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Sublimity · 12-12-2005, 12:55 PM

ctorg, I agree that winning isn't the only way to get fans into the park, and in many cases not only the best way. The Cubs and Red Sox will always draw, even in their down years, it's true. I just think as far as the South Florida/Miami market goes, that is kind of the case.

Now, keep in mind, I have no evidence whatsoever to back up any of my claims.

But, Florida has low attendance pretty constantly, until the playoffs, when they're packed. I suppose that's pretty normal. But look at a team like the Heat. Always low attendance figures. Then they got Shaq and Wade, and now they're the talk of the town. But if they keep struggling, I think the arena starts to empty.

The Dolphins probably have the best brand in Miami, but they struggle drawing crowds, too. The threat of a blackout for not selling out is constant here (and frankly, I wish it would happen), and it's usually only prevented by a corporation or the TV station buying the last tickets. The only games that generate interest are when the New York teams come to play, and that could be because they're division games... or it could be because there are a lot of residents from NY living in South Florida. I lean toward the latter.

There are a lot of problems with building a successful fan base in South Florida. There are always lots of other things to do in Miami besides go to a sporting event. If you're going to sit around outside, you might as well go to the beach. Bill Simmons argues this is the case in LA, and I believe that's certainly a bigger problem there than here. The other thing is, as alluded to in the previous paragraph, you have a lot of implants. Florida is where people retire or move to. Us natives aren't so common. They generally already have connections with other teams and keep those. It's hard to win those fans over, especially when their team is on TV that day. You also have the weather, etc., but I think those other two are bigger problems.

Anyway, building a strong brand is a great idea most of the time, and probably more important than actually winning. Of course, it helps most of all to do both, particularly early in the franchise's life. You convince the locals, then hopefully convince them to pass it on to their kids, and make it a way of life. I just don't see it working in SoFla.

12-12-2005, 12:55 PM	#3
Sublimity Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: This thread. Posts: 3,199	ctorg, I agree that winning isn't the only way to get fans into the park, and in many cases not only the best way. The Cubs and Red Sox will always draw, even in their down years, it's true. I just think as far as the South Florida/Miami market goes, that is kind of the case. Now, keep in mind, I have no evidence whatsoever to back up any of my claims. But, Florida has low attendance pretty constantly, until the playoffs, when they're packed. I suppose that's pretty normal. But look at a team like the Heat. Always low attendance figures. Then they got Shaq and Wade, and now they're the talk of the town. But if they keep struggling, I think the arena starts to empty. The Dolphins probably have the best brand in Miami, but they struggle drawing crowds, too. The threat of a blackout for not selling out is constant here (and frankly, I wish it would happen), and it's usually only prevented by a corporation or the TV station buying the last tickets. The only games that generate interest are when the New York teams come to play, and that could be because they're division games... or it could be because there are a lot of residents from NY living in South Florida. I lean toward the latter. There are a lot of problems with building a successful fan base in South Florida. There are always lots of other things to do in Miami besides go to a sporting event. If you're going to sit around outside, you might as well go to the beach. Bill Simmons argues this is the case in LA, and I believe that's certainly a bigger problem there than here. The other thing is, as alluded to in the previous paragraph, you have a lot of implants. Florida is where people retire or move to. Us natives aren't so common. They generally already have connections with other teams and keep those. It's hard to win those fans over, especially when their team is on TV that day. You also have the weather, etc., but I think those other two are bigger problems. Anyway, building a strong brand is a great idea most of the time, and probably more important than actually winning. Of course, it helps most of all to do both, particularly early in the franchise's life. You convince the locals, then hopefully convince them to pass it on to their kids, and make it a way of life. I just don't see it working in SoFla. __________________ mrs ria: I hereby dub Sublimity the Glorious Upholder of the 5B3. Current leading vote-getter in the Worst Poster in OT History poll.