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Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

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  • #1

    Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

    Hello everyone again, and happy holidays to you all.

    This topic is on my mind today for varying reasons. First of all, the Pacers own play lately has been better on the road than at home, which is a rarity in modern day sports. Secondly, our television ratings are supposedly up on our local broadcasts, but attendance is down at Conseco. Thirdly, the fans that have attended are remarkably staid and quiet, failing to provide what appears to be an exciting, interesting atmosphere in Conseco Fieldhouse. This thread will attempt to come up with answers and solutions to making Conseco Fieldhouse a more entertaining place to be on game nights, and on ways the Pacers organization can help with that, therefore gaining benefit on the court and in the standings.

    From a financial standpoint, the Pacers initial problem is they aren't getting paying customers in the door to begin with. We've covered ad nauseum my views on the Pacers woeful marketing efforts before...this thread won't go into that again. Today what I want to talk about is how the organization can make it a better atmosphere and experience ONCE THE PEOPLE ARE ALREADY THERE. I only am able to see about 5 games a year in person myself, those of you who are season ticket holders along with those who are in a similar situation as me are invited to give their opinions as well.

    The things I think could make Conseco better for those in attendance are listed below. Some are big things, some are small things....I'll be interested in any feedback on my own ideas, and to hear the original ideas of this message board's membership.

    1. Change the seat colors from the ugly green they are currently to Pacers blue and gold. I have no clue why the designers of the building selected green as the seat color of our arena, maybe it has to do with television viewing, I don't know. But to me, it makes the Pacers look like a visiting team playing in a neutral site, and I don't like it. The entire arena, from the graphics on the floor to the scoreboard to the colors of the seats should be Pacers colors.....after all, that's the main function of the building!

    2. The Pacers (and most NBA teams) play way too much piped in, artificial noise and music. It sounds forced, generic, and cheesy to me. It would be much better in this regard to do what Sacramento does I believe, which is to have a live pep band. This is a nod to our Indiana basketball heritage, would be much more natural and effective in getting the crowd excited, and would make the place a much more "basketball oriented" game atmosphere.

    I could see several ways to do this....you could invite different local high school bands to perform if you wanted. You could have college pep bands rotate, from IU to Purdue to IUPUI to Evansville to ISU to Ball State to Notre Dame. Or, you could have your own very large "Pacer Pep Band", which would perform every game. Or, you could combine in some form all of the above.

    I'm sorry, but the atmosphere, strictly from a music standpoint, to me is much better in the college arenas than in the NBA.

    3. Little kids surrounding the court for introductions. Yes! How many more parents would bring their children (future Pacer fans) if during the introductions ot the starting lineups the players ran around the court high fiving the little ones who got to come down on the floor and ring the playing surface? What a thrill it would be for your 8 yr old son or daughter to get to come down and high five JO before every game for instance?

    4. Dimming the lights during game action. To understand what I mean, try watching a Laker game on television at the Staples Center, as the stands become darker to highlight the action on the court. It gets your attention to the game action, instead of gawking around looking at your surroundings, and it makes it seem like a major event is happening. it's tempting at Conseco ( I fall for it myself sometimes), to just look around at the awesomeness of it all, instead of actually paying attention to the game. This is done at MSG as well I believe. Much like a movie theatre does to make the action on screen the key thing, not what is going on in the next seating section or in the rows in front of you.

    5. Festival seating for certain sections. I'd favor probably a section near my pep band underneath one of the baskets, but I could be convinced to either move it or increase the numbers of festival seating sections. In other words....MAKE IT IMPORTANT TO BE THERE EARLY in your seat, and not milling around being a tourist outside the arenas seating area, for at least those who want to sit as close as possible who buy those sections tickets.

    Maybe I'd find a way to put in those metal bleachers somewhere in the corners instead of those comfy seats, just for this purpose...I don't know. This is a great concept for baseball teams, who often sell these type seats in their outfield bleachers, and it all helps build excitement in the stadium.

    6. Pipe in the media's press coverage of the game over the main speakers in the fieldhouse both before and after the game. If the paying customers who just saw the game could here Jim O'Brien after the game, it might help them realize how important the fans contributions could be. They could get positive feedback from the organization this way.....what if after a big home win, Coach O'Brien or Larry Bird were to be heard over the speakers at Conseco talking about how the fans great atmosphere and cheering really helped the team win that game? Wouldn't it almost become a self fulfilling prophecy?

