A game is a game, it is supposed to be a fun, family entertainment. You never know what will happen. If you don't support your team through thick and thin, Betmman's got plenty of cities waiting for a team.

Just another aside...

I saw something very intersting last night on TV. A company in Asia has developed a method that empty seats will not show as empty on TV. For the viewing audience the seats will show people sitting in them. It uses sensors in the seats, and something else like special filters or software for the cameras or the broadcasters use.

Anyways, it was kind of cool. I'm not thinking about cities where they don't sell out, but how often have we seen the lower bowl empty to start the game or a period because not everyone made it back to their seats by the time the puck was dropped.

It would look now like someone was there, at least until the person did sit down.

I'm really glad I'll not have to make that choice for some time to come. Right now my little one is 5 months and if we have another it won't be for a while yet. If one or both of them (If we have another) want to get involved in Hockey it will be a few years away. Even then my Wife and I will likely be making more money than we do now. I don't eny your position. Having to choose Hockey for your child over Season tickets sounds like a no brainer but it still causes disappointment right?

dear lord... What hasn't technology thought of?!?

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I'm really glad I'll not have to make that choice for some time to come. Right now my little one is 5 months and if we have another it won't be for a while yet. If one or both of them (If we have another) want to get involved in Hockey it will be a few years away. Even then my Wife and I will likely be making more money than we do now. I don't eny your position. Having to choose Hockey for your child over Season tickets sounds like a no brainer but it still causes disappointment right?

Yes, but we've decided to essentially keep the tickets (assuming price is still reasonable), and then sell 20-30 games to either friends or on the ticket exchange.

That would be so random lol You'd see some guy walking down the aisle towards a row of full seats, then he walks past a bunch of "people" who don't move or react, then he sits on some lady and all of a sudden its just the guy...