The Championship really is head and shoulders above any other second tier comp in any sport worldwide.
I thought this table which someone posted on Twitter was very interesting:
It shows that our average attendance, although not great by A-League standards, actually wouldn't look out of place in a lot of leagues. Also, it's only really in the top 10 leagues in the world that average attendance is 15k plus.
But the really interesting thing is the relatively low number of games the A-League plays compared to other leagues. If the main concern of the FFA is TV rights money then that's where the single biggest multiplier is for them. They need a lot more games being played. Which means expansion. Which means they are not seriously going to consider giving the Phoenix the boot over perceived poor crowds, or even poor TV ratings. As long as the Nix are financially stable then they are worth much more to the FFA in terms of the extra games they generate (an extra 3 rounds under the current format) than any other factor.
Sure, the FFA will always want teams to do better in terms of crowds and ratings than they are, but when your league plays less than half the number of games than most of the major leagues in the world their main focus will surely be expand, expand, expand.
not wanting to be negative but surely the less games in the A-League is skewing this figure slightly?
Of course you could argue that if we did play 300+ games like the other leagues we could continue to average 13k but my gut feeling is it would drop off.
Plus does this include finals series - I don't know what the figures are for those games but I imagine that they are well attended and that would boost our figures.
I thought this table which someone posted on Twitter was very interesting:
It shows that our average attendance, although not great by A-League standards, actually wouldn't look out of place in a lot of leagues. Also, it's only really in the top 10 leagues in the world that average attendance is 15k plus.
But the really interesting thing is the relatively low number of games the A-League plays compared to other leagues. If the main concern of the FFA is TV rights money then that's where the single biggest multiplier is for them. They need a lot more games being played. Which means expansion. Which means they are not seriously going to consider giving the Phoenix the boot over perceived poor crowds, or even poor TV ratings. As long as the Nix are financially stable then they are worth much more to the FFA in terms of the extra games they generate (an extra 3 rounds under the current format) than any other factor.
Sure, the FFA will always want teams to do better in terms of crowds and ratings than they are, but when your league plays less than half the number of games than most of the major leagues in the world their main focus will surely be expand, expand, expand.
not wanting to be negative but surely the less games in the A-League is skewing this figure slightly?
Of course you could argue that if we did play 300+ games like the other leagues we could continue to average 13k but my gut feeling is it would drop off.
Plus does this include finals series - I don't know what the figures are for those games but I imagine that they are well attended and that would boost our figures.
nope only includes regular season figures 5x27=135
so if you include finals the average would be way, way better
Personally I think it is all a relative issue. The Nix play in a huge stadium built in a wrong shape with a capacity for the rare full-house crowd. Once that is absorbed by the d**keads in the MSM, they would stop gassing on about "only 8,000 spectators, poor turnout" garbage.
I grew up in football obsessed continental Europe in a city of the size of Wellington or Christchurch. Our stadium held 25,000 max and was probably full to the brim only once in my days, and that's when our home team was in the national Cup finals. That is in a country with no other sport anywhere near football in popularity, where the national league games were not televised (not the regular league games, only the important ones like finals etc).
So I really don't buy into that argument of "poor crowds" because they should not be seen in absolute terms, but only in relative terms. For the size of the city, we're doing really well with the Nix local supporters. And we should always buy a beer or two for the visiting opposition fans, for their trouble and for swelling the gate takings. We need these guys too, and if the club was savvy they could offer the visiting fans cheap accommodation package near the grounds, or something similar. This could be subsidised by the accommodation providers.
Agree, 8k is actually a great crowd. The stadium we play in is what's the problem, it's far too big.
We should be proud of our crowds!
Imagine how the poor buggers at "Georgie Pie Super Bore" must feel like, getting less than 100 ppl per game LOL
If only someone had the courage and organisational nouse to have found an option for a more realistic stadium and to drive it until it happened instead of making sure they got their face in the paper for five minutes and then dropped it.
