Hoops

The cost of being part of the Red Army

You're getting $20 performances for $50 this season.

I think its a case of; you get what you pay for.
Look at the big picture. To enjoy success costs more than $20 a game. Its comes in at around $50 for an adult to go and be entertained.
I think any tipping point is, either when a new team from the West comes in (if that ever happens) or if success doesn't eventuate. The other side of the flip is, can you afford football, soccer, afl and every other item you currently enjoy?

Sucker born every minute.

Is the money the real cost though?

To quote TISM:

“It takes a great person to get an idea
But don't go public, it'll ruin the plan
'Cause no matter how intelligent or clever you are
You're only as good as your fans...
As a Mistral employee once told me
You're only as good as your fans”

Or

“Each... (Wildcat fan) kills the thing he loves
The fisherman caught in his own net.
It’s frightening that you deserve
The audience that you get”

"They'll soon find out, though."

Here come the doomsday preachers again. Been hearing that for about 4 years now.

It's not like there aren't budget seats available, Level 4 has been open every game this season and offers adult tickets for $20, Bronze is $50 for an adult. The memberships make it even cheaper. IMO, even after the increase, a membership is insane value.

"employment downturn"

The Wildcats seem to be oblivious to the economic downturn. They are in lala land. They'll soon find out, though.

Gotta love all the haters using this as yet another excuse to attack the Cats.
If you're not a fan, and/or don't go to Cats' games, what do you care??

For those of us that are fans, yes its tough if you're struggling to raise a family, etc, and/or suffering from the employment downturn. That's why for many years I only made it to a couple of games a year.
You can still support the team without attending games, and NBL TV is better than all the years when we had nothing but an occasional game on Foxtel.

As for "loyalty"? I get to keep the same seats I've always had, and at a substantial discount to new signings. What else do you expect?
Try going to a concert of any other event at PA, and see how much those same seats cost

correct me if i'm wrong but there are 14 games a season, so

Captains Club
Renewing member: $1,149 = $82 per game
New member: $1,599 = $114 per game

bummed to see the price rise, but after 3 years of no rise it was inevitable. although a smaller increment would have been better!!

WookieE *

WookiE so you're a web developer? Can you create a sick NBL page kthx.

@Perthfan - In addition to that, It would be interesting to see what the gap between members and non members prices are. The price per game gap between members and non members is ridiculous.

I would be paying double to buy my seat as a non member. It makes sense I guess to encourage fans to purchase a memberships, but I would think twice about paying $60-70 per game for where i sit.

Interesting. Way above CPI and wage price growth over the last 4 years in WA (4%-5% between December 2014 and December 2017). Suggests other factors are driving the increase.

Interesting. Way above CPI and wage price growth over the last 4 years in WA (4%-5% between December 2014 and December 2017). Suggests other factors are driving the increase. Higher team salaries? Less sponsorship revenue with WA economy having slowed so much over the last few years?

It'll be interesting to see how large the membership increases will be for other clubs.

I wonder how long Perth can keep breaking attendance records?

Especially if they lose to Adelaide. Knight has gone- one of the favourite sons. A substantial price increase on what were already expensive memberships.

Good on them, hopefully they keep drawing the numbers. But it can't continue forever.

Figured out to use a proper browser, KR? Although, as a web dev, stuffing something up that doesn't work in Firefox is pretty hard to do...

KR trying to prove everything again.

Train true come to think of it $30 isn't the point. It's all the bogan plebs that seem to be attracted to Cats games that you have to sit with. No thanks.

I remember back in the day the Cats crowd had normal people, now it's full of ferals.

The cost of being part of the Rort Army

Personally, the Cats kept their prices fixed during a couple of tough years for me, and now I'm happy to wear the increase.
But I have great Silver seats.

Be interesting to compare prices with similar seats for other teams in similar venues.

My silver membership worked out to under $30 a game. If you can’t see the value in that there’s something wrong. Watching NBL tv doesn’t come close to being at a live game.

