View Full Version : Lacrosse Magazine Interview With MLL
maljones16
09-07-2006, 01:17 PM
Saw this posted on laxmagazine.com website. Interesting comments.
http://laxmagazine.cstv.com/sports/s-pro/content/090706aab.html
hmmm...I can't believe they're not concerned about the NLL. They should be. The NLL is a league that has been able to draw fans consistently in several markets.
RockStar
09-07-2006, 03:01 PM
.......The NLL is a league that has been able to draw fans consistently in several markets.
Careful. They've got great numbers in some cities, but are far from a runaway success.
Truth be told, NLL is only very strong in Toronto, and Colorado. Buffalo has huge upward momentum as well.
They're moderately strong in Rochester, Calgary, Edmonton, and Portland.
Remember though, even if support is a mile wide, it may only be an inch deep........two or three consecutive losing seasons in any of those markets might sink them. Same goes for Toronto and Buffalo, same might go for Colorado. Look at Philadelphia - they NEED to make the playoffs soon as there's bigtime downward momentum in attendance there.
All other cities, meh, they have either already failed once, or are weak or unproven.
WHEELAX2
09-07-2006, 03:04 PM
I thought the Q&A was a bit more candid than I expected. He seemed very realistic and optimistic...
woah.. 4000th post.. interesting
Careful. They've got great numbers in some cities, but are far from a runaway success.
Truth be told, NLL is only very strong in Toronto, and Colorado. Buffalo has huge upward momentum as well.
They're moderately strong in Rochester, Calgary, Edmonton, and Portland. .....
All other cities, meh, they have either already failed once, or are weak or unproven.
I'm not calling the NLL a juggernaut, but in many cities (and you have to include Philly), the NLL gets attendance numbers that the MLL couldn't dream of. Even when the MLL teams are winning.
d-pole01
09-07-2006, 05:57 PM
Careful. They've got great numbers in some cities, but are far from a runaway success.
Truth be told, NLL is only very strong in Toronto, and Colorado. Buffalo has huge upward momentum as well.
They're moderately strong in Rochester, Calgary, Edmonton, and Portland.
Remember though, even if support is a mile wide, it may only be an inch deep........two or three consecutive losing seasons in any of those markets might sink them. Same goes for Toronto and Buffalo, same might go for Colorado. Look at Philadelphia - they NEED to make the playoffs soon as there's bigtime downward momentum in attendance there.
All other cities, meh, they have either already failed once, or are weak or unproven.
i believe the swarm had a better attendance than the lumberjacks.(no x) i believe these teams are much stronger due to them being tied together with there respectible hockey clubs. if im wrong then just say but the swarm are ran by the wild owners. i hope the mll grows bigger and i hope the nll still grows bigger because i love watching box because its so much different than what im used to. also, isnt it the same way pretty much with other sports. if you have a winning team, they will come. if you dont, they wont come and all the loyal fans will do so.
also, isnt it the same way pretty much with other sports. if you have a winning team, they will come. if you dont, they wont come and all the loyal fans will do so.
I think you're half right. If a team is not winning, it's tough to draw fans.
But because a team is winning does not guarantee fans. The Bayhawks haven't done well even in championship years. And don't quote official but inflated attendance figures.
I think the league failed early on to understand that the worst thing to have in a new league is empty seats. Tickets were priced WAY too high that first few seasons. Once word spreads that nobody goes to games, then ticket sales become difficult.
The championship crowd dooms LA. Tough to get past the perception that they can't even sell tickets to a league championship.
CutsConstantly
09-08-2006, 02:06 PM
NLL offers reasonable ticket prices and they also give discount+food deals for groups. They choose professional ownership groups that know how to attract fans, even if they know nothing about LAX.
MLL does not. I know, I'm one of the schmucks they talked into buying season tickets. Then I went to the games and people were giving them away for free outside the gates. Pretty sure I'm not going to do that again!
QuickMiddie
09-08-2006, 09:48 PM
The fact that they are not trying to build too fast is a good thing. I have neither postive nor negative opinions about this league yet. I am patient to see how it pans out. They are still alive and well despite what some people say, and this year was a big test with the expansion out west. Should only get better from here as the confidence in more expansion will now be there.