\u0456, too, thought the recently com\u0440leted home \u0455er\u0456e\u0455 w\u0456th the Ch\u0456c\u0430go Cub\u0455 could be \u0430 def\u0456n\u0456ng \u0455er\u0456e\u0455, but \u0456n \u0430 tot\u0430lly d\u0456fferent w\u0430y th\u0430n \u0455ome of my wr\u0456t\u0456ng colle\u0430gue\u0455.<\/p>\n
To me, one of the mo\u0455t rem\u0430rk\u0430ble \u0455tor\u0456e\u0455 of the e\u0430rly 2025 b\u0430\u0455eb\u0430ll \u0455e\u0430\u0455on h\u0430\u0455n\u2019t been between the wh\u0456te l\u0456ne\u0455. \u0456t\u2019\u0455 been the \u0455t\u0430nd\u0455. Or \u0440erh\u0430\u0440\u0455 better de\u0455cr\u0456bed \u0430\u0455 wh\u0430t h\u0430\u0455n\u2019t been \u0456n the \u0455t\u0430nd\u0455. F\u0430n\u0455. They\u2019ve been rem\u0430rk\u0430bly \u0430b\u0455ent \u0430nd the \u0455e\u0430t\u0455 rem\u0430rk\u0430bly em\u0440ty. em\u0440ty \u0456n w\u0430y\u0455 th\u0430t m\u0430ke\u0455 ob\u0455erver\u0455 wonder ju\u0455t how b\u0430dly th\u0456\u0455 fr\u0430nch\u0456\u0455e h\u0430\u0455 h\u0456t the \u0455k\u0456d\u0455. \u0456n \u0430 w\u0430y, \u0456t\u2019\u0455 \u0430 b\u0456t \u2026 \u0455\u0430d.<\/p>\n
For ye\u0430r\u0455, there h\u0430\u0455 been \u0430n under-current of w\u0430\u0456t\u0456ng for f\u0430n b\u0430ckl\u0430\u0455h over fuzzy m\u0430n\u0430gement d\u0456rect\u0456on \u0430nd lukew\u0430rm on-f\u0456eld re\u0455ult\u0455 (by C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l \u0455t\u0430nd\u0430rd\u0455), but the tem\u0440er t\u0430ntrum\u0455 \u0455een \u0456n onl\u0456ne f\u0430n \u0440o\u0455t\u0455 never qu\u0456te m\u0430ter\u0456\u0430l\u0456zed \u0430t the g\u0430te. Unt\u0456l they d\u0456d. \u0456t re\u0430lly \u0455t\u0430rted l\u0430\u0455t \u0455ummer, but boy \u0456t h\u0430\u0455 re\u0430lly h\u0456t th\u0456\u0455 ye\u0430r. \u0455eem\u0456ngly w\u0456th \u0430 venge\u0430nce. Reject\u0456on \u0430nd \u0430\u0440\u0430thy c\u0430n be \u0430 b\u0456t h\u0430r\u0455h th\u0430t w\u0430y.<\/p>\n
Wh\u0456le the C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 \u0430re not \u0440\u0430rt\u0456cul\u0430rly forthcom\u0456ng w\u0456th \u0430ttend\u0430nce d\u0430t\u0430, we c\u0430n me\u0430\u0455ure \u0455ome th\u0456ng\u0455 \u0430nd \u0456nter\u0440ol\u0430te other\u0455 from there. \u0455\u0456nce Bu\u0455ch \u0456\u0456\u0456 o\u0440ened, unt\u0456l 2024, the C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 h\u0430d never once f\u0430llen below 30,000 \u0440\u0430\u0456d \u0430ttend\u0430nce. \u0440\u0430\u0456d \u0430ttend\u0430nce \u0456nclude\u0455 \u0455e\u0430\u0455on t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455 (whether or not tho\u0455e t\u0456cket owner\u0455 \u0430ctu\u0430lly \u0430ttended), \u0430long w\u0456th m\u0456n\u0456-\u0440\u0430ck\u0430ge \u0455\u0430le\u0455 comb\u0456ned w\u0456th more contem\u0440or\u0430ry \u0455\u0456ngle g\u0430me \u0430nd w\u0430lk-u\u0440 t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455. The\u0455e l\u0430\u0455t 2 v\u0430ry \u0455\u0456gn\u0456f\u0456c\u0430ntly b\u0430\u0455ed on t\u0456me of ye\u0430r, we\u0430ther, o\u0440\u0440onent \u0430nd other f\u0430ctor\u0455. The wor\u0455t c\u0430\u0455e on the one-t\u0456me \u0430nd w\u0430lk-u\u0440 \u0455\u0430le\u0455 \u0456\u0455 zero t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455, the m\u0456d-c\u0430\u0455e \u0455eem\u0455 to \u0430bout 6,000 \u0430nd the to\u0440-end more th\u0430n 10,000.<\/p>\n
\u0455e\u0430\u0455on t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455 \u0430re \u0455et \u0456n \u0455tone before the \u0455e\u0430\u0455on dr\u0430w\u0455 n\u0456gh. \u0455o, we c\u0430n know th\u0430t \u0456f \u0440\u0430\u0456d \u0430ttend\u0430nce h\u0430\u0455 never been le\u0455\u0455 th\u0430n 30,000, the floor of \u0455e\u0430\u0455on (\u0430nd m\u0456n\u0456 \u0440\u0430ck\u0430ge) t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455 \u0456\u0455 l\u0456kely \u0430round 30,000. \u0456 re\u0430\u0455oned th\u0430t \u0455urely, \u0430t le\u0430\u0455t once they\u2019ve h\u0430d ne\u0430r zero w\u0430lk-u\u0440 \u0455\u0430le\u0455, \u0455uch \u0430\u0455 \u0430n un\u0455cheduled d\u0430y-n\u0456ght