Free NBL TV for your team will do for me.

NBL isn't worth the money they charge, especially if you have experienced NBA and college ball in the US.

Going to Melbourne this long weekend and even Melb Utd semi tickets are steep. Thought it was only a Wildcat thing but evidently not. Not worth it.

Also a price increase after the club didn't pay the money to adequately replace Marvin or Cooke. If you renew you're a sucker.

Are you so insecure that you had to post screenshots. lol

I've figured it out.

Firefox:


Chrome:

On which page? I can't see any such link.

Having 3 captains club memberships for the last 10 years this might just be the final straw. a $150 increase per seat is a bit rich. Wouldn't surprise me if they have a decrease in memberships this season. Especially if they don't win a championship.

What part of "you have to click the link in the email" was too hard to understand?

A bit off topic, but the Melbourne Cricket Club's (MCC) yearly membership subscription expires at the end of August each year.

Wonder why? Oh yeah, the AFL finals start in September. That's a strong reason to re-new your membership.

Smart Marketing for the MCC as there are guaranteed finals each year. However, what if the Wildcats don't make the finals?

Without me looking at the Wildcats website what do you get for those different membership categories? ie. Obviously entry to home games, walk up seating or a Permanent/Guaranteed reserved seat - where - does it depend on the Membership category?, etc.

rsth

What part of “you have to click the link in the email” was too hard to understand?

Wildcats don't just want passionate members they want smart members. If you can't follow simple directions from an email with clear instructions and a link then consider joining the Perth Glory

membership.wildcats.com.au

I can only find the new member info on the site.

This really should be in the email, along with details of the payment plan.

The fact that you have to renew before the playoffs have even finished is insane.

I'm also curious as to where you found those prices because they didn't appear to be in the email.

Do people not wearing red stick out like I did when I attended a death metal concert at heaven nightclub wearing all white?

Derek Cooke must be getting paid a fortune!

I'd happily pay extra if it was an indication of more games ala Tasmania has a team and we get 16 home games... then I'd understand it

It really would be interesting if another team came into the WA market how many fans would jump across.

"Interestingly, the cats have set up a "automatic renewal" system too."

This was setup last year also, I like it as I don't need to do anything to renew - but I imagine some people might not like that option.

Yep, first time for a few years that the price has gone up. I'm happy with that.
I have silver memberships, so mine was up $50 - which if you break it down over 14 home games, is only $3.57 per game increase. Reasonable.

Yes, my membership cost the same in 2015, '16 & '17, so the increase is totally understandable.
(Still hurts though!)

I read someehere that there was a period to multiple seasons where there was no increase, if that is true then an increase is understandable / bearable?

I nice ‘thank you’ for breaking attendance records. I’ll pay it but I wonder what the tipping point is.

Captains Club $999 -> $1149
Platinum $949 -> $1049
Gold $699 -> $769
Silver $399 -> $449
Bronze $329 -> $359

(Prices for adults who are already members)

Bored at home so I thought I would share my views on the league and each team with just over a third of the season in the books.
Feel free to challenge my views and ask questions... Just putting up some discussion points.
Here goes:
I have seen every team play on TV at least three times and I have seen Adelaide, Melbourne, Townsville, Sydney, Gold Coast and New Zealand play live.

Early on, before Damian Martin's injury I was almost prepared to lock in Perth as Grand Final locks however they have wavered without him and other teams have stepped up to the plate. Cairns, Gold Coast and Sydney have all improved vastly.

Townsville look weakened severely by losing Schenscher and skipper Hinder while Adelaide have some nice pieces but seem to lack too much in terms of depth and consistency.

Team by team analysis:
New Zealand - The reigning champions are still a force even without scoring machine Kirk Penney. New import Cedric Jackson looks clean and smooth providing Bruton, Wilkinson and Abercrombie with shots while the Kiwis are getting strong inside play from Vukona and Alex Pledger who is developing nicely.
Corletto seems to be slotting in nicely now and his shooting will be important later on. I expect this team to have a huge say in the season decider unless Jackson or Wilkinson go down.