    7. How about a "walk" in to the arena that goes thru the crowd, much like some college football teams do? How much fun would that be? Sometime around an hour before game time, when your players are no doubt already there anyway, have your team meet in the practice gym that is visible from the windows, walk up through the lobby and past all the fans who are waiting, and be led in to warmups by your cheerleaders and marching band?

    Cheesy? Yes, probably. Fun and fan friendly? You bet......




    Ok, I have given a few of my ideas....now how about some of yours?
    How can we make Conseco Fieldhouse a more fun place to be, gaining attendance and creating a better atmosphere more conducive to us winning, which is what we all want anyway.

    Please don't write in to say "get better players" or "start winning games". We all know that everyone loves a winner, and that the number one best marketing tool for a franchise is to win. Let's think beyond that, and think of some new ideas, or discuss the ones I threw out above.

    As always, the above is just my opinion.

    Tbird
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

    I love the idea of dimming the lights while the ball is in play. (if nothing else to hide all the empty seats) But I think it would up direct everyone's attention to the court.

    The green seats were chosen to give it a "fieldhouse" effect - the ushers wear green jackets.

    Things I personally would like to see. None of these have a chance of ever being considered.
    At halftime I would like to know all the stats, would like to hear an interview with Quinn Buckner, also one with an assistant coach or with O'Brien if he would do it - or maybe get a player do stop by on the way to or from the locker room. During timeouts, i wold like to see a series of replays of what just took place, more stats, maybe a comment about the game from Quinn, or maybe have Mark or Slick talk during a timeout. Retire Boomer, shoot Bowser, stop the on court screamers and yellers. I go to the game for basketball and that is what I want


    One thing they really should do, when a Pacers player gets injured, and won't be coimig back into the game,. please have Reb Porter tell us.
    Last edited by Unclebuck; 12-16-2007, 01:49 PM.

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    • #3
      Re: Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

      I think the green seats were chosen because Conseco is the main sponsor..."Fieldhouse" effect might be what they said, but I'd bet a ton of money that those seats are green because of Conseco.
      I like the idea of a pep band. My buddy and I have discussed this at length before and there are only two big differences we can come up with between college atmosphere and pro atmosphere. The first is the connection that its your school and the second is the band. WHat do I think the chances are on a band? Probably slim to none unfortunately. For the band to be effective they would have to be in the lower bowl and I doubt TPTB would want to sacrifice that income.
      IMO, they must get rid of the forced music. Some music is fine and a pump up song or two before a big moment is always fun, but sometimes they play the most random music for no apparent reason.
      Also the stupid jumbotron videos with like Samuel L. Jackson and Ashton Kutcher need to go. I go out of my way to avoid Ashton Kuthcer and then to see his face on a giant TV yelling at me to get loud honestly gets me pissed off and insulted in a way. I don't need some celebrity to tell me to be loud.
      And finally, get rid of the most annoying part of the experience for me and that is the idiotic timeout people. I DESPISE them. They sevre NO purpose and they are just attention whores who are waste of space and team money.
      Last edited by Trader Joe; 12-16-2007, 02:48 PM.


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      • #4
        Re: Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

        Bowser is pretty useless. Fire Bowser, and bring back Dancing Harry (or a
        reasonable facsimile).

        Wouldn't that be great to have some 70's pimp looking guy wearing a cape
        dancing around and putting a "hex" on the opposing team during timeouts?

        I think that would be a nice "blast from the past" to recapture some of the
        spirit of days gone by.

        Last edited by RamBo_Lamar; 12-16-2007, 11:26 PM.

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        • #5
          Re: Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

          Pipe in fan noise!!!! Worked for the Colts!!!
          No matter how much success Larry Bird attains in Indiana he'll never top that first command to fire Thomas. -Peter Vecsey. NY Post 12/4/07

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

            1. I doubt seat color has ever stopped anybody from buyign a ticket to a game.

            2. Ugh. Highschool entertainment and pro sports do not mix. The Lions did this for decades and it was embarrassing.

            3. How do you propose that to work out? How many little kids can you fit on the court at one time?

            4. Dimming lights for 2 hours only makes people drowsy. It does not make for an electric atmosphere. LA never really had one to begin with, so they don't really care. The high-paying celebrities can watch the game without being noticed as easily, that's all.

            5. Problem with that idea is you'd have to price all seats the same...meaning you'd probably have to price them down and lose money, since most of your fanatics keen on the idea would be the blue-collar folks. Another problem would be people wanting to keep their spot would not be able to leave their seat for 3 hours, meaning no concession purchases, and no bathroom breaks.

