Move Over ABA, CBA,,,here comes the NBDL, 70 fans in LA for Game

[BasketballUSA]

YUP, 100% fact. The NBDL, LA D-Fenders had 70 "fans" in attendance. So where does that place them in this wonderful world of minor league basketball.
YES YES I know, someone will say the Buss can afford it, thats not the point.

[Chuck the Writer]

If I'm not mistaken, the D-Fenders games are part of the Lakers' season ticket package, and may or may not be available as purchaseable tickets to the general public. So attendance at the games may be part of a different setup.

Besides, for many years if fans wanted to watch LA minor league basketball, they could catch a Clippers game. ;-)

[psbf]

You're right, Chuck. According to an article in the LA Times online edition, Defenders tickets are not available to the public. The only way their games can be seen is to purchase Lakers tickets. But still, I would expect more of a turnout.

[rams80]

I guess they need to talk Jack Nicholson and his Entourage into making it the "thing" to also go to D-Fenders games.

[sportsguy12]

You're right, Chuck. According to an article in the LA Times online edition, Defenders tickets are not available to the public. The only way their games can be seen is to purchase Lakers tickets. But still, I would expect more of a turnout.

The Lakers hope to sell tickets in the future. People who buy tickets to the Lakers game (individual tickets or season tickets) get free admission to the D-Fenders.

http://www.presstelegram.com/lakers/ci_4737764

[Sam Hill]

You're right, Chuck. According to an article in the LA Times online edition, Defenders tickets are not available to the public. The only way their games can be seen is to purchase Lakers tickets. But still, I would expect more of a turnout.

Why?

They played at 3:30 on a Tuesday afternoon and didn't even sell tickets.

Are you from another planet or something?

You can't buy a ticket to see the D-Fenders play unless you buy Lakers tickets.

This says absolutely nothing about where the NBDL is in relation to any other league. The NBDL teams have trouble selling tickets, there's no doubt about it. Even with the supposed marketing weight of the NBA behind it, the NBDL has completely underachieved in ticket sales in every market it has ever been in.

But it's nothing like the ABA. The ABA sells only a handful more tickets in most of its markets than a dead guy would sell and that's with tickets actually being available.

"I know you can't get them, but I would expect that you would get them." That's great.

Man, you're something.

[Sam Hill]

YUP, 100% fact. The NBDL, LA D-Fenders had 70 "fans" in attendance. So where does that place them in this wonderful world of minor league basketball.
YES YES I know, someone will say the Buss can afford it, thats not the point.

The point, if you'd RTFA, is that the D-Fenders are about player development for the Lakers. Not to sell tickets for themselves.

[preeths]

Sam Hill, calm down. This is minor league basketball we're talking about, not the end of the world. If you can't disagree without making it personal, perhaps it is time you took a break from the board.

[sportsguy12]

The 70 people watching the Lakers' budding stars (not to mention a double-header with the Lakers' game to follow) or the 79 in Q-C who paid $10 each to watch a blowout.

I say the 70, but I'm no fortune teller.

[heavesrock]

Depends. Did the Lakers win? If not, I would have greatly enjoyed the game. But everything else aside, I would rather have 79 fans in a 2,000 seat arena that 70 fans in an 19,000 seat arena. That's eliminating all other possible factors.

[sportsguy12]

Depends. Did the Lakers win? If not, I would have greatly enjoyed the game. But everything else aside, I would rather have 79 fans in a 2,000 seat arena that 70 fans in an 19,000 seat arena. That's eliminating all other possible factors.

Yes, the Lakers did win.

It's true that 79 would look better in a smaller arena. But it's like comparing apples and oranges, at least from the Lakers standpoint.

LA didn't field a team to sell tickets. They put the D-Fenders together to give their younger players some PT. I mean with Kobe and some of the other guys getting all the minutes, these guys just sit on the bench. It is like having a JV Lakers.

Which is fine for LA right now. You figure they don't incur additional costs by having the D-League games before or after the Lakers, so any income is additional (from concessions, etc.) Fans would buy 2 sodas instead of 1 because they are there longer, etc. So they don't care if 70 people are in the stands. If (when) they move to Ontario, then it will be a different story.

I think you can say the same for Cleveland and NY, which apparently are also interested in having D-League teams.

The ABA is looking to make money. That's there bottom line - and they're failing. The Lakers want development, at least for now.

[bdaly]

The upside for players is there though. By playing before Lakers games, they likely get to interact with the team and feel like they're part of it. They also likely get to stick around and watch their major league affiliate.

Make no mistake, if only 70 people came and a Lakers ticket gets you free admission (meaning 18K had a ticket that could have been used for no extra charge), the Lakers dropped the ball. They obviously need to promote this team to fans at their games a little better.

But, as stated, I don't think they care about profits with this team; it's about development. But, if they play their cards right in promoting these doubleheaders, they might end up with a few thousand fans and extra revenue from concessions. But, L.A.'s a tough market.

[sportsguy12]

The upside for players is there though. By playing before Lakers games, they likely get to interact with the team and feel like they're part of it. They also likely get to stick around and watch their major league affiliate.

Make no mistake, if only 70 people came and a Lakers ticket gets you free admission (meaning 18K had a ticket that could have been used for no extra charge), the Lakers dropped the ball. They obviously need to promote this team to fans at their games a little better.

But, as stated, I don't think they care about profits with this team; it's about development. But, if they play their cards right in promoting these doubleheaders, they might end up with a few thousand fans and extra revenue from concessions. But, L.A.'s a tough market.

Until the Ontario arena is finished. At least, that's what I've read.