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

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Stevenson

Stevenson

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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!
 
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.
 
e_blazer said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Samuel said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
kjironman1 said:
"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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
Pinwheel1 said:
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.
Click to expand...
Okay. You sold me!
Now sell it to Joe.
Maybe Jody will sell by then?
 
kjironman1 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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/
 
It sucks because you want to pay to see basketball. They want you to pay to see basketball.

And this basketball... it's not really worth paying to see.
 
HailBlazers said:
5% hits coupled with some 50%+ boosts.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Stevenson said:
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!
Click to expand...
Fuckin' A, man. Well put.
 
Stevenson said:
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!
Click to expand...
Shit. You write this and they win their very next game? This can't be a coincidence.

You screwed up the tank.

Thanks a lot, man.
 
For those asking about the Blazers' response:

My rep from the Blazers called me and could not have been nicer. Thanked me for my loyalty and asked what they could do to keep me. I quipped, "Have Jody sell the team to Phil Knight."

We talked about maybe having me move seats higher up so they are less expensive but I would still retain my loyalty discount. She's given me some leeway to decide. I've asked some pals if they want to in with me. Right now, just saying goodbye and buying tickets next year on an ad hoc basis seems to be the way to go.
 
Stevenson said:
For those asking about the Blazers' response:

My rep from the Blazers called me and could not have been nicer. Thanked me for my loyalty and asked what they could do to keep me. I quipped, "Have Jody sell the team to Phil Knight."

We talked about maybe having me move seats higher up so they are less expensive but I would still retain my loyalty discount. She's given me some leeway to decide. I've asked some pals if they want to in with me. Right now, just saying goodbye and buying tickets next year on an ad hoc basis seems to be the way to go.
Click to expand...

They’re going to send you a cease and desist letter in return
 
Very bittersweet day for this Blazer fan today.

After 15 years, I decided not to renew my fantastic season tickets, and at the last hour on the last day. It was tough to say goodbye!
But the fact was, this year I really had a hard time getting up the mojo to go to most games, and most of my pals did too. My wife stopped going with me back in January, and many nights I either had to sell my tickets for 1/2 price - or less - or eat them altogether.

I do think if Shaeden had played and he and Scoot and Ayton had developed some chemistry, the games might have been at least a tad more exciting, but as they were, until the last 10 games or so, and as you all know, they were mostly a snoozefest.

If you're interested , here is the letter I wrote my rep at 4:00 pm today:

Hi Taylor -

I have always taught my children that there are “magic moments” in life. When they were little we lived on a cul-de-sac in a super safe neighborhood for a few years. The kids all ran free after school, like my wife Maria and I did when we were kids. Those two years were a magic moment for my kids.

Well, my 15 years with the Blazers as a season ticket holder has been a magic moment - From drafting Brandon and LaMarcus my first year, then getting #1 and Oden, then that fun team with Rolo and Wes, and now this fun run during the exciting Dame years. What a blast! But, at least for me, that magic moment has come to and end, and so I am sad to say that I am going to have let my tickets go. I’ve loved it, and this is very bittwersweet for me, but it’s the right call.

Thanks for everything, you have been great to work with, as has the whole organization.

Go Blazers!

Steve
 
Stevenson said:
Very bittersweet day for this Blazer fan today.

After 15 years, I decided not to renew my fantastic season tickets, and at the last hour on the last day. It was tough to say goodbye!
But the fact was, this year I really had a hard time getting up the mojo to go to most games, and most of my pals did too. My wife stopped going with me back in January, and many nights I either had to sell my tickets for 1/2 price - or less - or eat them altogether.

I do think if Shaeden had played and he and Scoot and Ayton had developed some chemistry, the games might have been at least a tad more exciting, but as they were, until the last 10 games or so, and as you all know, they were mostly a snoozefest.

If you're interested , here is the letter I wrote my rep at 4:00 pm today:

Hi Taylor -

I have always taught my children that there are “magic moments” in life. When they were little we lived on a cul-de-sac in a super safe neighborhood for a few years. The kids all ran free after school, like my wife Maria and I did when we were kids. Those two years were a magic moment for my kids.

Well, my 15 years with the Blazers as a season ticket holder has been a magic moment - From drafting Brandon and LaMarcus my first year, then getting #1 and Oden, then that fun team with Rolo and Wes, and now this fun run during the exciting Dame years. What a blast! But, at least for me, that magic moment has come to and end, and so I am sad to say that I am going to have let my tickets go. I’ve loved it, and this is very bittwersweet for me, but it’s the right call.

Thanks for everything, you have been great to work with, as has the whole organization.

Go Blazers!

Steve
Click to expand...
I guess I would not have been so nice. This organization has turned into a complete shit show.
You are a better man than me.
 
kjironman1 said:
I guess I would not have been so nice. This organization has turned into a complete shit show.
You are a better man than me.
Click to expand...
And of course I agree - it feels like it's a bunch of stand-in caretakers at this point, starting with Jody, but ditto Chauncey and Joe. The days of a passionate owner like Paul, and a savvy GM like Pritchard are long gone.
 
Portland didn't win a home game in the final 30 calender days. This was shortly after Blazers had a cake home schedule in February, catching teams who were on b2b road games. The homestand trap was a disaster, Blazers got smoked off the court in all 7 games.

home record 2nd half of the season:
Blazers 2-18
Wizards 5-15
Pistons 5-15
Hornets 6-14

the bad basketball wasn't just tough road trips. Opponents were rolling into Portland and pasting their logo in Moda.

NBA teams can't just lose every freakin' game, and keep "in house" fans from losing their minds. Portland played the worst basketball in the association.
 
Whyachi said:
Portland didn't win a home game in the final 30 calender days. This was shortly after Blazers had a cake home schedule in February, catching teams who were on b2b road games. The homestand trap was a disaster, Blazers got smoked off the court in all 7 games.

home record 2nd half of the season:
Blazers 2-18
Wizards 5-15
Pistons 5-15
Hornets 6-14

the bad basketball wasn't just tough road trips. Opponents were rolling into Portland and pasting their logo in Moda.

NBA teams can't just lose every freakin' game, and keep "in house" fans from losing their minds. Portland played the worst basketball in the association.
Click to expand...
Probably played some of the worst players for sure. Funny part is you got people on here talking about giving those same players contracts and calling them "Rotational" type players. Then the playoffs start and we see actual role players playing in rotaional situations and it becomes painfully obvious Banton, Reath, Rupert, Brown, Minaya, Moore, Hagans will never be on a serious NBA roster.
#FireBillups!
 
Sadly too many sports owners are just in it for ego and money. I really wanted to give benefit of doubt but I see no plan for improvement. They have gotten worse every year. My A's destroyed by bad owners and I hoped Blazers wouldn't be as well.
 
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