by MullinMayhem » Sun Nov 12, 2017 4:57 pm
At least you guys have a new arena. I was at the New Orleans opener at Carnesecca where I have been many times, and it's honestly just an atrocious place to watch a game. The new massive screens on either end were a welcome addition and so were the big "SJ" logos lit up on each end. But it's almost like they're ignoring the real issues. The real issues are:
1) Absolutely horrific concession options/setup...more along the lines of what a decent HS or community college would offer. I believe all you can really get is a hot dog or popcorn.
2) On one side of the court there are literally ZERO seatbacks. Yes, that's right, the entire side is all hard plastic and metal bleachers. It's almost as if they designed it to keep fans away. If you are in your 20's and your back is aching terribly every game you sit there, how are the 50+ yr olds going to sit through games? It really makes me appreciate seatbacks wherever I go. Makes a world of difference. There is absolutely no excuse to not have padded seatback chairs throughout the place. The only area bleachers are acceptable is for the student sections as you would expect them to be the loudest, craziest ones standing most of the game. It's like not putting a radio in a car...it should not be a luxury, it should be basic standard by this point.
3) Horrific promotions...they did not even have any for the home opener. Every once in a blue moon there will be a cool bobblehead offered. They need more bobbleheads, shirts, replica jerseys, etc. What about duffle bags? Backpacks? People will come for this stuff. Now of course for diehards they will come anyway, promotions or not. But if you want to get the average fan out for these games, you need to have strong promotions and you have to really put it out there and advertise it to get people motivated. Then to ensure they stay the whole game and don't just take one and leave, you hand them out at the end of the game.
The place should be knocked down and totally rebuilt with a modern arena in mind. Make it a bowl shape where all seats are seatbacks, sell alcohol and other real concessions, make it cozy and intimate, and setup a shuttle to take people from the Jamaica LIRR station to campus. That increases accessibility. Problem solved, and the place is packed.