Sixers 2012 Attendance: Get Your Butts to the Wells Fargo Center!
by Jordan Sams on Jan 15, 2012 8:24 AM PST
in Philadelphia 76ers News
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Print13,402. That's the average attendance of Sixers home games this season, ranking 29th in the NBA. The Pistons are the only franchise who averages less fans per game. The Bucks, the league-owned Hornets, the WIZARDS, Hawks, Nets, Raptors, Cavs and Bobcats all sell more tickets than the 76ers.
The Sixers have made the playoffs three of the past four seasons. Through 12 games they currently sit comfortably atop the Atlantic Division and second overall in the Eastern Conference with a 9-3 record. Minutes-adjusted, they are the fourth youngest team in the NBA, and statistically, the best team. They play hard. They play beautiful team basketball ("That's basketball, folks!") They have the #NightShift, awesome new owners and a re-vamped game presentation ... along with slashed ticket prices!
WHY ARE THE SIXERS 29TH IN ATTENDANCE?!
I understand the sentiment that "well, once they prove they're good people will start going," but whether or not (not!) they're championship contenders, they're a good basketball team – I think we can all agree on that – and they're thrilling to watch. Fans have no excuse not to attend Sixers games. The Phillies aren't playing, the Eagles aren't playing and the Sixers are one of the best teams in the NBA thus far.
However; I will say – although small – the crowds have seemed more lively and energetic this season than in seasons' past. It doesn't hurt that the Sixers have slaughtered every home opponent. (P.S. before you get on me for being a hypocrite and not attending Sixers games myself, I'm a poor, just-graduated college student, in desperate search of a real job, living in Las Vegas. I'd be at every home game if I could, trust me).
I understand they've only played five home games, and only one was against a team over .500 (the Pacers), so I'll give us, as Sixers fans, a get out of jail free card ... for now. But moving forward, I want to see more butts in the Wagon!
Side note: The Sixers rating on Comcast are "way up", according to SBN Philly, so that's a start.
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They could be
going to Flyers games.
"The ability to speak does not make you intelligent"- Qui-Gon Jinn
I’ve gone to 2 games. Unfortunately I’m booked busy for the next 2 weeks otherwise I’d try to do my part some more.
"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain
Follow @Sohil_Doshi
Too expensive between the gas and the tickets/food
Last name Ever
First name Greatest
#PayDeSeanJackson
Take the train. Buy $10 tickets. Then, pray they score 100 points and you’ll get free food.
@MacNaismith on twitter
by Naismithball on Jan 15, 2012 9:43 AM PST up reply actions
too expensive?
january ice packs starting at 40 dollars for 6 tickets.
Sorry but the teams they’ve played at home weren’t good enough to draw anybody. Not a star on any of them, not a decent team among them.
They’ll sell out for Miami and if they win, you’ll start to see attendance pick up. It’s been a long, long time since the Sixers were worth watching, and they may have new owners and a new attitude but it’s still the same old team to us.
Besides the league and the players jerked everyone around and didn’t start their season on time, and now I’m supposed to come running? You can’t take fans for granted, and the franchise has acted as though it did for years. This team hasn’t been good since they got rid of Pat Croce.
**sighs**
My wife is tired of me whining about this very baffling, head scratching sight that is hundreds of empty seats right up to court side as I sit and watch our 76ers from almost 3000 miles away.
I moved to Seattle for work in January 2008 (a job I took in late 2007). What I didn’t realize was this was a move that was going to force me to NBA-less for the foreseeable future, ugh. At least I don’t walk around with the same pain and bitterness that life-long Sonics fans carry (I do empathize with them cuz it causes me to miss the few 76ers games I could have seen out here). But, it still isn’t easy to watch my NBA league pass and see this 76ers team playing to sparse crowds knowing that I could be getting tix to sixers games on just about any given night!
Not a week goes by on sports talk radio out here where there isn’t a mention of the Sonics. There are cities out there that take notice to fans not appreciating their home teams, and players and even owners take note.
As much as Seattle has grown on me, I miss walking out of a cold Philly night into a warm arena (it was first union then and the spectrum way back) and watching the sixers thinking about who in the draft would help build our roster back up to prominence. Now I have to drive to effing Portland (for the record its one of Americas best unknown cities) to see NBA hoops.
You don’t know how good you have it, so go watch the effing 76ers games!
Peace
Not here to discuss/debate city planning...
…As tough as it is not to with a degree in Urban/regional planning, but if you want me to explain what i believe makes PDX so unique and well planned I will be happy to take this discussion to a different forum.