Perth - We all know these guys play so hard, the fall back of that is injury and losing Martin hurts them dearly. He is their most important player and despite young Bartlett doing well he can never replace Martin's hustle and leadership.
Redhage was hot early but has cooled since and I expected more from Nevill inside while Matt Knight is super some games and silent the next.
Tovey, Williamson, Lisch, Robbins and once he is back, Martin, provide a lethal defensive combination while Wagstaff and Hire can come in and hustle and provide energy. Once they regain Martin they will be right there.

Melbourne - Let's state the obvious, losing Mills hurts but maybe not as much as first thought. I have a strong belief they can replace him with a legitimate big man. Maybe, just maybe even Bogut who seems to be very keen on spending some time in the NBL. Anyhow, Tragardh is playing well, he just needs to get fitter to provide a 35-minute inside presence while Dorsey is finally finding his groove.
Dillon is a nice defensive option while Walker and Greer can provide hustle, boards and some excitement.
I expect Ubaka to really flourish now and IF they sign a dominant big they I'll be very very hard to top.

Gold Coast - These guys are loaded, can score and might finally be getting their game together. Signing Deleon seems to be a masterstroke despite already having Gibson and Cadee. Whether they needed extra size will tell down the track but Hudson is a serviceable big man and fairly efficient.
They are loaded with versatile big man like Hoare, Worthington, Petrie and Garlepp.
I like their system but is it one that wins titles?

Cairns - These guys on paper look to lack talent and scoring but somehow coach Fearne has got them to .500 after 8.
Wilson is a solid import guard without being super while Drew Warren has copped some heat but has shown what he is capable of with three breakout shooting games. Being a shooter will always see him under pressure at times.
They need a healthy Loughton and Crosswhite to compete as Dowdell, Brebner, Williams and George don't provide a whole heap off the bench.
I struggle to see them hanging onto a winning record.

Townsville - Losing your starting power forward and centre is always tough but import Elvin Mims and late signing Holmes have down well to bridge the gap.
They are getting nothing from Michael Cedar and the second coming of Axel Dench in Ben Allen. Crawford is balling hard and young Blanchfield has been improving.
Norton leaves them lacking in depth while guard Eddie Gill is a reasonably consistent performer but might need to score more buckets.
Cannot see them in the finals.

Wollongong - The Hawks are struggling for mine. The new import Glover is not as good as hoped while Catron is and always has been too out of shape to be a real star. You can see his skills though.
Saville is really struggling while Coenraad has not come on anywhere near enough.
Davidson is a key while he needs help from Gruber and Forman badly.
They will clearly miss the finals.

Sydney - In Khazzouh and Grant I love their front court, obviously they lack depth but Bruce has been playing well while they have been getting cameos from Bose, Ratsczh and Madgen at times. Regaining Dann is important as he is versatile and compliments Khazzouh well.
Having Martin, Cooper, Iti and Gynes means they lack depth but they are improving slowly as a franchise. No finals though.

Adelaide - I love the addition of Simpson. He plays hard, has passion, rebounds and has a strong low post game.
With Ballinger struggling he and Johnson have still been a formiddable tandem while the much maligned Weigh has strung a few good games together and hit some big shots. I like Warren alongside veteran Crosswell but I would love to see him attack early and often instead of his recent fourth quarter runs.
Creek, Ng and Herbert have been quiet and significant improvement is needed there.
Will battle but could pass a couple.

PREDICTIONS
Champions - Wildcats
Runner-up - Breakers
3rd & 4th - Tigers and Blaze
MVP - Kevin Lisch / Gary Wilkinson
Defensive POY - Cedric Jackson
Sixth Man - Anthony Petrie
Coach of the Year - Rob Beveridge
All-Star 5
K. Lisch, C. Jackson, D. Simpson, J. Khazzouh, G. Wilkinson

That's my take, feel free to read, argue or completely ignore :-)