New Jersey Nets to help out unemployed fans–thoughts for NHL?

According to the New York Times The New Jersey Nets have set up a web site where they are not only giving away 1500 tickets, but are taking resumes from fans. The resumes will then be distributed to the Nets advertisers.

Interesting idea. I’ve received email from the St Louis Blue’s PR wire about the “free food” nights and a “Fan Bailout Plan” that will pay rent or mortgage for 4 months (up to $4k–rents and mortgages must be really cheap in the St Louis area) for some lucky fan.

St Louis management “gets it”. The economy stinks, and things like attending hockey games, heck even watching games on TV, goes out the window when people are unemployed or worried about being unemployed. Sweetening the deal is the right tactic.

So, when do we see another franchise step up? Heck, it doesn’t have to be “pay the rent”–what the Nets are doing at least gives their fans another place to try and find a job, and it’s a good reminder to the advertisers that if no one is working, no one is buying their goods, either.

And the franchises need to figure out *now* what to do to make the fans decide to pony up the bucks for next year’s tickets. I remember back in 2001, when I called my ticket agent to get my parking changed, and she was so relieved that I wasn’t cancelling my season ticket package that I could feel it over the phone line. 2001 is likely to be a minor dip compared to what’s happening now, and people are going to look long and hard at parting with that much money.

It’s time to make sure that the customer experience is top-notch. So, NHL franchises–what are you doing to make sure the 2009-2010 season isn’t played to an empty house?

You might also want to read:

  1. Re-thinking goalie gear (or why it’s premature to make the nets bigger) Ottawa Citizen: This player has specific beefs: the fat layers of kneepads most NHL keepers are now using, and the thick flaps that stick out...
  2. We need bigger nets (oh, no we don’t!) KuklasKorner : Hockey: “Goalies have to get smaller or the nets have to get larger,” Regier said. “That goalie has to get significantly smaller for...
  3. Behind the Jersey » Man. Behind the Jersey » Man.: I just realized that Mick McGeough is a referee in tonight’s game. First off, why is he still allowed to...
  4. Behind the Jersey » Disparities in the NHL Schedule Behind the Jersey » Disparities in the NHL Schedule: A majority of the Eastern Conference organizations believe that the current NHL schedule is appropriate for...
  5. The NHL’s new safety nets I wanted to give this a few games before talking about it, to see how people adjusted to the new nets. (for those who aren’t...