Another column that is weeks past its “best if used by” date. Let’s get into it.
Some of you may know that TNA held its annual Lockdown pay-per-view earlier this month. In fact, if you are a TNA fan you’ll know that this event – held at the Paul Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts – was historic. Side note: who knew that being a Presidential footnote would get an arena named after you? For those of you that don’t know, Bill Clinton beat Paul Tsongas in the 1992 Democratic Primary before he went on to upset President George H. W. Bush in the General Election. But I digress…my apologies, it’s the American Government Professor in me (yes, I teach American Government at the local college)!
Anyway, Lockdown was historic for a few reasons. Yes, Samoa Joe won his first world title and yes, we saw a pretty decent women’s steel cage match (sorta). But what stands out to me is that TNA broke their live attendance record with approximately 5,500 fans in attendance at the pay-per-view. This is pretty big, folks! Or is it?
Let’s look at this record with a good news/bad news approach. The good news has to be as follows…
TNA had 5,500 paying fans in Lowell, Massachusetts! Let’s remember that this company is essentially a super-hyped up regionally-based promotion (along the lines of the old ECW). We can all admit that TNA’s “region” has expanded from Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee down to Orlando in Florida over the last 3 – 5 years, but for TNA’s highest attended event in its history to be located 1,302 miles north of Orlando, Florida tells us something else. This tells us that TNA has appeal, even if it’s a small appeal, in locations other than the American Southeast. Did you know that TNA drew some 3,000 fans to their February show in Long Island, NY?
These are certainly “good” feathers in the company’s hat. No doubt about it. But what negative, if any, can be drawn from TNA’s recent attendance successes?
I look at this from a business perspective and by “business” I mean money. Is TNA being over-conservative in booking their live event venues? Is the company’s management being over-cautious? If TNA can draw a sold-out crowd of 5,500 fans in Lowell, Massachusetts, then can they draw a sold-out crowd of about 9,000 in State College, PA? That would be Penn State University for those not from the Northeast. A better question – if TNA can draw a sold-out crowd of 5,500 in Lowell, then can the draw a sold-out crowd of 11,000 at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts?
Given the gradual attendance successes that TNA is putting under their belts, I have to think that these sell-outs are possible. But the negative here is that they are yet just possibilities – TNA hasn’t taken the big dive yet; they haven’t made the big booking at the big arena. Now I don’t expect for TNA to attempt to sell-out the Orange Bowl with 75,000 people – that would be crazy. However, I think we are quickly approaching the time when TNA needs to make a big move in terms of their venues. The time is approaching for TNA to hold a 10,000+ attendee live event.
TNA needs to do this not just for a morale victory, they need to do this to make some money. TNA has yet to have a profitable year for Panda Energy – the majority owner of the company – and my fear is that with the economy in the shitter, Panda Energy might be looking for ways to save some money.
But let’s not let the “maybe” bad news outshine the “definite” good news. TNA broke their attendance record earlier this month. Congratulations are in order so…congratulations! And now it’s time for TNA to take it up to the next level with their live events. In the next 12 months it will be time for TNA to book a big event in a big arena.
If this company wants to be a big player then they have to make many big moves. Booking a big arena wouldn’t be a good first step, it would be a great giant leap for TNA.
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