In the past week or so, a lot of attention has been paid to the Indiana Fever and their quest for a championship / future as a professional sports franchise in Indianapolis. After rumors surfaced that this could very possibly be their last season unless attendance / revenue improved, the city seemed to pay little attention. However, after making it to the Eastern Conference Finals, Larry Bird giving away tickets, and making it to the WNBA Finals, they have been playing in front of sell-out crowds for the past three games and most likely a fourth on Wednesday as they try to win the championship.
While it appears as if the franchise has been saved for at least one more year, do you think this fan support will last? Are people in Indy finally turning on to the WNBA, or is this a whirlwind one-time thing? Will people return in full force to watch games next season, or is this sympathy-support? Does the fact that they are playing for a championship make a difference (would people be doing the same thing if they didn't make the playoffs and were threatened with extinction)? (due 10/9)
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I think that as long as we stay in the ressecion, crowds will continue to come to the games. I think this due to the fact that during the great depression, many people went to the Olympics to watch the hockey games. This was because the citizens finally had something to be proud of, even if it was just a sport. I think as long as the Fever continues to win, people will come. I don’t believe this would happen if the Fever were losing however.
ReplyDeleteI believe that because of Larry Bird giving out free tickets to the Indiana Fever, it has become a big deal. Now, that isn't the only reason. I'm sure some people watch the game on television and when they seem the Fever doing really well, they end up buying tickets. As they progressively become better, more and more people will begin to buy more tickets. So what I'm thinking, the next game will be a sell out and will then start to carry over to next year. So, hopefully gaining for attendence.
ReplyDeleteI believe in this situation that if the Fever keeps playing well maybe there ticket sales will improve. But on another note I believe that if they do not do well next year they will not have as many ticket sales. In my opinion I think it is like the cash for clunkers deal. It was good while it lasted but once they took that deal away they sales of cars started to go back down. I believe that we do have fans that watch it on tv and things like that but also they might not be willing to pay money to go see the game if the team isnt winning.
ReplyDeleteThis is simply sympathy help. I honestly do not think that the people of Indianapolis or the people of the United States will ever turn to the WNBA. It just will not happen. Its not exciting enough. I think that yeah the fact that they are playing for a championship does help because that is something to get excited about, but they won't get there every year. What Larry Bird is doing is great. But he cannot keep doing it every year. The Fever won't be here much longer
ReplyDeleteI believe that if the fever play well, they will recieve their due support. Unfortunetly it has to be that way. The girls have to fight to play even though there are many other sports who don't have to play well at all and have a set future. I believe that it's because of the recession that the ladies are having such a hard time filling the seats. Going to a fever's game is one of those luxuries that we Americans cut back on. I think that with the combination of the wins, the sympathy, the free tickets, and the threat looming the seats are filled. I also believe that if the girls keep it up, it will provide somewhat of an incentive to keep going to the games... but it will definitely be a battle for some time.
ReplyDeleteI think the sudden burst of attention from fans is just a one time thing, especially because of the recent support of Larry Bird. I don't think the Fever will acquire a big enough fan base to join the WNBA franchise. Even though it would be good for the economy, I don't think Indianapolis is going to buy into it. To be honest, it doesn't seem like too many people actually care about professional women's basketball. However, if the Fever start doing extremely well, they may receive plenty more support.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Fever getting all the support is only going to happen this year. I don't think they would be getting all the attention if they hadn't made the playoffs. People are jumping on the bandwagon and like Fever now but if they do worse next year and don't play as well no one will want to go to their games or pay attention to them, but some might stop to watch a game occasionally if they see it on television.
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ReplyDeleteI believe that people are just supporting the Fever because they made it to finals. If they wouldn't have made it this far no one would have paided as much attention to them as people are now. I think that in the beginning of the season people will go to games but if they aren't as good as this year i think the attendance to games will go down. I also believe that since this is the first time Fever has made it to the finals everyone is excited and making a big deal out of it because its something new and exciting. Also if anyone got free tickets to a game whether you liked basketball or not I think you would go.
ReplyDeleteI personally think that the Fever has the potential to win and the crowd is definately a plus. Although the crowd seems loud and supportive now, but unfortunately it will probably fade. The only reason that they have a huge crowd now is because they are in the Finals. But only when things are a big deal do people care about them. It does matter that they are in the finals but not to the point were it will win the crowd back. Good luck Fever.
ReplyDeleteI have been Fever fan ever since they began here in Indy. I even got an interview for a job there this summer and early Fall. I believe that this is a whirlwind effect. But it could turn into a full thing. I believe that only time will tell. You will be able to tell depending on next season. How the attendance will be next year might be high at first but if we start doing bad, and show no chance of making it to the championship, then the attendance will fall significantly.
ReplyDeleteI belive that the fan support will last as long as the fever maintain a winning season because once a team begins to lose a couple games the fans lose their faith in them in going to win the championship and dont not attend there games. I also belive that in able to bring in new fans to keep the frachise alive is that there must be free tickets given out atleast once a year so that new people will go watch them play because it a free game to see. If these things are not kept going i do believe that the Fever fan base will fall significantly.
ReplyDeleteI think the main reason why the Fever have recieved more attention lately is due to the fact that they are in contention for the championship. Being in the playoffs, or in the championship game is exciting for everyone. However, I think that if the Fever weren't doing so good, they wouldn't have this big fan base. So, it will be interesting to see how next year plays out. I also think a reason why the attendence rate has gone up is due to the free tickets that Larry Bird issued. Everyone likes free things, so why wouldn't you take that offer. I would hope to see more fans come next year to show support. However, I do believe that this will be a one time thing, and that the WNBA will still remain not extremely popular.
ReplyDeleteI think that the recent fan support is a result of recent contention for a championship. I think the fan support will be good at the start of the season next year then slowly dwindle as the season wears on. I don't think people would support the Fever if they had not made the playoffs. The team would probably fold and we wouldn't have a WNBA team in Indianapolis anymore.
ReplyDeleteThe wave of fans that has followed the Fever in the WNBA Championship seems to be just a sympathy vote. They didnt have this many fans before they made it to the Championships. I dont think that if the franchise is saved for one more year they will still have few fans going to games. The Fever need more regular fans than they have right now. Also I dont think that even if they win the Championship their fan base will grow much more.
ReplyDeleteI think the Fevers sell out crowds will only last a couple more years. I think it was just all the hype of going to the finals that brought crowds to the games. If the Fever want to be kept in Indianapolis they are going to have to be a contender on a yearly basis
ReplyDeleteI don't believe there will be a very noticeable change in fan support. Due partly to the fact that Larry Bird had to give tickets away to fill Conseco. It is a great accomplishment for the team and the franchise, but I don't see the interest in the city increasing by much if at all. The WNBA is not respected as much as other professional leagues. As a result they get little fan support and recognition for their accomplishments.
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