Mike Burch is with the Hornets marketing and promotions department in some capacity (not sure what his exact title is) and has been with the Hornets now for about two years. He visits the charlotte.com Hornets forum from time to time, and sometimes posts a message on that board when asked a question by one of the forum regulars.
Recently, a couple of the charlotte.com forumites wanted to know from Burch about the efforts of the Hornets organization to lure disgruntled fans back to the Hive in a "what-have-you-done-for- me-lately" kind of tone. Burch's response was incredible. When I read it, I had to ask myself why in the world the Hornets fans in Charlotte would ever feel like they have been "cheated" somehow by the organization. Anyway, I have posted both the question and response(s) below:
CAROLINA BLUES TO MIKE BURCH:
I found your response to the other post interestingly alluding. Please clarify for me exactly what the Hornets have done to entice fans to the Hive since your fearless leader Ray Wooldridge bought into the team? I read that your marketing department was considered one of the best in the league. If this is true then you have been instructed to purposely perform well below your capabilities. If that is also true, I suspect this relocation effort has been going on far longer than anyone cares to admit, which would surely illustrate to everyone just how shady Ray Wooldridge really is. So Mr. Burch, I challenge you to come out with the truth. After all it's a foregone conclusion that the Hornets are relocating to Nawlins, what do you have to lose except a guilty conscience?
W_HAMILTON TO MIKE BURCH:
I know when you first came to the organization Mike, you went to the HornetsWeb board and said you were going to try and win those fans back that the team had been losing over the years. You said you were going to do whatever it takes to get them back, and encourage new fans to come to the games. So what became of all that?
MIKE BURCH'S RESPONSE:
Just off the top of my head...
lowest single game ticket prices in the NBA this season, second lowest last season
no price increases in four years
award winning ad campaign this season
introduction of mini ticket packages including weekend plan, big game plans ranging from 6 to 10 games
Front Page Fridays - $5 off with an Observer front page
Seats and Treats Saturdays where purchase of any four tickets gets you 4 $5 food vouchers - you buy 4 $9 seats AND get $20 to spend on food? - not a bad deal
Entire team autograph session at Harris Y - open to the public
Players on the concourse signing autographs before games
$400,000 in charitable contributions just this year
2 for 1 ticket promotions during the playoffs last year
Donating 200 ticket a game to "Helping Professionals" - recognizing jobs and industries who may get overlooked - teachers, educational staff, healthcare workers, Special Olympics volunteers, police, fire, emergency workers
"Fan of the Game" honoring long-time, dedicated Hornets fans
"Hometown Heroes" program - recognizing individuals who make a difference in our area
not to mention the on-court stuff...
Get rid of the "bad apples" - done
Sign players - Mashburn, Wesley extended, starters signed for next year - done
Instead of always being committed to winning, we win, period.
10 years of .500 or better
second best record in the East over the last 10 years
Game 7 of second round
second trip to second round this year
One of the best coaches in the NBA
PJ Brown - Central Division Community Award Winner.
Bottom line....
A good team of good players who are good people at a good price.
I don't expect to change anyone's opinion, but I responded because you asked.
BURCH GOES ON TO SAY:
People told us they didn't have the time or money to come to 41 games, so we gave them four different mini-plans, including a six game option this year that featured the Kings, Lakers, Wizards, Sixers, Raptors, (the sixth team escapes me right now)
People told us they couldn't support misbehaving players - we got rid of them
People wanted to see roster stability - we signed our top six players for at least this year and next ( I think Lee is our only free agent this year)
We have not increased ticket prices in four years.
People were tired of us losing in the first round - we went to the second round.
Unfortunately, during all this, the city council and the people of Charlotte also made some decisions that contributed to where we are today. The relocation saga overshadowed anything the organization did. Most importantly, fans chose not to support this organization - for whatever reason. They didn't buy tickets, didn't attend games they did buy tickets for, didn't watch Hornets games on TV, didn't significantly watch any NBA games on TV. So our owners sought an alternative and have appear to have found one. I'm not sure what Charlotte expected to happen.
What happened has happened. It is what it is. You inquired so I'm responding.
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This from a member of the Hornets organization whose job it was to check the pulse of Joe Fan and incorporate what he found into the Hornet's promotions. I suddenly feel less sympathy for the Hornets fan who lives in Charlotte.