Links: Ted Leonsis Praises A Loud Crowd That Wasn't All That Loud
by Mike Prada on Feb 7, 2012 12:29 PM EST
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- This is a video of the crowd at last night's Raptors-Wizards game during the second quarter (via SB Nation D.C.). This is Ted Leonsis' take on the crowd: "The crowd was very loud last night and I am most appreciative. Thank you." [Ted's Take]
- But it's OK, Ted. We understand [SB Nation D.C.]
- Recaps of last night's game. [Us (gamer, quotes) | SB Nation D.C. | Washington Post (gamer, blog) | CSN Washington (Miller, Johnson) | Washington Times | Washington Examiner | Wizards.com | WUSA9 | District Sports Page | Wiz of Awes | Toronto Star| Toronto Sun | National Post | Raptors HQ (rapid, long) | Raptors Republic | RaptorBlog | Popcorn Machine | HoopData advanced box]
- In case you missed it, JaVale McGee ran back on defense when his team had the ball, which was hilarious and kind of sad. [Deadspin | Ball Don't Lie | DC Sports Bog | SB Nation | Point Forward | SB Nation D.C.]
- How about Trevor Booker's performance last night? [Wizards Insider]
- ... Featuring this dunk on Aaron Gray. [YouTube]
- John Wall referenced something about the Wizards being disrespected during shootaround. I don't know what he's talking about. [CSN Washington (VIDEO)]
- Andray Blatche playing coach, poorly. [@drayblatche]
- Some actual numbers to support that the Wizards make scrubs look like all-stars. [Truth About It]
- The Knicks will come into town tomorrow night without Carmelo Anthony (out 1-2 weeks) and probably without Amar'e Stoudemire due to the death of his brother. They do have Jeremy Lin, though!
- The Wizards fan is my hero. [DC Sports Bog]
- Really good guide by Scott Schroeder as we get closer to the day when non-guaranteed contracts become guaranteed. Hamady NDiaye is the only Wizards player in this position. [SB Nation]
- As a follow-up, here's a primer on 10-day contracts, also by Schroeder. [SB Nation]
- Gilbert Arenas scheduled a workout this week. I wonder how many teams will show up. [LA Daily News]
- A look at some NBA Draft prospects who will be in town or on local TV this week. [CSN Washington]
- Tough break for Chauncey Billups.
- Me on SBNation.com about the revival of the sixth-man concept.
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My favorite line of the night from Buck was regarding attendance. “We’re just a few hundred… shy of 15,000 in the building tonight.”
I laughed. For a second I thought he was going to be honest about how few attended.
by Jheiser3 on Feb 7, 2012 12:33 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
once again...
Mike are you guys just upset that you got moved up to the corner because for the second time in a week you post something about attendance that isn’t really an accurate picture. It.appears your video was from early in the game … Just like your picture last week. The crowd filled in a bit…was on its feet the last two minutes of regulation and the last minute of overtime…perhaps that was among what Ted was talking about. From the floor level….the crowd was very very loud quite a bit late in the game…at least if.you are going to bring the issue up do so fairly…or not at all. Or maybe they put Baby in the Corner for a reason.
the media is pretty mucb relegated to the corners and some are behind the baskets.
Generally, it is just tv folks who are next to good ole Ralph the pa announcer
by thewiz06 on Feb 7, 2012 1:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
You got me. We're posting on the lack of attendance because we get seated three rows above the mainstream guys
It’s as if you’re reading my mind.
by Mike Prada on Feb 7, 2012 1:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Also, if you're on the floor, kind of hard to have a really good idea how the entire building looks
by Mike Prada on Feb 7, 2012 1:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I was on the floor, and the place looked half full to me....and on the floor, people were just moving up
to available seats as the game went….lots of people just left at the end of regulation…I remember saying to myself, man this is a huge difference from Saturday, I wonder what Ted thinks.
well about the baby in the corner
apparently 106.7 the fan never got prime positioning for skins games and events for at least a couple years because they hammer the skins every day.
by thewiz06 on Feb 7, 2012 1:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
very typical of Snyder to do stuff like that
and he probably does much worse behind the scenes…..will be interesting to see how far Ted takes his anti-pixel meme
Well, most of the biggest sports outlets get a dedicated media booth or something to that effect for the Washington Redskins
so the Post, Times, NBC4, CSN, Fox 5, WTOP, WUSA 9, WJLA, ESPN980 (kinda obvious), even SB Nation, etc get a credential and desk at media events. WJFK (106.7 the Fan) was consistently toward the bottom of the Skins priorities, but things have gotten better for them now.
