Has the boycott been effective so far?

[Byron Bitz]

Seven games in how are we feeling about the boycott? Has attendance been bad enough to send a message to Eugene? Should we continue boycotting?

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[jbeck5]

It's tough. I don't wanna spend money on the team, but the roster itself has my support. As in I'm supporting the players, but not the owner. I don't know how effective that will be.


I've gone to one game via free tickets.

 

[YouGotAStuGoing]

Seven games in how are we feeling about the boycott? Has attendance been bad enough to send a message to Eugene? Should we continue boycotting?

That said, attendance numbers to date are pretty abysmal. We're averaging slightly more than 15,000 per game – and that's tickets distributed, not fans in attendance. That's good for 27th in the league, behind only Carolina, NJ, NYI and Florida for the "top" spot.

I'd expect a minor bump in the near future, unfortunately. Winning has a way of making people forget about their principles, but I'm sticking to my guns. I don't think this team is going in the right direction and won't step foot in CTC as long as Melnyk is still involved. But I do have plans to see them in Montreal and support the players.

 

[The Lewler]

My wallet is thanking me still.

Don't know about Euge's.

 

[PeterSidorkiewicz]

It’s a win/win situation I think. If the team does have success all year I think the boycott will likely die out for awhile but it means that the Sens will have to sign Duchene and Stone or face tons of even more backlash. Especially if they are dealt at the deadline during a potential playoff spot.

If they suck, the attendance numbers will continue to suck.

 

[maclean]

I've been a fan of this team since it was created, but I've also been 'boycotting' them that whole time

 

[starling]

We are in playoff spot, so clearly it's working

edit: oh shit we are not anymore. Boycott intensify!

 

[topshelf15]

Maybe it will help EM to get off his arse and work for his money instead of just crying for it

 

[BonkTastic]

Attendance would suggest that the boycott/lack of ticket sales is real, not whether or not it has been effective.

(As in, we have some data now that reflects that there is in fact a reduced Ottawa Senators fan engagement in the product - whether or not this is due to active protest against the team, or passive disinterest in the product, is probably going to be impossible to tell without some serious market research funding)

The next 1-3 years of decisions from the organization will determine whether or not the lack of fan support through direct revenue streams (whether it be via boycott or otherwise) was EFFECTIVE. It's way too early to tell at this point.

 

[maclean]

We are in playoff spot, so clearly it's working

edit: oh **** we are not anymore. Boycott intensify!

We're better than the whole Metropolitan though

 

[Upgrayedd]

Im a stubborn SOB and pride myself in being a man of my word, as I was very vocal both online and offline over the offseason I haven't gone yet, turned down freebies and don't plan to go until Eugene is out, will likely go to Montreal to take in a game or two this year to get my live hockey fix. It's been nice to save a few bucks and frankly I was more than bored attending the CTC as far as the venue is concerned as really nothing has changed for me as far as fan experience in the last 10 years.

Hope the movement gains further traction and I will continue to do my part!

 

[armani]

I think the comp'd low attendance numbers speak for itself. #MelnykBoycott #EmptyCTC working so far. #MelnykOut in progress.

Boucher's troops are fighting tooth and nails, as unsustainable the results are due to the style which is a result of lack of experienced talent. The team on ice always has my fan support, 240%. Via live TV only until #MelnykOut.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

I would guess that with Melnyk's ego, this kind of thing just galvanizes him that much more to spite those fans that are voicing their displeasure.

Still haven't bought Center Ice for the first time in about 10 years and not buying any memorabilia anymore. Free streams have their drawbacks and obviously that's not making any difference, but hey at least it makes me feel better lol.

 

[coladin]

I think even without a boycott, attendance would have been down based on the abysmal season from last year. There might be 9-10K paid attendance, who knows. People are not going for a variety of reasons: Melnyk, money, apathy, no Karlsson. All of that adds up. Not sure how much you can attribute to each of those variables, but they sure add up.

I think the team is heading in the right direction. Perhaps the trading of Karlsson has accelerated the progress of Lajoie. Or maybe it was in the natural selection of events as young guns were coming anyways.

The team is gaining momentum and I think attendance will improve as the season unfolds. Fans can do what they want with their money. We will know how effective the "boycott", or let's just call it embarrassing attendance, if Stone and Duchene cannot be signed based on horrific revenues. That can easily happen.

 

[hawthy]

I was waiting for a thread like this.

I agree with those who said it's too early to tell. The wins and the losses do not tie in to my decision to support the team financially, as I had done for so long. I'm pumped to see them playing as upstart and engaged as they have for the most part, but it's not what is going to get me to go. If they keep playing well, attendance will definitely improve and will improve again once that Christmas rush/holiday season spike kicks in. I admit there are fans who masqueraded their boycott, whether inadvertently or not, but I'm not one. I can only speak for myself.

