Wildcats aren't running their handy member count this year, sadly. Hoping to get updated numbers at the season launch on friday. Of course, when I picked up the member pack for me and missus there were boxes and boxes and boxes of the things, so I'm cautiously optimistic we'll maintain last year's total at least.

I heard about a month ago that it was down quite substantially.

Townsville has 1300 people renewed but I am not sure about new members.

As per the recent media release, the Tigers are claiming that they might be able to sell out The Cage on memberships alone (capacity 3500). Now, keeping in mind that plenty of members are 7 gamers, are they suggesting a likely membership of 4,000 or 5,000?

@Situation

Down from 8k or down on the year-by-year? Because it wasn't until part way through the season that we finally hit 8k, and it took a while for people to start signing up as they realised the NBL had started...

Wouldn't surprise me to hear they've overreached this year though, there was a bit too much greed going on...

Not sure exactly how they were down. I assumed down on last years total.

I thought we got to 8k just in time for the start of the home games (5 weeks in to the season)?

I don't think we hit 8k until a few weeks past that point, but I'd have to go digging. I know we picked up a few hundred further from casuals signing up as the year went on, up until quite late in the season.

The jump in membership and gate prices was really unnecessary. From what I've heard, we were well, WELL above the break-even point all season in 12/13.

Don't help that they put the price up for new members. Greedy, that's what i think. $1000 for platnum and now ure no where near as close like it was at chalenge + parking for two ppl ure looking at $2150 that's with out food and drinks. Wonder how much profit the cats made last season?

Their profit/loss report is available here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l91ISfcuzDw

Running a business, yes. Greedy, no.

hahaha

"Greedy" for a business is stepping over that point where you start to lose more attendees than the price increase compensates for.

Btw, the breakeven point, as I heard it, was 7,500.

7500 as members or as attendees?

It's not really greed. They are trying to make a profit and did so last year. If the pricing structure allows for that profit to continue then they doing things properly.

Yes but at the same time you dont want to piss off your customers (loyal members and supporters) by charging far more than they probably should. If the mail is saying theres a reduction in members , following a season where team finished 2nd, then that would suggest that a number of people (how many i dont know) are dissastified one way or another. I wouldnt be surprised if cost of tickets is a major factor. Its a factor for me.

I understand the need to charge high prices for the luxury of enjoying the arena and all it offers, and watching a good team, but if they are jacking up the costs to ridiculous levels when they dont need to, then thats a bit of greed coming into play in my opinion.

Yeah, if it backfires then it's their own fault but a business that increases prices is not being greedy. They may have had a rise in their own expenses, or a drop in sponsorship revenue.

Townsville were once the most fiscally sound club in the league and then started jacking their prices up to compensate for fewer attendees. Then everything snowballed from there...

Some of Townsville ticket prices are quite high but I think the 'Breakwater' section is well priced.

Townsville prices are now excellent, just paid $235 for my season ticket, which was over $300 last year in the same seats. $16.80 per game. Back two rows are as cheap as $9 a game and $30 something for a family of four. Bottom level seats are still up there, with court side floor seats added, but upper section has been made much cheaper to get more bums on seats.

Good thinking from Townsville, good to read

Absolutely kr.

It was one of the first things reidy said he'd fix after getting the top job and he did it.

I was just about what happened under the previous regime post-Barry Gibson.

Sounds good from Townsville. A full stadium makes for a better atmosphere, better word of mouth and likely keener sponsors.

Bit worried about Townsville this season with signing up new members. Their online member sing-up hasn't even been set up yet, I understand there has been a lot of work to do.