            6. The Pacers don't do this? I was under the impression most NBA teams did. The Pistons have done this for decades.

            7. Once again, the Pistons have been doing this for at least 10 years. I was under the impression other teams did. Maybe I'm wrong.
            Last edited by Kstat; 12-16-2007, 11:36 PM.

            It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.

            Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
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            • #7
              Re: Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

              I have long advocated the pepband and light dimming. The ABA Pacers did it and it gave the Coliseum a real college atmosphere...and we all know that is a good thing.
              Pep bands are embarrassing? Embarrassing is piped in race cars droning on and on. Equaly so is some shmoe bleating out DEFENSE as if it were going to encourage the White collar's to get involved.
              I've hated the full lit arena ever since they started that at MSA. Back then they did it so the cameras could pick up color telecast. Today I believe they do it because it takes the lights so long to get up to full brightness again. Then again maybe they've moved on beyond that type lighting and are just plain stupid.

              All in all I think PSE and Conseco mgmnt need to step back and bring in better consultants to advise them as to what market they are serving and what makes the atmoshere more fan friendly to that market.
              Ever notice how friendly folks are at a shootin' range??.

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

                Originally posted by thunderbird1245 View Post

                1. Change the seat colors from the ugly green they are currently to Pacers blue and gold. I have no clue why the designers of the building selected green as the seat color of our arena, maybe it has to do with television viewing, I don't know. But to me, it makes the Pacers look like a visiting team playing in a neutral site, and I don't like it. The entire arena, from the graphics on the floor to the scoreboard to the colors of the seats should be Pacers colors.....after all, that's the main function of the building!
                I always thought they were "Conseco Green" and that it wasn't a coincidence. Personally, I HATE green and so would be more than happy to see the color changed. I don't know that the seat colors hold anyone back, but if they are going to be empty, at least let them blend into a sea of blue and/or gold instead of looking like its the home of the Celtics.

                Of course, the Pacers aren't the only team to play Conseco so maybe some pinhead decided green would be nice and neutral....

                2. The Pacers (and most NBA teams) play way too much piped in, artificial noise and music. It sounds forced, generic, and cheesy to me. It would be much better in this regard to do what Sacramento does I believe, which is to have a live pep band. This is a nod to our Indiana basketball heritage, would be much more natural and effective in getting the crowd excited, and would make the place a much more "basketball oriented" game atmosphere.

                I could see several ways to do this....you could invite different local high school bands to perform if you wanted. You could have college pep bands rotate, from IU to Purdue to IUPUI to Evansville to ISU to Ball State to Notre Dame. Or, you could have your own very large "Pacer Pep Band", which would perform every game. Or, you could combine in some form all of the above.

                I'm sorry, but the atmosphere, strictly from a music standpoint, to me is much better in the college arenas than in the NBA.
                I'm not sure what I'd do here. SOMETHING needs to be done differently though. I think the ingame music and sound needs to be cut WAY WAY back. Then cut it back some more. Then cut it back just a little more.


                3. Little kids surrounding the court for introductions. Yes! How many more parents would bring their children (future Pacer fans) if during the introductions ot the starting lineups the players ran around the court high fiving the little ones who got to come down on the floor and ring the playing surface? What a thrill it would be for your 8 yr old son or daughter to get to come down and high five JO before every game for instance?
                Hooking young children on the experience is a good idea however it is achieved. I'm not really seeing a problem with your suggestion and it sounds like something that could be implemented easily enough. But, with attendance the way it is going, the kids might only be enough to line the freethrow lane right now.

                OTOH.... I'm not convinced that part of the problem isn't the desire to make the game experience extra family friendly in the first place.

                If they really want to make the experience family friendly, lower prices at the ticket booth and the concession stand and let dancing clowns and toilet bowl races go the way of the dinosaur.



                4. Dimming the lights during game action. To understand what I mean, try watching a Laker game on television at the Staples Center, as the stands become darker to highlight the action on the court. It gets your attention to the game action, instead of gawking around looking at your surroundings, and it makes it seem like a major event is happening. it's tempting at Conseco ( I fall for it myself sometimes), to just look around at the awesomeness of it all, instead of actually paying attention to the game. This is done at MSG as well I believe. Much like a movie theatre does to make the action on screen the key thing, not what is going on in the next seating section or in the rows in front of you.
                This is one that I am also behind 100%. Here's what I'd do:
                Walkin and warmups- Full lighting everywhere.
                Introductions- Arena black
                Tip-off- Only court lighting comes up full. Bowl lighting much, much less... if at all.

