Register To Win Two Season Tickets To Your Favorite Aba Team

[TheStandard]

ABA News

REGISTER TO WIN TWO SEASON TICKETS TO YOUR FAVORITE ABA TEAM

27-Jun-2007
Indianapolis, IN -- How would you like season tickets to your favorite ABA team? This is your chance to register and win.

ABA teams throughout the US, Canada and Mexico are participating in this great opportunity. There's nothing to buy. Simply complete the entry form by clicking the WIN TWO SEASON TICKETS banner on the ABA Web site and you could be a lucky winner.

Prior to the season, names will be drawn for every participating team and winners will be notified by email. Eighteen exciting home games and you could be there as a season ticket holder.

"ABA season tickets are the best sports and entertainment value around," said Brad Hester, VP of Team Operations. "If you're an ABA fan, this is a great opportunity to become a season ticket holder. Only one entry person will be allowed. Enter now."



OK TO THE SUCKER I MEAN WINNER PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU JUST PICK A FROST HEAVES GAME AT LEAST YOU KNOW THEY WILL PLAY ALL OF THEIR GAMES.

[tbayz1]

YES TICKETS TO 18 ABA GAMES!!!!!

heres the winner at the end of the season:

"WTF I ONLY GOT TO GO TO 3 GAMES AND MY ABA TEAM DISAPPEARED!"

Yea the winner better be from Vermont or Jacksonville, not Halifax or Hawaii hahahaha

[indy legend]

Win season tickets to your favorite ABA team? One entry per person? I'm sure some of these teams don't have one fan to enter.
First prize should be two tickets.
Second prize should be four tickets.
I sure hope I win tickets to see the Anderson Champions in 07-08. I'll get to see two games before this joke of a franchise folds again. I'm sure that after that happens they will reorganize and be back for part three in 08-09, opening their season against Toledo part four.

[TheStandard]

watch the winner be like halifax or hawaii or las vegas or toledo lol lol. Or you can witness the death of an 80 year old due to Larry aka CGlue

[The Sweeper]

Read the last paragraph...

"ABA season tickets are the best sports and entertainment value around," said Brad Hester, VP of Team Operations. "If you're an ABA fan, this is a great opportunity to become a season ticket holder. Only one entry person will be allowed. Enter now."

I know it's a mistake, but the way it's worded, only one person is allowed to enter the contest....Then again, this is the ABA, maybe it's worded correctly.

[TheStandard]

i know but its the ABA. in the end its all a sham

[tbayz1]

there will be no winner of this, the ABA wont come through

and if there is, like i said and others, it will be a winner of a team that plays 2 games and then folds

[heavesrock]

I believe that it's two people per team, not the whole ABA.

[TheStandard]

put a sure bet its a team that never even plays a game

[Minor League Man]

This comes with a great deal of fine print:

"Only good for the teams that take the time to print out season tickets. Due to the vast failure rate, chances of seeing a full 18 games are 1 in 750,000, chances of getting hit by lightning are 1 in 120,000, chances of your favorite team being pushed back to the 2008-09 season, being indefinitely suspended mid-season for failure to meet league requirements, or doing a fill-in game against the YMCA All-Stars (sometimes known as the Gary Giants), 1 in 1. Prize is forfeited if your team is unethically and immoraly poached by any league with the letters 'C,' 'D,' or 'P.'"

[bomp]

i know but its the ABA. in the end its all a sham

Sham, you say??

http://www.misl.net:16080/news/?cat=1&id=4954

[TheStandard]

personally everyone i met with the name Sham has been a Sham and a scam artist :-)

[Strong Island Sound]

regardless of what is being posted here, the league is just looking for a different way to promote itself and the teams. What is wrong with that? Any way to get people out there can benefit all parties involved. Yeah, I know...if the team doesn't play its entire schedule and all. But to have a positive outlook on the outset is the way to start things off.

[TheStandard]

Joe you are right but hey you know this is the ABA and Joe and Dick and Brad do things and then mess them up.

Now. How would you feel that if you won the tickets and lets say Strong Island folded after a game or folded before even playing a game? You feel had. Right?

