Why aren't the Red Wings selling out?

[Brent85]

The tigers tickets are going fast, I believe they had to stop selling season tickets because of the high demand. Pistons are above 200 straight sell outs. But those two sports also draw from a larger pool of people, because people of all races enjoy those sports. The red wings are all white lol. Last night's game was sold out. And the Joe louis arena has the largest seating capacity in the U.S. for NHL arenas. So even when it doesn't sell out there still is tons of people there. It's a mix of things, the economy, tigers/pistons success, yzerman retiring, the lockout, and perhaps some people are spoiled by the almost 20 years of straight success by the Red wings.

[and the]

Some people think the Wings "sold out" when they went to Joe Louis Arena. I'm old enough to remember having attended hockey games at Olympia. Talk about "gritty". Made JLA look like The Palace at Auburn Hills. I believe there are some posters here who saw the Beatles at Olympia....

[illmatic774]

It's the economy at this point of time.

Also the same reason why there seems to be more empty seats at the Palace. Keep in mind that when the country is in recession, Detroit is in DEPRESSION.

[Frankawitz]

The big thing is the High Taxes on all entertainment the Good Governor had a Bill to Hike up the TAXES on anything that is a enjoyment, well this in turn shows in the low numbers, as for Pistons they have a big fan base still here ware the Red Wings Fans have moved out, if you check the crowds at away games you'll see alot of Red Wings Jerseys. Plus you figure in we are the #1 in the Country for Foreclosed Property and unemployment rate at 7.9 but then they don't count all the people who can't collect so all this is playing on what is happening.

[Bhaalspawn]

Maybe the Red Wings management should get off its high horse and lower the ticket prices. I find it hilarious that the overpriced expensive tickets aren't selling. I'd much rather go to a bar and enjoy some good buffalo wings, fries, beers, and burgers for $20 while watching the game on the big screen than to drop $50 plus the price of parking plus the price of gasoline plus the risk of getting mugged or shot or having the car breakdown in the ghetto to watch the game live.

[downthathighway]

The Clock is running out on the lease at Joe Louis.
Ilich/Olympia will have a bargaining chip with Detroit to get another new arena built, citing drops in attendance at Joe Louis.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

Originally Posted by Bhaalspawn

Maybe the Red Wings management should get off its high horse and lower the ticket prices. I find it hilarious that the overpriced expensive tickets aren't selling. I'd much rather go to a bar and enjoy some good buffalo wings, fries, beers, and burgers for $20 while watching the game on the big screen than to drop $50 plus the price of parking plus the price of gasoline plus the risk of getting mugged or shot or having the car breakdown in the ghetto to watch the game live.

Lowering ticket prices could certainly help.

Blues have the cheapest tickets in the league and their attendance is up 55% over last year. Dave Checketts (the new owner) is trying to win the fans back after the Lauries (former owners, Wal-Mart heirs), sold off Pronger and sold the team. But in St. Louis you can catch a game on Tuesday for half-price tickets (meaning the cheapest are about $7-8) and some nights you buy a $20 ticket and get a free concert ticket. It's a great deal. There's also special promotions for free food and stuff. Although ticket prices will go up a little next year. Next year Checketts should break even after buying the team.

The Red Wings could do some kind of discount on tickets. I'm sure it would help. It's sad when the best team in the NHL can't sell tickets.