Senators look for ways to lure back fans
The NHL lockout isn’t over yet, but the Ottawa Senators are already trying to figure out how to convince disgruntled hockey fans to return to Scotiabank Place. A poll sent out to past ticket buyers Monday offers up a slate of potential incentives — including free parking and two-for-one tickets — and asks respondents how likely they would be to take advantage.
The NHL lockout isn’t over yet, but the Ottawa Senators are already trying to figure out how to convince disgruntled hockey fans to return to Scotiabank Place.
A poll sent out to past ticket buyers Monday offers up a slate of potential incentives — including free parking and two-for-one tickets — and asks respondents how likely they would be to take advantage.
“As you are most likely aware, the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association are negotiating a new Collective Bargaining agreement which has delayed the beginning of the Ottawa Senators season,” the introduction to the online poll reads.
“Despite this reality, we continue to value your ongoing support of the Senators and remain hopeful a new agreement can be reached as soon as possible so that we can get back to watching the world’s greatest game with the world’s greatest fans.”
After asking fans whether or not they’re looking forward to the Senators playing again and how much the work stoppage has affected their interest in the team, the poll asks them to rate discounts on a scale from “definitely would not purchase” to “definitely would purchase.”
“As a ‘thank you’ to our fans for your loyal support, we are considering offering fans that purchase 2012-2013 Senators individual game tickets the following benefits. If offered, please indicate how likely would each of the following fan benefits make you purchase tickets to a Senators game.”
The team offers increased availability Metro Family 4 Packs, two-for-one tickets, 30 per cent of all concessions on game day and free parking vouchers
Perhaps sensing some early backlash, the team also asks respondents how likely they would be to take advantage of free parking in addition to one of the other incentives for the first five games of the season.
The poll also tries to gauge how quickly fans will return to the rink, asking in which month they’re most likely to attend a game if a new season starts in December.
Like many businesses, hockey teams regularly seek out their customers’ opinions on a variety of topics.
The stakes are particularly high for the NHL right now, however, due to intense anger over the second lockout in less that a decade.
The NHL immediately tried to make amends after the last work stoppage wiped out the 2004-2005 season.
In addition to ticket discounts offered by individual teams, the league emblazoned “Thank You Fans” messages on the ice and handed out miniature Stanley Cup replicas on opening night.
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Not to beat this over the head because I’ve made myself clear in the past, but a new GM after the new season or after Murray’s contract expires would bring me back in a hurry. And by new GM I don’t mean Tim Murray. As far as this fan is concerned, Bryan Murray’s eternal message about prospects would be great if he were GM of Bingo, but he’s managing the Pro Team and that team has seemingly been stuck in neutral since he’s been the GM.
You can talk about the cupboard being bare all you want, but it’s the NHL GM’s job to make the team win. Scouting and prospects are a small part of the equation and other factors include coach selection (It took him FOUR coaches), free agent selection (poor) and pro player evaluation (average to poor). Simply put, Murray is a great builder but a poor finisher and it’s no shock that the Ottawa Senators have performed best when the GM has been on the hot seat and not when they have been given a long tenure and carte blanche.
Just my two cents but this fan will return in force when a new GM with a new voice will come back behind the bench.