Friday, August 09, 2013

Tampa Sports Have a Problem

The Tampa Bay Rays have one of the lowest attendance rates in major league baseball. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers pre-season game was more than half empty tonight. This will be the third season of TV blackouts.

So what's the problem?

Is it the product? NFL is at its peak in viewership and revenue. The Rays are winning and in a fight for the AL East, so the product isn't the product.

Could it be the Customer eXperience? Maybe. Residents do not like the Trop - the Rays indoor stadium. The Bucs experience at club level ($249 per ticket) is quite nice actually. Pricey but nice.

Can it be the price or is it the economy? Rays tickets are cheap but a family of four would spend some money on tickets, parking, food and drink. However, the hockey team - the Lightning - had a great attendance record last year, even with a shortened season due to a labor dispute.

Is there friction preventing ticket sales?

Is it the tribe? Have the owners or the team somehow lost their tribe of fans?

What does this have to do with you?

If your sales aren't where you want them to be, check the items I listed - price, sales friction, CX, the product itself and the tribe leadership. Your customers - especially your raving fans - are your tribe. Your employees are your tribe. What little things can you do to improve?

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