Ticket sales or lack there of?

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Winnipeg apparently sold out its playoff game tickets in 5 minutes.

 

Not surprising.

Aside from the rabid fanbase there, if I am not mistaken, the seating capacity at MTS is something like 15,000?

Smaller than the usual NHL venues which are 17-18 thousand usually?

 

I could be wrong.

 

Also, if you are the Jets fanbase, and you got a team back and now are making the playoffs and in good position to make this a regular thing, you BEST get out there!

Would be interesting to see if the Wild and Jets both make it to the Western Finals, how many of each teams fans would get into the other's building...AND if either team employs a 'limit ticket' strategy.

 

Seems both Wild and Jets fans get into each others buildings with regularity during the regular season....so much so that chants can be heard both ways for both teams!

[Polaris922]

See now THIS I can agree with.

As much as I love my Lightning, this part I do take umbrage with them doing.

A franchise can sell its tickets any way they like to whomever they like, but telling people what they can and cant' wear (outside of anything obscene perhaps) smacks a bit of fascism.

I agree with the Bolts limiting ticket sales to their fanbase (as best they can anyways), but I am a bit saddened for my own team that they took that extra step and are telling fans what they can and can't wear in the lounge areas.

Bolts can put up all the hurdles they want to prevent visiting fans from taking over, but if some do happen to get in (and again, it WILL), then they can wear Wings jerseys if they like.

What are they gonna do? TURN AWAY people at the door (people who have PAID tickets) if they are wearing non Lightning gear?

How about someone like me, who generally doesn't wear a shirt under my jersey.....is some female gonna be told she has to take that off and sit and watch the game in her flipping brassiere because she isn't wearing Lightning gear!? (Easy now, you horndogs on here.... LMAO)

Shame on you Bolts for THAT part of your home ice strategy.

Kudos on the tickets, bad on the fascist dress code.

It's a very fine line if a line at all between the two issues. Limiting ticket sales is to do exactly what they're doing with a clothing mandate. You must be from that area to get tickets, which is a poorly hidden effort to sell only to home team fans. And you must wear the home team colors. Beats the difference, really?

For the record, any opposing fans that want tickets let me know. I have family in the area and I'll buy as many as I can get for you if you need them, as long as you promise to wear the enemy sweater!

I think it's a crap policy and reflects very poorly on the franchise. I sit next to it near opponents' fans fairly often. It's part of the game and good for the league.

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

It's a very fine line if a line at all between the two issues. Limiting ticket sales is to do exactly what they're doing with a clothing mandate. You must be from that area to get tickets, which is a poorly hidden effort to sell only to home team fans. And you must wear the home team colors. Beats the difference, really?

For the record, any opposing fans that want tickets let me know. I have family in the area and I'll buy as many as I can get for you if you need them, as long as you promise to wear the enemy sweater!

I think it's a crap policy and reflects very poorly on the franchise. I sit next to it near opponents' fans fairly often. It's part of the game and good for the league.

 

Couldn't disagree more.

 

Not at all the same thing.

One, you have something you want to sell to a given group of people (in this case, home fans) for the purpose of creating a more 'favorable' environment vs a fanbase that travels well, is represented dozens of times greater than the the smaller fanbase...even in their own building.

 

I really cant' blame the smaller franchise for trying to 'stack the fans' in their favor for their own home games...with the understanding that opposing fans will STILL be getting into the building.

 

But telling someone what to wear to games and (if it comes down to it) turning away fans because they didn't adhere to an arbitrary 'dress code' is something else entirely.

One serves a purpose for the betterment of the atmosphere for the home fans, the other does nothing except create unnecessary problems and ill will at the actual gates and arenas.

Not even CLOSE to the same thing...sorry.

 

And for the record, I too think opposing fans in arenas is a good thing. I can't tell you how much fun I've had with 'enemy' fans at my own arenas/stadiums, both in Tampa and in Minnesota.....the ribbing, good natured stuff going on, and pretty much, at least in my experience, civil conversations and even learning stuff from each other about both teams.

 

But this thing with the limiting ticket sales is more an attempt to guard against 'extremes', IMO.

Which can happen during an event like the playoffs and when you have a fanbase (Det, Chi, Pit) that is overwhelming compared to the one they are playing.

 

I don't think that part of it reflects badly at all on the franchise.

Honestly, that strategy may not even work as well as expected because there are many ways for fans to get tickets to any arena they want....just might have to hop an extra hurdle or two, but it can be done.

 

But the smaller franchise would be remiss if they didn't at least TRY to limit opposing fans and create the best environment, cheering-wise, for the home team.

