MERGED: Dolphins top of the list in the NFL for teams losing fans

[Gonzo]

Couldn't be more wrong Gonzo, there is definitely no hate towards Miami or its residents. None whatsoever. Disappointment and embarrassed? Yes.

Bull****. It's pure loathing, which is evident in your complete disregard for all possible reasons for the team not selling out. You despise the fact that they don't have the undying loyalty to their local team that teams in Podunk Middle American towns enjoy, the kind of loyalty that keeps the stadium packed no matter what. You completely disregard that Miami is an entirely different market. You disregard the economy's impact there. You disregard demographics. You disregard very basic business concepts. You disregard literally everything and fall back on one asinine idea: the local fanbase sucks because they don't give undying support to a **** product.

That loathing is pure hatred. Not disappointment, embarrassment, or any other patronizing feelings you claim to have towards the city and those that live there. That's evident in your willingness to have the team move. But I'm sure they're all very hurt by your disappointment and embarrassment.

 

[finomenal]

Bull****. It's pure loathing, which is evident in your complete disregard for all possible reasons for the team not selling out. You despise the fact that they don't have the undying loyalty to their local team that teams in Podunk Middle American towns enjoy, the kind of loyalty that keeps the stadium packed no matter what. You completely disregard that Miami is an entirely different market. You disregard the economy's impact there. You disregard demographics. You disregard very basic business concepts. You disregard literally everything and fall back on one asinine idea: the local fanbase sucks because they don't give undying support to a **** product.

That loathing is pure hatred. Not disappointment, embarrassment, or any other patronizing feelings you claim to have towards the city and those that live there. That's evident in your willingness to have the team move. But I'm sure their all very hurt by your disappointment and embarrassment.

It's a shame because Nubs is a very knowledgeable poster imo. He's just way off base whenever he mentions this subject, as if we should just continue accepting poor to mediocre product and continue to line Ross' pockets no matter what. He knows damn well he wouldn't commit his money to any other industry if they consistently produced subpar performance for this long.

But it's sports, right? Just because it's sports, we should just disregard all of that and give up our money blindly? No thanks.

 

[Nublar7]

Bull****. It's pure loathing, which is evident in your complete disregard for all possible reasons for the team not selling out. You despise the fact that they don't have the undying loyalty to their local team that teams in Podunk Middle American towns enjoy, the kind of loyalty that keeps the stadium packed no matter what. You completely disregard that Miami is an entirely different market. You disregard the economy's impact there. You disregard demographics. You disregard very basic business concepts. You disregard literally everything and fall back on one asinine idea: the local fanbase sucks because they don't give undying support to a **** product.

That loathing is pure hatred. Not disappointment, embarrassment, or any other patronizing feelings you claim to have towards the city and those that live there. That's evident in your willingness to have the team move. But I'm sure their all very hurt by your disappointment and embarrassment.

Please don't tell me how I feel. I think a lot of the "excuses" are just that, excuses. I don't hate Miami or the people in it, that is ridiculous to even say. I wouldn't be a fan of the Dolphins if I didn't like the state of Florida or the city of Miami. I want to see the team I love supported by the city they reside in. When I see the stadium empty on game day I am disappointed and embarrassed as a Dolphins fan. I just wish the locals loved the team as much as I do, but sadly they do not.

Also, not once did I ever say I would be happy to see the team move. Yet another attempt to put words in my mouth and spread lies. I have said I think it is a legitimate fear if the bad attendance continues over the course of a lengthy time.

 

[finomenal]

Please don't tell me how I feel. I think a lot of the "excuses" are just that, excuses. I don't hate Miami or the people in it, that is ridiculous to even say. I wouldn't be a fan of the Dolphins if I didn't like the state of Florida or the city of Miami. I want to see the team I love supported by the city they reside in. When I see the stadium empty on game day I am disappointed and embarrassed as a Dolphins fan. I just wish the locals loved the team as much as I do, but sadly they do not.

I love Whole Foods, but if they started selling expired meat and Winn-Dixie (which isn't very good in comparison) quality produce for ten years, I wouldn't go back until they got their stuff together. Sports isn't some magical entity where those rules don't apply. You draw the crowd you deserve based on performance.

 

[Nublar7]

I love Whole Foods, but if they started selling expired meat and Winn-Dixie (which isn't very good in comparison) quality produce for ten years, I wouldn't go back until they got their stuff together. Sports isn't some magical entity where those rules don't apply. You draw the crowd you deserve based on performance.

