Lonestar
07-04-2009, 01:02 PM
By Woody Paige
The Denver Post
Posted: 07/03/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT
"Rockies win 11 straight games"
"Avalanche fire GM, coach, assistants, front-office executive"
"Nuggets have excellent chance at title next season"
"Broncos' free-agent fifth-string tight end stubs toe"
"Hickenlooper declares recession over"
"Alien reportedly seen at window"
Which story would be most read on denverpost.com?
Of course.
Which Broncos player hurt his toe, and how badly does it hurt?
Next, does it look like E.T. or Mayor Hick?
This newspaper tracks the number of reads of stories on its website. Any little thing about the Broncos overwhelms everything else — Nuggets, troop reductions, Pulitzer Prize candidate series, locust attacks.
According, however, to ESPN The Magazine's seventh annual ranking of franchises in the four major professional sports, the Broncos are the least-popular overall franchise in Denver. The Nuggets were rated Denver's best of show (by far) but are only 41st overall of 122 teams.
Yes, the Nuggets reached the Western Conference finals, but they've never been as popular locally as the Broncos. And just a few years ago, the Nuggets were a weak fourth among Dusty Cowtown sports fans.
The poll judges teams in eight categories — bang for the buck, fan relations, ownership (honesty and loyalty to players and in the community), ticket and concession affordability, stadium and arena experience, players (effort and likability), coaching and titles won or expected. More than 50,000 responded to the survey.
The poll obviously is flawed, but it's fun, more accurate than a majority of franchises believe and does reflect the views of ardent sports supporters in each locale.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, California, United States, Western Hemisphere, ended up first overall. The Clippers of Nowheresville were last.
I'm selling foam hands that claim "We're Nos. 41, 72, 74 & 75."
We're not No. 1 in anything in the magazine's "Ultimate Standings."
Denver hasn't won a championship since the 2001 Avalanche, or ever in the case of the Rockies and Nuggets.
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen used to rank annually in the top 10 among the best owners. He has fallen this year to 70th. Wonder why.
Here's an interesting rating: The Nuggets' owner is 39th; the Avalanche owner is 63rd. The teams have the same owner. But, then, of all his children, Stan "The Owner Man" Kroenke always has loved the Nugs most, although Arsenal is a close second now.
As the Avs' owner, Kroenke is downgraded because the team ranks 114th in ticket affordability.
But the Avalanche did place one spot overall above the Broncos, who fared poorly in coaching (106), even though Josh McDaniels hasn't coached a game, and, surprisingly, fan relations (92) and ticket prices (81) and ownership. The Big Bang for the Buck has fizzled to 78th. We're orange crushed.
There is a recession, but fans apparently turn on their teams because of a lack of success, not a lack of money.
The Rockies do rate in the top 50 in buck bang (38), ballpark experience (44) and ticket, parking and concession prices (48). They were rated poor overall because of their ownership (105) and the "on-field leadership" (103). One of the two problems has been corrected. The Bros. Monfort remain. They've been bottom-feeders on the list every year except when they climbed all the way to 89th because of the World Series.
Guess which team, the poll claims, has players who give the best effort on the field and are best-liked off the field.
Again, that would be your Inksters. But those Nuggets are only 49th, while the Broncos are 67th, the Rockies 71st and the Avalanche 79th. (In truth, generally, the most likable athletes in Denver and other cities are hockey players. The least likable are baseball players. In recent years, many of the Broncos have not made friends or influenced people in Denver. This Nuggets bunch, particularly with Chauncey Billups, is friendly and does try hard.)
It could be worse. You could live in Oakland. There's not much there there in sports. The A's — hello, Matt Holliday — rank 101st overall, the Golden State Warriors 109th and the Raiders 116th (89th or lower in seven categories). The NHL team is long gone.
So, according to ESPN The Magazine and the fans, all the Broncos, the Nuggets, the Avalanche and the Rockies have to do to rank in the top 10 is lower prices on tickets, hot dogs and beer; sign affable players who work hard; hire great coaches; improve the environment at the stadium, the baseball park and the arena; show more openness and loyalty to the players and the devotees; get new owners; and win multiple championships.
