Okay, I hear ya and thanks for the replies regarding such. I guess if the Pirates were winning they'd probably be more popular? Winning does wonders for a lot of teams and their fanbases.
- MattStrat

Pirates will never be a winning organization EVER again. They are nothing but a minor league for prospects to get better and then move on to the big leagues for the big money Baseball is nothing but greed greed greed. No salary cap prohibits the lesser lights from competing and they never will. Just a proving ground for young players that will move on. They guys on the Pirates laugh at you fans every time they cash a paycheck. And really laugh out loud when they move on to greener pastures Baseball fans in this town are the suckers. Go down and get drunk and have a night out That is the theme Oh wait FIREWORKS tonite Let's go to the ball yard and watch the fireworks What a bunch of dopes And btw I was a big baseball fan when it actually meant something in Pittsburgh Now that game we loved growing up is not even watchable anymore

Most sports franchises ebb and flow. Goes hand in hand with winning and rebuilding. Pens fans will accept a rebuild as long as they believe ownership is serious about winning. As far as we know, this ownership group likes/wants to win and spend $$$ when the time is right. We have the greatest example of an unserious owner (Pirates), so fans know the difference.

When they go rebuild route, they need to tear it down to the studs. The Steelers should have done that 2 years ago.
- madmike71

Pens fans sure I can see it. General Pittsburgh sports fans, I'm just interested to see how it will go post Crosby and company. Even with Lemieux the NHL didn't become big, but this core has had a long run of success.

And agree about the Steelers. Should have torn it down with few exceptions if not last year than this past off-season.

Exactly. Starting QB talk for Steelers v bottom of roster battles and Jeff Carter is day to day for Pens. Which is going to drive ratings?
- Tojo.

I guess it still just baffles me that people actually consider American football a sport.

I guess it still just baffles me that people actually consider American football a sport.
- Grinder47

hahaha how isnt it a sport? It's totally a sport. A hard one at that, not just physically but the intricacies of the plays, formations and what not are nuts. Its like a chess match and I am by no means will versed in it, but do think its awesome. Figured you'd like it with all the tackling.

The name however? that could be different. Pretty much everywhere else in the world, but USA and Canada, soccer is called football....and it makes sense for that sport (soccer) to be called football because its played with feet...football(soccer) is also the sport of the world. It is the most played sport globally.

I'll be curious as the Pens really decline how popular they will remain in Pittsburgh. But for now they're easy #2 and it isn't close. Pirates even though regular season got almost no air time.

Steelers have a struggling offense, an OV everyone hates, and a 1st round pick QB from Pitt sitting on the sidelines. It's easy ratings.
- Tojo.

I'm curious too...better not be any threats of moving the organization in the future. I'm not from Pittsburgh but the Pens are a huge part of me and my life, ever since I was a little boy. I would of been heart broken if they moved and were called something else.....just like my 9 year older bro who was a diehard Whalers fan. He doesn't give a sh!t about the Canes and even lost a bit of love for just hockey in general when the Whalers moved. He is however a huge NFL (Cowboys) and MLB (A's) fan, whereas I'm kind of fringe on both leagues/sports. I love NFL and MLB playoffs, always watch them....and I am officially back on the Blue Jays bandwagon hahah

Pirates will never be a winning organization EVER again. They are nothing but a minor league for prospects to get better and then move on to the big leagues for the big money Baseball is nothing but greed greed greed. No salary cap prohibits the lesser lights from competing and they never will. Just a proving ground for young players that will move on. They guys on the Pirates laugh at you fans every time they cash a paycheck. And really laugh out loud when they move on to greener pastures Baseball fans in this town are the suckers. Go down and get drunk and have a night out That is the theme Oh wait FIREWORKS tonite Let's go to the ball yard and watch the fireworks What a bunch of dopes And btw I was a big baseball fan when it actually meant something in Pittsburgh Now that game we loved growing up is not even watchable anymore
- broncohorvath

That's pretty sh!tty, man. So what's the deal with ownership and management? why don't they give a sh!t about the on-field product and fans?

Pens fans sure I can see it. General Pittsburgh sports fans, I'm just interested to see how it will go post Crosby and company. Even with Lemieux the NHL didn't become big, but this core has had a long run of success.

And agree about the Steelers. Should have torn it down with few exceptions if not last year than this past off-season.
- Tojo.

Even in the Richard Tarnstrom/Rico Fatta years, the Pens were around 78% capacity at the old arena.....and that team was under serious threat of moving. This fan base is rock solid. I am however concerned about the damage from the pandemic and inflation. It's a big check for middle class people (the bulk of their customers). TV ratings have always been through the roof, so I'm concerned a good chunk of the fan base will choose to watch on TV rather than attend in person.

That's pretty sh!tty, man. So what's the deal with ownership and management? why don't they give a sh!t about the on-field product and fans?
- MattStrat

With public subsidies for his stadium and the outrageous sums of money they make from TV and other streams, Bob Nutting makes money hand over fist without even selling a ticket. He is clearly happy to do that. It's completely risk free profit. He has zero emotional investment in the success of the team.