At the end of the day, this isn't a huge deal and aside from some out of towners possibly being irritated by this, I don't see a problem with this.

Besides...if those miffed about the policy REALLY wanted to get to a game and just CAN'T figure out how to do it, they probably don't DESERVE to go!  

[Polaris922]

Couldn't disagree more.

Not at all the same thing.

One, you have something you want to sell to a given group of people (in this case, home fans) for the purpose of creating a more 'favorable' environment vs a fanbase that travels well, is represented dozens of times greater than the the smaller fanbase...even in their own building.

I really cant' blame the smaller franchise for trying to 'stack the fans' in their favor for their own home games...with the understanding that opposing fans will STILL be getting into the building.

But telling someone what to wear to games and (if it comes down to it) turning away fans because they didn't adhere to an arbitrary 'dress code' is something else entirely.

One serves a purpose for the betterment of the enjoyment of the home fans, the other does nothing except create unnecessary problems and ill will at the actual gates and arenas.

Not even CLOSE to the same thing...sorry.

And for the record, I too think opposing fans in arenas is a good thing. I can't tell you how much fun I've had with 'enemy' fans at my own arenas/stadiums, both in Tampa and in Minnesota.....the ribbing, good natured stuff going on, and pretty much, at least in my experience, civil conversations and even learning stuff from each other about both teams.

But this thing with the limiting ticket sales is more an attempt to guard against 'extremes', IMO.

Which can happen during an event like the playoffs and when you have a fanbase (Det, Chi, Pit) that is overwhelming compared to the one they are playing.

I don't think that part of it reflects badly at all on the franchise.

Honestly, that strategy may not even work as well as expected because there are many ways for fans to get tickets to any arena they want....just might have to hop an extra hurdle or two, but it can be done.

But the smaller franchise would be remiss if they didn't at least TRY to limit opposing fans and create the best environment, cheering-wise, for the home team.

At the end of the day, this isn't a huge deal and aside from some out of towners possibly being irritated by this, I don't see a problem with this.

Besides...if those miffed about the policy REALLY wanted to get to a game and just CAN'T figure out how to do it, they probably don't DESERVE to go!

Discrimination is discrimination. Be it for sweater or anything else. Pittsburgh is hardly a huge fanbase and they did it against us a few years ago. It's not about huge opposing fanbases at all. I understand you're defending your franchise here, but it's just another form of prejudicial treatment. I also understand the purpose, just disagree with the practice.

And as for your point, you're still creating ill will just not at the gates.

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Discrimination is discrimination. Be it for sweater or anything else. Pittsburgh is hardly a huge fanbase and they did it against us a few years ago. It's not about huge opposing fanbases at all. I understand you're defending your franchise here, but it's just another form of prejudicial treatment. I also understand the purpose, just disagree with the practice.

And as for your point, you're still creating ill will just not at the gates.

 

Dude, this sounds like a rallying point for some political campaign.

Obviously, we will agree to disagree on that point....I honestly think you are making a bigger deal about this than I am.

 

And far be it from me to make 'assumptions' but honestly, the way you are making things sound...just comes off as being somewhat 'bitter', for lack of a better term, because the Bolts did that against YOUR Penguins some seasons back.

 

Again, its not that big a deal really....fans will get in if they really want to. Bottom line.

But it is an entirely different thing to tell someone at the gate, who paid for a ticket, that they can't come in wearing a non Lightning shirt, jersey, etc.....or worse yet, someone who wore a plain red shirt in, puts on a Wings jersey while inside, being escorted out.

 

I stand by my point that limiting tickets and point blank telling someone they can't wear a certain article of clothing (non obscene) and possibly REMOVING them because of it are NOT the same thing.

You most likely won't move from your point, I won't move from mine...and it has NOTHING to do with 'defending my franchise'....don't make that assumption.

 

Its about the smaller franchise doing what it feels it needs to to make a home game more of a home game in a harmless way.

[Old School Hockey]

Couldn't disagree more.

Not at all the same thing.

One, you have something you want to sell to a given group of people (in this case, home fans) for the purpose of creating a more 'favorable' environment vs a fanbase that travels well, is represented dozens of times greater than the the smaller fanbase...even in their own building.

I really cant' blame the smaller franchise for trying to 'stack the fans' in their favor for their own home games...with the understanding that opposing fans will STILL be getting into the building.

But telling someone what to wear to games and (if it comes down to it) turning away fans because they didn't adhere to an arbitrary 'dress code' is something else entirely.

One serves a purpose for the betterment of the atmosphere for the home fans, the other does nothing except create unnecessary problems and ill will at the actual gates and arenas.

Not even CLOSE to the same thing...sorry.

