Aside from looking to boost their sagging attendance, it’s not too hard to see why the Toronto Raptors are dramatically slashing their season ticket prices for next year, if there is no labor stoppage between the league and the players.
Without the substantial savings offer to season ticket holders, what would be the incentive for anyone to buy an entire season’s worth of tickets ? I’m not suggesting here what fans should do, in terms of purchasing tickets. I’m trying to imagine what the average sports fan who has limited discretionary dollars for entertainment, is going to be thinking, not only with the Raptors brutal record over the season, ( 20-52 after their awful outing in Oakland ) but with reminders, like the 138-100 blowout they suffered at Golden State, of how far removed they are from being a truly competitive team.
Maybe some Raptors enthusiasts will jump on the fan friendly ticket prices, and feel it is enough incentive, after all, it’s hard to beat $12.50 a seat, the price for upper bowl season tickets next year, and guaranteed for the season after that as well.
Unfortunately for Toronto, with all the competition for the entertainment dollar when it comes to sports, it may be quite the challenge. It seems that the MLS Toronto FC, according to the Toronto Sun’s Gareth Wheeler, have lost some season ticket holders, after their disappointing performance of a year ago. Their is a greater sense of optimism about the Toronto Blue Jays, as they are about to begin their 2011 campaign. A strong season by them could impact the Raptors negatively.
As any Toronto sports fan knows, the only team that is insulated from several losing seasons in terms of ticket sales in southern Ontario, are the Toronto Maple Leafs.
What could be especially tough for the Raptors, and their fans in particular, was not only the loss to the 31-42 Warriors, but the way they were cast aside. It was as humiliating as any defeat in Raptors history.
Toronto allowed 84 first half points, a franchise record. Many basketball experts agree, that defense is something that requires mental toughness and effort,as much as basic skills and strategy. What does an outcome like this indicate about the players on the Raptor roster ? It should raise a lot of red flags about their attitude towards defense. Injuries should not be used as an excuse, and neither should some level of exhaustion from a busy road trip, or their lack of overall experience. It’s not as though Golden State is a great defensive machine, because they are not. Keith Smart’s squad had been on a six game losing streak, until they hosted Jay Triano’s team.
The most telling comment of all, came from the Warriors forward Dorell Wright, who finished with 26 points,4 steals,3 assists,and 4 rebounds. He told the Associated Press, that none of his teammates could recall being involved in a blowout like this while playing in the NBA. “ Probably in high school. It’s been a long time.” Golden State had 40 fast break points over the game,compared to 15 for the Raptors. Andrea Bargnani, the teams former first over-all draft choice in 2006, finished with 7 points, 5 assists,and 0 rebounds in 27 minutes.
Maple Leaf Sports And Entertainment, may in fact hit a marketing grand slam with their very tempting season ticket sales pitch, but the team they are working so hard to sell, has really thrown some major obstacles in the way, of sealing sales with their suffering supporters.