Please correct me if I am totally wrong on any of this.
I don’t think Ted should ever start picking favorites like Snyder has with this three teams and their blogging outlets, to an extent where the outlets that are most negative toward the teams are basically shunned.
None of those other outlets were a competitor to a Snyder
owned entity…
he owns 980, which is in direct competition for ad dollars…
On television (since Mike was at this game)
That crowd was incredibly sparse, in the 3rd quarter. That was not the “late arriving DC” crowd.
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
I actually recorded a sequence on my phone from the floor
(because I normally sit elsewhere)…..
I just watched it. The place was extremely empty. Full 200 level section with no more than 5 people and a 30% full lower bowl. The gym sounded like a high school gym. That isn’t from memory. I just watched it. Mid 2nd quarter.
A rough estimation
With 30% at the lower bowl, say 15% at the second level and 5% at the upper level that’s about 20% overall right. If there are about 20k seats that’s at most 4 to 5000 fans…… I don’t know if Ted cracks a $100K at a home game like this.
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
by Dutch Hoopfan on Feb 7, 2012 6:49 PM EST up reply actions
Well that's also not counting STH who didn't go and Luxury Boxes which is where the real money is made.
But yeah probably not super profitable which is pretty much as it should be. Make a crappy product you shouldn’t be making much profit.
by BayAreaBullet on Feb 7, 2012 7:02 PM EST up reply actions
It's funny we even have to debate this with Ted
The team sucks. Tickets are going for a dollar. Even the die-hard fans know the product sucks and have a hard time spending their money on this crap.
and he rewards us by trying to arrest anyone reselling a ticket near VZ Center lol
nice!
by les boulez bomber on Feb 7, 2012 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
I have no problem with scalpers and counterfeit merchandisers getting arrested.
The scalpers need to leave their business to stubhub, craigslist, or at least do it a couple blocks away. The DC law to ban hard ticket sales at any public venue is a bit overblown, and I agree with that. However, I do agree that the scalpers need to do their business away from the arena, and I have no problem seeing these guys go to jail for it. Also it really looks very dumb when metro and DC police see these guys scalp, make a transaction and not do anything. So they gotta arrest folks and send a message if that’s a law.
As with the counterfeit merchandise, most of the stuff I’ve seen are hats for five bucks each. At least it’s not the 90’s era John Wall Bullets Jerseys made in China.
They aren't scalping. Scalping is illegal. They are reselling, which is not illegal.
There is a big difference. People resell stuff all the time all over the place. Ever heard of Craigslist? Reselling is legal in the US. Scalping is not in most places. For example, someone paid $40 each for 42 season tickets and is probably taking a bath reselling those seats for $20-30 dollars each. Whatever the actual math is, they are not making money on whole because people can pay less than face for these tickets. Knicks tickets are going for as low as $13 dollars right now.
Do you think for one minute that the Wiz do not knowingly sell season tickets to people they know will resell? Of course they do. In fact, he has no problems with Starhub etc. Nor does he have a problem with people receiving a discount (I hope) for making a 42 game commitment for tickets and paying in advance. He has a problem with people locally trying earn a couple bucks.
And that is what is wrong about it. It would be different if he did not support reselling in any form. He does not support reselling near him. And he wants them arrested! Even though some of those people paid him for a full season allotment of tickets and enter the arena and support his concessions.
by les boulez bomber on Feb 7, 2012 11:48 PM EST up reply actions
i've never seen a scalper arrested at a sporting event despite it usually being illegal
Ted needs to get over the fact while the team sucks the tcikets arent worth shit no matter how much he tries to tell everyone otherwise
and because they are selling below face value it isnt even scalping. it's legal!
by les boulez bomber on Feb 7, 2012 11:54 PM EST up reply actions
not in practice, obviously
Can you cite these laws or regulations?
You have a right to sell your property, even in DC
by les boulez bomber on Feb 8, 2012 12:05 AM EST up reply actions
i put the handbook quote below
the biggest reason why I don’t like seeing people sell tickets right outside of verizon center is mainly because it’s an annoyance, not because they provide bad deals or great ones even.
