Houston Comets--failing to grow the fan base

[BabHorn]

Some of comments by fan Lindsey Densing as featured on Mechele Voepel's blog seem to mirror the problems the Horns are having in attracting new fans, especially young ones with disposable income like Lindsey.

 

[#1UTFAN]

Thanks Bab for the thread. After reading the blog, albeit hurriedly, it seemed, as you inferred, the blog could have been talking about the UT basketball teams. It appeared to me and several of my BB buddies that the attitude of the coaches and the department offices since about 1988 has been one of, "Well, here we are. Come and watch us. We have won a national championship and look how great we were."

Prior to about 1988 (emphasis on about) the Women's side of the court worked to get fans into the Drum. It took hard work because the women moved from a temperature challenged Gregory to double headers in the Drum with a men's team that wasn't popular and wasn't winning. For a while the women outdrew the men in attendance but were only drawing 5000 to an occasional 7500 (USC and ARKANSAS). Then the team began to lose games and the front offices seemed to lose interest in the fans.

Now, why have fans stopped coming and new fans are few and far between?
1. Not a viable product. Mediocre teams, only occasionally exciting
2. Nothing done to draw past and new fans.
3. There has been and likely will remain a "Loyal" fan base who will attend because they enjoy collegiate women's basketball.
4. The core of this group has grown OLD!
5. The team has been isolated from the fans, i.e. NO FAST BREAK/TEXAS REWIND after each game. I think meeting with the team after week-end games would help a lot.
6. Closed practices. Not all fans will come to open practices because they have jobs, parking isn't easy, have other responsibilities, very limited space. Not a problem when practice is in the Drum.

What did I miss?

But, they are our team and there are those of us who will continue to show up at home and occasionally away. Anyone going to the Paradise Jam in the USVI?

 

[Bill in Sinton]

Coach G probably has her reasons but when the team played in Corpus Christi they were taken off the court immediately after the game which means no time for autographs, congratulations, etc. Of course a fairly current NC would make it understandable.
That is not good PR work for loyal fans.