And then Joe says well I can't do nothing of that i'm sorry.

See the NBA wouldn't do that. Heck they would say sorry that the team has moved to another city due to a hurricane or earthquake so lets do this. Next year you get your season tickets but for this year we will fly you and host you for our all star game due to this mishap

[The Magician]

regardless of what is being posted here, the league is just looking for a different way to promote itself and the teams.

Purchase 2 Season Tickets from every ABA team to utilize for this promo?

[Strong Island Sound]

Whatever the parameters are from this promotion, I am not sure exactly. But you do have a few valid points.

First off, it would be a shame and embarrassing if the winner resided in a city where the team folded before the season concluded. I would have to say that the league at that point should step in and award the winners with memoribilia from the ABA.

Secondly, the league purchasing 2 sets of season tickets from each team would give them a little revenue, but not something that would make a big difference. Teams donating seats to the league for a promotion such as this is an acceptable move.

[The Magician]

Secondly, the league purchasing 2 sets of season tickets from each team would give them a little revenue, but not something that would make a big difference. Teams donating seats to the league for a promotion such as this is an acceptable move.

Should teams donate to the ABA???

Teams should be selling those Season Tickets for profit ...

Does the ABA not have any Mktg Deal$ that they couldn't come up with a really exciting league-wide promo?

When will the ABA start giving back ... instead of being "on the take?"

New team = Mkt Reservation Fee$ + Peformance Bond Fee$ + ABA Head of Officials Fee$ ...

Plus ... Hundreds of Dollar$ in Donated (Lost) Season Tickets (Revenue).

Hmm???

I tell you ... The ABA League office really seems to not want to put any creativity into this thing!

[Strong Island Sound]

It isn't a stretch to say that in most sports, the league has a certain amount of seats set aside to use. So I don't see any big problems with that. And seriously, I don't think there are any teams in minor league basketball that cannot spare two seats for every game. They would probably be glad to have two for each game guaranteed to be filled, in addition to the regular ticket sales.

[The Magician]

And seriously, I don't think there are any teams in minor league basketball that cannot spare two seats for every game.

one of the reasons the why a large % of ABA teams don't make it ...

They end up giving away more tickets for free than actually selling them for profit.

Every ticket needs to be paid for, by somebody!

If the ABA is so affordable ... Why are people not purchasing (season) tickets?

[Strong Island Sound]

That's a very good question. The main reason as far as I can tell is that most people do not want to go to a HS or college gym to watch ML ball. The teams that did draw well (Roch, Verm for example) played in an arena enviornment. Big difference. The fans of the NCAA team will go there to watch their own team, but have less interest in someone else using their gym. If ABA teams had small arenas to use and call their own, attendance would improve.

[TheStandard]

Vermont is a high school gym technically.

But when owners do not have capital to even put up an arena why be a team??

Joe remember the Long Island Surf?? They played in high schools and boy they did get people to the games. It's all about marketing and pumping a good product and one that can put out a good reputation.

By the way. Are you doing any work with the LI DUCKS?

[zeke41]

one of the reasons the why a large % of ABA teams don't make it ...

They end up giving away more tickets for free than actually selling them for profit.

Every ticket needs to be paid for, by somebody!

If the ABA is so affordable ... Why are people not purchasing (season) tickets?


One of the problems with most ABA teams is that by giving away so many free tickets, they diminish the value of coming to a game. Think of it in terms of a DJ. If a DJ does weddings foir cheap, clients that DO have an ample budget will overlook them. "You get what you pay for" is the adage that comes to people's minds. Same thing with a photographer. I think subconsciously, we ask ourselves "I wonder why most DJs charge $500 - $1000, and this guy is only charging $250?" You cannot reduce yourself to cheapness. If you are good at what you do, you should charge close to the market price.

As for the ABA, you have $10 tickets, which is REALLY cheap, and then you are giving these cheap tickets away. You want people in the stands, but you NEED to make a profit at the gate. My deduction is that too many free tickets are given away. ABA teams need to maintain some sort of value for yor game day tickets. Now, of course, if you suck, and do nothing short of play some music at half time through a boom box through a hand-held microphone and play a basketball game, you can't really magically create value for that...there is none.

