The accompanying picture isn’t there only to honor one of my favorite movies of recent years, but to also point out how much I’m enjoying my new gig. See, in my TV days, I used to go to work dressed much like the fictional Ron Burgundy. (Now that I mention it, I think I used to own that exact suit. And that hair….vintage Panos from the high school days!) Now, instead of suits and ties, I get to dress like the bum who greeted you in Sunday morning’s Lowell Sun.
A couple of other bonuses; No more hearing comments like “Gee Teddy, you have a face made for radio.� Plus, when my voice disappears like it has due to a bad cold the past couple of days, you still can’t shut me up!
Today marks the first of what will be periodic postings addressing reader comments, questions, and any other random thoughts I don’t want to lug around in my demented mind. (It’s also because I can’t think of anything creative to write. But, ssssshhhhh! Please don’t tell my bosses I’m already out of ideas!)
First off, thank you to all who’ve visited and passed along well wishes and feedback. Without you this won’t work, so your continued support is not only encouraged, but necessary. And make sure to tell a friend, and they’ll tell two friends, and they’ll tell two friends, and so on, and so on. (Sorry, every now and then I flashback to bad commercials from my youth)
Anyway, back to the questions and comments:
Chris wanted to know why he can’t get to specific categories like the Bruins when he clicks on them.
Well, the answer to that is because there’s nothing there yet. As soon as we post something about the Bruins (Somethin’s Bruin), Celtics (Green Pastures), Red Sox (Noise from the Nation) or the colleges and high schools (School Daze), you’ll be able to access those areas and have your voice heard.
In response to my Lock Monsters post, Huskiesfan21 writes: “I refuse to believe that the delays in the opening of the Tsongas Arena was the primary reason for the failure of the Lock Monsters� and “that was 10 years ago. Could we please stop using that as an excuse.�
Well, my canine friend, those delays cost the Lock Monsters valuable time in promoting their product and led to front office turnover before the first puck was dropped. I know of at least one key front office employee who left a job in another state, relocated his entire family here, then had to move on again because he couldn’t afford to wait the extra time for his next paycheck. Was the initial delay the only reason for the Monsters failure? Far from it. But when a sports franchise can’t gain any momentum right off the bat, it’s doomed to fail.
Donny Nascahh (Oh God! Tell me I’m not going to have to start talking auto racing) wants to know if it’s true that in the Bill Belichick era, the Patriots have never lost to the same team twice in the same season.
Sorry Donny! That one’s false. In 2000, Belichick’s first year in charge, both the Jets and Dolphins swept the Pats.
Reacting to my New Year’s Resolutions, Steve from Lowell starts a sentence with; “You are flippin crazy…�
Truer words were never spoken
then comes up with a nickname for the Indianapolis Colts Quarterback that I’ll be sure to steal; “Peytricia Womanning�
Good stuff Steve!
Philly Cheesesteaks and Legend Killer write; “Teddy Panos---An intelligent voice on the Boston sports scene� and “Ted, Finally a sports blogger that knows a little something about sports.�
Thanks Mom and Dad
And one final observation; It didn’t take long for that Red Sox-Yankees rivalry to spring up on the site. For a minute there, I thought I was listening (or is that reading) to the Mustard & Johnson show on WEEI.
Keep up the good work gang, and keep those comments coming!
Comments (5)
Teddy:
Continuing to utilize the delay in the opening of Tsongas Arena as a valid reason for your franchise is a poor excuse. If you recall, the Spinners had to wait an extra year for the opening of LeLacheur Field because of construction delays. They seem to have turned out OK after playing at a converted high school field for two seasons.
Neither of those two Spinners teams was anywhere close to competitive. Few of them have. The Lock Monsters won a division title right out of the chute, plus they've been to the playoffs a few other times. That, coupled with the fact that the Lock Monsters are one level below the NHL are two great selling points.
Unfortunately, those are selling points that were never properly seized upon. As I said in my earlier post, promotion has never been a strong point with the Lock Monsters. And though I understand the upheaval and uncertainty that accompanied the team in the early going, there has been near constant turnover among executives and sales staff alike, something Barry pointed out in his article.
I'd be displeased if the team left because whenever my kids and I go to the games we have a great time, but if blame is to be leveled there needs to be some serious looks in the mirror by the Monsters organization. I applaud Elkin McCallum for his efforts to keep the team in his hometown, but even the shrewdest poker players have to cash in their chips sometimes.
Posted by Huskiesfan21 | January 11, 2006 7:11 AM
Posted on January 11, 2006 07:11
Lets be honest about this if you are going to continue to go after the marketing department for the Lock Monsters.
