Explain the Pain: Just Why Isn't There Fan Support for the Nets?

[PsychoNetsFan34]

Can those who are fans of the Devils as well post if their move to the Rock has been positive in terms of attendance in contrast to the Meadowlands? Thanks

I am a casual Devils fan. I have a weird habit of checking the attendance in the box scores of Devils games on a frequent basis and if their has been a significant increase in attendance I haven't seen it in the numbers.

 

[mikeslovak]

I am a Nets fan who relocated to the Boston area right before the Jason Kidd era began. I have continued to support the Nets from a distance and even bought a 7 game weekend package one season down in the swamp. I try and attend all of the Nets games up here in Boston and even when they had bad seasons here, the arena was always packed and the atmosphere was great. I am personally looking forward to the Brooklyn move because I know I would attend at least 4-5 games a year because I have a few family members who live in Brooklyn and Manhattan. I think the Brooklyn move is our only hope to put people in the seats. The Nets must hate playing at home in the IZOD Center with what must seem like a lack of support for the team but in fact it is a lack of support for the arena.

 

[Bob-Section104]

The Nets must hate playing at home in the IZOD Center with what must seem like a lack of support for the team but in fact it is a lack of support for the arena.

I agree with the line about lack of support for the arena. And another thing; when there has been subtle criticism for lack of fan support made by a player (or even some members of the media), it pisses me off. There are those of us who are ardent supporters...just not enough of us. But it feels like those critical players need to say, "of course, we appreciate those who are diehard supporters, who stick with us, who come out to support the team on a regular basis."

We buy our tickets...and jerseys and hats. And watch on TV and listen to the radio (and represent eyeballs for the sponsors who are buying ads).

There may not be enough support but there IS support.

 

[nets1]

when the nets play like they did tonight can you blame the fans for not cheering. Part of the blame should go to the players when they play as poorly as they do tonight...

On a side note wasn't it funny when vc made his first foul shot? Boy did the crowd erupt! ...lol!!

 

[Mr. J]

when the nets play like they did tonight can you blame the fans for not cheering. Part of the blame should go to the players when they play as poorly as they do tonight...

I agree 100% with you.

What a crappy establishment.

 

[AGGiE]

It does help when MSG is RIGHT in the middle of the city and theres always tourist. Downtown New York City is ALWAYS live. Plus theres easy transportation, I myself can walk, or take the train and bus to MSG. IZOD center is in the middle of no where. Ai'nt nobody around them. If MSG was in the middle of nowhere and had horrible transportation, they wouldn't attract as many fans as they do now.

 

[PhilNYC]

I am a casual Devils fan. I have a weird habit of checking the attendance in the box scores of Devils games on a frequent basis and if their has been a significant increase in attendance I haven't seen it in the numbers.

According to this:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance

...Devils' attendance has increased by about 1000 people (on average) per game since the move to Newark. Devils' attendance in Newark is approximately the same as the Nets' attendance at IZOD. I would guess that an NBA team would do much better in Newark than an NHL team (I don't think of Newark as a "hockey town")...

 

[Bob-Section104]

when the nets play like they did tonight can you blame the fans for not cheering. Part of the blame should go to the players when they play as poorly as they do tonight...

On a side note wasn't it funny when vc made his first foul shot? Boy did the crowd erupt! ...lol!!

When Vince hit his first free throw, I actually said out loud, "that just made the night". It was the only bright spot in a terrible night (except Trent Hassel's play of course).

 

[PsychoNetsFan34]

According to this:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance

...Devils' attendance has increased by about 1000 people (on average) per game since the move to Newark. Devils' attendance in Newark is approximately the same as the Nets' attendance at IZOD. I would guess that an NBA team would do much better in Newark than an NHL team (I don't think of Newark as a "hockey town")...

On the note about the Devils attendance...if the Devils consider 700-1000 more people, a considerable number I find that laughable. If your going to build that kind of state of the art arena and spend that kind of money, Im sure you hope for better numbers. But I guess you got to be happy when your doing better in Newark of all places with a Hockey team.

If the Nets move to Brooklyn and only have an increase of 700-1000 fans...in the words of the great Ricky Ricardo...Ratners gonna have some splannin to do.....

 

[BrooklynBound]

On the note about the Devils attendance...if the Devils consider 700-1000 more people, a considerable number I find that laughable. If your going to build that kind of state of the art arena and spend that kind of money, Im sure you hope for better numbers. But I guess you got to be happy when your doing better in Newark of all places with a Hockey team.

If the Nets move to Brooklyn and only have an increase of 700-1000 fans...in the words of the great Ricky Ricardo...Ratners gonna have some splannin to do.....

There's less seats in the Pru, so their capacity filled is much higher. Plus, the tickets cost more. More luxury boxes too.

 

[PhilNYC]

There's less seats in the Pru, so their capacity filled is much higher. Plus, the tickets cost more. More luxury boxes too.

True. And also considering that the team has only been there for a short while, I wouldn't expect a major increase to happen overnight. A lot of people have questions about Newark...heck, I went to the Pru Center for the first time about a month ago and was pleasantly surprised with (1) how great the building is, (2) how easy getting in/out of parking is, (3) how much light and security is around the area. No question I will be back for more Devils games and other events...I'm actually looking forward to it, as compared to the dread I feel when thinking about going to the Meadowlands...

 

[Devfan-RU-]

Can those who are fans of the Devils as well post if their move to the Rock has been positive in terms of attendance in contrast to the Meadowlands? Thanks

Devils attendance has been immensely improved. I remember back at the CAA, they would post a 14,000 attendance when it looked as if 8,000 were there. At least now, when we get 15,000 or 14,000 per game, the arena is packed to represent that. Furthermore, Devils attendance trends up in the second half of the year starting with the winter holidays.

Sure, we aren't selling out. But the seats are filled much more than before, and the atmosphere is also much improved. On the financial side, it seems like the Devils are doing well. Having more, and nicer suites, better concessions, etc. really add up. So it makes a 14,000 attendance night a profitable one nonetheless.

That's the plan with new arenas... do more with less. Plus corporate suite purchases are extremely important, they bring in tons of money, and sometimes remain un-used for games at a time.

I for one would welcome the Nets to Newark. I have been a fan... but not so much lately, seeing as the team simply wants to abandon NJ. Personally, a move to NYC is an act of defeat. The Nets would lose whatever identity they have and become a second fiddle NY team... like the Islanders. The 'NJ' in front is very important.