Bulls implosion - good for business?

[Donatello Cat]

The Bulls really seem to be falling apart, with some bad losses and now Wade and Butler publicly calling out teammates for not caring enough. Through in trade rumors and this seems like it could be the makings of the perfect storm for NU basketball to really grab some attention in Chicago.

Obviously, we have to keep winning for this to happen. I saw someone posted already that people were noticing the price discrepancy between Sunday's NU and Bulls game, so maybe to a certain degree it's happening already.

Are you rooting for the front page headlines and thousands of band wagoners watching their first NU game of the year (and possibly the first NU game of their lives)? I'm a little torn on this, as it can create a lot of pressure on a team / potentially serve as a distraction, and all I really care about is making the tournament. On the other hand, selling more tickets and getting more fans should generally be a good thing for the program, recruiting, and beyond.

(Yes, there's still the Hawks, and I don't imagine NU basketball will ever be the dominant sports news story on a daily basis . . but there's definitely still a lot of room to get more attention than we currently get!)

 

[Fitz51]

Nah - I don't think the two are competing for a "basketball audience," just like the Bears' success or lack thereof has no visible effect on the football crowds.

 

[hdhntr1]

The Bulls really seem to be falling apart, with some bad losses and now Wade and Butler publicly calling out teammates for not caring enough. Through in trade rumors and this seems like it could be the makings of the perfect storm for NU basketball to really grab some attention in Chicago.

Obviously, we have to keep winning for this to happen. I saw someone posted already that people were noticing the price discrepancy between Sunday's NU and Bulls game, so maybe to a certain degree it's happening already.

Are you rooting for the front page headlines and thousands of band wagoners watching their first NU game of the year (and possibly the first NU game of their lives)? I'm a little torn on this, as it can create a lot of pressure on a team / potentially serve as a distraction, and all I really care about is making the tournament. On the other hand, selling more tickets and getting more fans should generally be a good thing for the program, recruiting, and beyond.

(Yes, there's still the Hawks, and I don't imagine NU basketball will ever be the dominant sports news story on a daily basis . . but there's definitely still a lot of room to get more attention than we currently get!)

Pro basketball is really pretty meaningless for casual fans unless you have a team like the Bulls of the 90's . While I watched a lot of games during that period, now if it is on, so what. College BB has other drawing power where every game can have meaning. But if they make it too much like the pro sport...

 

[julescat]

College sports will always be minor league in a pro sports city.

 

[willycat]

The Bulls really seem to be falling apart, with some bad losses and now Wade and Butler publicly calling out teammates for not caring enough. Through in trade rumors and this seems like it could be the makings of the perfect storm for NU basketball to really grab some attention in Chicago.

Obviously, we have to keep winning for this to happen. I saw someone posted already that people were noticing the price discrepancy between Sunday's NU and Bulls game, so maybe to a certain degree it's happening already.

Are you rooting for the front page headlines and thousands of band wagoners watching their first NU game of the year (and possibly the first NU game of their lives)? I'm a little torn on this, as it can create a lot of pressure on a team / potentially serve as a distraction, and all I really care about is making the tournament. On the other hand, selling more tickets and getting more fans should generally be a good thing for the program, recruiting, and beyond.

(Yes, there's still the Hawks, and I don't imagine NU basketball will ever be the dominant sports news story on a daily basis . . but there's definitely still a lot of room to get more attention than we currently get!)

Not sure if the Bulls problems will result in more fans taking in a NU game but it can't hurt. Have definitely noticed that NU BB is getting a lot more print coverage. I also won't hurt that the World Champion Cubs trophy will be at W-R Sunday.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

If bandwagon fans pack the home games and help create a raucous home environment, that will be a net benefit to the team's success. It will outweigh any "pressure" the new fans bring.