Friday, August 16, 2013

Predators Plan to "Keep the Red Out"





Jeremy Gover explains what was a-Twitter in Preds getting creative to Keep the Red Out (sorry Chicago fans).  In brief, the Nashville Predators plan to make it tougher for us Chicago fans to follow our beloved Blackhawks on the road.  Single-game tickets are available, but if you to buy one, you must also buy a second one.
“The best way to buy a Blackhawk ticket is to have a season ticket, a half season ticket or a 15-game plan,” [Predators President and COO Sean] Henry said. “But we also realize that we’re still going to have to sell 3,000-4,000 single tickets for that game. What it’s going to do by forcing another game is we’ll almost direct it toward people that live in the general area, for the most part. And (for the pre-sale) only those in the zip codes that we unlock can buy the Blackhawk game and a second game. So we’re breaking down every barrier we can to Keep the Red Out.”
Chicago plays in Nashville on November 16th, December 17th, and April 12th.  I imagine a good many Blackhawks plan to see more than one game there, so buying two tickets doesn't seem like much of a hurdle.

In fact, I was wondering, Can any fan buy three or more single-game tickets?
 
My family and I vacationed in Nashville one year, and it was easy to buy tickets to a Predators game.  Just for the joy of watching a NHL game live.  Of course, that was in early 2005, and they didn't play the Blackhawks.  Nice stadium, for sure.

Bridgestone Arena, home of the Nashville Predators
Our fans weighed on Google+:
Justin:  Who buys tickets from the actual ticket booth any more anyway these days? I'm sure if u want a seat you'll find one. And still cheaper than at the united center? After being at phoenix last year though for the shaw "hit" on Smith, I won't ever take my kids to an out of town game again.

Dave:  I'm sure the eager fans who want to just get a ticket use the BO but that will clearly change with this "promotion". This could burn the preds in the ass when fans buy the extra ticket and sell it on their own or even hold it hostage. This will stop no one though.. it will only make our fanbase more anxious and willing to do so. 
I joined in:

 Yeah, I agree with you guys. This Preds' stunt could only make matters worse for their home team. That's irrational management decision-making, really. My sense is that the Hawks are generally a popular hockey team across the NHL. So wherever they play, the stadiums are going to be IN.SANE with fans wanting to come to the games. What hockey fan would want to miss the best Cup champs since the 1990s Wings? Team owners need to embrace this, and really focus on rallying the home crowd to come to the game and cheer their teams against the Hawks. That's fine, that's hockey, baby!  
Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!

Ron Villejo, PhD

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