| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Gordon Bombay
(The Next Level!)
USA
160 Posts |
 Posted - 01/08/2010 : 2:59:46 PM
|
This is a debate I've been having with my dad and some friends. Do you think the Blue Jackets would fare better attendance wise or be a little bit more noticeable among other Ohio hockey fans if they had named themselves the Ohio Bluejackets and promoted themselves as a regional team? A lot of the people I talk to seem to have mixed feelings on the whole regional naming thing, i.e. why call your team the Lake Eerie Monsters when you're a minor league operation in a large metro area (the larges in Ohio)?
Just curious what people thought or if it would make any difference to them had the Blue Jackets tried to identify themselves as a regional team. |
Recreational Trespassing, Rants about the Reds, Hanging out with Zamboni Drivers and Photography:
www.queencitydisco.com |
|
|
elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2010 : 12:25:34 AM
|
good question. i doubt it would make that much of a difference. i know many people from the cincy, dayton, cleveland and toledo areas that have partial or even full packages for the jackets, regardless of a minor league presence in their areas.
the biggest problem for the jackets when it comes to attendance is the teams performance as of late. in the beginning the team drew well because it was new and it was the only pro team in columbus (although some would argue the buckeye football team is in the pro ranks will well compensated players :-p), but after years of sub par performances and watching other expansion teams get better and make the playoffs people seemingly got fed up. 2 years ago the cbj were on the verge but at the trade deadline decided to build, rather than make the playoff push when the moved federov and foote. while there were a variety of reasons those two were moved, it was a sign to a fans that the team was making a building move and attendance dipped. the start off 08-09 was soft attendance wise but then came along steve mason and a legitimate playoff push which yielded an large increase in attendance. this season, with the energy still floating around from the playoffs last year, started out strong for the jackets but as the team slid so did the attendance.
many casual fans in columbus are used to seeing the winning ways of most OSU sports. they want to go see a winner. if the cbj aren't winning, they aren't as likely to spend their money.
when it comes to pushing for a more regional theme, it might bring in a few casual fans but i'm not sure if would be enough to justify a name change.
sports are entertainment. and hockey is a niche sport in the US. it has it's enthusiasts that will go to games regardless, but the casual fan goes for a good time and if you've been watching the cbj this seaso, it's hard to promote good times and fun atmosphere with the product that has been on the ice.
when the team turns this slump around and get in position to make a run at the 8th playoff spot then the people will come back regardless of the name or how the team is marketed.
bottom line, in my opinion, is it wouldn't make a difference. hockey fans know about the jackets and either like them or not and i doubt identifying with the team name has anything to do with it. for the casual fan or attendee, going to see something fun and entertaining trumps identifying with the team name.
it would be interesting to know whether that was looked at during the initiate market studies during the creation of the jackets.
|
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
 |
|
|
Donnie Hockey
(Loves To Post!)
USA
1514 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2010 : 10:48:09 AM
|
The Blue Jackets financial problems were beginning to mount when they were selling out every game. Ticket sales account for just 1/3 of an NHL team's revenue streams. The Blue Jackets could sell out every game and they'd still be losing money. They don't have the corporate support that many other NHL teams have. With the economy in the tank many companies have been forced to cut back including the dollars they have available in their marketing budget. The slash in the budget forces a lot of companies that want to have a presence in the Columbus marekt to decide between OSU and the Blue Jackets. If you have to choose between OSU and the Blue Jackets, it's an easy decision.
|
www.twitter.com/donhelbig |
|
|
|
elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2010 : 11:24:17 AM
|
yes, the lease agreement that the cbj have with nationwide arena is a money pit and the lack of corporate support is certainly a factor in their current situation. however, with out people in the seats it becomes harder and harder to present nationwide arena as viable advertising venue, not to mention a viable nhl market.
but to a certain extent it returns to gordon's initial question. would changing to a regional marketing identity allow them to bring in more people and more corporate support? as far as people go, i doubt it, but if affordable advertising and corporate support options were made available to businesses under a more regional theme it could bring in some additional cash flow. the question would then be, would the new influx in revenue be enough to offset the change in marketing strategies.
regardless, the cbj will remain to struggle financially as long as they are under the current lease agreement with nationwide arena. |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
|
|
|
Gordon Bombay
(The Next Level!)
USA
160 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2010 : 02:00:46 AM
|
| Thanks for the responses guys. It seems even if the team was called the "Ohio Bluejackets" it wouldn't make that much of a difference from a marketing perspective. I do wish though that they were a little more agressive in marketing areas like Cincinnati. I feel outside of the circle of hockey fans I know, most people don't know of the jackets or could care less. Even when I was going to school in Athens it was hard to convince people to make the one hour drive with me to go to a Jackets game. Then again, I think that goes back to Elvis' point of hockey being a "niche" sport, kind of a selective taste. |
Recreational Trespassing, Rants about the Reds, Hanging out with Zamboni Drivers and Photography:
www.queencitydisco.com |
|
|
|
cyclonesfan7180
(Rookie)
47 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2010 : 09:47:31 AM
|
| I dont think it makes a huge difference because hockey just isnt that popular in the midwest. There are those die-hards like me who love the game but I really dont know any other real hockey fans. I just dont think its going to work either way and sooner or later they will be out of Columbus |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
