Buttsinseats
Posted on October 13, 2006 |
Every team in town is looking for ways to increase their attendance or get more “buttsinseats.” Shoot us your ideas on how to improve attendance – for any of the local teams – and we’ll chime in also with some ideas and best practices we find in our travels.
Oct 16, 2006
Major League Baseball just set its third consecutive attendance record with a total of over 75 million fans attending games this year. At the macro level, things look great. Digging deeper, however, some of the teams aren’t doing nearly as well.
The two Florida franchises continue to struggle mightily – even with the Marlins making a great (and unexpected) run towards the wild card spot. The Devil Rays – well, they’re the Devil Rays – a bad team in a bad ballpark.
Looking closer to home, what about the Reds? This year saw them in contention for most of the season and their attendance was up somewhat over 2005. Having said that, the Reds filled Great American Ballpark at a level of 62% of capacity – but did a number of creative things to put fannies in seats during the last month of the season. One dollar hot dogs, buy-one-get-one tickets, discounted ticket prices, etc. helped boost attendance a bit – but still not to a level one would expect for a self-proclaimed baseball town like Cincinnati.
Digging even deeper, when the Reds opened GABP in 2003, they filled the place at 69% of capacity. While this was a jump over the 59% at Riverfront/Cinergy from the year before, Cincinnati was the first (and still only) city with a new retro park who did not fill the place at 80% or more! St. Louis, Baltimore, Houston, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, etc. ALL filled to at least 80% in their first year!
Does this suggest that Cincinnati is really NOT a baseball town? Does it suggest that Cincinnati fans are spoiled because today’s consumers grew up with the Big Red Machine and expect a winner? Does it mean that in order to fill GABP the Reds need to run gimmicks (bobble heads) to fill the seats? Is it all about putting a winner on the field (2006’s results would call that into question)? How much impact do the new ballparks in regional areas like Louisville (Reds AAA farm team), Dayton (Reds A farm team), and Indianapolis have to do with the attendance numbers?
Lots of questions and very few answers! If you were the Reds GM and were told that you needed 2.5 million in attendance in 2007 (vs. 2.1 million in ’06), what would you do?
Oct 16, 2006
What have the Reds done to make the fans believe they want to win? This year had numerous cute little token moves. Did anyone think that bringing in 10 different middle relievers would change a thing? Bring in a real manager, that would be a start. Knock off the moves that make Cincinnati look ignorant … ie signing an aging Griffey; putting Pete Rose Jr in the lineup for a game; signing Barry Larkin for 27 million when he is worth 2.7 million at that point in his career; etc.
Yes, the town was spoiled and spoiled in a big way in the 70′s. Management then alienated fans by getting rid of Sparky and breaking up the BRMachine. Years ago … I’ll admit … many fans have vivid memories of these good times and cannot forgive.
Ballpark: awesome.
Prices: high, but needed.
Team: weak.
Management: lousy.
Ownership … prove to us that you care. Bring in some players that can make a difference. Take a chance on a Homer Bailey type.
Oct 16, 2006
The gimmicks are actually not bad, but the real answer is winning. No matter what people say/think, everyone wants to see a winner … Not just a potential winner (as the Reds were this past season).
Also, ownership must find the right players, and KEEP them. Even if you win, and the fans cannot identify the players, the wins are somewhat empty. The merry-go-round of players this year was way too much to keep track of for the average fan. By the end, you’re saying “who cares”.
Oct 17, 2006
At a macro level, I think it’s very interesting. Now more than ever, there are so many other ways to watch baseball besides going to the ballpark. With some teams having their own TV networks and MLB webcasting all games, there are plenty of alternatives to watching a baseball game without actually leaving the couch.
At the Reds level… yeah they were competitive, but that was more because of the teams around them than anything they were doing. This Reds team would have finished 8 games back in the NL West and 17 back in the NL East.
