AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2006 > August > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThe push is on
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I got a call yesterday from a Hawks/Thrashers ticket rep about buying Hawks season tickets. I pointed out to him that the Hawks schedule had not been released. He said he’d call me back later.
Well, he called back today and told me I was a “VIP” and he wanted to get me in the “best possible seat” to see Atlanta’s NBA team. I’d better act now, though, before all the good seats are gone.
“If you reserve seats now, I can get you in row C or D, maybe row B,” said the ticket rep. “But, if you wait, the best I could do would probably be row L.”
I told him I think I’ll wait.
The Hawks raised ticket prices this year and the packages he was trying to sell me do not come at a discount, so what’s the difference in buying them now as opposed to a week or two before the game I want to see? What advantages do the ticket packages that the Hawks are offering have over “walk-up packages”?
Give me something else. Perhaps put my seats next to GM Billy and whenever I go to a game, I can turn to him, point at the team on the floor and ask, “What are you thinking?”
Maybe my seats could come with an opportunity to break down game film with Coach Woodson or be an advance scout.
Just give me something.
Comments
By Hack 4 Prez
August 2, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this
Comments? Anyone??
Discuss amongst yourselves…..
By JohnD
August 3, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this
The Atlanta Spirit has raised ticket prices over 60% in some areas of the arena and in the process “turned away” season ticket holders of more than 20 years. We all know money is necessary to build a winner but perhaps winning a few games BEFORE the raise in prices would have been a better marketing tactic.
I know a couple of the owners have been successful in other fields, and some of the owners have absolutely nothing to offer, however the appearance is that of a group of Polyannas stumbling through the business of ownership. First impressions are very difficult for anyone to overcome and so far the owners have only solidified the impression they give of being lost and in over their heads.
By happy2bnappy
August 3, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this
personally, i don’t see anythin’ wrong with the ticket plans. I purchased one and I suggest that you do too, if you want to see some hot NBA teams comin’ thru the “A.” sect 317 row d for $199, that’s $5 dollars per game to see, the cavs, 76ers, lakers, clippers, miami (2 times), orlando, san antonio, pistons, bulls, mavericks…Get one of the plans or be a**ed out in november.
By NERNAB
August 3, 2006 08:47 PM | Link to this
You sound like an idiot. There is no reason to purchase the tickets earlier. I was a lower level season ticket holder last year. I paid over 3,000 dollars for my tickets. Now they raise the tickets even higher, just don’t get it. Like the previous statement said “maybe win a few first the raise prices”.
By GayCowBoy
August 3, 2006 10:26 PM | Link to this
Once again speaking da truth Hawk Hack. Where would we be if Atl didn’t have you. GO HAWK GO HAWK GO HAWK
By J
August 4, 2006 08:25 AM | Link to this
Ticket prices were raised b/c the Hawks/Philips Arena are way below league average in ticket price … plus, Philips Arena is one of the best entertainment venues out there! Ticket prices were never raised 60%, please show me facts!!!
FYI - i’ve looked online and the ticket packages are discounted from the gate price, give you the best games of the year, save you off the stupid TicketMaster fees, and allow you to work with a rep to handle your problems or concerns. Also, good luck trying to get great seats to the best games w/o a plan, b/c you’ll be paying way too much money on TicketMaster. I’m very thankful for my rep, as he’s also given me a free ticket here or there for being a continued supporter of the team. Before you write a blog, get your facts straight … all I ever hear in this town are people complaining. I’ve been an Atlanta Native for 27 years and find myself very fortunate to have an NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and AFL team in town.
I hope the rep doesn’t call you back, and I hope you’re left having to scramble for tickets for the big games. Check out the schedule, all the hot teams are coming in town on the weekens this year … doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that those will be sell-outs!
By Steven
August 4, 2006 08:48 AM | Link to this
I am very hopeful for the HAWKS this year and was glad to purchase my tickets !!! I was a partial season ticket holder back in 2000-2002, and hadnt been to a game since 2003. Im encouraged by the current team and their potential. Come on ATLANTA RISE UP and support our team, they need OUR support !!
By Dr. Trill
August 4, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this
I think I will just get tickets from scalpers. Its cheaper than the gate.
By alex
August 4, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this
maybe ot the best idea by the Hawks to raise ticket prices but hey if they can start winning then people are willing to pay more money than they are now but when he Hawks get competitive(hopefully this season)then the Phillips Arena will be a great place for the Hawks and Hawks fans
By Michael Rickman
August 4, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this
Excellent. Hawk hating….I love it. Couldn’t agree with you more. Please check out a new site some other “fans” have started….
www.hawkssuck.com
By Samuel I AM
August 4, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this
Here a few other site ideas.
AtlantaSportsfanssuck.com or how about AtlantaSportsWritersSuck.com.
By Bill
August 5, 2006 09:39 PM | Link to this
If they moved Phillips out of hellhole Atlanta up north of 285 I would consider it.
