Name Change Already Having Major Impact

[teeray]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2013-08-02/charlotte-hornets-name-change-bobcats-rebrand-ticket-sales-team-store-shop

 

 

Without even taking the court as the Hornets—that won't happen until 2014—there has been an immediate impact on one of the NBA's most forlorn franchises.

 

 

Most notably, new ticket sales are up 59 percent from last year.

"What's really encouraging about that is the vast majority of those people have taken advantage of the two-year season ticket program," Guelli said.

 

The two-year plan involves buying tickets for the final season of the Bobcats, the upcoming 2013-14 season, and also the return of the Hornets in 2014-15. The price over two seasons is frozen.

 

The story is equally encouraging on the season ticket renewal side, where the Bobcats are up 11 percent year-over-year, already surpassing last year's renewal number with months to go until the preseason begins in October. Many of those fans renewing also have taken advantage of the two-year ticket plan offered to new season ticket buyers.

 

To put those numbers in perspective, an industry source tells Sporting News the Bobcats are in the NBA's top 10 for new season ticket sales for next season. The Bobcats ranked 24th in home attendance last season.

 

 

The new Hornets uniforms, logos and other gear have not been unveiled, but the team created two sub-brands—"Back the Buzz" and "Buzz City"—using familiar colors to begin building interest. The "Back the Buzz" gear is so popular it had a 100 percent sell-through rate and has the team chasing additional inventory.

 

"A slow window turned into a hot sales opportunity," Guelli said. "The sales in our team stores have doubled this summer from where they were last year."

 

The rebrand isn't without cost—a price tag of at least $3 million, according to the Charlotte Observer—but recouping that cost might not take as long as the big figure would lead skeptics to believe.

 

"We're almost there right now," Guelli said. "The fact that (ticket sales) are going to occur over a two-year period

... When we calculate those numbers on top of what we know we're going to do from sponsors, we're almost there, so moving forward we'll be looking at upside."

 

 

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Yeah, I saw a tweet about this earlier.

Hopefully that means when I go to games, the nearest person is not sitting 6 seats away from me.

[teeray]

Yeah, I saw a tweet about this earlier.

Hopefully that means when I go to games, the nearest person is not sitting 6 seats away from me.

 

The most shocking thing in the article to me was the fact that they claim that they have already recouped most of the re-brand cost.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

The most shocking thing in the article to me was the fact that they claim that they have already recouped most of the re-brand cost.

Yeah, that's insane.

The profit's they make are going to be ridiculous.

[wareagleflyboy]

Do they make any money off of vintage hornets gear?  Its ridiculous that they want $35 for a t shirt, but it would also explain all of the profit.

[Captain Morgan]

the people have spoken.  Charlotte loves the Hornets, and will support them.

[AppStatePanther]

All those new season ticket holders only care about whitewashing Charlotte's sports history. I bet Riley Cooper got him some.

Bunch of hicks.

[Hotsauce]

You guyz really should have given Bob Johnson a chance to build up the Bobcats name, instead of running him out of the city...

Said no one ever....

Well, maybe one person....

[Kakarot]

You guyz really should have given Bob Johnson a chance to build up the Bobcats name, instead of running him out of the city...

Said no one ever....

Well, maybe one person....

You were one of the people who cried and complained about the one guy your talking about.  Now your antagonizing him, knowing he can't come back on here to say something...

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

If The city of Charlotte was Magic Johnson the Bob Johnson was the HIV.

Still traces of Bob around here unfortunately.

[Hotsauce]

You were one of the people who cried and complained about the one guy your talking about.  Now your antagonizing him, knowing he can't come back on here to say something...

Yep, whut you gonna do about it???

[Kakarot]

Yep, whut you gonna do about it???

Lol, I can't do nothing. This is the net. Pretty scary move on your part, but then again, you are the same guy who cried and complained to get a guy banned on the internet. It's expected of ya.

[Cat]

My 6 almost 7 year old has only known the Bobcats and has been to many games. He's upset about the name change. I however am happy.

[TylerDurden]

I'm confident he'll grow to love the Hornets.  At that age, if he's familiar with the players, it will definitely help with the transition.  No kid can resist Hugo with "Charlotte" across his chest.