I think this is a baseball town with knowledgable fans. They knew this team was not going to get it done with the smoke and mirrors approach that they were using. They also knew they were not going to get it done with the brand of baseball they were playing – bye bye fundamentals. They’re a boring team to watch for the most part unless you want to tune in to see who can fail to get the clutch hit, how the bullpen can blow it, etc.
Baseball is also the game of stars now rather than teams and the Reds lack star power. Griffey is no longer the exciting player he once was and no player other player on the teams comes close to producing any kind of buzz. The most buzzworthy player for the Reds this year was a Double A pitcher.
All that being said, I think the team is on the right track with ownership and upper management. Field management, I’m not sold on. The management seems focused on doing whatever it takes to win and is not afraid to shake things up to make that happen and that is a good thing. It just make take another year or two of 80-82 before we see a breakthrough.
Oct 18, 2006
I think the Reds did a great job of putting “buttsinseats” this year with promotions like $1 hot dogs and half price tickets, but what about $1 beer? (although the fans would probably act more like they do during bengals games with this promo) One poor quality of having half-price tickets is that it takes away from season-ticket holder value. If the Reds do keep this promo up they may want to consider giving the season ticket holders more than just $100 stub for concessions to show their gratitude. On another note I can’t remember the last time the Reds made it to the playoffs and thats why their is nobody in the seats. For example, look at the Bengals now, you cant find seats and theirs already a waiting list for season tickets next year. Five years ago you could give Bengals tickets away like you can give Reds tickets away now. The only thing the Reds can do to field a winner is to make it to the playoffs. If the Reds would’ve made a late run and got in the playoffs this year I guarantee they would’ve filled the seats, because people want to see a winner, and we also have alot of fair-weather fans in Cincy. Another thing the Reds need to do is keep their core guys so the team has more chemistry. For instance I received a poster at a Reds game three years ago and it was called the “A” team. It had Aaron Boone, Austin kearns, and Adam Dunn. Now all but one of those guys is gone and Dunn will soon be gone. We need to keep the fan favorite players and need to make a playoff run, that is the only way we’ll put “buttsinseats”
Oct 23, 2006
I’m surprised that no one mentioned football as being a reason why the Reds haven’t drawn as well – particularly once high school football season starts in mid-August.
This town goes crazy for its football – or at least for most of its football! On any given weekend, high schools will draw over 100,000 for their games. The Bengals have sold out every seat for this season – although admittedly they were not as successful in selling seats in years past. One could make a lot of money by taxing cars with scarlet and grey flags on them as they head up to Columbus on Saturdays during the fall as Cincinnatians do their part to fill up the 101,568 seats in Ohio Stadium.
What about the local D-1 college football team? UC has had a decent amount of success in the past decade and appear to be adjusting to the Big East. Throughout all of that, they have had a difficult time drawing fans to their games. The stadium is nice, the facilities around Varsity Village are tremendous, the team is competitive, ticket prices are reasonable, tickets are available, …
Given all that, why can’t they fill up the stadium?
Last night’s attendance was very disappointing for an ESPN game. Attendance was announced at 15,889 – but when the camera panned the seats it sure didn’t look like there were almost 16,000 people there.
If you were in UC’s ticket department, what moves would you make to help drive attendance?
Oct 27, 2006
Speaking of the Bearcats, let’s talk about Bearcat basketball. The first exhibition game is coming up next week, Wednesday November 1, against Northern Kentucky University. It will be interesting to see what kind of attendance the basketball team sees this year. Last season, as we all know, the team was plagued with injuries and undergoing coaching changes. Obviously, some fans agreed with these changes and others were extremely angered by these changes.
This year the Bearcat basketball program needs everyone’s support, angered or not. Remember last season at the end of the South Carolina game during the NIT when all of the fans rallied together, cheered for our boys and gave Coach Andy Kennedy the good-bye and thank-you that he deserved? This season Bearcat fans need to rally together, welcome the changes and give Coach Mick Cronin the welcome and support that he deserves.