By realfan
August 6, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this
its nice to see some reasonable fans that realize that hawk hack is just that, a hack. all of the points J makes are very true and the fact is that you cant get the best seats to the best games by waiting. not to mention it is flat out cheaper to do a plan now and that is a fact. its people like you and whoever agrees with you that give Atlanta the rep it has as a bad sports town. do us all a favor and stop writing you HACK
By Kevin
August 6, 2006 08:35 PM | Link to this
I don’t have any reason to pony up for the season ticket prices at this time. I see the Hawks improving with this roster; I also see Billy taking his time to get this team to a playoff contender.
I will also take my time to determine if I should spend thousands waiting for the Hawks to have meaningful games after January. The way this franchise has been run so far by the Fantastic 7 leaves you to wonder what’s next?
Personally, I wouldn’t mind if we were last in the league in ticket prices. We don’t have to be the league average just because the other cities are spending more.
There are lots of ways to spend your money in Atlanta; Right now doesn’t feel like the best time to contribute big bucks to this organization.
By J
August 7, 2006 08:15 AM | Link to this
Personally, you should be concerned that we are below league average in ticket prices b/c it devalues the team and integrity of the seats. For a franchise to become a winning franchise, you must first raise ticket prices to let people know that the product is getting better, and will continue to get better. It is a fact that Philips Arena is one of the best venues out there, plus the Hawks have been number one in NBA concessions in the past two years, and they ranked as being the 7th fan friendly arena out of the rest of the NBA arenas … now if the fan support was a little more stable, I wouldn’t be having this argument with any of you. Feel LUCKY that Atlanta has so many sports teams and that you have a chance to experience many type of pro-sports here. Sure, it’s everyone’s own opinion but if you’re not attending the games (live, in-person) then you really don’t have much room to talk … give me an average joe that has been to 5 Hawks games last year, and I BET YOU he has something positive to say for all 5 of them. Besides, if any of you have children and have been to a Hawks game in the past two seasons, you understand how much fun they have and how much entertainment value is there, on and off the court. Same with the Thrashers!!!
By Michael R
August 7, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this
J….is your name Josh Smith? Only a team member of the hawks would try to spin it in such a positive light.
Idiot.
By J
August 8, 2006 08:11 AM | Link to this
Michael,
Only a loyal fan who actually attends the games would shed some light on the FACTS, and push away this negativity from the people who haven’t even attended the games in the past two years.
How does me posting the facts make me an idiot? I never was the one to put up with ignorant people such as yourself.
Also, that website you made wasn’t fact-based at all, other than the Hawks Won/Loss record last year. True fans who came to the games last year, such as myself, understand that 10-15 of those losses were by less than 5 points and due to the young unexperienced (yet very talented) team. I saw tons of great games last year where the Hawks lost but yet I still felt like i got my money’s worth.
All I have to say to you is attend a few games, and then make an opinion. At least next time have some facts to support your argument.
Idiot
By smart guy
August 8, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this
Hawk hack is the best. Great points all around. But the best thing would be to sit next to Billy Knight. That would be worth a pretty penny.
By smart guy
August 8, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this
ATTENTION SPIRIT:
if you want to make some money fast, why don’t you auction off seats on either side of your beloved GM. Just by reading these blogs, its evident that there are many people who would love the chance to have a little chat with BK. Stop squeezing out the poor folks.
By Najeh Davenpoop
August 9, 2006 12:51 AM | Link to this
Not bad Hawks Hack, maybe you should stick to whining about ticket prices, at least it beats your basketball “analysis”. I’m still waiting for your blog entry about how Lorenzen Wright is going to solve our 3 point shooting problems.
By Michael R
August 9, 2006 08:00 AM | Link to this
J:
I am a Hawks Fan, season ticket holder for going on 4 years. And yes you are right, they lost a ton of games by very small margins…but the fact is THEY LOST. And dont try and paint a piece of crap gold, because underneath it is still a piece of crap. that smells bad, and needs to be thrown away.
Michael from HAWKSSUCK.com
By J
August 9, 2006 08:14 AM | Link to this
Mike,
If you’re a season ticket holder (as you say you have been for 4 years), then I’m lost on why you don’t see the changes that have taken place in that time. FYI - I’m not painting a piece of crap gold, i’m taking the crap off the gold.
By Michael R
August 9, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this
I have seen the changes they have made, but the problem is that when they take one small good step forward, they end up taking two steps back into something completely retarded.
Its quicksand.
I want the hawks to do well, but as of right now…………….they suck.
By J
August 9, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this
The only steps back I see them taking right now is the stupid ownership issue, in which Belkin should just give up and go after another team and the whole Harrington trade. But it seems that BK is really looking out for Al and making sure that Al gets what he deserves.
From what I’ve seen, I like the pieces they are putting together right now and I think they’ve done a great job by staying under the salary cap … it leaves more room for something big to happen in the near future. The Hawks sucked from 97-2003, especially with the overrated players they had during that time. BK had to step in and rebuild the team piece-by-piece, so this crapped-covered piece of gold will take some time to shine. Come on, we’ve fans have waited long enough, we can give them this extra rebuilding time!
By Ina Mina Dika
August 10, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this
By FAR the best thing you have ever posted Mr. Hack. Suggestions for the next entry:
-Elimination of the Hawkalicious/Fanatical Fans program -Raising college/military discount price -Barring those who are actually cheering from moving closer when half the arena is empty
Or you could just question the drafting of Shelden Williams with Speedy Claxton signed to play pg.