The Timberwolves have renewed about 78 percent of their season tickets so far, according to president Chris Wright. That’s on a base of about 7,000 sold last season.
Even before superstar Kevin Garnett was traded to Boston, the Wolves were challenged to maintain and grow their season tickets. Three consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs and poor personnel decisions lessened the appeal of the Wolves’ brand in this highly competitive sports market.
Acquiring five players from Boston and two draft picks in exchange for Garnett last week hasn’t excited many season ticket holders and other fans. The Wolves held a news conference on Tuesday and season ticket holders were invited along with the press to hear from club officials and new players Al Jefferson, 22, Gerald Green, 21, Sebastian Telfair, 22, Ryan Gomes, 25, and Theo Ratliff, 34.
The event gave Wright and his staff an opportunity to sample the attitudes of season ticket holders. He told Sports Headliners the front office is taking a patient approach with season ticket holders. The Wolves will not require final payments on season tickets until September 1.
At the news conference season ticket holders offered a “well, we’re getting there” view on the new look Wolves, according to Wright. “What we’re going to do is we’re letting the market settle in on the deal (trade),” he added.
Wright talked about the impact of giving up Garnett who had played here since 1995, was the most high profile athlete in town and one day will be inducted into the basketball hall of fame. “We really feel when you lose a player of the stature of Kevin it takes awhile to get over the shock of that,” he said. “The fact (is) that he’s no longer here and that we will have a new identity around this team going into next season. But we also think that days like today gives us a great opportunity to introduce what we think are five incredible NBA players. …As the market warms to them…then the healing will begin. …”
I believe a final renewal rate of season tickets in the 90 percent range will be a success for the Wolves who have shown a lot of expertise in the past selling season tickets, plus single game and group tickets. The Wolves regular season home opener is November 2 against Denver.