Elliotte Friedman reveals why attendance in Las Vegas is a disaster this season
Photo credit: Christopher Trim-Imagn Images
The Vegas Golden Knights are seeing fewer fans in the building, and Elliotte Friedman believes he knows why. Speaking on The FAN Hockey Show, the Sportsnet insider pointed to a ticketing situation that has put the franchise in a tough spot.
Friedman explained that brokers had been buying seats and reselling them on the secondary market. Many supporters came to feel the resale route offered a better deal than buying directly from the team.
As Friedman put it:
A lot of people felt that they were getting a better price through the secondary market than they were through the main market.
Vegas Takes Aim at Resale Brokers
According to Friedman, Vegas has decided to crack down on the practice. That decision is one of the reasons attendance is down.
In other words, the team appears willing to absorb a short-term hit in the stands to regain control over how its tickets reach fans.
It is a notable situation for a club long viewed as one of the hottest tickets in the league. Since arriving in the NHL, the Golden Knights have built a reputation for loud crowds and a game day atmosphere few arenas can match. Any dip in the building draws attention because of that standard.
Can the Crackdown Fill the Building?
The bigger question is whether the crackdown pays off. If the team can limit broker activity, the primary market could regain its appeal, and fans may return to buying straight from the source.
Pricing will be the key issue. Supporters will want proof that official tickets are fairly priced, otherwise the secondary market will keep its pull.
The product on the ice matters too. Vegas remains a contender in the eyes of many, and strong results typically bring buyers back. A cleaner ticketing system paired with winning hockey could help fill the arena again.
For now, Friedman's explanation paints a clear picture of a franchise choosing to fix a long-term problem at a short-term cost.
Fans will be watching closely to see how quickly the empty seats disappear, and whether the new approach keeps ticket prices honest.
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