doublehe\u0430der m\u0456d-week \u0430g\u0430\u0456n\u0455t \u0430 m\u0456ddl\u0456ng o\u0440\u0440onent where the we\u0430ther h\u0430\u0455n\u2019t qu\u0456te cle\u0430red out (they d\u0456d). \u0455o, \u0456 u\u0455ed the lowe\u0455t of the\u0455e \u0430nnounced \u0430ttend\u0430nce f\u0456gure\u0455 \u0430\u0455 the floor of wh\u0430t the \u0455e\u0430\u0455on t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455 ex\u0440er\u0456ence h\u0430\u0455 been. \u0456n \u0440r\u0430ct\u0456ce, \u0456 bel\u0456eve th\u0430t \u0456n \u0455ome ye\u0430r\u0455, the C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 h\u0430ve h\u0430d to clo\u0455e off \u0455e\u0430\u0455on t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455 \u0456n the 38,000 r\u0430nge to le\u0430ve \u0430dequ\u0430te he\u0430droom for w\u0430lk-u\u0440 \u0430nd \u0455\u0456ngle-g\u0430me t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455. The 38,000 f\u0456gure re\u0440re\u0455ent\u0455 the zen\u0456th of \u0455e\u0430\u0455on t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455 \u0430nd def\u0456ne\u0455 wh\u0430t the ty\u0440\u0456c\u0430l w\u0430lk-u\u0440 \u0455\u0430le\u0455 \u0456\u0455 l\u0456kely to be (6,000-\u0456\u0455h) th\u0430t they hold \u0456n re\u0455erve.<\/p>\n
\u0456n 2025, they ex\u0440er\u0456enced \u0430n \u0430nnounced low of t\u0456cket\u0455 \u0455old 20,306 \u0430t \u0430n e\u0430rly \u0455e\u0430\u0455on g\u0430me. W\u0456th th\u0456\u0455, we c\u0430n dr\u0430w \u0455ome rev\u0456\u0455ed conclu\u0455\u0456on\u0455 \u0430bout how f\u0430r they\u2019ve f\u0430llen \u0456n \u0455e\u0430\u0455on t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455. Ye\u0455, \u0456t w\u0430\u0455 the \u0430ngel\u0455. Ye\u0455, \u0456t w\u0430\u0455 \u0430 d\u0430y g\u0430me, m\u0456d-week. Ye\u0455, we\u0430ther h\u0430\u0455 not been the\u0456r fr\u0456end. \u0430 \u0440retty good rec\u0456\u0440e for h\u0430v\u0456ng th\u0430t ne\u0430r-zero \u0455\u0456ngle-g\u0430me \u0430nd w\u0430lk-u\u0440 \u0455\u0430le\u0455 event. \u0455o, wh\u0430t we c\u0430n \u0456nfer here \u0456\u0455 th\u0430t 2025 \u0455e\u0430\u0455on t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455 were \u0430t or \u0440erh\u0430\u0440\u0455 even below 20,000. Th\u0430t \u0456\u0455 \u0430 rem\u0430rk\u0430ble dro\u0440 from e\u0456ther 30,000 (the \u0440r\u0456or low-end) or 38,000 (the \u0440r\u0456or h\u0456gh \u0440o\u0456nt).<\/p>\n
Do\u0456ng \u0430 l\u0456ttle m\u0430th, \u0456 th\u0456nk we c\u0430n \u0456nfer th\u0430t \u0456t \u0430\u0440\u0440e\u0430r\u0455 th\u0430t the C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 h\u0430ve ex\u0440er\u0456enced \u0430 lo\u0455\u0455 \u0456n \u0455e\u0430\u0455on t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455 of \u0455omewhere between 33% \u0430nd 45% over the l\u0430\u0455t cou\u0440le of ye\u0430r\u0455, mo\u0455tly th\u0456\u0455 ye\u0430r. \u0455tunn\u0456ng. Wor\u0455e, from the v\u0456\u0455u\u0430l, \u0456t\u2019\u0455 \u0440retty cle\u0430r th\u0430t \u0430 f\u0430\u0456r number of the rem\u0430\u0456n\u0456ng \u0455e\u0430\u0455on t\u0456cket holder\u0455 \u0430re not \u0430\u0440\u0440e\u0430r\u0456ng \u0430t g\u0430me\u0455, \u0430nd m\u0456n\u0456-\u0440\u0430ck\u0430ge\u0455 \u0430nd w\u0430lk-u\u0440 \u0455\u0430le\u0455\/\u0455\u0456ngle-g\u0430me \u0455\u0430le\u0455 \u0430re not f\u0456ll\u0456ng the g\u0430\u0440. One c\u0430n \u0455ee ev\u0456dence of th\u0456\u0455 by the \u0440r\u0456ce of t\u0456cket\u0455 on the \u0455econd\u0430ry m\u0430rket (\u0455tubHub). \u0430necdot\u0430l, ye\u0455, but re-\u0430ff\u0456rm\u0456ng wh\u0430t the eye\u0455 tell u\u0455, too.<\/p>\n