The dilemma - cheap tickets???? Less free seats. Slightly higher tickets???? You can give out more for free. Just my thoughts. Of course, if you're an owner with money with ANY business savvy, you are prepped to take a loss the first year or so to create a buzz for your team.

[Strong Island Sound]

Vermont is a high school gym technically.

But when owners do not have capital to even put up an arena why be a team??

Joe remember the Long Island Surf?? They played in high schools and boy they did get people to the games. It's all about marketing and pumping a good product and one that can put out a good reputation.

By the way. Are you doing any work with the LI DUCKS?
I know the Surf played at a bunch of different places, and I believe CW Post was their last stop. I never attended one of their games and would be curious to know how many they averaged. The old LI KNights of the USBL signed Nancy Lieberman and probably did fairly well with the uniqueness of having a women play in a men's league.

As far as the Ducks go, we cover them in New York Sportscene magazine regularly and I do also write articles about the team in my columns on the internet.

[TheStandard]

i know for the surf games they would range 200 the least and packed house at times. a few times when R.Kelly showed up when he played with Atlantic City the place would need the cops to turn people away.

During the Lloyd Daniels days they fared very well in attendance. Maybe Coach Medina has more input in that. where is he now in days?

[BreakersFan]

One of the problems with most ABA teams is that by giving away so many free tickets, they diminish the value of coming to a game. Think of it in terms of a DJ. If a DJ does weddings foir cheap, clients that DO have an ample budget will overlook them. "You get what you pay for" is the adage that comes to people's minds. Same thing with a photographer. I think subconsciously, we ask ourselves "I wonder why most DJs charge $500 - $1000, and this guy is only charging $250?" You cannot reduce yourself to cheapness. If you are good at what you do, you should charge close to the market price.

As for the ABA, you have $10 tickets, which is REALLY cheap, and then you are giving these cheap tickets away. You want people in the stands, but you NEED to make a profit at the gate. My deduction is that too many free tickets are given away. ABA teams need to maintain some sort of value for yor game day tickets. Now, of course, if you suck, and do nothing short of play some music at half time through a boom box through a hand-held microphone and play a basketball game, you can't really magically create value for that...there is none.

The dilemma - cheap tickets???? Less free seats. Slightly higher tickets???? You can give out more for free. Just my thoughts. Of course, if you're an owner with money with ANY business savvy, you are prepped to take a loss the first year or so to create a buzz for your team.

I disagree with you somewhat. While I don't advocate giving tickets away, there is nothing wrong with flooding the market with 1/2 price coupons, buy one get one free/kids free with a paid adult, etc. The idea is to get them into the gym for a game by any means possible. Getting them to actually set foot in the place accomplishes three things:

1) They will buy something while they are there - food, a souvenir, etc. and that is where the profit is in minor sports - not in the ticket but in the concessions.

2) Some of them will enjoy themselves and come back again - at which time they will likely be willing to pay full price for their tickets.

3) They will tell others that they enjoyed it - and their is nothing better than a testimonial from someone you know to make you try a product.

When your competition on winter nights is a movie or other indoor entertainment, $10 is the max any ABA team should be charging if they want to draw a decent crowd. (more like $7-8 is better). Anyone who won't come to a game because a $10 ticket is perceived as being too cheap isn't in the target market for minor league sports.

Of course, most (not all, but most) ABA teams overprice their tickets then deliver a very poor experience. The business model simply doesn't work for most markets and under capitalized owners.

[Strong Island Sound]

I disagree with you somewhat. While I don't advocate giving tickets away, there is nothing wrong with flooding the market with 1/2 price coupons, buy one get one free/kids free with a paid adult, etc. The idea is to get them into the gym for a game by any means possible. Getting them to actually set foot in the place accomplishes three things:

1) They will buy something while they are there - food, a souvenir, etc. and that is where the profit is in minor sports - not in the ticket but in the concessions.

2) Some of them will enjoy themselves and come back again - at which time they will likely be willing to pay full price for their tickets.