And for the record, I too think opposing fans in arenas is a good thing. I can't tell you how much fun I've had with 'enemy' fans at my own arenas/stadiums, both in Tampa and in Minnesota.....the ribbing, good natured stuff going on, and pretty much, at least in my experience, civil conversations and even learning stuff from each other about both teams.

But this thing with the limiting ticket sales is more an attempt to guard against 'extremes', IMO.

Which can happen during an event like the playoffs and when you have a fanbase (Det, Chi, Pit) that is overwhelming compared to the one they are playing.

I don't think that part of it reflects badly at all on the franchise.

Honestly, that strategy may not even work as well as expected because there are many ways for fans to get tickets to any arena they want....just might have to hop an extra hurdle or two, but it can be done.

But the smaller franchise would be remiss if they didn't at least TRY to limit opposing fans and create the best environment, cheering-wise, for the home team.

At the end of the day, this isn't a huge deal and aside from some out of towners possibly being irritated by this, I don't see a problem with this.

Besides...if those miffed about the policy REALLY wanted to get to a game and just CAN'T figure out how to do it, they probably don't DESERVE to go!

Oh those big bad mean Red Wings and Blackhawks fans!!!!!!!

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Oh those big bad Red Wings and Blackhawks fans!!!!!!!

 

Exactly!  

[Polaris922]

Dude, this sounds like a rallying point for some political campaign.

Obviously, we will agree to disagree on that point....I honestly think you are making a bigger deal about this than I am.

And far be it from me to make 'assumptions' but honestly, the way you are making things sound...just comes off as being somewhat 'bitter', for lack of a better term, because the Bolts did that against YOUR Penguins some seasons back.

Again, its not that big a deal really....fans will get in if they really want to. Bottom line.

But it is an entirely different thing to tell someone at the gate, who paid for a ticket, that they can't come in wearing a non Lightning shirt, jersey, etc.....or worse yet, someone who wore a plain red shirt in, puts on a Wings jersey while inside, being escorted out.

I stand by my point that limiting tickets and point blank telling someone they can't wear a certain article of clothing (non obscene) and possibly REMOVING them because of it are NOT the same thing.

You most likely won't move from your point, I won't move from mine...and it has NOTHING to do with 'defending my franchise'....don't make that assumption.

Its about the smaller franchise doing what it feels it needs to to make a home game more of a home game in a harmless way.

Bitter? If I'd been unable to get them back then, maybe I would be. But I'm too lazy to go to Florida for a hockey game. If my opinion that it's a crap practice is making a big deal out of it then so be it. Of course we can agree to disagree. You and I do that from time to time.

Pardon me while I ask a gay baker to make me a cake ...

[Old School Hockey]

Ok I'm going to say it! This is the difference between traditional fans and non traditional fans!

We want inside enemy lines and want them as well. Not some F-ing artificial protection!

Start the bashing of the entitled O6 guy! Heard it all before!

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Bitter? If I'd been unable to get them back then, maybe I would be. But I'm too lazy to go to Florida for a hockey game. If my opinion that it's a crap practice is making a big deal out of it then so be it. Of course we can agree to disagree. You and I do that from time to time.

Pardon me while I ask a gay baker to make me a cake ...

 

Just make sure they use Grade A ingredients for your cake.....nothing worse than flat tasting pastries with three day old icing....only the best, my friend, only the best....ask them to be sure of it! 

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Ok I'm going to say it! This is the difference between traditional fans and non traditional fans!

We want inside enemy lines and want them as well. Not some F-ing artificial protection!

Start the bashing of the entitled O6 guy! Heard it all before!

 

Whatever you say...but tell me...do you pack a ball peen hammer or sledge when you visit opposing arenas? You know, in case the 'enemy' gets any funny ideas? 

[hf101]

Teams just need to give out t shirts when fans walk in the door.

[Polaris922]

Just make sure they use Grade A ingredients for your cake.....nothing worse than flat tasting pastries with three day old icing....only the best, my friend, only the best....ask them to be sure of it!

I asked for a strict Christian values theme too. Lol

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

I asked for a strict Christian values theme too. Lol

 

Better still....that way, you are likely to get nothing but a pure honest cake out of the deal!

[Old School Hockey]

Whatever you say...but tell me...do you pack a ball peen hammer or sledge when you visit opposing arenas? You know, in case the 'enemy' gets any funny ideas? 

The whole premise of "we don't want them here" is weak argument! And to be frank is total BS. How about you sell tickets to the first 19000 fans that can get them.

Imagine the political bs that would go on if this was any other sale if it were limited to a demographic?

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

The whole premise of "we don't want them here" is weak argument! And to be frank is total BS. How about you sell tickets to the first 19000 fans that can get them.