The biggest reason why I don’t do business with them is because I’m afraid the one time I do it is the time I get caught for it and then I’m the poster child for the offense, not to mention, I’ll likely lose all my season tickets. Either way, the cops have to start enforcing this law or repeal it altogether.
I totally respect your desire to not support it
that was never my point. my point was a multi hundred millionaire who clearly benefits from them goes out of his way to have someone supporting him financially- and taking a bath on that investment- arrested.
by les boulez bomber on Feb 8, 2012 1:30 AM EST up reply actions
at the end of the day, you cant have it both ways
You can not hedge your ticket sales buy selling in advance and then try to get the top dollar paid for that ticket sale.
That is basic capitalism and one would think a millionaire businessman would know it. This practice has gone on for thousands of years in everything from gold to cattle to rice to …It will be interesting to see what happens next season if the local ticket resellers don’t buy those season tickets.
He is a hypocrite if nothing else
by les boulez bomber on Feb 7, 2012 11:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
it is illegal to resell tickets (above or below face value) at any public venue in DC. If I use scalping and reselling interchangably, I apologize
From page 19 in our STH handbook, it reads:
In an effort to keep our customers informed, we would like to re-familiarize you with the laws in the District of Columbia governing ticket sale and resale, more commonly known as "ticket scalping." Acccording to the D.C. Municipal Regulation: No person shall sell or offer to sell tickets from the sidewalks, streets, or public spaces anywhere in the District of Columbia for any excursion, theatrical performance, opera, ball game or any entertainment of any kind. 24 DCMR Ch. 5, Section 500.5 (1996). We would like to reiterate that "the sale or offer to sell tickets from the sidewalks, streets, or public spaces anywhere in the District of Columbia is prohibited. Any ticket sale or resale is in violation of this regulation, no matter if the price is at, above, or below the price printed on the ticket and subjects 20 Planholder guidethe violator to a potential fine or imprisonment. Violators are subject to prosecution under District of Columbia Law.
hey thanks for posting this. i was mistaken.
we dont have to get into whether it is right or should be the law, etc.
i still feel it is petty for ted to actively involve himself in pleading this law is enforced. certainly, he benefits from it a couple of ways and doesnt have a problem selling season tickets to resellers. and they can know who some of those illegal ticket traffickers are for sure. its just hypocrisy at its worse whether you believe the ticket reselling should be allowed or not.
it would be one thing if these guys were profiting. but they are taking a bath because they supported ted and he fielded a shitty team. and he wants to actively involve himself in getting them arrested? it’s poor taste at a minimum and makes me want to vomit knowing what luxuries enjoys himself. talk about picking on the meek
by les boulez bomber on Feb 8, 2012 1:23 AM EST up reply actions
You have no problem, but Ted Leonsis does
There is a reason the cops watch ticket being sold right in front of them.
Here are the options. Empty arena, no concessions, no merch… let these guys fill the arena…
scalping law is utterly absurd
it’s NOT illegal to buy them, only sell them. That kind of double-standard makes for a law that doesn’t deserve to be enforced
It is a big stretch to think many people are paying to see this team pay on any regular basis
and Ted trying to have every ticket reseller standing near the arena arrested
by les boulez bomber on Feb 7, 2012 2:33 PM EST up reply actions
Was at the game
Sure, it definitely wasn’t a Gil-era crowd and it wasn’t Caps game loud…but I actually thought it got pretty raucous during the tail end of the game and OT. The lower bowl seemed to fill up later in the game and just about everyone was standing for the final 2 minutes. At the very least, I didn’t expect lack of attendance/crowd participation to be particularly notable…sadly.
by terpsDC on Feb 7, 2012 1:05 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
remember how Abe used to have ushers move people down for sparsely attended games?
that was cool of him especially during bad seasons, i understand that Ted thinks it’s the worst idea any owner could possibly endorse….but it does seem kinda warranted when the team is awful.
Or lower beer prices.
Ted does think letting people move down is a bad idea because it further devalues the product.
but the team performance isn’t helping his point, though I certainly agree with that point too. In a bad season, for the 3rd and 4th quarters, we should let guys move down to the 100’s but not to the VIP seats (all the seats inside the hockey rink)
Why complain about anything?
be happy anyone is showing up to the game. I lived in San Fran at a time when the A’s were handing out tickets to get any one to show up.
by hambonejackson on Feb 8, 2012 2:42 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed..