                I wonder if the full lighting is a 'security thing'? It really makes no sense from a viewing perspective. And people are much more likely to get into the game if they don't feel like they are sitting in a spotlight.


                5. Festival seating for certain sections. I'd favor probably a section near my pep band underneath one of the baskets, but I could be convinced to either move it or increase the numbers of festival seating sections. In other words....MAKE IT IMPORTANT TO BE THERE EARLY in your seat, and not milling around being a tourist outside the arenas seating area, for at least those who want to sit as close as possible who buy those sections tickets.

                Maybe I'd find a way to put in those metal bleachers somewhere in the corners instead of those comfy seats, just for this purpose...I don't know. This is a great concept for baseball teams, who often sell these type seats in their outfield bleachers, and it all helps build excitement in the stadium.
                I don't think it would happen for a few reasons but it's a good idea. One reason, IF the team would start selling well PS&E would want those seats back in the assigned seating fold and so they'd be reluctant to lose them in the first place.


                6. Pipe in the media's press coverage of the game over the main speakers in the fieldhouse both before and after the game. If the paying customers who just saw the game could here Jim O'Brien after the game, it might help them realize how important the fans contributions could be. They could get positive feedback from the organization this way.....what if after a big home win, Coach O'Brien or Larry Bird were to be heard over the speakers at Conseco talking about how the fans great atmosphere and cheering really helped the team win that game? Wouldn't it almost become a self fulfilling prophecy?
                I've heard the game in the restrooms and pretty sure I've heard the wrap up on the outside speakers on the street while leaving. I don't think it's ever piped through the main speakers after the game though.

                7. How about a "walk" in to the arena that goes thru the crowd, much like some college football teams do? How much fun would that be? Sometime around an hour before game time, when your players are no doubt already there anyway, have your team meet in the practice gym that is visible from the windows, walk up through the lobby and past all the fans who are waiting, and be led in to warmups by your cheerleaders and marching band?
                Tinsley's security detail might make this impractical.....




                Ok, I have given a few of my ideas....now how about some of yours?
                How can we make Conseco Fieldhouse a more fun place to be, gaining attendance and creating a better atmosphere more conducive to us winning, which is what we all want anyway.

                Please don't write in to say "get better players" or "start winning games". We all know that everyone loves a winner, and that the number one best marketing tool for a franchise is to win. Let's think beyond that, and think of some new ideas, or discuss the ones I threw out above.

                As always, the above is just my opinion.

                Tbird

                This organization needs a new mission statement from the top on down. Something that the fans can buy into and ultimately understand.

                The current staid atmosphere at Conseco (and doing something about it) should be part of this vision reshaping. I said the other day that ticket prices need adjusted and you need to start getting some real fans, or potential real fans, closer to the action. I know getting the mindset changed to do what that would take would be difficult at best.

                -Bball
                Nuntius was right for a while. I was wrong for a while. But ultimately I was right and Frank Vogel has been let go.

                ------

                "A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player. Losing yourself in the group, for the good of the group, that’s teamwork."

                -John Wooden

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                • #9
                  Re: Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

                  Originally posted by Bball View Post
                  The current staid atmosphere at Conseco (and doing something about it) should be part of this vision reshaping. I said the other day that ticket prices need adjusted and you need to start getting some real fans, or potential real fans, closer to the action. I know getting the mindset changed to do what that would take would be difficult at best.

                  -Bball


                  This much I agree with. It's worked wonders for the Pistons. You slash ticket prices dramatically and market towards the working class fan, and when you start winning you gradually raise them, but by that time, most of them are hooked enough by the experience that they will want to stick around.

                  When the Pistons were having trouble selling tickets in the 90's, Dumars pretty much took that approach. He weeded out most of the white collar stiffs back to the luxury boxes where they belonged, and brought in more average joes. The work whistle and the sledgehammer were nice touches.

                  I admit, the giant flares have been a gigantic hit with me. I never miss a pregame intro anymore, because I love watching the gigantic flames when Maxiell destroys the rim on the jumbotron.

                  The problem about this approach is this: you're going to lose money if you slash prices low enough to bring in the hard hat types. Even if you sell all your tickets, you'll be lucky to break even.

                  It takes a leap of faith because basketball is a business, and selling an owner on taking a leap of faith that 3-4 years down the road, fans will spend enough money to offset immediate losses, is tough to do.

