7 replies to this topic

[FlavaDave10]

http://www.csnchicag...-surpassing-nba

[DJ MC]

That writer didn't show their work, so I have a feeling those numbers are...misleading.

[BSLMikeLowe]

It seems the author is basing this solely on how many teams sell out their games, not league-wide average attendance. Not that it isn't a good measure of popularity, but it does not factor in how poor attendance might be in some other NHL markets (places they had no business going in the first place). The league certainly got an attendance boost when Atlanta moved to Winnipeg.

 

One other thing is that I would omit the Winter Classic in computing team attendance, which the writer didn't. I know it was played just outside the Red Wings home city, but I think that should really count more as a neutral site game (as evidenced by the fact that at least half of the 105,000 people in the stands were Leafs fans).

[Oriole85]

It seems the author is basing this solely on how many teams sell out their games, not league-wide average attendance. Not that it isn't a good measure of popularity, but it does not factor in how poor attendance might be in some other NHL markets (places they had no business going in the first place). The league certainly got an attendance boost when Atlanta moved to Winnipeg.

 

One other thing is that I would omit the Winter Classic in computing team attendance, which the writer didn't. I know it was played just outside the Red Wings home city, but I think that should really count more as a neutral site game (as evidenced by the fact that at least half of the 105,000 people in the stands were Leafs fans).

It shouldn't count as a neutral site game, it was closer to Red Wings home game regardless of the fan breakdown -- there was one less game played at Joe Louis Arena this year. It just should have an asterisk next to it, since it was a unique event and most games aren't capable of drawing 100k+.

[Matt_P]

It seems the author is basing this solely on how many teams sell out their games, not league-wide average attendance. Not that it isn't a good measure of popularity, but it does not factor in how poor attendance might be in some other NHL markets (places they had no business going in the first place). The league certainly got an attendance boost when Atlanta moved to Winnipeg.

 

One other thing is that I would omit the Winter Classic in computing team attendance, which the writer didn't. I know it was played just outside the Red Wings home city, but I think that should really count more as a neutral site game (as evidenced by the fact that at least half of the 105,000 people in the stands were Leafs fans).

 

Actually, the NHL does have a larger average attendance so far then the NBA. Of course, 17382 fans verses 17198 fans isn't exactly a decisive diference. The difference between the top franchises and bottom franchises is about 8000 fans. Of course, that's pretty large when we're comparing 13k to 21k (or 14k to 19k in the NBAs case).

 

Philly, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Phoenix and Detroit are NBA teams with low attendance that matches up well with the NHLs mistakes. Lots of dead wood in both leagues.

 

You can find the numbers on ESPN. I don't know what they did with the Winter Classic.

[Oriole85]

Actually, the NHL does have a larger average attendance so far then the NBA. Of course, 17382 fans verses 17198 fans isn't exactly a decisive diference. The difference between the top franchises and bottom franchises is about 8000 fans. Of course, that's pretty large when we're comparing 13k to 21k (or 14k to 19k in the NBAs case).

 

Philly, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Phoenix and Detroit are NBA teams with low attendance that matches up well with the NHLs mistakes. Lots of dead wood in both leagues.

 

You can find the numbers on ESPN. I don't know what they did with the Winter Classic.

The article is just an attempt IMO to show how relevant hockey is in America. They compared the sellouts/attendance head-to-head with the NBA, but that's cherry picking since the NBA's ratings dwarf the NHL. Hockey is still somewhat of a niche sport in America compared to the bigger three.

[Matt_P]

The article is just an attempt IMO to show how relevant hockey is in America. They compared the sellouts/attendance head-to-head with the NBA, but that's cherry picking since the NBA's ratings dwarf the NHL. Hockey is still somewhat of a niche sport in America compared to the bigger three.

 

True, but it is surprising. Would you have guessed this would happen?

[Oriole85]

True, but it is surprising. Would you have guessed this would happen?

I'm not entirely surprised, I think the in-game hockey experience is better as hockey doesn't translate as well to the small screen.

 

I think hockey fans are more focused on their team than the sport as a whole, whereas basketball fans aren't only interested focused on their team but the whole league.

 

I'd be interested to see the price breakdown. Floor seats I'm sure are going to be more than seats on the glass. But taking those seats out of the equation, what's the better value all things being equal between a cities NHL/NBA team.