Once again, the citizens of Greensboro have dissed the Greensboro Coliseum. With a population of well over 200,000 people, only 4623 showed up to watch the NUMBER 1 TEAMS in WOMENS BASKETBALL play in the Greensboro Coliseum.
WHY, oh WHY couldn’t more people come out to see a perfectly excellent game of womens basketball in our 23,000 Seat Coliseum?
Was it the $26.00 Ticket?
Was it the $7.00 Parking?
Was it the 9 PM Start?
Was it FREE Television on ESPN?
Was it the lack of local teams?
Was it the coliseum itself?
Coliseum Deputy Director Scott Johnson said coliseum staff would continue to work aggressively to bring events to Greensboro.
“The luck of who won or got in what bracket isn’t going to dissuade us from bidding on future tournaments,” he said.
– News & Record – March 31, 2009.
The Coliseum could care less if they are successful – they are government, tax-paid employees. They get paid regardless of the profitability or lack thereof of the coliseum. Coliseum management is paid well over a million dollars (management salaries are available at the Rhino Times). Imagine if they were paid based upon the profits from coliseum events instead – just like the owners of every business in town.
The NCAA Womens Tournament might have gotten a few more takers with cheaper prices; but we will never know. The only problem is that the NCAA Womens Tournament performed poorly nationwide. Several national sports shows, including Bob Costas, mentioned that the possible pairing of the Mens and Womens Tournaments (same facilities, alternating days) might improve the press coverage. We may never know if that would work either. Too many people talking about money – making it – instead of listening to the fans.
I was at the game and I’m glad I didnt pay to see the poor quality of basketball that was displayed last night. For the price of the ticket and parking, its not worth it. The womens game is slow and played below the rim. I would rather watch a boys high school game.