And have an alien appear at your window.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_12745840?source=rss
The Denver Post
Posted: 07/03/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT
"Rockies win 11 straight games"
"Avalanche fire GM, coach, assistants, front-office executive"
"Nuggets have excellent chance at title next season"
"Broncos' free-agent fifth-string tight end stubs toe"
"Hickenlooper declares recession over"
"Alien reportedly seen at window"
Which story would be most read on denverpost.com?
Of course.
Which Broncos player hurt his toe, and how badly does it hurt?
Next, does it look like E.T. or Mayor Hick?
This newspaper tracks the number of reads of stories on its website. Any little thing about the Broncos overwhelms everything else — Nuggets, troop reductions, Pulitzer Prize candidate series, locust attacks.
According, however, to ESPN The Magazine's seventh annual ranking of franchises in the four major professional sports, the Broncos are the least-popular overall franchise in Denver. The Nuggets were rated Denver's best of show (by far) but are only 41st overall of 122 teams.
Yes, the Nuggets reached the Western Conference finals, but they've never been as popular locally as the Broncos. And just a few years ago, the Nuggets were a weak fourth among Dusty Cowtown sports fans.
The poll judges teams in eight categories — bang for the buck, fan relations, ownership (honesty and loyalty to players and in the community), ticket and concession affordability, stadium and arena experience, players (effort and likability), coaching and titles won or expected. More than 50,000 responded to the survey.
The poll obviously is flawed, but it's fun, more accurate than a majority of franchises believe and does reflect the views of ardent sports supporters in each locale.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, California, United States, Western Hemisphere, ended up first overall. The Clippers of Nowheresville were last.
I'm selling foam hands that claim "We're Nos. 41, 72, 74 & 75."
We're not No. 1 in anything in the magazine's "Ultimate Standings."
Denver hasn't won a championship since the 2001 Avalanche, or ever in the case of the Rockies and Nuggets.
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen used to rank annually in the top 10 among the best owners. He has fallen this year to 70th. Wonder why.
Here's an interesting rating: The Nuggets' owner is 39th; the Avalanche owner is 63rd. The teams have the same owner. But, then, of all his children, Stan "The Owner Man" Kroenke always has loved the Nugs most, although Arsenal is a close second now.
As the Avs' owner, Kroenke is downgraded because the team ranks 114th in ticket affordability.
But the Avalanche did place one spot overall above the Broncos, who fared poorly in coaching (106), even though Josh McDaniels hasn't coached a game, and, surprisingly, fan relations (92) and ticket prices (81) and ownership. The Big Bang for the Buck has fizzled to 78th. We're orange crushed.
There is a recession, but fans apparently turn on their teams because of a lack of success, not a lack of money.
The Rockies do rate in the top 50 in buck bang (38), ballpark experience (44) and ticket, parking and concession prices (48). They were rated poor overall because of their ownership (105) and the "on-field leadership" (103). One of the two problems has been corrected. The Bros. Monfort remain. They've been bottom-feeders on the list every year except when they climbed all the way to 89th because of the World Series.
Guess which team, the poll claims, has players who give the best effort on the field and are best-liked off the field.
Again, that would be your Inksters. But those Nuggets are only 49th, while the Broncos are 67th, the Rockies 71st and the Avalanche 79th. (In truth, generally, the most likable athletes in Denver and other cities are hockey players. The least likable are baseball players. In recent years, many of the Broncos have not made friends or influenced people in Denver. This Nuggets bunch, particularly with Chauncey Billups, is friendly and does try hard.)
It could be worse. You could live in Oakland. There's not much there there in sports. The A's — hello, Matt Holliday — rank 101st overall, the Golden State Warriors 109th and the Raiders 116th (89th or lower in seven categories). The NHL team is long gone.
So, according to ESPN The Magazine and the fans, all the Broncos, the Nuggets, the Avalanche and the Rockies have to do to rank in the top 10 is lower prices on tickets, hot dogs and beer; sign affable players who work hard; hire great coaches; improve the environment at the stadium, the baseball park and the arena; show more openness and loyalty to the players and the devotees; get new owners; and win multiple championships.
And have an alien appear at your window.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_12745840?source=rss