Tickets are dirt-cheap, though. What do people in Phoenix possibly have to lose by going to see a team that's performing well? Even if the worst happens and the team leaves, you're only out what, 10-20 bucks a seat? If anything this is the time when people who want the team to stay SHOULD be going to games. If you're completely apathetic when the survival of the team itself is on the line, why would you suddenly start to care later?
That is not really the case this year. Revenue is up 40% because there are no deep discounts on tickets. Upper bowl tickets for the Coyotes are priced higher than the NBA Sun's tickets. I am sure the average ticket price is less than many markets, but the cheapest single game seats are around $36. My lower bowl seats are about $110 each. As to the rest of your comment, I would only cite to Daly's recent statement that this is the first time in NHL history an ower (Moyes) actually tried to damage a market. As a STH, I was getting statements from Moyes' attorneys in the bankruptcy court last year warning me not to renew or I would stand as an unsecured creditor. There is zero marketing presence in the Valley. The only real marketing is getting players on local sports radio. And since the big dog in town for sports radio is KTAR, which hosts the Suns, Cardinals and D-Backs, as well as ASU sports, doesn't carry the Coyotes, as you may expect, there is not a lot of Coyote talk on that station.
I do agree, however, that if this owner actually runs this team successfully, then Phoenix is pretty much out of excuses. However, even the new owner doesn't think the fans will come back in earnest for at least a couple of years given all the damage that has been done to the organization. I would expect to see an uptick in actual attendance by the end of this year (assuming the team stays in the playoff hunt). But actual revenue will be significantly improved as the price per ticket will be more in line with typical NHL standards.
