syxx2001 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2004 Every time I read something about TNA ticket sales, it says something about the audience being papered. Im guessing thats free tickets so the arena doesn't look bad on TV. So, why do they keep doing it? Last time I read it said "1/3 of the crowd actually paid". I know that if I got 5 of my friends and they knew that we could get in the club for free if they needed more people for it to be more exciting, we would go just to go for free. Then once people found out about it, more people would stop paying so they could get in free. It seems like everyone in Nashville has been doing that for a year or so now. So why doesn't TNA just say "We aren't giving you free tickets anymore. Pay". Its gonna get to a point where 1/4 of the crowd is paying then lower and lower. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes Report post Posted March 17, 2004 How could we actually know how many people pay and how many don't? Random guessing? If no one ever paid (1/3 is no one almost) then the company wouldn't be around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
syxx2001 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2004 The 'sheets'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes Report post Posted March 17, 2004 The 'sheets'. Does Dave Meltzer count the tickets one by one or something? I'm not denying the crowd is somewhat papered. But I doubt that things are so bad that ICP were lucky to have 1/3 of the crowd pay for admission. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted March 17, 2004 How could we actually know how many people pay and how many don't? Random guessing? If no one ever paid (1/3 is no one almost) then the company wouldn't be around. TNA has to release those numbers as Panda, if I'm not mistaken, is a public company. Besides, they've always had access to these numbers. And they can't afford to NOT paper as it'd look horrible for the tiny Asylum to be nearly empty. See how badly they had to black out the arena on the 2nd episode and you'll see what'd happen without papering. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2004 Mike is right. Tis better to have a crowd that doesn't pay than no crowd at all. If they weren't putting it on TV it would be different...but you need an audience for TV. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Metal Maniac 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2004 Besides, I think they make their actual money from the PPV buys, and not the tickets sold. Thus, it doesn't hurt them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
syxx2001 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2004 You need your audience for TV, but why do you think the majority is quiet, even after a high spot? They aren't there for the wrestling, they are there because they can get in free. The only wrestling they might know is Undertaker and Stone Cold from Fully Loaded 99. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BoboBrazil 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2004 I heard most of the people that come in are homeless and just want somewhere to stay for a couple of hours, since it is a really bad part of town. It might hurt them to stop freebies at the beginning, but it would help them in the long run. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jingus 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2004 The 1/3 number is simple: all of the seats on the floor around ringside are paid admission only, no freebies. The people in the bleachers and balconey all got in free, except for the occasional sucker who couldn't find a ticket or didn't know better. It's pretty much an assumption that if TNA ever stopped giving out the free tickets, their crowds would drop by half or more, and that looks and sounds terrible on TV. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Coffey Report post Posted March 17, 2004 I wish the shows were a little bit closer to me. If they were, I'd try to go every week. I live in Terre Haute, IN. That's about an hour and a half South West of Indianapolis if you don't know where the city is. It'd be a road trip to get to NWA, that's for sure. It takes four hours just to get to Kentucky border from my city, and that's without detours. It's almost six hours (about 270 miles) to get to Nashville, TN Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes Report post Posted March 17, 2004 The 1/3 number is simple: all of the seats on the floor around ringside are paid admission only, no freebies. The people in the bleachers and balconey all got in free, except for the occasional sucker who couldn't find a ticket or didn't know better. It's pretty much an assumption that if TNA ever stopped giving out the free tickets, their crowds would drop by half or more, and that looks and sounds terrible on TV. Damn Site screwed me over. Let me try my post again: Thank goodness not all the floor seats are papered, otherwise TNA is stupid. I should've guess though the balcony people were, since no one would probably pay $15 for a ticket to stand around for nearly 3 hours. And for the hobo thing....what the hell?! Thank God I never really pay attention for hobos. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Astro101 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2004 Could they just charge like, a buck or two per person outside of ringside? Money is money no matter how little. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2004 Maybe at one time they could have...but I can't see them going out and begging for change after almost 2 years of letting them in free. It would, however, be a funny thing to watch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes Report post Posted March 17, 2004 I can imagine... Jeromy Borash: Please sir, we'll give you 20 cans for $1 if you come inside and watch our show! Hobo: Ayhewahahahageee.... (Borash runs away scared as fuck) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