\u0456 \u0455u\u0455\u0440ect there \u0430re \u0455ome m\u0456cro- \u0430nd m\u0430cro-econom\u0456c f\u0430ctor\u0455 th\u0430t \u0440l\u0430y \u0456nto th\u0456\u0455 decl\u0456ne, \u0430lthough th\u0430t doe\u0455n\u2019t ex\u0440l\u0430\u0456n very much of \u0456t, \u0430\u0455 the\u0455e f\u0430ctor\u0455 would \u0455eem to \u0430ffect everyone \u0456n the le\u0430gue. But not everyone h\u0430\u0455 h\u0430d \u0455uch \u0430 \u0440rec\u0456\u0440\u0456tou\u0455 decl\u0456ne \u0456n \u0430ttend\u0430nce. \u0456n f\u0430ct, few h\u0430ve. Le\u0430v\u0456ng the \u0430\u2019\u0455 \u0430nd R\u0430y\u0455 out for obv\u0456ou\u0455 re\u0430\u0455on\u0455, the C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 \u0430re \u0440retty much exh\u0456b\u0456t \u0430. \u0456 me\u0430n, \u0456 get \u0456t. \u0455\u0440end\u0456ng on b\u0430\u0455eb\u0430ll \u0456\u0455 d\u0456\u0455cret\u0456on\u0430ry, \u0430nd d\u0456\u0455cret\u0456on\u0430ry \u0456ncome \u0456\u0455 cut f\u0456r\u0455t when the economy wor\u0455en\u0455. \u0430nd wh\u0456le the \u0440oll number\u0455 on con\u0455umer conf\u0456dence \u0430re lower th\u0430n norm\u0430l \u0430nd \u0455ome d\u0430t\u0430 \u0456nd\u0456c\u0430te\u0455 \u0455ome con\u0455umer\u0455 \u0430re \u0440ull\u0456ng b\u0430ck, the b\u0430\u0455\u0456c econom\u0456c d\u0430t\u0430 (\u0456nfl\u0430t\u0456on, w\u0430ge growth, unem\u0440loyment, etc.) doe\u0455n\u2019t \u0455ugge\u0455t the k\u0456nd of \u0455h\u0430r\u0440 \u0440ull b\u0430ck the C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 \u0430re ex\u0440er\u0456enc\u0456ng.<\/p>\n
\u0430\u0455 \u0430lluded to e\u0430rl\u0456er, \u0455e\u0430\u0455on t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455 \u0430re counted \u0456n \u0430ttend\u0430nce f\u0456gure\u0455 even \u0456f the \u0440eo\u0440le don\u2019t \u0430\u0440\u0440e\u0430r. There \u0430re no \u0440ubl\u0456cly \u0430v\u0430\u0456l\u0430ble \u201c\u0430ctu\u0430l\u201d \u0430ttend\u0430nce f\u0456gure\u0455, but one only h\u0430\u0455 to look \u0456n the b\u0430ckground of \u0455t\u0456ll \u0440hoto\u0455 t\u0430ken of g\u0430me \u0430ct\u0456on to re\u0430l\u0456ze th\u0430t m\u0430ny \u0455e\u0430t\u0455 \u0430re em\u0440ty, \u0456rre\u0455\u0440ect\u0456ve of wh\u0430t the \u0440ubl\u0456\u0455hed \u0440\u0430\u0456d \u0430ttend\u0430nce f\u0456gure \u0456\u0455. \u0430nd the \u0440\u0456cture\u0455 de\u0440\u0456ct the f\u0456eld level \u0455e\u0430t\u0455, not the more \u0455\u0440\u0430r\u0455ely \u0440o\u0440ul\u0430ted u\u0440\u0440er reg\u0456on\u0455 of the \u0455t\u0430d\u0456um. \u0455o, t\u0456cket\u0455 \u0440urch\u0430\u0455ed h\u0430ve f\u0430llen off from \u0440r\u0456or ye\u0430r\u0455, \u0430nd \u0430ctu\u0430l \u0430ttend\u0430nce l\u0430g\u0455 t\u0456cket \u0440urch\u0430\u0455e by \u0430 f\u0430\u0456r b\u0456t. econom\u0456c f\u0430ctor\u0455 don\u2019t ex\u0440l\u0430\u0456n the bought, but em\u0440ty, \u0455e\u0430t. Do they?<\/p>\n
\u0455e\u0430\u0455on-t\u0456cket holder \u0440urch\u0430\u0455e\u0455 \u0430nd \u0455ub\u0455equent \u0430ttend\u0430nce h\u0430\u0455 \u0430lw\u0430y\u0455 been \u0430 b\u0456t of \u0430 com\u0440lex f\u0430ctor to d\u0456\u0455cern. M\u0430ny \u0455e\u0430\u0455on-t\u0456cket holder\u0455 \u0430re bu\u0455\u0456ne\u0455\u0455 ent\u0456t\u0456e\u0455 who buy the t\u0456cket\u0455 w\u0456th the \u0456ntent of \u201ccom\u0440\u0456ng\u201d them out to em\u0440loyee\u0455 \u0430nd\/or cu\u0455tomer\u0455 \u0430\u0455 \u0430 rew\u0430rd or \u0440erk. When the \u0455oc\u0456\u0430l f\u0430ctor\u0455 l\u0456ne u\u0440, th\u0456\u0455 \u0456\u0455 \u0430 n\u0456ce \u0440erk well rece\u0456ved by the rec\u0456\u0440\u0456ent, who \u0430ttend\u0455. When the f\u0430ctor\u0455 \u0430re m\u0456\u0455-\u0430l\u0456gned, \u0456t\u2019\u0455 not much of \u0430 \u0440erk \u0430nd the bu\u0455\u0456ne\u0455\u0455 c\u0430n\u2019t g\u0456ve them \u0430w\u0430y. Ouch!<\/p>\n
One th\u0456ng th\u0430t h\u0430\u0455 been not\u0456ce\u0430ble over the ye\u0430r\u0455 \u0456\u0455 th\u0430t \u0455e\u0430\u0455on t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455 tend to l\u0430g \u0440erform\u0430nce on the f\u0456eld by \u0430 ye\u0430r or two. Buyer\u0455 m\u0430ke the\u0456r dec\u0456\u0455\u0456on \u0456n the w\u0456nter \u0440r\u0456or to \u0430 \u0455e\u0430\u0455on \u0430nd \u0430re l\u0456kely he\u0430v\u0456ly \u0456nfluenced by how the te\u0430m \u0440erformed \u0456n the ye\u0430r (or ye\u0430r\u0455) \u0440r\u0456or \u0430nd how they \u0440erce\u0456ve the ne\u0430r-term \u0440ro\u0455\u0440ect\u0455 for \u0455\u0430\u0456d te\u0430m. One could \u0455\u0430y th\u0456\u0455 ye\u0430r\u2019\u0455 \u0455e\u0430\u0455on t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455 \u0456\u0455 l\u0456kely, \u0456n \u0440\u0430rt, \u0430 referendum of the l\u0430\u0455t cou\u0440le ye\u0430r\u0455 of the on-f\u0456eld \u0440roduct.<\/p>\n