What do you think attendance will be like during the open of the UC basketball season? If attendance is low at the beginning of the season what factors do you think will be at play there?
Nov 17, 2006
UC Football plays a huge game on Saturday night against Rutgers. The Bearcats are still looking for that break out win against a rated opponent and Saturday’s game seems to offer lots of promise. Rutgers is coming off of a huge and emotional win against Louisville, the game has been moved to ESPN on Saturday night, and over 25,000 tickets have already been sold for the game.
Let’s look at those tickets, however. UC, in one promotion, is packaging a ticket to the game, a free t-shirt, and a free ticket to the UC Hoops game vs. Wofford next week – all for $10.
Do you agree with what is, in essence, UC’s version of a free sample? Do you think that fans will become used to such tickets gimmicks and will just wait out for more in the future? What about the fans who have paid full-price for tickets and what about the season ticket holder?
What do you think?
Nov 27, 2006
I do not think it is a good idea to offer such a great deal for both games. What kind of message are you sending to the public. Offering discount is good for the consumer but not for the product. People are going to expect this every year now. Sure you might get some butts in the seat but if they keep it up people will take it for granted and not show up. On the other hand you will need to give away tickets to uc basketball, sad consiering once sold out Shoemaker Center or Fifth Third arena, whatever it is called these days… I think this was not a good choice, people would have gone anyway to see Rutgers play.
Dec 06, 2006
I think that you have to get people in the seats no matter what the cost. If a team isn’t currently selling out, they need to get people to the games. No matter how they got there, they will bring money for parking, concessions, and team apparel. Very few things cost the same for people – look at airlines, hotels, rental cars – you could be paying twice as much or half as much as the person sitting next to you. I wouldn’t pay full price to see UC play Wofford, but if the right deal came along, it is always fun to go to a game. Now if Ohio State was playing Wofford, that would be another story.
Dec 14, 2006
UC and XU squared off last night in the annual Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout. In years past, tickets to the game were one of the toughest tickets in town – second only to Opening Day. UC did not sell out the game until 10:30 yesterday morning. Is this lasting effects from Zimpher-Huggins? Is it disenchantment with this years team? Is it just not having a connection with the team because fans don’t know any of the players?
Having asked those questions, did last night’s win for UC do anything to help turn the page on the Huggins years? Coach Cronin can coach and his kids competed like crazy last night to defeat what was, on paper, a superior team from XU.
If last night’s win did not do anything to help turn the page, what will it take?
What do you think?
Jan 30, 2007
OK – UC basketball is coming up to the end of their regular season. The team has had some great wins (Xavier, West Virginia) at home and has some big non-conference games coming up this week.
Having said that, they continue to draw just over 9000 fans against a capacity of over 13,000. The team is competing hard in every game – even against some large odds given the lack of size and youth of the squad. You can’t help but admire the heart they have shown this year.
Question is… what will it take for fans to come back? Is it all about winning? Is it still a Huggy-hangover (no pun intended)? Is there something that the administration and/or Coach Cronin should be doing that they are not?
Is it just a sit and wait type of thing where nothing will “fix” the problem except for time?
What do you think?
Feb 21, 2007
Well – the weather has finally broken here in Cincinnati, pitchers and catchers have reported to Sarasota and spring is officially around the corner!
The Reds face an interesting season in 2007. Taking a completely optimistic view (don’t worry, the optimistic view will be followed next week with a completely pessimistic view), things look pretty good.
In the infield, you have Encarnacion and Phillips who have matured another year and look primed to become bona fide stars. Gonzalez has been brought in to solidify the infield defense and Hatteberg is holding down first until Joey Vuotto is ready.
In the outfield, Dunner shows up to camp in better shape and apparently committed to improving his defense. If nothing else, he seems to have his head in the right place which is a big part of the battle. You have Junior playing one of the other two outfield spots and, assuming he’s healthy, you know that he’ll put up numbers. Likely Freel in the remaining outfield spot and batting leadoff to get things started offensively.