Imagine the political bs that would go on if this was any other sale if it were limited to a demographic?

 

The 'whole premise' is for the home team to have the best possible crowd in THEIR favor. Sure, its an obvious 'stacking' ploy....re-read several of my posts where I point this out ad nauseum.

 

As for any other sale, well, this is sports, it ISN'T any other sale, has NOTHING to do with other sales, has NOTHING to do with lock-outs (did I mention that already? ok...   )......sports is sports and things that apply in other parts of life just do not apply in sports.

See: conversation between Joe T and I in the shoutbox regarding people who screw up their jobs in sports only to be promoted....

 

Look, you can always give Polaris a call....he can get you tickets to get inside Amalie arena if its because you really want to get down there.

Have family members that want to get in? I am sure he can take care of that for you as well.

 

Detroit fans are gonna get in, don't you worry!

[Old School Hockey]

The 'whole premise' is for the home team to have the best possible crowd in THEIR favor. Sure, its an obvious 'stacking' ploy....re-read several of my posts where I point this out ad nauseum.

 

As for any other sale, well, this is sports, it ISN'T any other sale, has NOTHING to do with other sales, has NOTHING to do with lock-outs (did I mention that already? ok...   )......sports is sports and things that apply in other parts of life just do not apply in sports.

See: conversation between Joe T and I in the shoutbox regarding people who screw up their jobs in sports only to be promoted....

 

Look, you can always give Polaris a call....he can get you tickets to get inside Amalie arena if its because you really want to get down there.

Have family members that want to get in? I am sure he can take care of that for you as well.

 

Detroit fans are gonna get in, don't you worry!

And I still find it VERY funny that you can't see the correlation between blocking the fans WHO pay your share of RS and how it's lockout related!!

Damn!!!!!!!! The league went on lockout to SUPPORT your team that can't support itself! Along with many others!

You tell me what is the value of Tampa and Nashville vs the top 6 teams who STILL supporting the NHL. This dream of they'll get there is complete BS!

Look up supply and demand! Open the frickin tickets to whom ever wants to pay the price!!!!!

To me it's a case of we will gladly take your RS money, but not in my barn!!!!!!

Now this rant is over for now!

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Hmmm....methinks our channels are on COMPLETELY different wavelengths........ 

 

Alright dude, just like Polaris, he and I civilly agreed to disagree...same here.

 

But honestly, I did ask what the correlation of those two things are in the BEGINNING (limiting ticket sales for home atmosphere purposes vs lockouts, which were player salary plagued), and I never quite got an answer.

 

And from the looks of things, I may not get a cohesive one, except perhaps a bunch more tangents.

 

It's all good though.

 

Things are happening a certain way and no amount of point or counterpoint HERE will change that.

Glad to see though, that while I don't rate a 'big debate' from you, I at least got a 'rant'.  

[Old School Hockey]

Hmmm....methinks our channels are on COMPLETELY different wavelengths........ 

 

Alright dude, just like Polaris, he and I civilly agreed to disagree...same here.

 

But honestly, I did ask what the correlation of those two things are in the BEGINNING (limiting ticket sales for home atmosphere purposes vs lockouts, which were player salary plagued), and I never quite got an answer.

 

And from the looks of things, I may not get a cohesive one, except perhaps a bunch more tangents.

 

It's all good though.

 

Things are happening a certain way and no amount of point or counterpoint HERE will change that.

Glad to see though, that while I don't rate a 'big debate' from you, I at least got a 'rant'.  

Me thinks you honestly don't get or don't care!

[Old School Hockey]

Hmmm....methinks our channels are on COMPLETELY different wavelengths........ 

 

Alright dude, just like Polaris, he and I civilly agreed to disagree...same here.

 

But honestly, I did ask what the correlation of those two things are in the BEGINNING (limiting ticket sales for home atmosphere purposes vs lockouts, which were player salary plagued), and I never quite got an answer.

 

And from the looks of things, I may not get a cohesive one, except perhaps a bunch more tangents.

 

It's all good though.

 

Things are happening a certain way and no amount of point or counterpoint HERE will change that.

Glad to see though, that while I don't rate a 'big debate' from you, I at least got a 'rant'.  

Ok here's the question/answer?!

What should it matter to Tampa or Nashville fan how Toronto or Philly spends their money? It's revenue earned in their market.

We all know the answer but I want to hear it from you. When pre lockout DETROIT had 98m payroll it wasn't hurting them.

So are we talking about limiting capitalism to support those who can't enjoy capitalism? False parity? Robin Hoodism?

The tangent has NOT changed! Why should a fan who pays your teams RS be blocked from buying tickets in your market?