The crowd was definitely loud….especially the last two minutes…I don’t think it was people moving down … it was very loud at the end … especially, of course, during the free throws to get the chicken sandwich .. but seriously, my main original point was the video clip posted from a random inbounds play isn’t representative of what Ted was talking vs. how it was at the last few minutes of regulation..for a Monday game, vs. Toronto .. it was decent.
It is not surprising someone cherry picks the best example to make their point. And it is not surprising an owner is overstating demand.
What was surprising was reading Ted’s blog and learning that he is trying to have season ticket holders arrested for reselling tickets near the Verizon Center.
by les boulez bomber on Feb 7, 2012 7:30 PM EST up reply actions
Well, most scalpers aren't STH's at least as far as I know.
But STH’s need to be responsbile and use the legal outlets to sell tickets too.
not in order
1. Craigslist
2. StubHub/eBay or other ticket broker
3. email friends at work
4. exchange the tickets for a future game so you can bring more friends like if you have a group night
If Ted gets guys including STH’s arrested for selling tickets directly outside of Verizon Center, I don’t really have that much of a problem with it, especially when we are told about the laws, and when Ted openly acknowledges and encourages fans to sell their tickets on the secondary market, albeit through legal avenues. Of course, the media will spin it and try to make him look like a bad guy for it.
by thewiz06 on Feb 7, 2012 11:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
it is legal to sell a ticket to a sporting event on the street. You dont need the internet to resell tickets. That is crazy.
and that money is recycled into the local economy where sales tax is collected. it is good for the local economy and it serves ted a useful purpose because that ticket was paid for at full price
by les boulez bomber on Feb 7, 2012 11:58 PM EST up reply actions
Looked pretty dead while watching on tv
But after the John and Booker blocks it sounded pretty loud. Seems like for the past couple years Verizon has been using simulated crowd noise? Am I wrong?
Duck Fallas!!
by believe_the_curse on Feb 7, 2012 1:11 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Ha! that would have been awfull if true.
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
by Dutch Hoopfan on Feb 7, 2012 6:52 PM EST up reply actions
In regards to the fan wearing a Baltche jersey
that certainly tells you that :
1. He is a hard core fan
2. He is willing to buy a custom jersey that is misspelled just to voice displeasure with the team’s performance issues. I just can’t.
3. He definitely boos Blatche at the starting lineups assuming he is a season ticket holder.
I also noticed that Dray wasn’t in the burrito dash video today…..
I bought a custom "How U" shirt
It’s how I cope, too. I don’t think very many people get either joke.
Mike, didn't you promise to buy a "How U?" jersey too?
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
by Dutch Hoopfan on Feb 7, 2012 6:53 PM EST up reply actions
Wall vs. Lin, Part II
Hopefully Wall remembers how Lin lit him up in Summer league in 2010 and makes the Knicks pay for it.
well stubhub values have remained stagnant for tomorrow at worst and have increased some at best in anticipation of this great matchup of sophomore PG's
Besides the sea of NY Knicks fans, there could also be a sea of Harvard alumni too given that Lin is the first polished player from Amaker’s time there, and of course, the Crimson have a Top 25 team.
Any Yale Bulldog alums and fans are more than welcome to root for the little guys tomorrow night! I have rarely seen Yale and Harvard alums working well together under any circumstances.
hopefully John destroys him on both ends of the floor.
sorry Jeremy, wish you the best in every game not vs Wall
The crowd was fine
I didn’t think it was worth noting. Didn’t seem any worse than the other Toronto game, and I was at both. I felt like the players were able too feed off the crowd’s energy, which is all that really matters at the end.
When it's full...
It’s full of fans of the visiting team. The bulls and Celts games were sad.
He can't be traded until March 1
So if EG traded him now, it’d be the second stupidest thing a Wizard has done this week.