Though you are not alone in your feelings for portlands planning much of the resistance to portlands progressivism comes from people who have an invested stake in keeping cities unsustainably sprawling. Some also comes from people being used to living in poorly planned cities, moving to pdx and not being used to portlands commitment to sustainability over just catering to the automobile over people.
I must digress, as a planning discussion does nothing to curb my envy for you 76ers fans who can get to games on a regular basis but do not go.
Peace
I was at the Pacers game last Monday, and attendance was atrocious. 8,600 i think? wow.
Going on Wednesday to see the Nugs, hopefully there will be a better crowd.
"Any time Detroit scores more than 100 points and holds the other team below 100 points, they almost always win." – Doug Collins
Went to 11 home games last year including one playoff game. Now I moved to Florida, so my only options are league-pass and when they play the Magic.
"If Iguodala were a legitimate "true" 17 PPG scorer, we’d be a better team. When at least 8 of those points come off the fast break, his true offensive production is a reality: 8-11 PPG." - LeQuan Glover
I'd go
But I don’t live in the area anymore. I watch them when they come on the road though.
I do think that arena is in a bad location for many Sixers fans though.
You can access it from both 76 and 95, plus if you live in the city you can take the express line down broad. It’s actually really easy to get to. I lived on 42nd and Pine last year and from my apartment to the stadium it took less than 30 minutes to get to via subway.
"If Iguodala were a legitimate "true" 17 PPG scorer, we’d be a better team. When at least 8 of those points come off the fast break, his true offensive production is a reality: 8-11 PPG." - LeQuan Glover
I plan on going to more games this year
I live in NY so the drive isn’t bad. But yeah I’m surprised at how low it has been so far. The team is really fun to watch and they’re playing really well. This team deserves to play in a loud, packed home arena.
formerly jdcvr6
"When I'm dead and buried, and my time here has passed. I want them to bury me upside down, so my critics can kiss my ass." - Bob Knight
I can buy the excuse (a little) that they haven’t played any good teams thus far and that’s a reason for the low attendance, but the good teams draw fans even when they play against bad teams. The real reason for the lack of attendance is:
1.) no 20ppg scorer who people can call a “star”
2.) people are still in disbelief that the team is actually good
"If Iguodala were a legitimate "true" 17 PPG scorer, we’d be a better team. When at least 8 of those points come off the fast break, his true offensive production is a reality: 8-11 PPG." - LeQuan Glover
Bad arena location. There’s nothing to do around the WFC. Most NBA teams that draw well have activity around the arena so you can make an NBA game part of a night out.
by splinter27 on Jan 15, 2012 2:48 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Who cares what the other teams do? Obviously a winning team isn’t enough to attract the casual fan to a Sixer game. Winning is enough for the Phillies, and the Flyers/Eagles even draw crowds when they stink. This thread is about the Sixers and their attendance problems. In Philadelphia it’s clear that you need more than just a winner to attract fans to an NBA game. Putting the arena in an active area (with other things to do besides tailgate in the freezing cold) would attract more fans. This is why almost every other NBA team plays an active neighborhood of their city.
In Philadelphia it’s clear that you need more than just a winner to attract fans to an NBA game.
I think it’ll make a bigger impact when they win consistently for much longer than 1/6th of a season.
"If Iguodala were a legitimate "true" 17 PPG scorer, we’d be a better team. When at least 8 of those points come off the fast break, his true offensive production is a reality: 8-11 PPG." - LeQuan Glover
Except that you want to be able to draw crowds even when the team isn’t very good. Successful NBA franchises draw crowds whether the team is good or bad. Look at the Cavs and Wizards outdrawing the Sixers.
So you dont think it has anything to do with the culture of the city itself? Philly isnt a basketball town. Never was. They have to win to attract fans.
"If Iguodala were a legitimate "true" 17 PPG scorer, we’d be a better team. When at least 8 of those points come off the fast break, his true offensive production is a reality: 8-11 PPG." - LeQuan Glover
by jefu on Jan 15, 2012 9:02 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I think Philly is a basketball town, just not a NBA basketball town.
Some guy at PSU Hershey Med Center just discovered a virus that eats cancer. Where were the CNN trucks for that? THON will probably break $10 mil this year. Put that on "Outside the Lines".
Yeah i meant that
"If Iguodala were a legitimate "true" 17 PPG scorer, we’d be a better team. When at least 8 of those points come off the fast break, his true offensive production is a reality: 8-11 PPG." - LeQuan Glover
by jefu on Jan 15, 2012 9:18 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Even when the Sixers had Dr.J and Moses they didn’t sell out at home. Phila. is a great college basketball town, or was when I was a kid and the Big 5 was on TV all the time. But most of them aren’t into the pro’s, for some reason, they’re more attracted to Football, Baseball and Hockey. Maybe the city needs more black fans with money- Philly used to be pretty racist as a town.