Are you a Patriots fan when the Dolphins have a bad season? Bad comparison.

 

[finomenal]

The Dolphins would be blacked out also if Ross and company didn't buy up the remaining tickets. Every Dolphins home game, except this week, would have been blacked out if they didn't buy up the rest. Thank Ross for no blackouts, not local attendance.

I'm not thanking Ross for that. That's him saving himself. I can watch the game either way without going into the stadium.

 

[DolphinsfanBarb]

I dont know about you guys, but i just ordered my 2013 season tix..this will be year 33..:)

 

[finomenal]

Are you a Patriots fan when the Dolphins have a bad season? Bad comparison.

Touché. It is a bad comparison now that I read it over again. I know you're intelligent enough to understand the spirit of the argument though. Any thoughts on that?

 

[DeathStar]

I'm not thanking Ross for that. That's him saving himself. I can watch the game either way without going into the stadium.

Correct. He does it to make the sponsors and local tv stations happy.

No game on tv = unhappy sponsors and thus no sponsors spending $$$ in the stadium.

These owners make more money from the tv deals anyway...

As I've said many times, I had season tickets for over a decade and gave them up...The at home experience kicks ass...I'll never get season tickets again and maybe will go a game a year once they get good again.

 

[finomenal]

Correct. He does it to make the sponsors happy.

No game on tv = unhappy sponsors and thus no sponsors spending $$$ in the stadium.

Bingo. He's a businessman. A very successful one at that evidenced by his billionaire status. Buying his own tickets isn't a goodwill gesture. It's all about the bottom line.

---------- Post added at 10:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:23 PM ----------

I dont know about you guys, but i just ordered my 2013 season tix..this will be year 33..:)

You're exactly the brand of sucker Ross is banking on. You're part of the reason he laughs in private and says, "It doesn't matter, they'll show up anyway."

 

[Nublar7]

Touché. It is a bad comparison now that I read it over again. I know you're intelligent enough to understand the spirit of the argument though. Any thoughts on that?

I understand there are certain "problems" that exist in Miami than other cities. I also understand there is a big population of transplants which is why I am no longer surprised when 25-30% of the fans in the stands are rooting for the away team. I am definitely not surprised that they are expecting 20,000 Patriots fans this weekend.

At the same time, I think there are some who use excuses to try and validate the poor local fan support. The idea that Miami is so full of other things to do but other cities in the USA have nothing besides football is just plain ignorant. They act like people in the North part of the country just live in igloos and are blessed to be able to attend a sporting event, that type of thinking is disrespectful. Where I live, I don't have a beach right down the road, but do people in Miami have ski slopes? How about hiking mountains? I can go to Hershey Park in a acceptable amount of time, or visit the historic Gettysburg. We have clubs and casinos also. You don't need beaches and warm weather to have fun, there are just different ways to have fun in different parts of the country. That is why I ignore that "excuse" in debating this issue with attendance.

I know Miami has economic problems, well, so does the entire country. People are out of work up here, just like they are down there. I also know that winning will increase attendance, however we all know that doesn't completely solve the issue. The Dolphins/Colts playoff game in 2000 was not a sellout and was blacked out. Even the recent playoff game in 2008 against the Ravens struggled to sell out and that was following an 11-5 AFC East Championship regular season. Winning obviously is not going to completely solve all the problems, because we have seen these problems during winning and playoff seasons.

The accusation that I "hate" the people of Miami and want the team to move is just a lazy attempt to try and attack me personally. I love the state of Florida, I spend about an accumulation of a month during the year in the state. Not for business, but because I like to be there. I like the city of Miami and its people and can't wait until the next time I am able to get down to the area. I am embarrassed to see the stadium attendance so bad, especially when I see the local Eagles sucking this season with far better attendance. Or seeing the Buffalo Bills with solid attendance for our Thursday game a couple of weeks ago. All I ever want is to see a packed house in Miami and a true home field advantage. Instead the Dolphins are a punch line when it comes to attendance and the "empty orange seats". I want the Dolphins to always remain in Miami with their strong history, but I do fear that if things don't improve with attendance that in a decade from now we could be talking about the NFL team that used to be in Miami. I don't want them to move, I fear that could be on the table in the future.

 

[NorFlaFin]

Until the product on the field and economy in general gets better; average fan is going to sit on his couch, drink his cold beer, eat his hot wings, and then watch another game...............