3) They will tell others that they enjoyed it - and their is nothing better than a testimonial from someone you know to make you try a product.

When your competition on winter nights is a movie or other indoor entertainment, $10 is the max any ABA team should be charging if they want to draw a decent crowd. (more like $7-8 is better). Anyone who won't come to a game because a $10 ticket is perceived as being too cheap isn't in the target market for minor league sports.

Of course, most (not all, but most) ABA teams overprice their tickets then deliver a very poor experience. The business model simply doesn't work for most markets and under capitalized owners.
Donating tickets is a method of marketing that needs to be done to establish a fan base. Even tickets in the $10 and under range have to be figured into a low-priced amount, but to get people in the stands is the first order of business. If you have to throw someone a freebie for their first time around, it can benefit you in the long run.

That is especially important when giving youth groups tickets. That kid may have received his seat on the arm, but the parent that accompanies him or her to the game is now purchasing their own ticket. And the youngster will want something to munch on and drink and a souvenir or two.

You're absolutely right when saying that the profit from ML sports is not in the ticket, but the concessions. In the case of the Sound, the team is not permitted to sell more than basics for concessions. Tables set up with candy and sodas is about all that is allowed at Suffolk Community College. Of course, it would be more beneficial if we could have full-service hot dog stands, etc. I have a few ideas on how we can improve concession sales within the school's rules, which hopefully can be implemented next season.

So for the most part, the souvenirs are going to be your ticket. The Sound has a good variety of items for sale at the games and on the website.

[one way]

You cannot devalue your tickets. PLain and simple. If your ticket has no value, people will not want it and then you fail. Geez, I hope that I do get sued for this info.

[TEN]

One BIG problem....

Flooding the market with half price and buy one get one free tickets tends to really piss off the fans that "jumped on the bandwagon" and bought season tickets....at the full price...

Also, minor league basketball is not like minor league baseball...most teams don't have the opportunity to share in the profits from concessions....Most arenas keep that for themselves...Of course...if you are renting a high school gym, you can probably go buy some 2 liters, some bags of ice and some candy bars and "manage" your own concessions.

[Strong Island Sound]

One BIG problem....

Flooding the market with half price and buy one get one free tickets tends to really piss off the fans that "jumped on the bandwagon" and bought season tickets....at the full price...

Also, minor league basketball is not like minor league baseball...most teams don't have the opportunity to share in the profits from concessions....Most arenas keep that for themselves...Of course...if you are renting a high school gym, you can probably go buy some 2 liters, some bags of ice and some candy bars and "manage" your own concessions.
Just speaking from a realistic standpoint, the people that did purchase season tickets at a full price are in the minority. And the concessions are limited, as I said in a previous post. But they are not as bad as a '2 liter and bag of ice.' You have to work with the hand that is dealt. Minor League baseball is a more profitable business and obviously your own ballpark is a main attraction, even if the team is lousy. But baseball is a much different sport to market and can bring more fans out. facts are facts. I have no problem admitting that.

When the Staten Island Yankees played at The College of Staten Island, they did not draw nearly as well as when their ballpark was opened. Same for the Queens Kings at St. John's University, who were the precursor of the Brooklyn Cyclones. On Opening Night this season, there were 8,888 fans in Coney Island. Your own ballpark is key.

If a small arena opened up for a ML basketball team, it would draw. Plain and simple. But with the lack of a major budget to work with, that is a hard thing to do.

[Pounder]

I can be a real stinker sometimes.

#1... I look at "nothing wrong with giving out free tickets or half-priced coupons" and then see "we make the money off concessions" and THEN see "we're limited in what we can offer in concessions" and I MUST say that it just doesn't add up. Faith isn't much of a business plan... unless you're truly selling faith.

