2012 recent attendance figures show some NBA franchises might be having problems in some cities

2012 recent attendance figures show some NBA franchises might be having a problems in some cities

Photo: Philips Arena often has low attendance for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks home game.

April 4, 2012

By Dilemma

With the city of Seattle seeming to be craving to have the NBA return after being home to a franchise for 41 years, the Sconics 1967–2008, it would seem that cities who currently have franchises would have enough fans to match their home season records. Even better, one might think some cities might have a strong loyal fan base that sticks with their teams through thick and thin regardless of the teams current records.

Well, when taking a look at this current NBA season, we find some numbers that stand out. These are as follows: the teams current season record, their conference ranking, their overall current season attendance and how their attendance match up with their records. In other cases, there seem to be loyal fans in some cities where season records should place their teams season attendance in last place. Or their lower season attendance actually does match up with the current record.

In the Eastern Conference we have the Chicago Bulls on top. They are currently in 1st place with a current season record of 42-13 and lead the entire NBA in home attendance.  Coming in at number 2 in the East is the Miami Heat, who is over all 4th in season attendance with a record of 38-14.

In the Western Conference we have the Portland Trail Blazers coming in 1st place in attendance and currently ranking 11th by current season record of 25-29 in the conference. In 2nd place in attendance by conference is the Dallas Mavericks with a current season record of 30-24 and ranking 6th by the current season record in the conference.

Now wait…..didn’t Seattle lose their NBA franchise to Oklahoma City? The Oklahoma City Thunder currently ranks in 1st place in the Western Conference an yet they place 8th in attendance in their conference and 13th in the entire NBA. Well, their situation is they have one of the smaller home arenas in the NBA where their fans fill to capacity. No, problem here.

The Charlotte Bobcats of the Eastern Confernce seem to have loyal fans. Actually, Charlotte must have some really supportive fans. Charlotte lost the Hornets to New Orleans due to a love affair with the owner gone sour. Then they entered into a new relationship and that never worked with the fans and the Bobcats’ original owner. Well, Michael Jordan arrives and the city welcomed him with open arms. But, the Charlotte Bobcats this season are not doing too well. They have a horrible record of 7-44. Yet, the Bobcats do not rank in last place in attendance. They actually rank 21 out of 30 teams. That’s not great but, it sure is better than Atlanta.

The Atlanta Hawks actually are playing the Charlotte Bobcats tonight in Atlanta. Atlanta currently ranks 23rd out of 30 teams in attendance and yet their record is 31-23 putting them currently as the 6th best team in the Eastern Conference out of 15 team. There seems to be an attendance problem in Atlanta when looking at the success of that franchise over the last few years. Charlotte on the other hand might just achieve great home attendance if they can put a team with a winning season record on the floor.

Below are teams of the NBA with their season attendance and their current season records. See for yourself what teams seem to have a fan base problem.

Citizens and potential owners of the Seattle area might want to take notes.

By the way the Atlanta Hawks rolled over  the Charlotte Bobcats 120-93 at Philips Arena on Wednesday night.

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NBA Attendance Report – 2012

As reported on April 4 prior to games held on that night

Eastern Conference Attendance Ranking

Western Conference Attendance Ranking