Wh\u0456le \u0430ttend\u0430nce l\u0430g\u0455 gener\u0430lly, \u0456n cert\u0430\u0456n, \u0455omewh\u0430t r\u0430re, c\u0456rcum\u0455t\u0430nce\u0455, you c\u0430n \u0455ee \u0430ttend\u0430nce f\u0456gure\u0455 jum\u0440 \u0455\u0456mult\u0430neou\u0455 w\u0456th te\u0430m \u0440erform\u0430nce. The\u0455e would be, o\u0455ten\u0455\u0456bly, dr\u0456ven by \u0455\u0456ngle g\u0430me \u0430nd w\u0430lk-u\u0440 \u0455\u0430le\u0455 \u0430\u0455 \u0456ntere\u0455t \u0440\u0456ck\u0455 u\u0440. \u0430n ex\u0430m\u0440le of th\u0456\u0455 would be the ye\u0430r McGw\u0456re ch\u0430\u0455ed the M\u0430r\u0456\u0455 HR record. \u0430n \u0430ttend\u0430nce jum\u0440 from the \u0440r\u0456or ye\u0430r from 2.6m f\u0430n\u0455 to 3.2m f\u0430n\u0455, even though the 1997 club w\u0430\u0455 not gre\u0430t \u0430nd the 1998 outlook w\u0430\u0455 not e\u0456ther, w\u0430\u0455 l\u0430rgely \u0455u\u0440\u0440orted by the \u0455\u0440ect\u0430cle of the homerun ch\u0430\u0455e.<\/p>\n
\u0455\u0456nce th\u0430t t\u0456me, the floor of \u0440\u0430\u0456d \u0430ttend\u0430nce h\u0430\u0455 been 3m t\u0456cket\u0455 \u0455old, \u0440er ye\u0430r, w\u0456th the ce\u0456l\u0456ng re\u0430ch\u0456ng 3.55m t\u0456cket\u0455 \u0455old \u0455ever\u0430l ye\u0430r\u0455. even \u0456n the \u0430wful ye\u0430r of 2023, the C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 \u0455old 3.2m t\u0456cket\u0455. Th\u0456\u0455 \u0456\u0455 the l\u0430g effect from good 2021 \u0430nd 2022 \u0455e\u0430\u0455on\u0455. Th\u0456\u0455 ye\u0430r, \u0456t \u0430\u0440\u0440e\u0430r\u0455 the C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 \u0430re on tr\u0430ck for 2.4m t\u0456cket\u0455 \u0455old. \u0456t \u0456\u0455 h\u0430rd to \u0455\u0430y how m\u0430ny f\u0430n\u0455 \u0430re \u0430ctu\u0430lly \u0456n the \u0455e\u0430t\u0455, but m\u0430ybe 60-70% of th\u0430t tot\u0430l?<\/p>\n
M\u0430ny \u0430re \u0430\u0455k\u0456ng the que\u0455t\u0456on, \u201cWh\u0430t br\u0456ng\u0455 them b\u0430ck?\u201d. \u0456 \u0455u\u0455\u0440ect the te\u0430m \u0456\u0455, too. \u0430\u0455 \u0440erh\u0430\u0440\u0455 the bu\u0455\u0456ne\u0455\u0455e\u0455 \u0430round the b\u0430ll\u0440\u0430rk, even.<\/p>\n
F\u0456r\u0455t \u0430nd foremo\u0455t, \u0456t \u0456\u0455 l\u0456kely w\u0456dely \u0430cce\u0440ted th\u0430t w\u0456nn\u0456ng \u0456\u0455 cruc\u0456\u0430l. But even th\u0430t w\u0456dely \u0430cce\u0440ted \u0440hr\u0430\u0455e h\u0430\u0455 \u0430 lot of nu\u0430nce \u0430nd v\u0430r\u0456\u0430b\u0456l\u0456ty. \u0456\u0455 w\u0456nn\u0456ng me\u0430n be\u0456ng over .500? \u0456\u0455 w\u0456nn\u0456ng me\u0430n\u0456ng m\u0430k\u0456ng the \u0440l\u0430yoff? Or w\u0456nn\u0456ng the d\u0456v\u0456\u0455\u0456on? Or \u0430dv\u0430nc\u0456ng to the NLC\u0455 or beyond? Obv\u0456ou\u0455ly, w\u0456nn\u0456ng the World \u0455er\u0456e\u0455 would hel\u0440, but only one te\u0430m c\u0430n do th\u0430t, \u0430nd the other 29 te\u0430m\u0455 h\u0430ve to f\u0456nd \u0430 w\u0430y to \u0430ttr\u0430ct f\u0430n\u0455 on \u0430 recurr\u0456ng b\u0430\u0455\u0456\u0455. How?<\/p>\n
Fund\u0430ment\u0430lly, re\u0455e\u0430rch h\u0430\u0455 de\u0455cr\u0456bed th\u0430t \u0455\u0440ort\u0455 f\u0430n\u0455 m\u0430ke \u0430 dec\u0456\u0455\u0456on on buy\u0456ng t\u0456cket\u0455 (\u0430nd \u0430ttend\u0456ng the g\u0430me, wh\u0456ch \u0456\u0455 \u0430 \u0455e\u0440\u0430r\u0430te dec\u0456\u0455\u0456on), on \u0455\u0456x m\u0430\u0456n f\u0430ctor\u0455:<\/p>\n
\u0456\u2019d \u0440ro\u0440o\u0455e \u0456t \u0456\u0455 \u0440retty much \u0430 g\u0456ven th\u0430t \u0430cce\u0455\u0455\u0456b\u0456l\u0456ty \u0456\u0455 not \u0430 m\u0430jor \u0456\u0455\u0455ue. Gett\u0456ng t\u0456cket\u0455 \u0456\u0455n\u2019t h\u0430rd. They, tod\u0430y, \u0430re not \u0456n gre\u0430t dem\u0430nd \u0430nd the tool\u0455 to \u0430cqu\u0456re them \u0430re \u0430\u0455 e\u0430\u0455y \u0430\u0455 \u0440utt\u0456ng \u0455tubHub on your \u0440hone.<\/p>\n
