Lack of Support?? Just Do the Math!
Posted 1:38 PM ET | Comments 1
I just read an article by Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press ( Cloud 9: Wings' streak ties record; Zetterberg extends his) in which she states that the Joe Louis Arena was only "two-thirds full" last night.
This is simply not true and anybody with a calculator can verify the actual percentage.
In fact, the actual attendance last night against Columbus was 18,654. The approximate seating capacity at the Joe is 20,066. Correct me if I'm wrong, but my calculator says that the fractional capacity for the game last night against the Blue Jackets was about 93%. Somehow, St. James lost over 5,000 fans in actual attendance at the event.
I am at a loss to explain the mantra of some in the media this year who repeatedly claim (and apparently make up the numbers to "verify" those assertions) that Wings fans no longer support the team - especially when the team is doing so well. And I am really disturbed that this type of incorrect, negative speculation of numbers is permitted without fact checking and simple math. It is certainly not journalism or reportage as I understand the terms.
But, on a positive note, I always go online to read papers in the other cities we play to see how they report on our games and our team - before and after. I highly recommend the writing of Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch. Great information, great detail, fair coverage of the opposition, great analysis, and even praise for the team that beat the Blue Jackets last night.
In other words, a pleasure to read - and he actually reported the REAL number of folks in attendance.
This is simply not true and anybody with a calculator can verify the actual percentage.
In fact, the actual attendance last night against Columbus was 18,654. The approximate seating capacity at the Joe is 20,066. Correct me if I'm wrong, but my calculator says that the fractional capacity for the game last night against the Blue Jackets was about 93%. Somehow, St. James lost over 5,000 fans in actual attendance at the event.
I am at a loss to explain the mantra of some in the media this year who repeatedly claim (and apparently make up the numbers to "verify" those assertions) that Wings fans no longer support the team - especially when the team is doing so well. And I am really disturbed that this type of incorrect, negative speculation of numbers is permitted without fact checking and simple math. It is certainly not journalism or reportage as I understand the terms.
But, on a positive note, I always go online to read papers in the other cities we play to see how they report on our games and our team - before and after. I highly recommend the writing of Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch. Great information, great detail, fair coverage of the opposition, great analysis, and even praise for the team that beat the Blue Jackets last night.
In other words, a pleasure to read - and he actually reported the REAL number of folks in attendance.
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Wow! You mean the Red Wings are getting a bad wrap in the media about attendance too? Hummm......How about that?!?!?!?!? Amazing how when it affects "your" team how it can get you reved up. We experience the same thing in Nashville, except all of the US and Canada is reporting on us. Maybe the article you were reading refered to the "paid attendance." Or maybe it was the visual appearance of the lower bowl at "The Joe" It's amazing to me that for many years the Red Wings stated that "The Joe" had been sold-out for every game for "X" number of years and yet when you watch them on TV the lower bowl looked at least half empty. Maybe they were out buying beer or something. Bottom line is that the whole leagues attendance is down a little. This economy pinch is hurting everyone in the states. Hopefully the motor city will remain strong thru this difficult time in the automotive industry. Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!