Attendances?

[AConcernedCitizen]

Does anyone have factual, realistic information on how the league is drawing this year? Any evidence of houses being papered?

[abie10]

i've been keeping track of albuquerque's attendance...some people say they are inflated, if they are it isn't by much, but they are averaging about 1600 coming off a season high 4100 saturday night

[jjbballfan]

I figured out Sioux Falls's and it was 3768 thats before the last game with only 3200--- (blizard in sf), 2 games not reported and the 2 nbadleague showcase not reported either. The lowest on the season was like 2800... Prety good if you ask me, i believe they are leading the league...

Rapid City and Sioux Falls back in the pre- Isaiah Thomas years would average around 5,000.

[panchess]

..from last year's CBA numbers, but that is only glancing at them and not calculating each game.

Not having seen a D-League game, I notice the scores are quite a bit lower than the CBA games. Why is that? Any clue?

Every CBA team is averaging over 100 points. It seems like the D-League teams that run are the ones with CBA connections.

[sportsguy12]

[quote=""panchess""]..from last year's CBA numbers, but that is only glancing at them and not calculating each game.

Not having seen a D-League game, I notice the scores are quite a bit lower than the CBA games. Why is that? Any clue?

Every CBA team is averaging over 100 points. It seems like the D-League teams that run are the ones with CBA connections.[/quote]

I think switching leagues will cause attendance to drop a bit. I bet ticket prices jumped a little, too.

I think once the NBA and D-League are at a 1-to-1 team ratio, then the marketing will be difference and that will help.

I think development and not necessarily attendance (at least right now) is what's important to league officials.

[Sam Hill]

[quote=""AConcernedCitizen""]Does anyone have factual, realistic information on how the league is drawing this year? Any evidence of houses being papered?[/quote]

I can only give you the announced averages, not the factual, realistic information:

Team............G....Total...Avg.
Sioux Falls....19...72,453..3,813
Dakota.........15...44,079..2,939
Bakersfield....16...42,837..2,677
Idaho..........17...41,650..2,450
Arkansas.......13...29,842..2,296
Colorado.......17...37,197..2,188
Austin.........16...31,987..1,999
Anaheim........13...24,613..1,893
Albuquerque....18...31,445..1,747
Tulsa..........16...27,494..1,718
Fort Worth.....18...25,282..1,405
Los Angeles.....0........0......0
League Total..178..408,879..2,297

That's better than in years past.

[panchess]

..the 30 D-League teams, that is.

I don't believe that even the AHL, with a far more established system, has ever gotten to 30 teams. 28 or so, yeah, but there are always a couple co-op teams in the league.

My guess is that you might get to 15 or 16 teams, with a couple NBA teams owning their minor league affiliates for various reasons, which is also true in the AHL.

12 callups doesn't justify the expense, quite frankly. In some ways, the NBA would be better off having all the teams in one location like the Summer League, and running a house league (maybe with three pods or so around the country) to show off talent. In the end, it probably would be cheaper and easier.

[jjbballfan]

I read somewhere that most teams need to average 2,000 per game to turn a profit, if that is so some teams are going to be loosing quite abit.... Does anybody know why some of those franchises are only averaging what they are??? Tickets are a lil more expensive if im not mistaken but also you get to see alot of bigger name college kids and a few guys that are still part of a nba team.

[Pounder]

I missed the earlier mention of Boise.

Ticket prices did not change.

I actually suspect there are less comps out. It appears that crowds are close to being as overcounted as last year. Actually, I think I see more people in the cheaper seats... and more empty courtside seats and tables.

I haven't been there in a little while, mind you. I ought to be able to catch another sample next week, especially since the winning run has been well established by now.

One thing to note: they can't generate a buzz outside the media. Heck, the Boise State Fiesta Bowl STILL has all the buzz around here.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

[quote=""jjbballfan""]I read somewhere that most teams need to average 2,000 per game to turn a profit, if that is so some teams are going to be loosing quite abit.... Does anybody know why some of those franchises are only averaging what they are???...[/quote]

Why? There will always be an exception or two, but the American public in general is not the least bit interested in minor league basketball.

panchess,
I agree. There's no way in the world we will see 30 D-League teams at one time.

sportsguy12,
The D-League is not just about development. It's also about the bottom line. The NBADL needs fans. If these teams aren't close to profitable, then they won't be around long.

Pounder,
Boise State executes the trick play better than any football team I have seen at ANY level. Absolutely amazing!