Attendance Still Down, But Fan Enthusiasm Is Up
by Net Income on Dec 9, 2010 8:00 AM EST
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PrintWith a quarter of the Nets home games (10 out of 39) in the books, the Nets are still near the bottom of NBA attendance, ranking 27th out of 30, and only slightly better than last season.
Still, numbers tell only part of the story. By committing $4 million to break their lease at the IZOD, the Nets took a gamble that the easy access afforded by the Prudential Center would lure more fans, particularly those from New York AND improve fan experience. So far, that first rationale hasn't panned out but no one can deny "The Rock" is a lot better place to watch the Nets.
As the Nets' Ben Couch points out, the Newark vibe is just better and that has led to more energetic fans and a more appreciative team.
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Official Member of the "DO NOT TRADE DERRICK FAVORS" Movement
"I’m a Nets fan. I want to make hasty, ill-considered trades and jump to conclusions despite small samples and mitigating circumstances." -TWilliam, speaking the truth
by MrDollarBills on Dec 9, 2010 11:32 AM EST up reply actions
that's true but
as hard or even impossible as it may seem right now if the nets could somehow manage to put together a nice little 3 game winning streak(even though we haven’t won consecutive games since our openers) i think that will really start to spark things up…
we need to stop going 2 out of 5 and more importantly stop these 4, 5 game losing streaks! it just doesn’t allow the fans to really get behind their team.
i still watch and follow them because i’m a long time fan and i’ve grown accustom to their losing ways(especially after last season)but i could see how some fans are losing or already lost the enthusiasm.
Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep will Scatter
i still watch them cause i like watching players develop
plus they have been playing hard this year and competing
i agree
i like watching players with potential develop into something…and for the most part i agree with you on the playing hard part, but as of late we haven’t seen that so much… i do think they will get back to that “never quit” mentality and once murphy and williams come around and outlaw remains consistent, we’ll be alright… i just hope that doesn’t come too late in the season.
Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep will Scatter
by JerseyFinest on Dec 11, 2010 9:39 PM EST up reply actions
If we had a good team attendance would be much better
The arena is obviously much better (one of the best in the NBA), but the Nets already have shunned a lot of their core base of fans in NJ with the Brooklyn move, and the team is not good. The place would be jumping if we had a good team or one that was athletic and exciting to watch.
by Jersey Sports Fan on Dec 9, 2010 9:20 AM EST reply actions
Compared to the Lakers playing at Clippers
At least we are more fortunate than the Clippers in that I am pretty sure there were more Lakers fans than Clippers fans at Staples yesterday night…
Despite the record
I’ve NEVER had more fun going to Nets games. Granted, my office is two blocks away. But the Rock is such a quantum leap forward from the Meadowlands, you can’t really even compare the the two. I’d be curious to hear the players reflect on the difference of playing at the Rock versus Continental Arena. Yeah they are losing, but it has to be such a better experience for them as well. There is an energy in the building that just didn’t exist in the cavernous Continental Arena. The bittersweet part of course, is that it’s only temporary.
lucky you
I’m stuck in Princeton til 6pm, by the time i get home it’s already 7 so I haven’t had a chance to get to a game. Thankfully I’ll be changing jobs in January so I’ll be closer to home and I can get to some games.
Official Member of the "DO NOT TRADE DERRICK FAVORS" Movement
"I’m a Nets fan. I want to make hasty, ill-considered trades and jump to conclusions despite small samples and mitigating circumstances." -TWilliam, speaking the truth
by MrDollarBills on Dec 9, 2010 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
Congratulations Mr. DB
on your new job!
"The best is yet to come, and babe, won't that be fine
You think you've seen the sun, but you ain't seen it shine"
I feel you
Yeah — I feel so lucky to be able to roll out of work on a Tuesday and go to a game. At the Oklahoma City game, a guy sold me a fifth row seat in the center for $10. That’s the flip-side of the Nets sucking and having poor attendance — you can get seats (even good ones) for next to nothing. I sat right in front of Billy King. Absolutely awesome experience to be that close. The only bad part about the night was two moronic Knick fans, who apparently came to the game for the sole purpose of heckling Farmar and Lopez. That’s just classic NYC disrespect for New Jersey. Can you imagine going to a Knicks game for the purpose of heckling Gallinari? Infuriating.
No surprise there
Knicks, Rangers, Jets fans are all alike, classless.
by Jersey Sports Fan on Dec 9, 2010 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
I was hoping for a better...
The atmosphere at the Rock is light-years better than the IZOD. It’s much more fan and family friendly. I’m little disappointed in the low turn outs. I know the record hurts, but I was hoping to see more of community come out to games.
Section 2 @ the Rock
yea me too
but like you said the record hurts… its hard for the fans to want to come out and see their team lose… if they could show the fans that they still have that never quit mentality they started the season off with…that will result in fans coming out to watch them play more…
but if you take a look at how this team has played lately, its hard to watch… our last home game we got blown out by the Celtics, granted its the Celtics but nonetheless that just can’t happen at home…
protect home court and the fans will come out to watch you play…get blown out at home and you’ll be playing to a half empty arena every night.
Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep will Scatter
I'm really enthused.......
