Brodsky Failed To Score With Fans
By 250 News
Wednesday, January 25, 2006 03:47 AM
by Ben Meisner
Last week Cougars owner, Rick Brodsky suggested the fans could hate him but continue to support the kids playing for the Cougars. He should have had the same handlers as Stephen Harper, because he then would have been told to keep your mouth shut.
Fan support at the Cougars games has dropped dramatically in recent years, not because everyone hates Rick Brodsky, but rather, fans had grown accustomed to a team that was a constant loser and eventually you just lose interest.
Brandy Brodsky, (regardless of her being Rick’s daughter) has done a hell of a job as Business manager, given the circumstances. I don't have the same opinion about Dallas Thompson, Brodsky’s son in law.
On the coaching end however, the proof is in the pudding, and the team (just two points short of third place) deserves the standings.
On Friday (I missed Saturday’s game) the place wasn’t by any means full, but there were over 3500 in attendance and that says the fans are coming back. Brodsky should know that you don’t win fans back 1,000 at a time; you have to earn those seats. Telling those same fans to hate you but not the team in order to divert the flack doesn't do a single bit of good for the team.
If you want the place full, get a team together, look no further than into the rafters to see that there is not one single banner hanging there. If even the Cougars could win their division it would go a long way to having those same fans return.
By the way, I also did a little roam around asking those old faces I’ve seen for years if they have a season’s ticket. Nope! Was the reply "I pick and choose what games my family and I will attend , when they were on a roll I wanted to make sure that my seat was safe, they haven’t been on a roll in recent years and if they want me to buy the seasons pass they will need to show me some flare."
Well for you folks in the front office of the Cougars, you included Rick, start by getting a team into the playoffs in a meaningful manner and then make sure you get out and sell those season tickets.
Instead of suggesting that everyone dump on you, put your running shoes on and get out and sell some season tickets this summer, that’s how to win the fans back.
I’m Meisner and that is one man’s Opinion .
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Posted by: Percy on January 25 2006 9:10 PM
1. Prince George, contrary to folklore is not and has never been a hockey town.
2. Split fans between Cougers/Spruce Kings
3. Loss of soft fans over a period of time
4. Major retirements. People who retire have less disposable income.
5. Major downsizing in Prince George by Major Industries and business. These high paid jobs are seldom filled.
6. Low income earners now working at all Major outlets, such as Sears, Bay, Costco,Walmart, Cdn Tire, Winners, (The list goes on) These people earn between 8-10 dollars per hour and are usually restricted to 20 hours per week, and must therefore work at least 2 jobs. A lot of these jobs are on afternoon shift. Much less disposible income.
7. A number of sawmills have gone to 3 shifts. Anyone working afternoon shifts would not be available for games.
8. Prince Georges logging season in almost exactly the same as the Hockey season, so you cant count on loggers or truck drivers to be available for games.
9. Concerts. This is a catch 22. The more concerts you have the less money available for Hockey games.
10. The new Casino. A large number of fans are now at the casino, gambling. We all know that nobody wins at the Gambling game, therefore less money available for Hockey games.
11. Cost. A huge factor. 4 tickets at average 12.00 per ticket would cost you $2,248.00 for the season. 3 tickets would be $2016.00 2 tickets would be $1080.00 these prices would include $10 or $20 for refreshments. People on low incomes cannot afford this, and will therefore attend fewer games.
12. In the beginning a large number of season tickets were bought by business who gave them out to customers to attend games. I have noticed in the last 4/5 years that it was difficult to get anyone to take a Cougers ticket. So some Companies have quit buying them.
13. Team performance. You have to be right at the top of the league to get soft fans out to a game. Even then it will not be on a consistant basis.
14. Last but not least Demographics. Prince Georges population has been static for the last 10 years, how does this effect things?? Everyone is 10 years older. 10,000 people who were between the age of 55-74 would now be between the age of 65-84. A large number of them would have left town, become unable to get around, or would be deceased. Anyone born in the last 6 years approx 5000 people would not be going to hocky games. People who were 15-54 40,000 people would now be 25 to 64 most on lower incomes.
I doubt that the population of this City can support the Cougers to the tune of 4500/5000 fans per game for 36 games per year.
The whole idea of having the Cougers come here and split the fan base with the Spruce Kings was not well thought out, and could only be done by a Municipality who is willing to subsidize the facility. You would not be able to get a business plan that you could take to a bank and borrow money for a similar scheme. The banks would very quickly tell you that it would be a losing proposition.
Perhaps instead of calling this facility the CN Centre, we should have called it the White Elephant, as it appears that will be its destiny.
It is pointless for Brodsky,or the City to blame the fans for the demise of this plan. Its not the fault of the fans, they were never really there. It is poor planning on the part of the City and the Cougers Management, that has brought us to this point pure and simple.
I though everyone in the world was aware of the fact that **Fans are Fickle**