I see where the Dallas Stars are seeing a spike in season-ticket sales.
Of course, it shouldn't come as a much of a surprise that a team's success impacts season ticket sales the following season. Is it a surprise when ticket sales to a band's concerts jump after the release of a successful album?
"Winning" is something that teams try to capitalize on almost immediately after their playoff run comes to an end. It's the old "strike while the iron's hot" strategy. And it makes sense.
But nowhere is the correlation between a team's success and ticket sales stronger than in Dallas. It's especially true with a sport such as hockey that's not indigenous to the local environment.
Dallas natives consider their town to be a top sports city, which it is based on the recent success of the Cowboys, Mavericks and Stars (Rangers? Not so much.). However, tickets quickly become available here – even for the beloved Cowboys – when things go south.
It was only a few seasons ago when there were lots of empty seats at Texas Stadium and the visiting Steelers' fans nearly outnumbered Cowboy supporters. In places like Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Philadelphia and Denver, tickets are scarce even in the down seasons.
So it behooves Stars management to make hay while the sun shines (too many cliche's there?). This time last year, the discussion was about how tough a time the Stars were having selling tickets thanks to another early playoff exit and a low-scoring team.
A year later, an infusion of offensive firepower and a run to the Western Conference Finals have put the Stars back on everyone's radar. Such is the life of the Dallas sports fan...
Here's the problem for the marketing and sales departments at pro, minor league, and college teams: If you're only succeeding at your job when the team wins, what's your value? In other words, if the only factor driving attendance and sponsorship sales is the on-field product (i.e., a winning record and an exciting team), why are you necessary?
After all, you have no control over the on-field/on-ice/on-court product. From a marketing perspective, focusing on those things you can control becomes even more important when the team is struggling.