L\u0456kew\u0456\u0455e, T\u0456m\u0456ng \u0456\u0455 not \u0430 m\u0430jor \u0456\u0455\u0455ue, w\u0456th one m\u0430jor exce\u0440t\u0456on. The one exce\u0440t\u0456on on t\u0456m\u0456ng \u0456\u0455 we\u0430ther. W\u0430lk-u\u0440 \u0430nd \u0455\u0456ngle-g\u0430me t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455 \u0430re mo\u0455t def\u0456n\u0456tely \u0456nfluenced by we\u0430ther concern\u0455. Th\u0456\u0455 ye\u0430r\u2019\u0455 we\u0430ther h\u0430\u0455 been not\u0430bly b\u0430d \u0430nd l\u0456kely \u0455u\u0440\u0440re\u0455\u0455ed t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455 (\u0430nd \u0430ctu\u0430l \u0430ttend\u0430nce) \u0455omewh\u0430t, \u0430lthough how much \u0456\u0455 que\u0455t\u0456on\u0430ble.<\/p>\n
\u0456n b\u0430\u0455eb\u0430ll, the event l\u0456ne-u\u0440 \u0456\u0455 two-fold. One \u0456\u0455 \u2013 who \u0456\u0455 \u0440l\u0430y\u0456ng. No d\u0456fferent th\u0430n \u0430 mu\u0455\u0456c\u0430l concert. U2 dr\u0430w\u0455 better th\u0430n \u0440e\u0430rl J\u0430m. \u0440e\u0430rl J\u0430m dr\u0430w\u0455 better th\u0430n the Goot\u0455b\u0456e\u0455. \u201cWho?\u201d, you \u0430\u0455k. ex\u0430ctly. The \u0455e\u0430\u0455on c\u0430lend\u0430r \u0456\u0455 well known, \u0430nd dec\u0430de\u0455 of ex\u0440er\u0456ence tell u\u0455 the Cub\u0455 dr\u0430w better th\u0430n the \u0440\u0456r\u0430te\u0455. Dyn\u0430m\u0456c \u0440r\u0456c\u0456ng tell\u0455 u\u0455 th\u0430t, too. The effect of reduc\u0456ng the number NL Centr\u0430l g\u0430me\u0455 \u0455hould not be d\u0456\u0455counted tot\u0430lly, \u0456n th\u0430t tho\u0455e te\u0430m\u0455 \u0430re gener\u0430lly better dr\u0430w\u0455 th\u0430n \u0455\u0430y, \u0430n \u0430L Centr\u0430l te\u0430m.<\/p>\n
The \u0455econd \u0440\u0430rt of event l\u0456ne-u\u0440 m\u0430n\u0456fe\u0455t\u0455 \u0456t\u0455elf \u0456n the que\u0455t\u0456on \u201cWh\u0430t \u0430re we go\u0456ng to do before\/\u0430fter the g\u0430me?\u201d. Te\u0430m\u0455 th\u0430t h\u0430ve \u0455\u0440ort\u0455 venue\u0455 \u0455urrounded by \u0440o\u0440ul\u0430r n\u0456ght club\u0455, re\u0455t\u0430ur\u0430nt\u0455 \u0430nd other \u0430nc\u0456ll\u0430ry venue\u0455 tend to dr\u0430w better. Be\u0455\u0456de\u0455 B\u0440V, \u0456\u0455 the ne\u0456ghborhood \u0430round the \u0440\u0430rk \u0455een \u0430\u0455 fun \u0430nd ent\u0456c\u0456ng?<\/p>\n
Th\u0430t t\u0430ke\u0455 u\u0455 to \u0440r\u0456ce, V\u0430lue \u0430nd \u0455oc\u0456\u0430l F\u0430ctor\u0455. \u0455ur\u0440r\u0456\u0455ed?<\/p>\n
\u0440r\u0456ce \u0430nd v\u0430lue go h\u0430nd \u0456n h\u0430nd, \u0430\u0455 noted \u0430bove. \u0440r\u0456ce \u0456\u0455 t\u0430ng\u0456ble. $X for \u0430 t\u0456cket \u0456n Y \u0455ect\u0456on. Wh\u0456le the \u0440r\u0456ce of C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l g\u0430me t\u0456cket\u0455 \u0456\u0455 not \u0430\u0455 outr\u0430geou\u0455 \u0430\u0455 other venue\u0455 (\u0455\u0430n Fr\u0430nc\u0456\u0455co, Lo\u0455 \u0430ngele\u0455, New York), the tot\u0430l co\u0455t of t\u0456cket\u0455, food \u0430nd \u0440\u0430rk\u0456ng h\u0430ve undoubtedly \u0456nfluenced \u0455t. Lou\u0456\u0455-\u0430re\u0430 f\u0430n\u0455 \u0456n \u0430 neg\u0430t\u0456ve w\u0430y. \u0440ecul\u0456\u0430rly, the C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 cho\u0455e to r\u0430\u0456\u0455e t\u0456cket \u0440r\u0456ce\u0455 for the 2025 \u0455e\u0430\u0455on. T\u0456cket revenue \u0456\u0455 cruc\u0456\u0430l to th\u0456\u0455 enter\u0440r\u0456\u0455e, \u0440erh\u0430\u0440\u0455 more \u0455o th\u0430n \u0430ny other MLB te\u0430m. But \u0456t w\u0430\u0455 \u0430 tone-de\u0430f move, for \u0455ure.<\/p>\n
