| 08 March 2010
Yesterday was the Coyotes Carnival. I was not in attendance. It was one of those things that wasn't meant to be because nothing could go right with it. I figured there was a reason I wasn't meant to go and there was.
Stolen from my friends facebook album..
A friend of mine text me during the Carnival. What was advertised as autographs and pictures for "tips" turned out the be stand in line to meet the players for $5 each line. Each line had 2 players in it. So in reality you paid $10 to get in and you could pay about $50 if you wanted to meet each player (Wolski, #71 and Uppy were for sure not in attendance, not sure about Schneider, didn't hear on him). Wolski and #71 were apparently getting their things, which is understandable. Kurt Sauer was there despite being on IR. That is definitely a Kurt thing to do!
Also stolen from her facebook album...
A lot of us were expecting it to be more like the Dave and Buster's "Game Night with the Coyotes". Yes the entrance was a little more ($50) but the first year you didn't have to pay for anything to get a sig or autograph. The guys were just walking around and playing games. It was a very social event. The next year they did the "Tips for Pics" and "Give a little to get a Scribble" which was still cool because you could give like $1 and still talk to the guys for a bit. And you got a receipt for the $50 entry so tax write-off. You didn't get one for the tips but that's ok since it was like $1 (and sometimes none because the guys wouldn't take the money, even when offered). The carnival was $5 per line and I doubt they were handing out receipts... $5 adds up fast. I also heard that the fans didn't get much time with each individual player, just enough to get a pic and sig. Where as at Dave & Buster's you could chat with them a bit. It just seems the Coyotes did a bad job in advertising this, as many fans were caught off guard for the $5 line fees. The advertising all said for "tips". They could have been more specific so people could have been prepared. Also, it would have been helpful to know the guys would be in pairs (for the most part) because usually you only want to see one guy in the pair. That's why Dave and Buster's was nice, all the guys were just wandering around, playing games. To see one, you didn't have to see another player if you didn't want to.
I am sad I missed out on seeing some of the players and my friends but overall it seems this did not compare to events from years past based on what several different people told me. If I would have went I would have just been chilling in the stands, as I don't have any cash right now. It would not have been any fun for me, except to see my friends.
I was expecting more. I am not disappointed but I think I would have been had I gone. Hopefully with new owners, things will be better next year. This season just hasn't been the same. The last two seasons there hasn't been as much fan interaction. That is what this team needs. Get the casual fan into these events and let them meet the guys. Once they do that, they will be hooked. You can't help but get attached to some of these players once you've met them. For the most part, we have a team full of nice guys who are always willing to interact with a fan. If a fan feels special, or like part of the team, they will be more willing to spend their money on it.
