Me in front of the St Pete Times Forum holding up the poster I made for the final Fan Appreciation Day to show my appreciation for the Lightning!
Tampa Bay Lightning players saluting fans after the final home game on April 9th, 2009!During tough economic times, everyone is pinching pennies as much as possible. Many sports teams realize this and try to help out their fan base by providing them with discounts. However, the Tampa Bay Lightning has decided to go above and beyond by offering Student Discounts to current students who possess a student identification card and Fan Appreciation Days to be held during the final four home games of the season. According to Kayla Mosley, “(Tampa Bay Lightning) Fan Appreciation days have been taking place here at the Forum for multiple seasons. These Fan Appreciation days are truly days in which our (the Tampa Bay Lightning) club can thank the fans for a great season and their unyielding support.”
Some people may ask why the Lightning offers more ways to reach out to fans as opposed to other teams. There are a few different theories on this question. People sometimes look at a team’s performance to help decide whether they will spend the money or not to see their favorite team play up close and personal. Others just decide to cut out the fun stuff altogether because they just can’t afford it in this struggling economy.
According to USF St. Petersburg Journalism major Jordan Gault, “I think that the economy, as well as the Lightning’s performance, has a large affect on the attendance at games.” He (Gault) then added, “Going to a Lightning game is one of the greatest bargains in the NHL (National Hockey League). Other teams in greater and more natural hockey markets pay a lot more for tickets and still fill the seats because of the tradition. All in all, I think the Lightning organization is doing well to think of the fans in these tough economic times.”
On the other hand, USF St. Petersburg Mass Communications major Jamie Kennedy had this to say in regard to the Student Discounts. “I think they (the ticket discounts) are geared more towards the community than the team.” She (Kennedy) then went on to mention that “granted the team does benefit from playing in an atmosphere where they feel everyone is supporting them.” However, according to Kennedy, “The tickets are more to get bodies in the door and get them spending money right away. In the box office there is even a merchandise store. There are also stores and concessions throughout the entire Forum. By saving (money) on a ticket you then have a little extra cash for a t-shirt or a second beer maybe.”
USF St Petersburg Business Major Christine Uphoff agreed with Kennedy, saying, “I think they (the ticket discounts) are very helpful for the team.” Uphoff then went on to add that, “Not only will they (the Lightning) bring in more people because of the discounted prices but I could see this as broadening a new target market by hitting the college students who are known as beer drinkers that will purchase more at concessions when they pay a lower ticket price. They (college students) are also more willing to go to games at a cheap price.”
The Tampa Bay Lightning also offers Fan Appreciation Day promotions to help make the game day experience of all fans’ more enjoyable before the regular season ends and there are no more hockey games to enjoy for a few months. This year’s Fan Appreciation days took place March 24th versus the Columbus Blue Jackets, March 29th versus the Ottawa Senators, April 7th versus the Pittsburgh Penguins and April 9th versus the Washington Capitals. Each had lots of events for fans to take part in. According to Mosley, “They (Tampa Bay Lightning) have created a diversified list of events, giveaways, raffles and unique experiences for fans that revolve around the last four games of the season. Therefore, with such unique experiences such as sitting in the press box to pressing the goal horn for a Tampa Bay Lightning goal these events are truly once in a lifetime. In addition, fans are able to socialize and receive autographs from players as they walk the red carpet of the St. Pete Times Forum. Lastly, one of the most popular events takes place at the end of the final home game and fans that were selected from a raffle are escorted onto the ice and are literally given the jersey off the players’ back.” Sports teams are like retail stores and the Lightning is no exception. Student discounts and Fan Appreciation days are the best way that they (the Lightning) can think of to thank the fans for their support and also gain some added revenue in these difficult economic times. Mosley then added, “(The) Tampa Bay Lightning takes great pride in our fan base and their continued support (of us). These days are truly a time in which we can say thank you and hopefully fulfill a few dreams and create memories for these fans.”
Some people may ask why the Lightning offers more ways to reach out to fans as opposed to other teams. There are a few different theories on this question. People sometimes look at a team’s performance to help decide whether they will spend the money or not to see their favorite team play up close and personal. Others just decide to cut out the fun stuff altogether because they just can’t afford it in this struggling economy.
According to USF St. Petersburg Journalism major Jordan Gault, “I think that the economy, as well as the Lightning’s performance, has a large affect on the attendance at games.” He (Gault) then added, “Going to a Lightning game is one of the greatest bargains in the NHL (National Hockey League). Other teams in greater and more natural hockey markets pay a lot more for tickets and still fill the seats because of the tradition. All in all, I think the Lightning organization is doing well to think of the fans in these tough economic times.”
On the other hand, USF St. Petersburg Mass Communications major Jamie Kennedy had this to say in regard to the Student Discounts. “I think they (the ticket discounts) are geared more towards the community than the team.” She (Kennedy) then went on to mention that “granted the team does benefit from playing in an atmosphere where they feel everyone is supporting them.” However, according to Kennedy, “The tickets are more to get bodies in the door and get them spending money right away. In the box office there is even a merchandise store. There are also stores and concessions throughout the entire Forum. By saving (money) on a ticket you then have a little extra cash for a t-shirt or a second beer maybe.”
USF St Petersburg Business Major Christine Uphoff agreed with Kennedy, saying, “I think they (the ticket discounts) are very helpful for the team.” Uphoff then went on to add that, “Not only will they (the Lightning) bring in more people because of the discounted prices but I could see this as broadening a new target market by hitting the college students who are known as beer drinkers that will purchase more at concessions when they pay a lower ticket price. They (college students) are also more willing to go to games at a cheap price.”
The Tampa Bay Lightning also offers Fan Appreciation Day promotions to help make the game day experience of all fans’ more enjoyable before the regular season ends and there are no more hockey games to enjoy for a few months. This year’s Fan Appreciation days took place March 24th versus the Columbus Blue Jackets, March 29th versus the Ottawa Senators, April 7th versus the Pittsburgh Penguins and April 9th versus the Washington Capitals. Each had lots of events for fans to take part in. According to Mosley, “They (Tampa Bay Lightning) have created a diversified list of events, giveaways, raffles and unique experiences for fans that revolve around the last four games of the season. Therefore, with such unique experiences such as sitting in the press box to pressing the goal horn for a Tampa Bay Lightning goal these events are truly once in a lifetime. In addition, fans are able to socialize and receive autographs from players as they walk the red carpet of the St. Pete Times Forum. Lastly, one of the most popular events takes place at the end of the final home game and fans that were selected from a raffle are escorted onto the ice and are literally given the jersey off the players’ back.” Sports teams are like retail stores and the Lightning is no exception. Student discounts and Fan Appreciation days are the best way that they (the Lightning) can think of to thank the fans for their support and also gain some added revenue in these difficult economic times. Mosley then added, “(The) Tampa Bay Lightning takes great pride in our fan base and their continued support (of us). These days are truly a time in which we can say thank you and hopefully fulfill a few dreams and create memories for these fans.”
No comments:
Post a Comment