I understand your arguement about the location, but if i recall theyre building that bar/shopping facility between the stadiums. Dont remember the name. That might help. Still think the sixers will have it tough no matter what with philly not being an NBA town.
"If Iguodala were a legitimate "true" 17 PPG scorer, we’d be a better team. When at least 8 of those points come off the fast break, his true offensive production is a reality: 8-11 PPG." - LeQuan Glover
by jefu on Jan 15, 2012 9:17 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
It was Philly Live! but when I was at a Flyers game recently it had a big banner on it and it said “Xfinity Live!”.
Some guy at PSU Hershey Med Center just discovered a virus that eats cancer. Where were the CNN trucks for that? THON will probably break $10 mil this year. Put that on "Outside the Lines".
Sixers are solid, young, exciting team
But there isn’t that superstar on the squad people can gravitate towards. And I agree with splinter27, the surrounding infrastructure (or lack of one) is really important to casual fans.
Yup exactly, you need to attract the casual fan to fill the arena for an NBA game. The other Philly sports teams have die-hard fans, but the Sixers don’t. The Sixers need another attraction besides the game, and an active neighborhood around the arena would help with that.
Stadiums/arenas are bad neighbors...
…And bad investments for taxpayers. Those are the biggest problems for planning where to put a stadium.
Healthy growing cities with high population densities have a much easier time working and planning a stadium into a community.
Stadium location is important for a lot of factors but I’m not convinced it has much to do with a teams attendance. I’m no expert on NBA attendance but I’d guess that it has a lot more to do with establishing a winning culture within the franchise from top to bottom.
Peace
poor arena location?
I mean, really? That’s the excuse? The Phillies/Flyers/eagles sell out every game but the arena is in a bad location? Come on.
its all about winning
sixers had top five attendance from 01-04 and top ten in 05. when we started our mediocre streak thats when people stopped coming. iverson was a reason for the high attendance but we were also competitive. when we start beating more respectable teams ppl will come back
Without a huge draw player wise on the opponent’s team, I’d prefer to just watch on my television (basketball in HD looks great though, by the way). I’m the same way with the Flyers though, and at the end of January, I would have gone to the same amount of 6ers and Flyers games (2 a piece)
At home they’ve played Washington, Detroit, Toronto, Indiana, Sacramento and Washington (again)
Only one of those games made for compelling television (Pacers), and it was on a Monday night (I’m generally less likely to go to games during the week )
As the opponents talent level picks up, I think you’ll see more fans pack into the arena. As it stands now, the 6ers record is benefitting from playing mediocre to bad teams. Sort of a Catch 22, their fan attendance is suffering, because they’re playing mediocre to bad teams
"Start playing with some jam in here"
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Jan 15, 2012 5:35 PM PST reply actions
If the excuse is bad location, then that’s BS because all four teams are right next to each other and the other teams sell out. It is really a shame that this happens to Sixers all the time. I go to so many sports stores (I live in south Jersey) and all I see is Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies gear. And then I see the elite team’s gear too. Barely Sixers. Is there like some legalized thing or something? But even then the NBA elite gear is sold in the stores too.
But yes it probably what the other comments pointed out: the lack of a star, have not beaten quality team, and money. Money though doesn’t really fly for me though. And again, Sixers are playing well. And Philadelphia is one of the largest cities in the country. It’s a darn shame. College basketball gets more hype around here so it’s not like it’s not a basketball town. Too bad.
Dante Nelson-Staff Writer at "The Sixer Sense" and "Hardcourt Mayhem"
Follow on Twitter @Dantewrites
It's because...
…it’s still not a good team (to casual fans) until they hoist hardware, or at least show up on SportsCenter every night. People will come out if they are consistently title contenders for a few years and have at least one, if not more, marketable stars. Attendance is going to be a long process to build, even if they are good for the whole season. I’m pretty sure it would take at least 2-3 years of serious contention to get the casual fans excited enough to come back to the arena.
I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, there will be no trade for Monta!
My gf bought me a 2 ticket 8 game pack for christmas
I have been to one of those so far(raptors) and another on my own(kings) its a great time and I wish I could go more
Let's get it Birds.
Make your decision
I have been a Season ticket holder for the past 9 years. When I started, I barely had enough money for the tickets but I hung on. Over the next few years my finances improved and I moved down closer to the court.
During this time I have brought a lot of people to the games that otherwise would not have gone, trying to improve our attendance. Unfortunately, most people only wanted to go if the tickets were free. And along the way I managed to get to at least 25 games a year, even though I live more than 70 miles from the arena. That’s an hour and a half drive – one way.