Watching the game from overpriced nosebleed seats or sitting in AC in front of 60 plasma?

 

[Daytona Fin]

Until the product on the field and economy in general gets better; average fan is going to sit on his couch, drink his cold beer, eat his hot wings, and then watch another game...............

Watching the game from overpriced nosebleed seats or sitting in AC in front of 60 plasma?

Nosebleed seats any day! But since you are comparing one of the best tvs why not compare it to 50 yard line club seats?

 

[roy_miami]

Please don't tell me how I feel. I think a lot of the "excuses" are just that, excuses. I don't hate Miami or the people in it, that is ridiculous to even say. I wouldn't be a fan of the Dolphins if I didn't like the state of Florida or the city of Miami. I want to see the team I love supported by the city they reside in. When I see the stadium empty on game day I am disappointed and embarrassed as a Dolphins fan. I just wish the locals loved the team as much as I do, but sadly they do not.

Also, not once did I ever say I would be happy to see the team move. Yet another attempt to put words in my mouth and spread lies. I have said I think it is a legitimate fear if the bad attendance continues over the course of a lengthy time.

If you want butts in the seats and really just want to support the team put your money where your mouth is, offer to pay a locals expenses to go to a game. If nobody takes you up on the offer then feel free to bad mouth the locals as bad fans all you want.

I'll even chip in if you want to start a fund.

 

[finomenal]

I understand there are certain "problems" that exist in Miami than other cities. I also understand there is a big population of transplants which is why I am no longer surprised when 25-30% of the fans in the stands are rooting for the away team. I am definitely not surprised that they are expecting 20,000 Patriots fans this weekend.

At the same time, I think there are some who use excuses to try and validate the poor local fan support. The idea that Miami is so full of other things to do but other cities in the USA have nothing besides football is just plain ignorant. They act like people in the North part of the country just live in igloos and are blessed to be able to attend a sporting event, that type of thinking is disrespectful. Where I live, I don't have a beach right down the road, but do people in Miami have ski slopes? How about hiking mountains? I can go to Hershey Park in a acceptable amount of time, or visit the historic Gettysburg. We have clubs and casinos also. You don't need beaches and warm weather to have fun, there are just different ways to have fun in different parts of the country. That is why I ignore that "excuse" in debating this issue with attendance.

I know Miami has economic problems, well, so does the entire country. People are out of work up here, just like they are down there. I also know that winning will increase attendance, however we all know that doesn't completely solve the issue. The Dolphins/Colts playoff game in 2000 was not a sellout and was blacked out. Even the recent playoff game in 2008 against the Ravens struggled to sell out and that was following an 11-5 AFC East Championship regular season. Winning obviously is not going to completely solve all the problems, because we have seen these problems during winning and playoff seasons.

The accusation that I "hate" the people of Miami and want the team to move is just a lazy attempt to try and attack me personally. I love the state of Florida, I spend about an accumulation of a month during the year in the state. Not for business, but because I like to be there. I like the city of Miami and its people and can't wait until the next time I am able to get down to the area. I am embarrassed to see the stadium attendance so bad, especially when I see the local Eagles sucking this season with far better attendance. Or seeing the Buffalo Bills with solid attendance for our Thursday game a couple of weeks ago. All I ever want is to see a packed house in Miami and a true home field advantage. Instead the Dolphins are a punch line when it comes to attendance and the "empty orange seats". I want the Dolphins to always remain in Miami with their strong history, but I do fear that if things don't improve with attendance that in a decade from now we could be talking about the NFL team that used to be in Miami. I don't want them to move, I fear that could be on the table in the future.

Some of those things are factors, but I never mention them because it doesn't matter for the most part. NBA tickets are more expensive, yet the Heat sell out consistently. The bad economy excuses are BS. We want to see a winning team and a regime who gives us confidence that they're good at their job consistently. The fan base down here has become more and more apathetic with each passing, pathetic season. I remember a time when I used to be mad for days after losses. That slowly snowballed into not caring, laughing and shaking my head at a loss.

The big problem is not only have they been bad to mediocre for far too long, but they've been BORING while doing it until this year. This isn't only my opinion. If you've tuned into Miami sports talk radio over the last decade or talked to any random Dolfan down here, you'd realize that they echo the same sentiment.

Fans still aren't filling up the stadium because we're in wait and see mode. They have to prove to us that they're worthy of our financial commitment. The Dolphins are the hot girlfriend that broke our hearts too many times. We're not going to just jump back into it after a couple good dates.