I, for one think they have done a good job marketing the Lock Monsters.
Let's look at some of the issues they have to deal with.
1)I think Ted was right one about the Lock Monsters limited appeal. There is alot of competion for you entertainment dollar in Lowell.
2) The Riverhawks - The Monsters are the only AHL team that has to share its arena, and thus its fan base with a college team. UML tickets are cheaper, and if I had a child that was into hockey, I would want them to focus more on the college style of play than the goonery that the AHL game can often degrade to.
3) Too far from NHL team - Many of the more succesful AHL teams are in the same state or even the same city as their parent team. Look at the Maple Leaves and Flyers for a couple examples.
4) The AHL is a tough business - More than 50% of the AHL teams that were in the league when the Monsters joined have moved. I think that says alot about how hard it is to make an AHL team work.
5) Changing faces - It is really hard to have a star or
players that the fans can get into, cause the roster
changes so much in season. I beleive this limits the fan
base as well. At least with college hockey I know I'm going
to get to watch a kid develop over 4 years.
The bottom line is the numbers. The Lock Monsters have, at best, averaged 4,100 fans per game. I really believe that is their max fan base. They can't make money at 4,100 a game, so they are gone, it's as simple as that. I feel really bad for all the Lock Monsters fans, I know how bad I would be hurting if they dropped D1 hockey at UML.
Posted by UML_Dan | January 11, 2006 9:44 PM
Posted on January 11, 2006 21:44
I have to admit the marketing of the team to the fans was there.They were practically giving tickets away. scotts mobil on middlesex st was giving away tix for free with a $10 purchase at their pump.We held season tix the first year...dropped them the next.In the inaugural season all season ticket holders were promised "official game jerseys" what we got 3 months late were a mesh type like shirt similiar to football practice shirts. Although disappointed it was not the reason I didnt renew.I think Tom Rowe is an excellent coach. And yes it is hard for fans to take this league seriously when at anytime your "key players" ones youve rooted for all year get swiped from your team when the parent club makes the playoffs. I almost wish theyd become a seperate league of their own.
Posted by Donny Nascahh | January 11, 2006 11:21 PM
Posted on January 11, 2006 23:21
I don't want my comments in anyway to be construed as beating the team down. That's not my point. And I'm surely not saying that nothing was done to market the team. The marketing of the team was VERY limited; what was done was not enough.
Giving away tickets is not a viable marketing ploy. I'd bet a vast majority of people who utilize comps won't return be in a hurry to return if they have to pay the next time. Why pay for tickets when you can get them for free by buying $10 in gas, something you need anyway?
Manchester has banged out its building and led the league in attendance for each of the last three seasons. There is quite a bit competing for the entertainment dollar up there as well, including a Double-A baseball team and a Division I college hockey team half an hour away, not to mention restaurants, clubs, galleries, etc. The Monarchs advertise in two newspapers and on radio. And, like the Spinners, have utilized original promotional opportunities like Mullet Night, that got Barry Melrose to come in and gave the team a ridiculous amount of publicity on ESPN.
I agree with Donny that AHL teams are a tough sell, and I agree with UML Dan that 4,100 is about their max fan base. But unfortunately, that's not a number that's going to work. They have been an entertaining team and they will be missed if they close up shop. Makes me wish I could win a ridiculous amount of money and buy in.
Anyone have any thoughts about wooing an American Basketball League franchise? There are nine franchises within an eight-hour drive, including Long Island, Rochester, Northeast Penn., Montreal, Newark, Harlem and Buffalo. There are a total of 39 teams across the country. There is a team in Boston -- the Boston Frenzy -- that is scheduled to play around the region in Haverhill, Bourne, Madison Park, Keene, New Bedford, etc. In other words, no definitive homecourt.
Any thoughts?
Posted by Huskiesfan21 | January 12, 2006 12:31 AM
Posted on January 12, 2006 00:31
Teddy, Beware the avian - I mean - Oriole flu! How can you overlook Baltimore. I think they will be vastly improve and give the Red Sox a run for the AL East wildcard spot. While their pitching is only slightly improved, their offense is going to be much better than Boston's. Mora, Tejada and Gibbon will be rockin' and rollin' all summer long. They'll combine for 90 homers, at least. For Rotisserie fans, grab Gibbon now! He's heading into his prime year. Plus the Sox, with crybaby Theo back, are passe! They'll be lucky to clinch third place ahead of Toronto.
Posted by Shroud of Turin | February 18, 2006 4:27 PM
Posted on February 18, 2006 16:27