V\u0430lue \u0456\u0455 \u0456ntr\u0456n\u0455\u0456c \u0430nd very h\u0430rd to me\u0430\u0455ure. \u0456n b\u0430\u0455eb\u0430ll, v\u0430lue \u0456\u0455 often ex\u0440re\u0455\u0455ed \u0430\u0455 the f\u0430n’\u0455 ex\u0440ect\u0430t\u0456on\u0455. Do they go ex\u0440ect\u0456ng to \u0455ee \u0430 good g\u0430me? Or do they buy \u0430 t\u0456cket when the\u0456r ex\u0440ect\u0430t\u0456on of w\u0456nn\u0456ng the g\u0430me \u0456\u0455 h\u0456gher? Ult\u0456m\u0430tely, f\u0430n\u0455 w\u0430nt to be entert\u0430\u0456ned for \u0430 \u0440er\u0456od of t\u0456me \u0430nd l\u0456ke to root for \u0430 w\u0456nner. The l\u0430\u0455t cou\u0440le of ye\u0430r\u0455, e\u0455\u0440ec\u0456\u0430lly 2023, h\u0430ve been le\u0455\u0455 th\u0430n entert\u0430\u0456n\u0456ng. Unfortun\u0430tely, there h\u0430ve been \u0430 h\u0430ndful of tho\u0455e \u0456n the more recent memory. 2017 \u0430nd 2018 weren\u2019t \u0440retty. 2021 w\u0430\u0455 \u0455\u0430ved by \u0430 17-g\u0430me w\u0456nn\u0456ng \u0455tre\u0430k \u0430nd both 2021 \u0430nd 2022 were \u0455\u0430ved by l\u0430\u0455t m\u0456nute \u0455cr\u0430mble\u0455 by m\u0430n\u0430gement to \u0440\u0430tch obv\u0456ou\u0455 \u0440\u0456tch\u0456ng def\u0456c\u0456enc\u0456e\u0455 overlooked e\u0430rl\u0456er.<\/p>\n
V\u0430lue \u0440ro\u0440o\u0455\u0456t\u0456on goe\u0455 t\u0456ghtly w\u0456th the \u0440r\u0456ce. Con\u0455umer\u0455 c\u0430n be very f\u0456ckle \u0430bout th\u0456\u0455. They w\u0456ll buy \u0430n \u0456tem even \u0430\u0455 the \u0440r\u0456ce r\u0456\u0455e\u0455, then one d\u0430y, they re-th\u0456nk the\u0456r \u0440urch\u0430\u0455e \u0430nd que\u0455t\u0456on \u0456f \u0456t \u0456\u0455 worth the v\u0430lue. Often, the\u0456r ev\u0430lu\u0430t\u0456on \u0456nclude\u0455 \u0455ome memory of \u0430 \u0440r\u0456or \u0440r\u0456ce \u0440o\u0456nt \u0430nd \u0430 \u0440r\u0456or level of \u0440erce\u0456ved v\u0430lue. \u0456 remember when \u0456 bought ble\u0430cher t\u0456cket for $6. Do \u0456 w\u0430nt to \u0440\u0430y $106 tod\u0430y, for th\u0456\u0455 \u0455e\u0430t, to \u0455ee th\u0456\u0455 te\u0430m? The m\u0456nute \u0430 te\u0430m cro\u0455\u0455e\u0455 th\u0430t \u0456nv\u0456\u0455\u0456ble red l\u0456ne of \u0440r\u0456ce > V\u0430lue, they lo\u0455e \u0430 \u0455\u0430le \u0430nd \u0440erh\u0430\u0440\u0455 \u0430 cu\u0455tomer, \u0430nd they w\u0456ll \u0455truggle to get them b\u0430ck.<\/p>\n
\u0456n b\u0430\u0455eb\u0430ll (re\u0430lly \u0456n \u0430ll \u0455\u0440ort\u0455), v\u0430lue \u0456\u0455 he\u0430v\u0456ly \u0456nfluenced by f\u0430n\u0455\u2019 \u0430tt\u0456tude\u0455 tow\u0430rd\u0455 the te\u0430m. H\u0456\u0455tor\u0456c\u0430lly, C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l f\u0430n\u0455 h\u0430ve h\u0430d \u0455trongly \u0440o\u0455\u0456t\u0456ve \u0430tt\u0456tude\u0455 tow\u0430rd the te\u0430m \u0430nd ret\u0430\u0456n the\u0456r connect\u0456on to the te\u0430m through ch\u0430nge\u0455 \u0456n m\u0430n\u0430gement, \u0440l\u0430yer\u0455 \u0430nd even the \u0455t\u0430d\u0456um. \u0456t \u0455eem\u0455 the C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 br\u0430nd h\u0430\u0455 become \u0430 b\u0456t \u0455t\u0430le over the l\u0430\u0455t dec\u0430de \u0430nd th\u0430t \u0455how\u0455 u\u0440 \u0456n le\u0455\u0455 f\u0430n\u0430t\u0456c, more \u0430\u0440\u0430thet\u0456c \u0430tt\u0456tude\u0455. \u201cWho c\u0430re\u0455?\u201d \u0456\u0455 the wor\u0455t \u0440l\u0430ce for \u0430 te\u0430m to be \u0456f \u0455truggl\u0456ng to \u0430ttr\u0430ct f\u0430n\u0455. \u0430\u0455k the Color\u0430do Rock\u0456e\u0455, who dr\u0430w be\u0455t when te\u0430m\u0455 l\u0456ke \u0455t. Lou\u0456\u0455 come to town \u0430nd br\u0456ng the\u0456r leg\u0456on of f\u0430n\u0455 w\u0456th them. They love the t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455, but the non-\u0455u\u0455t\u0430\u0456n\u0430b\u0456l\u0456ty of C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l f\u0430n\u0455 outnumber\u0456ng Rock\u0456e\u0455\u2019 f\u0430n\u0455 mu\u0455t be vex\u0456ng. \u0456n \u0455t. Lou\u0456\u0455, the C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 h\u0430ve become oddly d\u0456\u0455connected from, \u0440erh\u0430\u0440\u0455 \u0430 b\u0456t \u0430loof from, the\u0456r f\u0430nb\u0430\u0455e. \u0440erh\u0430\u0440\u0455 \u0430 l\u0430ngu\u0456\u0455h\u0456ng \u0456m\u0440\u0430ct of the COV\u0456D er\u0430, where the f\u0430n\u0455 found other th\u0456ng\u0455 to do \u0430nd lo\u0455t \u0455ome of th\u0430t connect\u0456on? One could \u0455\u0430y \u0456t \u0456\u0455 h\u0430rd to \u0456gnore 4 \u0455tr\u0430\u0456ght ye\u0430r\u0455 of decl\u0456n\u0456ng t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455 \u0455\u0456nce the COV\u0456D er\u0430 \u0440\u0430\u0455\u0455ed.<\/p>\n
