Attendance in all Sports is Down

Let’s hope the worst is over. Many sports leagues are experiencing slides at the box office. It may not be relevant if you look at the stats but many teams are suffering. Paid tickets have dropped across the board in all leagues including the NFL. The NFL teams are now selling group tickets where for years you couldn't buy a season ticket at many NFL stadiums. Good news is now families and younger adults who didn't have the means to pay for a high price ticket now can get a deal at every major sports venue. That's good news for leagues and teams because they will develop the next generation of fans now.
It may be a silver lining but top team executives need to now start working and be creative to get people to watch the games live.

NATIONAL LACROSSE LEAGUE CHANGES

The NLL is gearing up for another year and there are some changes coming this year. San Jose moves to Everett Washington, my prediction is they double the attendance they had in San Jose. New York moves to Orlando, my prediction Orlando with Steve Donner, former owner of many minor league teams, running the show he takes that franchise to new heights. I think they go from last in attendance in NY to fourth in attendance. Orlando fans will love this sport. The National Lacrosse League has survived where other niche leagues have failed, i.e. AFL, MISL, etc. The NLL is going strong in its’ 24th year. Look for more Canadians team coming on board in the next few years.

Kelly Out at NHLPA

This was the best kept secret in hockey and just leaked out a few days before Kelly was let go by the NHL players association. It seemed Kelly never understood his role as head boss of the NHLPA. He always was in the paper and in the media giving his opinions on what cities the NHL should go to and what networks they should be on. He sounded more like a Commissioner then a Union boss. Gary Bettman is going to move teams and do television deals in spite of what the union head says so I never understood the point of Kelly always trying to one up Bettman. The NHLPA Union head needs to protect the players from unjust management decisions both on the team level and the league level. Many times the league will soften a penalty or dismiss it when the union gets involved that’s his job. Also he or she needs to keep the NHL players making money in these tough economic times not only through the negotiations of the CBA but also in marketing players to corporate sponsors, licensees and television people. The next Union head should be a marketing person that can make money in between the CBA years. There are plenty of lawyers around to make sure the NHL is in compliance with the current CBA.

Collective Bargaining Agreements Coming up for NFL, NBA and MLS

Commissioners of these leagues couldn’t have timed these talks any better. Union officials from these three leagues are going to have a hard time arguing the economic struggles that all sports are having right now. Ticket revenue is down, corporate sponsors are harder and harder to come by and television deals will be declining in revenue in the near future. Players from these leagues have had it pretty good for a while and now it’s time for them to suffer a bit. I think these agreements coming up will see either the status quo or rollbacks. Players, Union officials and League management understand the task ahead of them. I believe if each side gives a little; the negotiations should come out ok. Unfortunately when guys get in the room sometimes it’s not that easy.

Canadians set to Close and Glendale Keeps Playing Hockey

It’s been a crazy summer for hockey fans and the drama created out in Glendale, Arizona just tops it off. I see the team staying in Arizona and owned by the White Sox owners, the Reisendorf family. The team may not end up in Glendale for years to come only time will tell but it will surely be there for the next year or so. The Molson family needs to close soon and they will on the Montreal Canadians. Two great owners are coming into the NHL.

What’s up with Beckham?

David Beckham is a great player but he is no Pele. Pele started the soccer craze in the late 70’s in the United States and Canada and I believe he ended it when he retired from playing. One of the popularities of the Cosmos was its’ owner Warner Communications. They used their assets to promote Pele and the game. When Warner decided to get out of the soccer business and Pele retired the NASL, demise was not far behind. The MLS is the 5th major sport in the United States it has already claimed that footing. It just needs to be patient and convince more players like Beckham to come play here and the sport will thrive. MLS needs to jazz it up a bit just like Steve Ross did when Warner Communications ran the Cosmos. Bring back the dancers, bugs bunny, concerts and the celebrity sightings at games. David Beckham’s drama is good for the game. It’s getting the sport off of the sport pages and into the mainstream media. It’s all about television and internet now, the day of the newspaper sports section is over. The public relations gurus at the MLS offices in New York City are in no hurry for the Beckham drama to be over.

LPGA HEADED for a BIG CHANGE

When the economy changed last September all companies needed to change their focus and strategy. The LPGA needs to do the same. This economy crunch has hit everyone one way or another and it’s about to hit the Ladies Professional Golf Association tour. They need to lower their purse which means less money for the golfers. They need to lower their sponsorship packages so it’s more affordable for mid size companies. They also need to get more creative with sponsors. The LPGA golfers are very friendly, approachable and are some of the most respected and professional of all of the major sports athletes. They need to exploit those characteristics now more than ever and sponsors will flock to them if it’s priced right. The new LPGA commissioner needs to be a marketing person and a deal maker and the LPGA will be just fine.