                  Most owners believe if fans don't want to spend for a ticket, it's because the team isn't good enough. So instead of lowering ticket prices, the owner throws more money into personnel, and in turn is forced to raise ticket prices even more.
                  Last edited by Kstat; 12-17-2007, 03:57 AM.

                  It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.

                  Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
                  Conference Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005
                  NBA Champions 1989, 1990, 2004

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                  • #10
                    Re: Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

                    Music - A pep band is definitely better than what we have now. My take:

                    No Indy 500 Car Sounds
                    No Day-O
                    Hard to explain, but no taking a real fight song and screwing it up halfway through with a cheap mix.
                    If we had a live band, they should play some good fun music.
                    If we must pipe in music, we need to do a better job of selecting it.

                    My ultimate answer: Scrap the system we have now, and bring in the organ from the old Paramount Pizza Palace.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

                      I think everything is fairly superficial, except the ticket prices suggestion.

                      I was able to score 4th row seats to a Wizards game for 35 bucks. As a basketball fan, I'm not going to turn that down - no matter what color my seat is. And I think the general atmosphere of the lower bowl at Verizon will benefit by my presence. Not saying I'm a "regular Joe" or even a die hard Wizards fan but I know the players, I know the team, I know the NBA - and I'm going to cheer. Last Wiz game I went to, I did those same things...but in the $10 seats. I apologize if this is a little discombobulated. My point is that the NBA loses a lot of fans with ticket prices being fairly ridiculous. The base or team just isn't strong enough for the Pacers right now to be able to charge what you get charged at say, Boston games this year...yuck...

                      Btw, I love the whole Jay-OOOh...thing. LOVE it. I don't know why. I just do. It's one of the things I miss from going to games in Indy. So there.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

                        My schools pep band came and played at the Boston game this year but we could only play before the game. We sat in a corner and played for about an hour or 2. The fans really enjoyed us. There were kids dancing, and people clapping. I think they do need a pep band. I would still like to see a Drumline for player intros and for halftime. Detroit does it.

                        I love the dimming the lights idea too, I really get annoyed when the kid behind me is kicking me in the neck while his mother is talking on her cell phone the whole time.

                        The Pacers org. needs to read this thread.
                        Passion, Pride, Playoffs, Pacers

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

                          We've gone over the irritating piped in music before, especially DURING PLAY. Though we hard-core fans are almost unanimously against it, I think all of the NBA teams have done the calculations and concluded that it keeps the A.D.D./ borderline hoops fans involved.

                          As I live up here in Chicago, I make it down to Conseco for one or two games a year and the same thing strikes me every time - the real fans are stuck up in the 300 level while the great bowl seats are heavily populated by apathetic folks preoccupied with their Crackberrys, who likely inherited their tickets from some corporation. Yes, I realize this is the status quo at every pro arena, but the marketing geniuses have GOT to figure out some sort of system to get bonafide fans down by the court! BTW, that's always bugged me re IU games in Bloomington - take a good look at the folks in the 100 level seats; the average age has to be approaching 115. How about getting some actual students down there?

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                          • #14
                            Re: Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

                            Very good suggestions, T-Bird!

                            I remember mentioning the idea of a pep band a few years ago. I still think it beats the heck out of all the noise currently going on.

                            Speaking of noise, I think there should be ZERO noise through the PA during game action. I mean ZERO.

                            I also agree with the lighting. That along with eliminating the noise during play would really make the game itself the center of attention.

                            Seating should always be in the home teams colors. Does anyone think the Hoosier Dome was built with blue and white seats by accident? Even before the Colts relocated? Interesting, huh?

                            Now, I know you wanted to keep this thread "interior", or "at the game" so to speak. Dealing with the goings on at the fieldhouse, but here's another thought I've had:

                            I HATE the TV commercial the Pacers run. The one with the "Rock Star" concert sort of feel and the outdoor playing floor, and the players coming up through the floor on an elevating center circle.

                            To me this just screams "We are the stars and you are our adoring fans.". Well, these stars have only had one hit in the last seven years. Even then, it didn't top the charts.

                            It is OBNOXIOUS and IRRITATING! It just doesn't have a "The team is a part of YOUR community, come and join us at the game." feeling that would appeal much more, to me.
                            Last edited by Tom White; 12-17-2007, 10:55 AM.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Improving the fan experience and homecourt advantage at Conseco Fieldhouse

                              Originally posted by pianoman View Post
                              The Pacers org. needs to read this thread.
                              If they do, make sure they know that Kstat is a Pistons fan.

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