I can’t wait to watch the YES comedy channell tonight…….starring………….That Fumblin’….Bumblin….Robot….." BRICK SLOPEZ "
What's kinda surprising
is they’re slightly behind the Hawks in attendance, and not only are the Hawks a MUCH better team, their arena is technically as accessible as the Rock’s(MARTA station a 2-minute walk to the entrance).
Pretty nice arena too
Went down there to catch a Nets game when Sean Williams was playing.
Section 18, Row 7 at The Rock!
The funny thing about The Rock is though
When there is over 12,500-13,000 at a game it feels packed. I don’t know if its because the lower level is smaller than at Izod and the upper deck is more spread out but the games feel like there are so many more people there then the numbers say. Last year the boxscore numbers would be about 12-13 on avg but I can tell you by going to a lot of games last year we got NO WHERE near that through the turnstile. I feel like this years numbers are very close to the actual box score attendance. And yes the atmosphere is totally different. I no longer get shushed or stared at for cheering on Defense or saying “LETS GO NETS!”. The sad thing is if this team was good and winning some games I believe attendance would be up by A LOT.
by Christopher Manchesi on Dec 9, 2010 12:36 PM EST reply actions
Totally agree
Must be the design of the arena. So much much more fun at the Rock.
Don't forget about Port 44 Brew Pub or Scully's Pub before the games
Within 3 short blocks of The Rock, I have been making it a ritual en route to games from the train station, stopping for a few cold ones, and both bars have good food too.
by Jersey Sports Fan on Dec 9, 2010 2:40 PM EST reply actions
how come our fan base isnt as supportive as other fan bases
is it the product that the nets are , is it a new jersey thing, how come our attendance isnt that good
do you think nets will have a higher attendance in brooklyn
that's the sad part
As bummed as I am that they’re leaving, I can’t really blame them, because they can never get anyone to go to the games. Even when we were good (with Kidd), attendance sucked. I think there were some playoff games that weren’t even sold out. It kills me, because now that they are at the Rock, I could see them turning it around, because the arena is so much better and so is the energy. But alas, it’s too late. Jersey will have to get another team.
I really have no idea about Brooklyn. It will be interesting to see how it goes.
^^^
Forget the playoffs….There were finals games that famously weren’t even sold out. The reason for the lack of find base is a combination of things. You can blame the area of Izod,CAA, or B.B. whatever you want to call it. But the fact was the Devils before the year 01-02 had great attendance numbers there (also the Giants play right across the highway and they seem to fill the place don’t they). It is also the fan base. NJ never had a big love for basketball. In the Jordan era when basketball hit a peak, there was some love in NJ and excitement over the NETS when a young man by the nave of Drazen Petrovic stepped on the court. But alas, those days died along with him. Then the Nets had a rough patch for many years with having selfish players and bad boys. When the Nets got Jason Kidd in 01 know one could have predicted the season so attendance stayed low as the wins came (probably figuring it was a fluke). Surprisingly the Nets saw some of there best attendance figures the year after Vince Carter came. I remember attending a few games during that year that had an announced attendance of 20,020.
There is no real reason for why the Nets have a lack of fans. Its a combination of bad luck and bad basketball. But I believe in Brooklyn they will see jump in attendance as long as the team stays competitive. And as long as they stay the NETS.
by Christopher Manchesi on Dec 9, 2010 4:07 PM EST reply actions
False claims
The Devils had “great” attendance that year (since when is averaging under 16,000 “great”?) because they were the defending Stanley Cup champs. And stop comparing the NFL to the NBA—2 totally different worlds. Put the Eagles in the ghetto of Chester, PA instead of the soccer stadium and they’d still sell out. Put the Giants in freaking Alpine, NJ and they’d sell out. 8 games vs 41. Duh. Try getting to the swamp 41 times per year. Without a car. And it’s bad enough driving there during rush hours.
And for the 100th time, the Nets sold out the Finals BOTH years. in 2003 the capacity was lowered due to media setting.
So am I
like I said, you try getting to the Swamp 41 times a year. With or without a car
Wow Marv
We were trying to have a decent conversation and your trying to come on here like you wrote the book on attendance. I’m just saying you can’t blame it on one thing. And the last time WE DIDN’’T sell out the finals. Want to know how I know? I was at Game 3 of 2001 and people were able to buy tickets at THE BOX OFFICE! 30 mins before tip off! So don’t come on here like you are all high and might cause you WILL get shot down little homie.
by Christopher Manchesi on Dec 9, 2010 5:40 PM EST reply actions
Oh And about getting to the swamp...
I went to 28 games last year at Izod and I get there in 13 mins (I have timed it) with no problems are hassle. In fact I live closer to Prudential and it takes me longer (Getting on light rail which I live 2 blocks from. Waiting for train to reach Penn…walking through Penn station the few blocks to the game. Usually adds up to about 20 mins. So to teach there own.
by Christopher Manchesi on Dec 9, 2010 5:42 PM EST reply actions
It's still too early to tell
The season only started about a month ago, and many are claiming that the Nets will not have that great in attendance. Keep in mind that they have only played 10 home games, so there is still another 31 to go. Things can change by then. However, for attendance to go up, they have start putting up big wins, because most do not want to see a losing a team. One thing I do know, this will always be more compared to those who believe that it will be higher in Brooklyn when in reality, fans do not convert.
They need to start giving a lot of tickets away
Newark isn’t a small city and the Rock isn’t a hard place to get to. If anything they’d make money off the food and merchandise sales
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