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Ok here's the question/answer?!

What should it matter to Tampa or Nashville fan how Toronto or Philly spends their money? It's revenue earned in their market.

We all know the answer but I want to hear it from you. When pre lockout DETROIT had 98m payroll it wasn't hurting them.

So are we talking about limiting capitalism to support those who can't enjoy capitalism? False parity? Robin Hoodism?

The tangent has NOT changed! Why should a fan who pays your teams RS be blocked from buying tickets in your market?

 

 

It DOESN'T matter to TB or Nsh how a Tor or Phi fan spends their money.

 

That isn't why this is being done.

There IS NO evil conspiracy to be elitist and act like opposing fans' money isn't good enough.

 

Plain n simple, as I stated, from what I've read, from the way the Bolts' brass puts it (I didn't read any direct quotes from Nashville's side), it is simply a matter of the Lightning KNOWING the Detroit fanbase is far and wide reaching, and just doing what it can to try to ensure that its OWN fans have an easier route to get tickets over the out of town fans.

 

And I will say the same thing to Detroit fans that I implied about Pittsburgh fans:

If a fan from out of town REALLY wants to get to a game, they can and will.  There are so many ways around this, it isn't even funny.

If said fans would rather pout, moan, complain, and rant over it rather than finding a way around it (again, its rather easy if you think about it), then they simply DON'T deserve to be able to buy a ticket.

 

Repeating:

It's a ploy to try to create as much of a home atmosphere for the home team as possible!

But even with that, Detroit fans are still gonna get in and Chicago fans are still gonna get into Bridgestone.

 

Good for them.

They were smart enough to not rant n complain, but rather find a way.....and if they can do that, I'd have no problem with them wearing their gear at Amalie or Bridgestone...I already stated I think the gear policy is bad.

 

Look...I am a Lightning fan living in Minnesota now.

 

If for some reason, the Wild and Lightning met in the Finals and for some reason Minnesota decided they wanted to make sure MOSTLY Wild fans were in attendance and did this same sort of thing where members of my family down south couldn't buy tickets to Xcel (yes, I know, this is far fetched, but  work with me here...making a point... lol), then I could either

 

A) Piss n moan about the Wild FO being unfair, that I, as a Minnesota resident am a partial season ticket holder and my family's money down south is as good as anyone else's money...or

 

B) I can look at the situation, see WHY the Wild FO is doing what they are doing, and find ways for me or some other members of my in-laws to get tickets to my out of towners who want in the building.

 

Lots of ways to do that.

Have family members get you tickets, go through certain online routes where they don't care WHERE the credit card is registered at, or give a certain connected cop in Pittsburgh a call, as he can SURELY get my family members in the building!

 

So there we have it.....not about 'whose money is it'...but for the purposes of 'home ice' (good Lord I have repeated this so many times, yet I am accused of 'not getting it'...haha) for the HOME team....nothing else!

[Old School Hockey]

Minnesota now there's a crap load of hypocrisy.

Who said this: salaries are out of control

And then days before the last lockout signed 2 guys to 220m contracts.

I'll give you hint his initials are CL. The same guy who sold his own tickets while in Nashville.

[yave1964]

Wings fans rabidly follow their team across two Countries, regular season, playoff whatever. I have been to Nationwide many, many times in Columbus where there are more Wings sweaters than Jackets, and it feels like a home game.

 

  There is another post in here where a lot of the regulars even stated this is lame, a cheap ploy by Tampa. It is a way of keeping non Bolts fans from taking over the joint. Just gamesmanship really.

 

  It is cheap and petty, but come October or December the Lightning organization will gladly take the Wings fans money for a regular season ticket. Just hoping that Wings fans remember and plan vacations in Sunrise or Dallas or another warm climate and stay away from Tampa.

 

The Wings don't have to do that. The Lightning do not have any followers to speak of. Just sayin.

[yave1964]

Bitter? If I'd been unable to get them back then, maybe I would be. But I'm too lazy to go to Florida for a hockey game. If my opinion that it's a crap practice is making a big deal out of it then so be it. Of course we can agree to disagree. You and I do that from time to time.

Pardon me while I ask a gay baker to make me a cake ...

Now THAT  is funny.

[nossagog]

This is nothing new.    Ted Leonis has been doing this for years to Pens fans trying to buy tickets to caps games because the games were sounding like home games for the Pens.   He prevented anyone from the 412 area code from purchasing tickets by phone. This is not about fairness, lockouts or whatever.  This is about the home team trying to protect its arena from an invasion of loyal visiting teams.  If they weren't selling out, and losing money, they'd soon change their minds.