Carolina Hurricanes Take High-Tech Approach To Sell Season Tickets

WRALSportsFan

Carolina Hurricanes Take High-Tech Approach To Sell Season Tickets

May 25, 2001

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RALEIGH — TheCarolina Hurricanesare twisting their way toward their goal of 12,000 season ticket holders. If the goal is met by May 31, the NHL says the All-Star game will be played at the Entertainment and Sports Arena within five years.

In seven weeks, the Hurricanes have sold more than 3,800 season tickets and have about 1,000 to go.

"We're confident, cautious but confident, that we can get to the 12,000 goal and we're here to announce that with one week to go, we are at the level of 10,120," says Jim Cain, CEO of the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Friends of the Hurricanes group is working to sell season tickets to corporations. Fans can select their seats at the ESA from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday.

"Last year, I watched Hurricanes games on TV and I thought being here would just be a thrill," says season ticket holder Cathy Angell.

With just a week to go, the Hurricanes hope to sell a whole lot more season tickets to help fill the 18,700-seat arena. Team officials are using special technology to help with their goal.

Promotional messages are transmitting on Internet-capable cell phones and PDAs. Hurricanes banner ads are also found on several Web sites. The Hurricanes are the first major league sports team to use wireless technology this way.

"They can hit on it [the banner ad], get some additional information and then click directly, have it dial up to a 1-800 number and connect to the ticket rep at the office," says Howard Sadel, director of New Media & Graphic Communications.

The Hurricanes estimate 40,000 impressions will be made over the 10-day period.

The team also offer 7-, 14- and 21-game mini-season ticket packages.