My letter to the Blazers re: why I didn't renew

Hey ----

So, after 15 years, I think we have decided to just let the tickets go.

They are amazing seats, and it's a great deal, but increasingly it is tougher to get people to go and/or sell them when I don't go. And taking a $100 loss on every game I can't make is no fun. Some seats way above me are going for $1.

And in any case, it is just hard right now to see a light at the end of the tunnel, what with the stealth tanking this year and all - or at least that’s how it looks to me. It seems we are about 3 years away from fun, competitive hoops again, And Jody never saying a word. What is a loyal customer to think?

Another example - last summer you re-did the seats in the lower bowl - up to our row! But not our row. And my cup holders still don’t fit most cups sold in the arena. It’s a little thing, but not.

Clearly I don’t think the Blazers are very invested in keeping a 15 year, loyal season ticket holder like me happy. Alas.

So thanks, it’s (mostly) been a great ride.

Go Blazers!

 

"Sell the team!" would have been ruder but more blunt.

 

I think I might have said something to the effect of, as a loyal fan, you should have the ability to see what moves the team makes this summer before you have to commit. Asking you to re-up on a 9-win, no-fun, product without any certainty next year is going to be any better, is decidedly not customer friendly.

 

This has always been when they make us renew, and I agree, it's bad timing for us! But clearly good timing for them!

 

While I see the need for tanking, this is a good example of why it is tougher on season ticket holders than those fans who don't live in the Portland area and rarely attend games. It is also tougher on the Blazer management. Probably why we see "partial tank jobs" sometimes.

This needs to be the last year of intentionally tanking. Draft the two players in the 1st round, and maybe the two in the second round, and develop them along with the guys who can play now. But other than our top pick, next year's rookies need to earn their minutes. No trading players just to give them minutes.

 

"This needs to be the last year of intentionally tanking" seems to be the overall consensus I have heard over the last few months but we all know it won't be. They will expect and try to lose again next year and the year after most likely. There just isn't a player available that will make a difference this year. Solid role players yes and if they draft well enough they might actually get another. This team needs an alpha All Star player to become relevant again. If they are really really lucky that might happen.
If they can get Collier maybe they can fill another need by picking Bronny?

 

How much do you guys put all these injuries on the FO vs random fate?

also it’s not on the STH to absolve the FO for lots of injuries. Brogdon and RWIII had notable issues before.

 

Injuries happen for sure but adding multiple players year after year that obviously have injury issues just seems like an unreasonable situation for any season ticket holder.

 

I don't know that and I don't expect that. Are we really going to shut the season down in November next year for the 14 % chance of getting Cooper Flagg? I am sure other teams will but I doubt we will.

If we can get a top 3 forward this year I would at least try to compete. We still would probably be in the lottery but you got to try at some point.

I think a starting lineup of Sarr, Ayton, Grant, Sharpe, and Scoot could compete. (Ant as the 6th man) That still leaves a decent bench.

 

Okay. You sold me!
Now sell it to Joe.
Maybe Jody will sell by then?

 

Have you thought about getting lower priced seats at relocation to keep your loyalty discount?

 

Right, I havent had trouble selling mine at all this year.

 

For cost? Or are you taking a 25-50% hit every time?

 

yeah 1000% agree.

 

You made good points. There are 1, 2, 3 dollar Blazer tickets, and still... only a handful of fans are enticed about using their pocket change to experience a usually disappointing NBA adventure.

There's an occasional Blazer reporter from Willamette Week discussing 2 dollar blazer tickets. He interviewed some fans in the nosebleeds who grabbed ultra cheap tix during a recent Timberwolves match. It's a fun read, i'll post link below

https://www.wweek.com/sports/2024/02/21/blazers-tickets-are-2-heres-who-youll-sit-with/

 

5% hits coupled with some 50%+ boosts.

 

That has been my experience too. Done well with some games but have not been too proud to take less when the market was not present for some. Some of the sections though it is tough to justify keeping but understand the teams position because they cannot drop prices a bunch then raise them in a couple years when competing. If my seats were to become to much of a liability, I would look at lower priced options with better value. When the team is better, move back to the better/more expensive location.

 

Let us know if they reply.

 

Agreed... I'm more curious about their response more than anything.