I kept going because I like the game and I like our team, which over these years has stayed pretty true to the young guys that we have now. It’s like watching them grow up. Actually, that’s exactly what it is. Other teams swap players like Pokémon cards. We have not had that luxury and that makes our Team unique.
I know money is tight these days. I have been unemployed over 1 year out of the past 3. But I saved my money and kept it going. And the Sixers’ management/employees have always treated me well. That counts for a lot. It’s more than just the game.
The bottom line is that the Ticket agencies will continue to buy up seats, waiting for the tide to turn. And when it does it will cost even more to go to see The Sixers if you buy from them. As far as the current STH prices go, compare them to the Knicks, Nets, or Celtics and see where you would sit for the same amount of money.
It’s not for everyone. Disappointment is part of it. You will get ticked off and ask yourself "Why?" But like everything else in life, patience is a big key in the equation. And nothing is for free.
Make your decision accordingly.
If attendance stays this low, there won't be anymore team in Philadelphia.
I think Kentucky wants a team.
It will never happen. You don’t move a team that is in a large market especially when you’re advertising them as “3rd most playoff wins in league history” etc. The whole point of Joshua Harris buying this team is that it is a team on the rise in a large market. If you can give people a consistently winning team you will eventually draw. Allen Iverson drawed in his market. During the Eddie Jordan year the only games that really sold out were the ones when Iverson came back.
The culture is changing. I remember months would go by without a single word about the Sixers being talked about on local radio. Now people are talking everyday and eventually those people will come out.
@xEgan on Twitter
Its the NBA
its a flawed league because most teams don’t have a shot to win a title. It may be good basketball but if it doesn’t mean anything its not that much fun.
Cowboys suck.
I would agree with this, lack of parody is a huge problem if you aren’t a fan of one of the select few teams (Lakers, Heat, Celtics)
"When people see me sack the quarterback, I want them to see Jesus." - Reggie White
Twitter @JoshBernat17
by jbernat17 on Jan 16, 2012 9:04 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
This is not my point of view however I think it is the viewpoint of most fringe NBA fans.
"When people see me sack the quarterback, I want them to see Jesus." - Reggie White
Twitter @JoshBernat17
by jbernat17 on Jan 16, 2012 9:05 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Just wait until we play good games.
Everyone I know got tickets to the Thunder game or other games vs. the good teams.
I'm great like Gatsby.
by Clint Eastwood on Jan 15, 2012 11:37 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Non-hardcore fans need to be brought in by other means
VERY generous giveaways, a long winning culture (sorry, but three first round exits in four years doesn’t get anyone’s attention), and some household names (Halladay/Howard/Utley, Jagr/Giroux, “Dream Team”) all are main reasons for the inflow, or lack thereof, of attendance. The Sixers are doing well on the giveaway front, but they don’t have a long winning culture and don’t have many household names either. If we were to make a deep playoff run this season and acquire a bona-fide star in the offseason, attendence would surely go up next year. But it’s also something that doesn’t happen in a heartbeat, so patience is needed.
"SO LETS GET ON IN THIS BUS cause this is the year we are coming to KICK SOME #$^u%*$% GODZILLA IS COMING BE READY" - abayarde
attendance
ive been to 3 games already. cheap tickets, great team, great fun great atmosphere. couldnt ask for more this year. and ive been to games the last few years when it was brutal to watch. this year, its different. people need to see this team IN PERSON!unfortunately i go to school 3 hours away and cant attend anymore games until march but we need to spread the word! i will do my best in shippensburg to spread the word! these players deserve more! philly is a great sports town lets get it goin with the sixers!
Money quote from this article:
Fans like watching a team that wins. They will also watch a team that was recently good, even if it is on the decline. However, a team that consistently does not win will lose fans. This is what has happened in Philadelphia.
There’s just not a good enough recent track record of winning for the Sixers. It’s going to take some serious work to get the fans to forget about 10 years of losing basketball. It will happen if they continue to win, but 9-3 is just not enough yet.
Does anyone else feel like a hipster because you follow the Sixers?
Formerly known as The Pied Piper
Obviously the down attendance is due to lack of a mascot.
"When people see me sack the quarterback, I want them to see Jesus." - Reggie White
Twitter @JoshBernat17
by jbernat17 on Jan 16, 2012 9:02 AM PST via iPhone app reply actions
I thought these blowout wins would convince them
"I quit school in the 6th grade because of pneumonia. Not because I had it, but because I couldn't spell it."
by secondroundpick on Jan 16, 2012 9:32 AM PST reply actions
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