And even if I was simply raging against one season of awfulness (which I'm not, and it wasn't), four October wins hardly erases it, anyway. We'll see how this young team navigates the grind as the season progresses (and I hope it's well), but there's no tie in. I won't give my money to liars or idiots, and as brash as that is to say, that's how I feel. They've lied; and changed course; and meddled; and lied some more; and were tone deaf and dumb for far too long. I'm fine with people referring to it as a "boycott", but that only implies an end game, IMO. For me, as much as I want Scrooge and D'Oh gone, I agree with those who say the "boycott" can't directly impact these things, so it's a mere point of principle for me and less of a "boycott to impact change". If they want to maintain status quo, unfortunately, so do I. My faith is gone. That's the problem.

 

[Zorf]

I think even without a boycott, attendance would have been down based on the abysmal season from last year. There might be 9-10K paid attendance, who knows. People are not going for a variety of reasons: Melnyk, money, apathy, no Karlsson. All of that adds up. Not sure how much you can attribute to each of those variables, but they sure add up.

I think the team is heading in the right direction. Perhaps the trading of Karlsson has accelerated the progress of Lajoie. Or maybe it was in the natural selection of events as young guns were coming anyways.

The team is gaining momentum and I think attendance will improve as the season unfolds. Fans can do what they want with their money. We will know how effective the "boycott", or let's just call it embarrassing attendance, if Stone and Duchene cannot be signed based on horrific revenues. That can easily happen.

I didn't expect Stone and Duchene to be signed, even if the fans sold out the building.

 

[Do Make Say Think]

Attendance, with the giveaways, has been dreadful.

We won't know about it's effectiveness (or lack thereof) for a few years. Maybe sooner if attendance levels stay constant for most of the season.

Once the team cools off, and we all know it's coming, we'll get a better idea about how the market really feels about Euge.

 

[BatherSeason]

I didn't expect Stone and Duchene to be signed, even if the fans sold out the building.

Most competent organizations have these extensions ironed out prior to the season, remember, the only reason we traded EK was because "he wasn't willing to be part of the solution", if Mark Stone and Duchene are both willing to be part of the rebuild, as we are being told, then why weren't the extensions signed in the off season? More lies as usual.

This team currently has 7 forwards under contract for next season, right inline with Meldick's prediction of 15 new faces by next year.

 

[Tnuoc Alucard]

Most competent organizations have these extensions ironed out prior to the season, remember, the only reason we traded EK was because "he wasn't willing to be part of the solution", if Mark Stone and Duchene are both willing to be part of the rebuild, as we are being told, then why weren't the extensions signed in the off season? More lies as usual.

This team currently has 7 forwards under contract for next season, right inline with Meldick's prediction of 15 new faces by next year.

Which Franchises would you put forward as am example, of a "competent" organization?

 

[Byron Bitz]

There’s no marketable star on the team. The kind of player people pay to see because he brings you out of your seat with his unreal skill. When you trade that player away attendance is gonna go down.

 

[BatherSeason]

Which Franchises would you put forward as am example, of a "competent" organization?

Name me two franchises in the last 10 years that have let their top 2 players begin the season as UFAs.

 

[DrEasy]

The team is gaining momentum and I think attendance will improve as the season unfolds. Fans can do what they want with their money. We will know how effective the "boycott", or let's just call it embarrassing attendance, if Stone and Duchene cannot be signed based on horrific revenues. That can easily happen.

But we can interpret this both ways, can't we? If Stone and Duchene aren't re-signed, one side can argue that it's because the attendance dropped, and so Melnyk wasn't able to afford to sign those two guys. Alternatively, one could argue that it's a sign that the boycott wasn't effective enough in persuading Melnyk to spend, keep the stars and have a competitive team.

 

[GCK]

Sedins 2013
Thornton and Marleau 2014.

 

[thinkwild]

I'm personally not really boycotting as im also a little dubious about how how much it will impact change. Also i dont want to boycott as i want to have some nights out with friends and family going to games. I will start Melnyk Out chants when i go though.

Looking at the attendance numbers so far, they are down, but not massively as if there were a mass boycott. I am however voting with my wallet as it seems are many others. Melnyks words have had an effect on my desire to support the team. He is the main one who has impacted change in my ticket buying behavior. Not the fact that the team is losing.

It would be very easy for me to imagine a good owner setting a tone of competence, saying i know its hard but we need to rebuild. We have to face the reality that we are a small market so we need to focus on small market strategies. Not to say we wont spend when the time is right, but at this time we have to make difficult decisions and we will be back. For now enjoy the kids growing and know we have a plan.

But Melnyk is not competent. His messaging is affecting ticket sales. Dont need to boycott, the message is well known

 

[GCK]

I haven’t gone to a game for a couple of years but really looking forward to tomorrow night. I’m not overtly supporting Melnyk but the team is FINALLY playing entertaining hockey.