Here’s my version of McGee’s inner monologue during that sequence:
“Here’s McGee’s patent running hook shot from far away.!!! . Damn.. .Time to get back on Defense!. I shine on defense….. Welcome to the block party, featuring your host, Pierre, wait, no… Sir Blocks-A-Lot.. I like big blocks and cannot lie…. I gotta tweet that gem later… Wait, where is everybody. Why is John waving at me ? Are we pressing? There’s Trevor too… Oh man….. I’m so benched,,,,”
by GJennings on Feb 7, 2012 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
I still think trading Nick to Clippers could happen
He’d be a good asset to them. The clippers have Bledsoe and some other assets that they could use to get him. He’d be a great back-up SG for them. So it’s a good idea, hopefully, the clippers will struggle a bit with Mo Williams in the starting line-up.
bledsoe is in the NBADL. I think we can sign him outright.
but probably not for long with billups out
by les boulez bomber on Feb 7, 2012 2:31 PM EST up reply actions
You need the contracts to match
But, I think he’s got some talent. He’s behind Paul, Billups, and Foye. That’s not the easiest group for a young PG.
Also, that's because he is coming off surgery I believe
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
by Dutch Hoopfan on Feb 7, 2012 6:56 PM EST up reply actions
That Blatche Tweet
is hilarious. That is the advice you give to your boy the first time he’s playing with the Wizards in NBA 2K12. That’s probably where he first got the idea that he might be effective in the post.
well...Ted was next to the bench, and they were pretty rowdy behind him...maybe
he was fooled?
who knows :)
I wish Nick would pass more on PnR's
He’d get so many more dimes. His reputation as a chucker would help him in that situation.
by oakhillswag on Feb 7, 2012 2:50 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Maybe this is as clue to what toronto said during the shootaround
https://twitter.com/#!/CarbonPrimo/status/166711559723294720
Who on Toronto would have been claiming it?
Linas Kleiza?
Bullets Forever: Waiting for the Fat Lady to sing since 2006. | @jakewhitacre
by Jake Whitacre on Feb 7, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
Ed Davis maybe?
Those could be two options…maybe Demar was also talking trash to Nick?
I would be interested….hopefully Mike asks when he gets a chance…
Jeremy Lin will drop 30 on us tomorrow
….ugh…
Have to say though, I’ve met the guy, and he’s such a nice guy…hard to root against him. He’s a super hard worker with a wet jump shot and really really good handles, a good passer.
I think he’s an interesting kid. Oh, and he’s related to a YouTube star.
by DCeee on Feb 7, 2012 3:32 PM EST via mobile reply actions
nah, Wall is going to cover him like glue
awesome what Jeremy has been doing but watching the highlights doesnt look like anything Wall shouldnt be able to handle.
Hope you're right. John's played good d lately
by DCeee on Feb 7, 2012 4:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think it will have more to do with the big men
Lin has been deadly on the PnR and really understands angles and how to use the pick. Stopping him is gonna be more about the big playing the screener IMO.
by BayAreaBullet on Feb 7, 2012 5:39 PM EST up reply actions
Lin OWNED John in summer league though. Wall is also very prone to get out produced, no matter how good he’s playing himself.
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
by Dutch Hoopfan on Feb 7, 2012 7:11 PM EST up reply actions
what's pti?
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
by Dutch Hoopfan on Feb 7, 2012 7:11 PM EST up reply actions
pardon the ignorance
a new tv show
by les boulez bomber on Feb 7, 2012 7:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
really it's pardon the interruption
but sure enough he earned a place to get bashed.. I was at RFD before the Caps game while it was on so I didn’t really get to hear the banter
then you'll be surprised to hear they didnt bash him all that much
and rather than his usual screed about our players being knuckleheads, wilbon said he thought javale is talented and can play if only he went somewhere else
Wall on Trevor Booker
“Once he starts knocking down the 17, 15 foot jump shot, he’ll be a factor in this league”
lol, you too fool!
I'm not going to think of something extra witty or clever to say, I don't want to convince you to see things my way, I just have 2 words for you: JEREMY LAMB
by qthaballa on Feb 7, 2012 8:09 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
First comment
This is my first comment on this site as I’ve been a long time reader! I’m a huge Wizards fan from North Carolina and was in town with my family for the week and went to both the Clippers and Raptors game last night. The crowd was at full blast for the Clips game(Mostly for the OOOHS and AHHHS as Lob City ran us out of the bulding) As far as the Raptors game, the loudest it got was when the Raps were shooting free throws, and they posted up on the jumbotron that if he missed both free throws, everyone gets a free sandwich from Chick-Fil-A. I got a kick out of that!
by WallTheDime on Feb 7, 2012 11:39 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
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