Stadium ready for a revamp says its designer
Ideas include:
- Replace the corrugated iron walls and glaze it all the way round
- Put bleachers on the sidelines closer to the pitch
- Bring the crowd closer by closing off the top rows and dropping a curtain from the corporate boxes
- Install a roof using a light but strong ETFE bubble-plastic roof supported by four big columns inside the stadium
- Change the business model so that you can go to the game for free but have to pay-per-view on TV
Stadium ready for a revamp says its designer
Ideas include:
- Replace the corrugated iron walls and glaze it all the way round
- Put bleachers on the sidelines closer to the pitch
- Bring the crowd closer by closing off the top rows and dropping a curtain from the corporate boxes
- Install a roof using a light but strong ETFE bubble-plastic roof supported by four big columns inside the stadium
- Change the business model so that you can go to the game for free but have to pay-per-view on TV
And when it rains?
- Install a roof using a light but strong ETFE bubble-plastic roof supported by four big columns inside the stadium
- Install a roof using a light but strong ETFE bubble-plastic roof supported by four big columns inside the stadium
I read them as separate ideas.
Is "knock it down - start again" an option?
All it needs is a long freight train to have a failure and power through the end of the yards... of course the driver would miraculously survive.
I read them as separate ideas.
I think they all are, but not sure some of them can be mutually exclusive.
Is "knock it down - start again" an option?
All it needs is a long freight train to have a failure and power through the end of the yards... of course the driver would miraculously survive.
How about a runaway train with no driver?
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
Stadium ready for a revamp says its designer
Ideas include:
- Replace the corrugated iron walls and glaze it all the way round
- Put bleachers on the sidelines closer to the pitch
- Bring the crowd closer by closing off the top rows and dropping a curtain from the corporate boxes
- Install a roof using a light but strong ETFE bubble-plastic roof supported by four big columns inside the stadium
- Change the business model so that you can go to the game for free but have to pay-per-view on TV
And when it rains?
Tbh - the last time it rained we were getting wet even quite near the back. If you are after bigger crowds then when it rains someone's going to get wet regardless (unless you do put a roof on). Bring a raincoat.
I actually don't think that it's the maddest idea ever. If the curtains were done as some kind of massive tifo looking thing it could look pretty cool. Something along these lines...
Like the idea of glazing all the way round too.
Is "knock it down - start again" an option?
All it needs is a long freight train to have a failure and power through the end of the yards... of course the driver would miraculously survive.
How about a runaway train with no driver?
Denzel Washington would most likely pop up and save the day, the little prick. Just in the film "Actually Quite Stoppable, As It Turns Out" (released 2010 iirc).
Stadium ready for a revamp says its designer
Ideas include:
- Replace the corrugated iron walls and glaze it all the way round
- Put bleachers on the sidelines closer to the pitch
- Bring the crowd closer by closing off the top rows and dropping a curtain from the corporate boxes
- Install a roof using a light but strong ETFE bubble-plastic roof supported by four big columns inside the stadium
<snip>
Why the fudge didn't he design the stadium like this in the first place. SharkCod.
Yellow Fever - Misery loves company
particularly covering up the great harbour and city views with corrugated iron. Bizarre.
Most of the rest is obvious - cricket and taking shortcuts to save money.
If it was not built like it is we would have been watching rugger at athletic park still.
Yes it does not work but it is far better than what there was
I think that's part of the problem though. "It's better than what we currently have" is fairly short term thinking.
That is NZ though. Like a three lane terrace tunnel. What fudgeing moron thought that a good idea
Right throughout New Zealand there should have been a two lane each way highway and a tunnel through the Rimutakas when the Americans offered to do it in 1953. We have to always do things either on the cheap or minimalistic.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The US were doing a lot of civil engineering projects around the world in the 50s, so it isn't completely far-fetched. It does seem more likely to have been something the WWII Marines offered to do. Plenty of roads around Kapiti (including what is now SH1) were built by the Marines stationed at what is now Queen Elizabeth Park.