Most of these billionaires get into the business to satiate their hyper competitive ego's. They're all mostly Jerry Jones types. Bob Nutting (Pirates owner), on the other hand doesn't seem to care in the least about a good product as long as he's able to print money. He makes a few appearances a year and mostly hides in the background. You rarely ever see the guy.

Even in the Richard Tarnstrom/Rico Fatta years, the Pens were around 78% capacity at the old arena.....and that team was under serious threat of moving. This fan base is rock solid. I am however concerned about the damage from the pandemic and inflation. It's a big check for middle class people (the bulk of their customers). TV ratings have always been through the roof, so I'm concerned a good chunk of the fan base will choose to watch on TV rather than attend in person.
- madmike71

Yea I remember me and my buddies doing the student rush during those hard years. I was devastated when Jagr, Kovalev, Straka, Lang we're all gone, it was tough but definitely worth it. There will be a time for this core to be done but it's not time yet.

With public subsidies for his stadium and the outrageous sums of money they make from TV and other streams, Bob Nutting makes money hand over fist without even selling a ticket. He is clearly happy to do that. It's completely risk free profit. He has zero emotional investment in the success of the team.

Most of these billionaires get into the business to satiate their hyper competitive ego's. They're all mostly Jerry Jones types. Bob Nutting (Pirates owner), on the other hand doesn't seem to care in the least about a good product as long as he's able to print money. He makes a few appearances a year and mostly hides in the background. You rarely ever see the guy.
- madmike71

This, the worst owner in sports.

With public subsidies for his stadium and the outrageous sums of money they make from TV and other streams, Bob Nutting makes money hand over fist without even selling a ticket. He is clearly happy to do that. It's completely risk free profit. He has zero emotional investment in the success of the team.

Most of these billionaires get into the business to satiate their hyper competitive ego's. They're all mostly Jerry Jones types. Bob Nutting (Pirates owner), on the other hand doesn't seem to care in the least about a good product as long as he's able to print money. He makes a few appearances a year and mostly hides in the background. You rarely ever see the guy.
- madmike71

That really sucks, man. The people/fans deserve better.

That really sucks, man. The people/fans deserve better.
- MattStrat

It's so bad, and what's sad is when the owners gave the go in a few of those McCutchen years it was an amazing experience. PNC park was absolutely rocking.

Even in the Richard Tarnstrom/Rico Fatta years, the Pens were around 78% capacity at the old arena.....and that team was under serious threat of moving. This fan base is rock solid. I am however concerned about the damage from the pandemic and inflation. It's a big check for middle class people (the bulk of their customers). TV ratings have always been through the roof, so I'm concerned a good chunk of the fan base will choose to watch on TV rather than attend in person.
- madmike71

I remember going to games in the early 80’s when there were 5,000 people there. I also knew several people who supported them during these lean years that were pushed and priced out once they became better in the late 80’s. Even if you had a half season plan for 20 years, you had to upgrade to a full or you were out or relegated behind the net. “Supply and demand” we were told. The same process repeated itself once Crosby and Malkin came along. Loyalty is a two way street. If you’re going to price many of your fan base out during the good times, how can you expect them to be there for you during the bad? The Pirates did the same thing during their only two good years and look at them now!

I remember going to games in the early 80’s when there were 5,000 people there. I also knew several people who supported them during these lean years that were pushed and priced out once they became better in the late 80’s. Even if you had a half season plan for 20 years, you had to upgrade to a full or you were out or relegated behind the net. “Supply and demand” we were told. The same process repeated itself once Crosby and Malkin came along. Loyalty is a two way street. If you’re going to price many of your fan base out during the good times, how can you expect them to be there for you during the bad? The Pirates did the same thing during their only two good years and look at them now!
- sjfpp

It's a valid point. The Steelers have never done that. The price increases were never very big. Credit where credit is due, the Rooney's never soaked their fans. Even when they made us buy a seat license for the new stadium, it wasn't all that expensive.

Just to add to this.... The Steelers have been dealing with 10,000 no shows for years. Even though the tickets are sold, people aren't attending like they used to.

hahaha how isnt it a sport? It's totally a sport. A hard one at that, not just physically but the intricacies of the plays, formations and what not are nuts. Its like a chess match and I am by no means will versed in it, but do think its awesome. Figured you'd like it with all the tackling.

The name however? that could be different. Pretty much everywhere else in the world, but USA and Canada, soccer is called football....and it makes sense for that sport (soccer) to be called football because its played with feet...football(soccer) is also the sport of the world. It is the most played sport globally.
- MattStrat

I think it’s because I was drug kicking and screaming to every Pitt home game until I was like 14. Games so slow and boring. I’ve tried to watch it as an adult and still just think it’s like watching paint dry.