Behind the plate, you lose Jason LaRue – which based upon last year’s production and attitude is a huge lift. David Ross should be used to playing a longer season and should be able to sustain his offense longer into the year and Valentin provides good pop from the left side of the plate.
On the mound, Harang and Arroyo are locked up as number 1A and 1B for the next four years. Homer is ready to roll giving the Reds 3 primo starters with a number of serviceable starters fighting for spots 4 and 5. While the bullpen is crowded and no one is yet pegged as the closer, good starting pitching goes a very long way towards making your bullpen effective.
In a division full of questions, the Reds have as good of a shot as anyone else.
What do you think?
Jul 25, 2007
I am intrigued by the two highway billboards placed this month by the Cincinnati Bengals.
I love the creative with large letters spelling Who-Dey and a great action shot with QB Carson Palmer. The call-to-action is clean with just the web site: BENGALS.com.
But why spend the money? The team has sold out the stadium and there is a waiting list. We are on our way to Packer fame with sell-outs, bestowing season tickets in wills to the favorite grandson and the e-bay offers are getting higher each hour.
Why place those billboards? Because, they also have done so this time of year?
How about a message to promote the Pro Shop or the TV schedule?
On the other side of the riverbanks, the Reds are doing a terrific job with their outdoor and changing the immediate message to meet their business objectives. I have heard they have 30+ messages ready to go at any given time. Some of the messages are fluffy: vote for Jr. in the All-Star race. But all in all, these guys are trying to put butts in seats with ticket offers, bobbleheads and the celebrity of Bronson.
The Bengals through the leadership of Coach Lewis (note: we represent his Community Fund) have regained the excitement of the Jungle.
It’s time to think like winning marketers and use the money for new and interactive approaches. I want to see a Chad cam 24/7 or a blog by Coach with live chats on Fridays of home games.
Keep the Jungle engaged with high-tech interactive opportunities.
Who-Dey!
Jackie Reau
Jul 31, 2007
“Winning over women” says the headline in a recent Sports Business Journal article. I am intrigued as to what U.S. women really think about sports (if they do at all) and what teams are doing to try and reach them.
Here are just a few of the great promotions from around the leagues that are mentioned in the article:
Club Purple by the Baltimore Ravens, a membership club for women-only with perks and discounts with the team.
Stitch and Pitch promotions with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, targeting needlepoint afficienados.
Football 101, an event to introduce the all-female crowd to the basics of football to raise money for the Marvin Lewis Community Fund, the foundation of Marvin Lewis, Bengals head coach. This year the event sold out in two hours.
But my favorite has to be the co-promotion with Harlequin romance novels and NASCAR that featured a speed dating event with driver Carl Edwards: “pairing bodice-rippers and firesuits in novel ways.”
Love it!
So what is the most popular sport for women, you ask? #1 is the Olympics where 1/4 of the U.S. Female population is an avid fan. Next on the list is the NFL followed by MLB, college football, NBA and college basketball. NASCAR ranks #7 and the LPGA is in the middle of the pack just above monster trucks. Champ car is last.
The most surprising to me is pro rodeo sandwiched between PGA and NHL. Go figure.
Are women blogging? Yes they are.
Some sports blogs that women are checking include:
http://www.leavethemanalone.com
Babeslovebaseball.com
NFLCheerleader.blogspot.com
Need4sheed.com
And where are the ladies on-line, you wonder:
Footballfanatics.com
Highschoolsports.net
Boston Red Sox site
AOL sports
XOZ Network
*as compiled by Neilsen/NetRatings
I always wonder about sports talk radio and women. Can they stand the bickering, trivial stats and jock sniffer callers? Well, apparently no. The all-sports format ranks last on the list of fave formats among women (thanks to Arbitron for the info).
So, here’s to a night of free wine at the ballpark with pink merchandise freebies and access to the hotties in the lockerroom. Don’t fortget your needlepoint or romance novel.
If you are a chick sports fan, let us know what you want from your team to get propel you to the avid fan status…