Right throughout New Zealand there should have been a two lane each way highway and a tunnel through the Rimutakas when the Americans offered to do it in 1953. We have to always do things either on the cheap or minimalistic.
I see you've been to Christchurch and seen how the residential repair programme is progressing?
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
when the Americans put the train 4unnel through, they offered to do a 2nd one for half the price and the Govt of the day turned it down. I wojld have thought either a tunnel or build a road along the bottom of the hills would have been the wisest course. But instead we have spent millions more on maintaining a dangerous road.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
when the Americans put the train 4unnel through, they offered to do a 2nd one for half the price and the Govt of the day turned it down. I wojld have thought either a tunnel or build a road along the bottom of the hills would have been the wisest course. But instead we have spent millions more on maintaining a dangerous road.
And the Americans only wanted bases all over NZ for 1000 years
when the Americans put the train 4unnel through, they offered to do a 2nd one for half the price and the Govt of the day turned it down. I wojld have thought either a tunnel or build a road along the bottom of the hills would have been the wisest course. But instead we have spent millions more on maintaining a dangerous road.
And the Americans only wanted bases all over NZ for 1000 years
So?
when the Americans put the train 4unnel through, they offered to do a 2nd one for half the price and the Govt of the day turned it down. I wojld have thought either a tunnel or build a road along the bottom of the hills would have been the wisest course. But instead we have spent millions more on maintaining a dangerous road.
And the Americans only wanted bases all over NZ for 1000 years
So?
(---)
Please fix the fudgeing auto correct. I don't want people thinking i can't spel.
Nonsense. We know you can spel.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
when the Americans put the train 4unnel through, they offered to do a 2nd one for half the price and the Govt of the day turned it down. I wojld have thought either a tunnel or build a road along the bottom of the hills would have been the wisest course. But instead we have spent millions more on maintaining a dangerous road.
One of the most fun drives around.
If you don't like the road stay off it, (catch the train) as old granddad drivers ruin the drive for the rest of us that can drive.
I think that's part of the problem though. "It's better than what we currently have" is fairly short term thinking.
That is NZ though. Like a three lane terrace tunnel. What fudgeing moron thought that a good idea
Someone with a Mole type drill that was three lanes wide probably
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/64117821...
"It's challenging in Wellington at the moment and it's not just the sevens, it's everybody.
"Go and talk to the Phoenix," he said. "We are not unlike other promoters in the city in that we are nervous. The appetite of Wellingtonians to go to events has changed, hopefully not permanently, but certainly significantly and it's going to put some things at risk, it really is."
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
I think that's part of the problem though. "It's better than what we currently have" is fairly short term thinking.
That is NZ though. Like a three lane terrace tunnel. What fudgeing moron thought that a good idea
Realistically the 2nd tunnel just adds to the congestion without the southbound dog-leg route improved and basin reserve/Mt Vic Tunnel within budget and underway.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/64117821...
"It's challenging in Wellington at the moment and it's not just the sevens, it's everybody.
"Go and talk to the Phoenix," he said. "We are not unlike other promoters in the city in that we are nervous. The appetite of Wellingtonians to go to events has changed, hopefully not permanently, but certainly significantly and it's going to put some things at risk, it really is."
Why talk to the phoenix? Ours is the only crowd that hasn't deteriorated significantly.
Allegedly
But I think the point is that Wgtn is not a good place for attracting crowds and it hasn't been for a few seasosns now.
Really does add further weight to a smaller stadium somewhere...
The Sevens however I think is a mature (senescent?) market and is probably in it's death throes.
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
If you threaten them then they will not come
Auckland will rise once more
If you threaten them then they will not come
I don't think that is the problem. People who are reading long, in depth, articles about the Phoenix are likely the ones who showed up today, they are the real fans. It seems Auckland is not interested. You can't blame the management teams to mention that they need certain numbers to break even. 11k is a piss poor performance.