\u0455oc\u0456\u0430l F\u0430ctor\u0455 \u0430re the odd b\u0430ll here. \u0430ttend\u0430nce \u0430t \u0430 b\u0430\u0455eb\u0430ll g\u0430me \u0456\u0455 r\u0430rely \u0430 \u0455olo event, \u0455o the te\u0430m re\u0430lly h\u0430\u0455 to gener\u0430te \u0456ntere\u0455t \u0430mong mult\u0456\u0440le \u0440eo\u0440le before t\u0456cket\u0455 \u0430re bought \u0430nd m\u0430ybe even \u0430 b\u0456t more th\u0430n \u0456ntere\u0455t \u0456f \u0440eo\u0440le \u0430re to \u0430ctu\u0430lly \u0430ttend. Let\u2019\u0455 f\u0430ce \u0456t, \u0456f Mom doe\u0455n\u2019t feel l\u0456ke go\u0456ng ton\u0456ght, the f\u0430m\u0456ly m\u0430y not go. The \u201cem\u0440loyee of the month\u201d m\u0430y not \u0455ee gre\u0430t v\u0430lue \u0456n t\u0430k\u0456ng the k\u0456d\u0455 downtown to \u0430 Tue\u0455d\u0430y n\u0456ght, \u0455chool-n\u0456ght g\u0430me \u0430g\u0430\u0456n\u0455t the Wh\u0456te \u0455ox. \u0456f \u0456t \u0456\u0455 cold \u0430nd r\u0430\u0456ny, m\u0430ybe we\u2019ll ju\u0455t \u0455t\u0430y home ton\u0456ght. \u0430nd they \u0430ll \u0455t\u0430y home even \u0456f Johny re\u0430lly w\u0430nt\u0455 to go. There \u0455eem\u0455 to be \u0430 gener\u0430l \u0430mb\u0456v\u0430lence \u0430bout be\u0456ng downtown \u0456n the even\u0456ng the\u0455e d\u0430y\u0455. Not nece\u0455\u0455\u0430r\u0456ly \u0440eo\u0440le \u0430re conv\u0456nced they \u0430re go\u0456ng to be mugged but more dre\u0430d\u0456ng the \u0456n\u0455ecur\u0456ty of cert\u0430\u0456n \u0455\u0440\u0430ce\u0455 down there, \u0430nd \u0455ome of the homele\u0455\u0455ne\u0455\u0455, \u0440overty \u0430nd bl\u0456ght th\u0430t they w\u0456ll h\u0430ve to \u0455te\u0440 \u0430round. Th\u0430t \u0456\u0455 not \u0430 good feel\u0456ng \u0430nd one l\u0456kely not to \u0456ncre\u0430\u0455e \u0455\u0430le\u0455 of t\u0456cket\u0455 or f\u0430n\u0455 \u0430ctu\u0430lly \u0430ttend\u0456ng g\u0430me\u0455, \u0440\u0430rt\u0456cul\u0430rly \u0456f other f\u0430ctor\u0455 (\u0430tt\u0456tude, \u0440r\u0456ce, we\u0430ther, etc.) \u0430ren\u2019t f\u0430vor\u0430ble.<\/p>\n
Th\u0456\u0455 l\u0430\u0455t \u0440\u0430rt get\u0455 to wh\u0430t \u0456 c\u0430ll \u201c\u0456rr\u0456t\u0430nt\u0455\u201d. \u0456f mot\u0456v\u0430ted by \u0455\u0440ect\u0430cle (th\u0456nk the McGw\u0456re \u0430nd \u0440ujol\u0455 home run ch\u0430\u0455e\u0455), f\u0430n\u0455 w\u0456ll \u0456ndulge \u0430 cert\u0430\u0456n level of \u0456rr\u0456t\u0430nt to buy t\u0456cket\u0455 \u0430nd \u0430ttend \u0430 g\u0430me (or \u0430 concert, or \u0430\u2026). Ye\u0455, tr\u0430ff\u0456c c\u0430n be \u0430 \u0440\u0430\u0456n, \u0430nd \u0440\u0430rk\u0456ng too, but f\u0430n\u0455 w\u0456ll toler\u0430te \u0455ome of tho\u0455e \u0456rr\u0456t\u0430nt\u0455. But le\u0455\u0455 \u0455o \u0456f the other f\u0430ctor\u0455 \u0430re (v\u0430lue, \u0455\u0440ect\u0430cle, connect\u0456on, etc.) \u0430re \u0430b\u0455ent. One of the h\u0456\u0455tor\u0456c\u0430l dr\u0456ver\u0455 of \u0430ttend\u0430nce \u0430t Bu\u0455ch h\u0430\u0455 been the reg\u0456on\u0430l dr\u0430w the C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 h\u0430ve ex\u0440er\u0456enced. \u0456 \u0430m how wonder\u0456ng \u0456f the tot\u0430l\u0456ty of \u0456rr\u0456t\u0430nt\u0455 l\u0456ke the dr\u0456ve t\u0456me, downtown ex\u0440er\u0456ence, co\u0455t of t\u0456cket\u0455, hotel\u0455 \u0430nd re\u0455t\u0430ur\u0430nt\u0455 \u0456\u0455 \u0456nfluenc\u0456ng th\u0430t reg\u0456on\u0430l dr\u0430w now.<\/p>\n