#2... "If a small arena opened up" is the wrong thing to write anywhere within visible distance of a soccer/futbol/calcio/football/whatever-you-call-it fan. People just a wee bit left of my philosophy will shoot right back with "YOU SHOULD BE BUILDING AND OPENING THAT ARENA... OR GET OUT." I'd even think that a metal shack with newer generation bleacher seats (with seat backs) could be done at relatively little expense, then you call your own concessions shots and rent the building out yourself. Now, I understand that SI is underfunded, and despite earlier writings, I'm not necessarily in favor of banning the attempt to make something successful out of very little. I know from the testimony of others (and many teams folded and/or moved) that BEER is the lifeblood of sports concessions, so I'm not going to bet on the success of leagues that favor facilities where alcohol is banned. I'm certainly not going to do that when said strategy is done in mostly major markets where there's already competition- one of the sad truths of this gig is that most sports fans don't give a rip about the Sherman Anti-Trust Act or its improvements and updates. People go with what they know.

[Strong Island Sound]

I can be a real stinker sometimes.

#1... I look at "nothing wrong with giving out free tickets or half-priced coupons" and then see "we make the money off concessions" and THEN see "we're limited in what we can offer in concessions" and I MUST say that it just doesn't add up. Faith isn't much of a business plan... unless you're truly selling faith.

#2... "If a small arena opened up" is the wrong thing to write anywhere within visible distance of a soccer/futbol/calcio/football/whatever-you-call-it fan. People just a wee bit left of my philosophy will shoot right back with "YOU SHOULD BE BUILDING AND OPENING THAT ARENA... OR GET OUT." I'd even think that a metal shack with newer generation bleacher seats (with seat backs) could be done at relatively little expense, then you call your own concessions shots and rent the building out yourself. Now, I understand that SI is underfunded, and despite earlier writings, I'm not necessarily in favor of banning the attempt to make something successful out of very little. I know from the testimony of others (and many teams folded and/or moved) that BEER is the lifeblood of sports concessions, so I'm not going to bet on the success of leagues that favor facilities where alcohol is banned. I'm certainly not going to do that when said strategy is done in mostly major markets where there's already competition- one of the sad truths of this gig is that most sports fans don't give a rip about the Sherman Anti-Trust Act or its improvements and updates. People go with what they know.
Pounder- I'm just trying to be realistic when I stated that we're limited with concessions and that is a way to generate revenue. It's not a shocking development to figure out that the teams do not make a profit and the owners are in it for the enjoyment of owning a team. How many signed up with intentions of making a fast buck? Not too many, I'm sure. And to build and open an arena, that is extremely costly. As a matter of fact, the Sound have hopes of playing in a proposed arena in Yaphank, which has been discussed on these boards earlier. But that is the exception rather than the rule and still a longshot.

What is the alternative to playing in a college gym that does not allow alcohol sales? Believe me, I would love to see a Bud stand at the first home game next season. But that is not the case.

Of course, playing in a smaller market such as Rochester (which is a great minor league town already for baseball and hockey) will be more beneficial than a city that has an NBA franchise. Thus the struggles of the Sound, and even more so, the Brooklyn and Harlem franchises, who were even closer to MSG than Strong Island. But you do have a point on people going with what they know. The other side of that coin is to get them to know us. And that brings it right back to discounted or donated tickets.

[bomp]

Pounder- I'm just trying to be realistic when I stated that we're limited with concessions and that is a way to generate revenue. It's not a shocking development to figure out that the teams do not make a profit and the owners are in it for the enjoyment of owning a team. How many signed up with intentions of making a fast buck? Not too many, I'm sure. And to build and open an arena, that is extremely costly. As a matter of fact, the Sound have hopes of playing in a proposed arena in Yaphank, which has been discussed on these boards earlier. But that is the exception rather than the rule and still a longshot.

What is the alternative to playing in a college gym that does not allow alcohol sales? Believe me, I would love to see a Bud stand at the first home game next season. But that is not the case.

Of course, playing in a smaller market such as Rochester (which is a great minor league town already for baseball and hockey) will be more beneficial than a city that has an NBA franchise. Thus the struggles of the Sound, and even more so, the Brooklyn and Harlem franchises, who were even closer to MSG than Strong Island. But you do have a point on people going with what they know. The other side of that coin is to get them to know us. And that brings it right back to discounted or donated tickets.

Disountedd or comp tickets in a limited way MAY work. There are loads of examples where disounting or comps have killed teams. If it is devalued, the ticket is valued less by the customer.

