Interesting approach on how to get more fans

[Weez]

to actually attend games. Living in Memphis and having just purchased an 11 game weekend package (yes, they have a package that limits games to mostly/entirely on the weekends...and that happened ot be the only package that included the Hawks' one visit here...so it was a no brainer), I found this article to be pretty revolutionary.

Kudos to the Grizz...

'Brutally' honest advisers give Grizzlies an earful

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By David Williams

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September 14, 2006

They talked beer prices and traffic flow. They talked hip-hop music and halftime entertainment.

It was the introductory meeting of the Grizzlies management team and the new Fan Advisory Board. But some of the board's 40 members seemed to be in regular-season form and ready to address the franchise's admitted challenges -- right now.

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Season-ticket holder Michael Fahy, speaking amid some pointed comments from his fellow advisers, commended the team for having the "the guts" to assemble the board.

"I've never heard of a professional organization reaching out and asking to have people be involved to, in essence, look over their shoulder and give them feedback," Fahy, president of Prime Development Group Inc., said after the two-hour session. Various comments during a question-and-answer segment suggested the fans will be honest with their feelings.

"Brutally," Fahy said with a smile.

One adviser suggested the hip-hop music heard at FedExForum is out of tune with the audience. Another suggested an old-school approach -- organ music.

One lamented the lack of "can't-miss" halftime entertainment acts. Another wondered why players don't do more to acknowledge the fans.

But during Tuesday night's meeting at FedExForum, the blunt talk wasn't limited to the advisers.

"We failed at general concessions, I think everybody is going to agree," said Andy Dolich, Grizzlies president of business operations.

"It only matters what you do. So all kinds of promises and all kinds of free food here (at the board meeting) -- you know what? That's nice, but that's not going to cut it.

"The hot stuff should be hot, the cold stuff should be cold, and it should be served" -- with a snap of his fingers -- "like that.

"And we have to get that right. No promises. We just have to do a better job."

It was a continuation of the team's public acknowledgement that changes are necessary after attendance dropped by more than 1,000 per game last season.

The Grizzlies have lowered many season-ticket prices, created an NBA-low $5-a-game season ticket, cut the price of bottled water, hired a new director of promotions and event presentation, remade the roster with a nod toward athleticism, and formed the advisory board.

But Dolich also defended the franchise, saying that harsh critics make up a small part of the audience.

He also noted that concession prices at a major league sporting events are naturally higher than elsewhere. Having attended a Washington Redskins NFL game, he reported a bottled water price of $5.

The Grizzlies' $4 bottle of water was heavily criticized last season, becoming something of a symbol for all the franchise's flaws. The price has been cut to $3.

Robert Garcia, assistant director of operations for Forum food-service provider Levy Restaurant, said a bottle of water and a hamburger are cheaper than at Redbirds games at AutoZone Park.

After the meeting, candidates for the team's public address announcer job auditioned and were graded by the advisers.

-- David Williams: 529-2310