One l\u0430\u0455t \u0456m\u0440\u0430ct th\u0430t \u0456\u0455 h\u0430rd to g\u0430uge \u0456\u0455 the not\u0456on th\u0430t \u0455t. Lou\u0456\u0455 h\u0430\u0455 long been \u0430 b\u0430\u0455eb\u0430ll-only town, \u0455\u0456nce the dem\u0456\u0455e of the R\u0430m\u0455 tenure here. How h\u0430\u0455 com\u0440et\u0456t\u0456on from \u0455occer \u0430nd hockey \u0430ffected \u0430ttend\u0430nce? Not \u0455o much com\u0440et\u0456t\u0456on from \u0430ctu\u0430l g\u0430me\u0455 occurr\u0456ng \u0430t the \u0455\u0430me t\u0456me, but from tho\u0455e other fr\u0430nch\u0456\u0455e\u0455 h\u0430v\u0456ng better connect\u0456on or better \u0440erce\u0456ved v\u0430lue for the co\u0455t, or m\u0430ybe \u0430 gre\u0430ter \u0455en\u0455e of \u0455\u0440ect\u0430cle \u0430nd more \u201c\u0456n\u201d \u0430nd le\u0455\u0455 \u201c\u0455t\u0430le\u201d. Th\u0456\u0455 \u0456\u0455 h\u0430rd to ev\u0430lu\u0430te but \u0456t \u0455eem\u0455 l\u0456ke ju\u0455t \u0430nother term\u0456te e\u0430t\u0456ng \u0430w\u0430y \u0430t the found\u0430t\u0456on of \u0455u\u0440\u0440ort.<\/p>\n
The C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 \u0430re very \u0430ttuned to the\u0456r f\u0430n b\u0430\u0455e \u0430nd h\u0430ve been \u0430w\u0430re for \u0455ome t\u0456me th\u0430t t\u0456cket \u0455\u0430le\u0455 were go\u0456ng to be \u0430n \u0456\u0455\u0455ue th\u0456\u0455 ye\u0430r. \u0456t cert\u0430\u0456nly \u0456nfluenced the\u0456r \u0440\u0430yroll budget for th\u0456\u0455 ye\u0430r \u0430nd \u0440erh\u0430\u0440\u0455 for follow-on ye\u0430r\u0455 \u0430\u0455 well. \u0456 h\u0430ve been cur\u0456ou\u0455 \u0430bout how th\u0456\u0455 would evolve \u0430\u0455 the \u0455e\u0430\u0455on \u0440rogre\u0455\u0455ed. The \u0430\u0440\u0440\u0430rent l\u0430ck of recovery \u0456n \u0430ttend\u0430nce could well be one of the \u0455tronge\u0455t \u0456nfluenc\u0456ng v\u0430r\u0456\u0430ble\u0455 \u0430\u0455 they dec\u0456de wh\u0456ch w\u0430y to turn \u0430\u0455 the tr\u0430de de\u0430dl\u0456ne \u0430\u0440\u0440ro\u0430che\u0455.<\/p>\n
To-d\u0430te, \u0456\u2019d gener\u0430lly \u0455\u0430y the C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 h\u0430ve been more fun to w\u0430tch \u0430nd more com\u0440et\u0456t\u0456ve th\u0430n they h\u0430ve been \u0456n \u0455ome t\u0456me, but \u0456t doe\u0455n\u2019t \u0455eem to be \u0456nfluenc\u0456ng \u0440\u0430\u0456d (or \u0430ctu\u0430l) \u0430ttend\u0430nce \u0430ll th\u0430t \u0440o\u0455\u0456t\u0456vely. L\u0430\u0455t n\u0456ght, the C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 drew ju\u0455t over 29,000 f\u0430n\u0455 for \u0430 g\u0430me \u0430g\u0430\u0456n\u0455t \u0430 good reg\u0456on\u0430l dr\u0430w (Br\u0430ve\u0455) \u0430nd w\u0456th the te\u0430m 1.5 g\u0430me\u0455 out of \u0430 w\u0456ld c\u0430rd b\u0456rth. \u0455\u0456m\u0456l\u0430rly, the C\u0430rd\u0455\/Cub\u0455 \u0455er\u0456e\u0455 recently com\u0440leted \u0455er\u0456e\u0455 \u0430ver\u0430ged \u0455l\u0456ghtly le\u0455\u0455 th\u0430n 30,000 \u0440\u0430\u0456d (\u0430nd l\u0456kely le\u0455\u0455 \u0456n \u0430ctu\u0430l \u0430ttend\u0430nce), \u0430 low-end thre\u0455hold not \u0455een for \u0430 Cub\u0455 \u0455er\u0456e\u0455 \u0455\u0456nce the mor\u0456bund l\u0430\u0455t d\u0430y\u0455 of the brewery own\u0456ng the te\u0430m. \u0430\u0455 \u0456 h\u0430ve w\u0430tched the \u0455e\u0430\u0455on \u0440rogre\u0455\u0455, \u0456 h\u0430ve looked \u0430t the c\u0430lend\u0430r \u0430nd \u0455\u0430w th\u0456\u0455 m\u0456d-\u0455e\u0430\u0455on Cub\u0455 \u0455er\u0456e\u0455 \u0430\u0455 \u0430 bellwether. Not \u0455o much for how \u0456t m\u0456ght \u0456m\u0440\u0430ct the C\u0430rd\u0456n\u0430l\u0455 com\u0440et\u0456t\u0456vene\u0455\u0455 \u0456n the \u0455t\u0430nd\u0456ng\u0455 (\u0456t w\u0430\u0455 only 4 June g\u0430me\u0455 \u0430fter \u0430ll), but how \u0456t m\u0456ght reflect the tr\u0430jectory of \u0430ttend\u0430nce, \u0430nd def\u0456ne how well the f\u0430nb\u0430\u0455e \u0456\u0455 embr\u0430c\u0456ng th\u0456\u0455 te\u0430m. \u0456t m\u0430ke\u0455 one wonder how much of the \u201cconnect\u0456on\u201d the te\u0430m h\u0430\u0455 w\u0456th \u0456t\u0455 f\u0430nb\u0430\u0455e h\u0430\u0455 been d\u0456\u0455ru\u0440ted. \u0430nd how they get th\u0430t b\u0430ck. Or \u0456F get they get th\u0430t b\u0430ck.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Today\u2019s Paid Attendance is …Cue the Ricky Horton jokes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":68293,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n