Hoops

Gold+ Seating @ AEC

Almost the exact same issue as the OP. We had previously just had two memberships for my wife and I and tried to offload the kids to babysitters, but my eldest in particular likes going so we upgraded to a family membership this season so all four of us could go.

At Titanium Arena we had worked our way into our ideal position over the last 10 years, Aisle seating, first row of Gold+. We had a good group of members around us that we became friends with, and those next to us had even said they'd move their seats a couple down so our kids could come this season, but then the venue changed.

We could tell at the open day that the tiers weren't going to be steep enough in Gold+ so we requested to go up to the mezzanine, but even at that early stage, they couldn't find us 4 seats together. We decided to "give it a go" this season, but so far it has been as expected. Even I, at 6'3" struggle to see past the punters in front, and there are lots of "dead spots" on court where no matter what, i just can't see what is happening there. We're also now buried in the middle of a row, which is far from ideal with two youngsters who need to get out for the toilet, or just get ratty and need to get out to the concourse and burn some energy.

My parents are also members and have been going for 15 years. They are in a different section of Gold+ but are experiencing the exact same problems with sighting what is happening on the court. The old man is a grumpy bastard at the best of times so he's been going pretty hard at the Member team about the problems. He even had a meeting last week down at the AEC and they made it fairly clear that they're aware the vision in the lower sections is shit but they can't and won't do anything about it so they're just trying to appease the loudest complainers as best they can. They have offered my olds new seats higher up, but Dad's not convinced that the position is going offer a better vantage. If they last out this season I'm fairly sure they won't be back next year.

From the group of Members we used to sit with, probably 50% saw their seats at the open day and decided not to renew, so that probably says it all really. I won't be renewing next year for our family unless they can get us a spot where we can all see. Plenty of people on here, and also apparently at the club, think that having a bigger venue, bigger score cube, better food options outweighs the ability of patrons to see the game of basketball. I think that's a mistake. They are clearly pushing the "event" model. They are forgetting that a lot of people actually are paying money to see their team, not just socialise. If you can't see your team then why pay the money? They're really walking a fine line when the NBL is so accessible via streaming services and TV. Because at least on my TV i can see the whole damn court and I don't feel disconnected from the game.

Not sure why some people on here are so hostile to the experience of paying customers.

I gave up my seats this year as I could tell from the open day that I would have to crane my neck from the Gold plus seats allocated to me and my wife would have it even worse. I then had the option of silver seats behind the baseline or general admission but after experiencing multiple price hikes for my seating category over the last couple of seasons I decided the value wasnt there.

Next season will be the real test of the move, how many will not renew due to these issues. I hope for the sake of the club that whoever they lose is made up by new customers plus some.

There is some losers out of the move by the club. I don't see what is wrong in acknowleding that.

Sixers staffers deserve a pay rise for the amount of whingers and sooks they have to endure from this fan base. Nothing but complaints.

The sixers staff are doing it for free tickets and exposure though?

At the open day I looked at that level of seating and thought that they wouldn't be any good and got 4 x mezzanine. A costly exercise but we can see everything

The National Basketball League has fined the Melbourne Tigers’ coach Chris Anstey $1,000 for breaching the NBL’s rules and regulations in regards to public criticism of referees.

A further $500 fine has been suspended pending any further criticism of referees.

The fine after comments made to media by Anstey following Melbourne’s 73-58 loss to the Perth Wildcats at Perth Arena on Sunday 13 January.