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How will the recession affect the Clippers and the NBA?

There seems to be a chill in the free agency market this off season.  Unlike most  years, we've seen very few inflated long term contracts being awarded and alot of good solid veterans signed for much less money than what they would have earned a few years ago.  Part of this might be due to the big free agency class of next season, where many GM still harbor fantasies of adding Lebron and D-Wade to their franchise.  A bigger factor might be due to the reduced salary cap, which is a concession by the NBA that the recession has impacted league wide revenues. 

No sports franchise or league can be completely independent of their macroeconomic environment of course.  As unemployment edges up ever higher and households rein in their spending and reduce their debt burden, how will this affect attendance at games this season, and consequently, how will it affect the team's payroll in the future?  Though we might technically see an uptick in our GDP this quarter, consumer spending might be weak for years.  And spending upwards of $5k for season tickets each year is an indulgence that is easily cut. 

Many of us renewed our season tickets last year before the fall of Lehman Brothers and before the extent of the collapse of housing values became known.  Our record had alot to do with the sparse attendance last season, but we also have to remember that alot of those tickets were already sold to season ticket holders who were trying to unload them for pennies on the dollar during the year.  This season promises to be alot better in terms of quality.  But we are also staring into a very deep recession and a nagging sense that it would be wiser to put that extra $5k into CDs or TIPs rather than spending money as if we're immune from the recession.

The Clippers, as we know, are doing their best to maintain ticket prices for this season, which is a bit mind boggling as other teams with better records have slashed prices in order to maintain their fan base.  I haven't renewed our tickets this season yet, and of course, I've been innundated with calls, special package deals, and incentives for renewal.  I've talked with other season ticket holders who are also on the fence these past few weeks to compare notes on what Clippers rep are offering and it's very telling:

The reps are aggressively trying to get existing season ticket holders to buy additional tickets.  They're offering to sell a second or third seat for half price.  They've offered free parking passes plus two free tickets for every game (in the 300 section) for an extra $500 per seat (if you buy two seats in the 100 level).  And prime seats in the first three rows of many sections are still available.  What it adds up to is that ticket sales this year is shaping up to be disastrous for our Clips.  They're hoping that they can sell more tickets or give away free tickets in the 300 section to existing season ticket holders and let them try to off load those seats to their friends and neighbors.  I suppose this shouldn't be surprising with retail numbers still dismal across all sectors, with even stalwarts like WalMart reporting very weak sales figures.

Many of us here are hard core basketball junkies, of course.  And there used to be consensus that during economic crisis and hard times, entertainment and sporting events tend to do well.  But that was when going to a Yankees game cost you 25 cents.  It seems that we are now light years away from those days, as a beer will now cost you $11 at the Staples Center.  I'm curious if the recession will affect anyone's ability or willingness to attend Clippers games this year?  Is anyone reining in their discretionary spending at all?  Or are we still splurging on $100 scotch and laughing at the recession?

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