"Why should I be a sucker and pay full price when I can get in for less?"

Rochester seems to do well with all of their teams. I'm proud of my hometown.

Concessions should be part of the revenue stream. Beer is very profitable. I don't understand how a team can make money if they don't have a viable business plan.

'...enjoyment of owning a team'?? Ok, I'm sure on some level it is but this attitude is what is killing teams. This is business. If you want to run a business for a loss, you must have money to burn or it is time for a gut chack.

We are not little boys anymore. I guess that old feminist line is true. To paraphrase...the only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. :D

[Strong Island Sound]

The tickets that you designate as discounted or donated have to be done correctly with a marketing strayegy in mind. You cannot merely stand on the corner the night of the game with a 'free tickets' sign. That obviously would rattle someone standing by the ticket window.

With the Sound, we have a discounted rate for every game for kids, students and senior citizens. Since the team started, we have had promotional games for police departments, fire depts, nurses, teachers and military personnel. We also had a game last season where we donated 500 tickets to the Suffolk County Youth Bureau, which were distributed to many different youth orgs throughout NY.

I do see what you are saying, but these moves are thought out and not just done on the fly.

[TEN]

I guess the ABA is a different....better?....breed than the other leagues out there if Strong Island thinks that your season ticket holders are a minority of your audience....

Your season ticket holders SHOULD be your life blood (along with your corporate sponsors) of the franchise....If you are ever going to draw 4 figures a night (dare to dream about a 1000 fans!) you need to have a solid season ticket base of at least 500 or so.

My take....If the ABA handbook discounts the importance of season ticket holders and says that you can make it night in-night out on walkup...then Uncle Joe needs to go back to marketing school.

Of course that would explain the whole "it doesn't matter how many home games we play" thing....if you don't have season ticket holders....it really doesn't matter!

[skippy]

Hey...DO NOT GIVE AWAY YOUR TICKETS!!!

What you can do however is realize you are the 26th sporting option in your town and price it accordingly at $2 bucks a ticket or $3 and a coke or whatever.

How about making yourself truly family friendly, and making it so a family of over 3 people can go for less than the price of a discount or dollar movie option?

I wish the ABA would get in line with it's discount basketball idea AND price the tickets accordingly.

Also, this is all assuming {yes, I know} that the schedule would keep it's integrity, because really, the first time it doesn't, you are sunk.

[bomp]

I do see what you are saying, but these moves are thought out and not just done on the fly.

What are the size of your team's crowds? I mean Long Island is HUGE. Can you average 3-4,000 paid per game like Rochester??

[Strong Island Sound]

What are the size of your team's crowds? I mean Long Island is HUGE. Can you average 3-4,000 paid per game like Rochester??
That's true that there are a lot of people on Long Island. But asking if we can attract 4,000 fans a game is unrealistic. At least at this point playing in a college gym. By the way, the maximum capacity allowed by law at SCC is less than half of that.

Rochester was unique that they had an arena, a very good organization, a competetive team and a town where minor league sports are accepted right away. They did things correctly and immediately were successful on and off the court. It is hard to compare any ABA team to them.

The Ducks ML baseball team has been around since 2000, has won 1 championship and made the playoffs many times, have their own beautiful ballpark and average over their capacity of 6,000 and change from Standing Room only ticket sales. To believe that a basketball team playing in a college can average anywhere in that vicinity is not logical. If the arena in Yaphank happens, we're talking a different story.

[bomp]

That's true that there are a lot of people on Long Island. But asking if we can attract 4,000 fans a game is unrealistic. At least at this point playing in a college gym. By the way, the maximum capacity allowed by law at SCC is less than half of that.

Ok. I got that. So how many fans were at the games on average? Any sellouts? Can your team make money at that gym?

[Strong Island Sound]

Ok. I got that. So how many fans were at the games on average? Any sellouts? Can your team make money at that gym?
Average attendance was less than 200. We had two dates that were much higher-the Youth Services Night and when Maryland came in with Ming. That night, we had our best crowd with 1,000.
Basically any college gym will be the same story. Making money is tough for any team in this league, and we are no exception.