Two-thirds of Pensacola voters support Mayor Ashton Hayward’s effort to attract to the city a NBA G League team  affiliated with New Orleans Pelicans. However, they aren’t as enthusiastic about buying tickets to the games, especially if the ticket prices are higher than $39 each.
On August 1 and 2, Inweekly and Political Matrix conducted a study regarding the proposed minor-league NBA basketball team. After surveying 420 likely Pensacola voters, the study found that 67.9 percent said they support the mayor’s bid to host the team. When asked if they support Mayor Hayward and the city working with the private sector to build an arena for the team, 51.4 percent said yes.
In reviewing the websites of the current NBA Developmental League teams, the ticket prices for courtside and other good seating ranged from $30-$85. The “nose bleed” seats and those with less desirable views of the court could be purchased for as little as $8-$12, depending on the size of the arena.
For a team to be successful, the front office must sell most, if not all, of its court side and better seating.
When we asked Pensacola voters  how likely they were to buy tickets to the games if they were priced between $25 and $39, only 39.8 percent said they were extremely or very likely to buy a ticket. Another 16.9 percent said they were somewhat likely, and 43.3 percent said they weren’t likely to buy a ticket.
When asked about the likelihood of buying tickets if there were between $40 and $59, only 26 percent said they were extremely or very likely to purchase a ticket. If the ticket prices were $60 or higher, only 6 percent said they would buy a ticket.
This study was conducted via Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology. The numbers used were supplied by the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office. Only households who voted at least three out of the last four elections were called in this survey. The number were randomized upon implementation of the study and 420 completed studies were collected. The study consisted of five questions asked of the respondents. The margin of error of this study was +/- 4.5 percent.
| 1. First, do you support Mayor Ashton Hayward’s effort to bring a professional basketball team to the City of Pensacola? | ||||
| Responses: 420 | Overall % | |||
| 1. Yes | 285 | 67.90% | ||
| 2. No | 98 | 23.30% | ||
| 3. No sure | 37 | 8.80% | ||
| 2. Next, do you support Mayor Hayward and the City working with the private sector to build an arena for the team? | ||||
| Responses: 420 | Overall % | |||
| 1. Yes | 216 | 51.40% | ||
| 2. No | 155 | 36.90% | ||
| 3. No sure | 49 | 11.70% | ||
| 3. Now, on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being extremely likely, and 5 being extremely unlikely; please provide your opinion. if you knew the tickets were between $25 and $39, how likely are you to attend? | ||||
| Responses: 420 | Overall % | |||
| 1. Extremely likely | 131 | 31.20% | ||
| 2. Very likely | 36 | 8.60% | ||
| 3. Somewhat likely | 71 | 16.90% | ||
| 4. Very unlikely | 53 | 12.60% | ||
| 5. Extremely unlikely | 129 | 30.70% | ||
| 4. Now, if the tickets were between $40 and $59, how likely are you to attend? | ||||
| Responses: 420 | Overall % | |||
| 1. Extremely likely | 34 | 8.10% | ||
| 2. Very likely | 75 | 17.90% | ||
| 3. Somewhat likely | 53 | 12.60% | ||
| 4. Very unlikely | 86 | 20.50% | ||
| 5. Extremely unlikely | 172 | 41.00% | ||
| 5. Finally, if the tickets were between $60 or higher, how likely are you to attend? | ||||
| Responses: 420 | Overall % | |||
| 1. Extremely likely | 15 | 3.60% | ||
| 2. Very likely | 10 | 2.40% | ||
| 3. Somewhat likely | 24 | 5.70% | ||
| 4. Very unlikely | 66 | 15.70% | ||
| 5. Extremely unlikely | 305 | 72.60% | ||
NBA Minor League Teams
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic
Boston Celtics – Maine Red Claws
Toronto Raptors – Raptors 905
New York Knicks – Westchester Knicks
Philadelphia 76ers – Delaware 87ers
Brooklyn Nets – Long Island Nets
Central
Cleveland Cavaliers – Canton Charge
Milwaukee Bucks – Wisconsin Herd
Indiana Pacers – Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Chicago Bulls – Windy City Bulls
Detroit Pistons – Grand Rapids Drive
Southeast
*Washington Wizards – None
Atlanta Hawks – Erie BayHawks
Miami Heat – Sioux Falls Skyforce
Charlotte Hornets – Greensboro Swarm
Orlando Magic – Lakeland Magic
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Northwest
Utah Jazz – Salt Lake City Stars
Oklahoma City Thunder – Oklahoma City Blue
*Portland Trailblazers – None
*Denver Nuggets – None
Minnesota Timberwolves – Iowa Wolves
Pacific
Golden State Warriors – Santa Cruz Warriors
Los Angeles Clippers – Agua Caliente Clippers
Sacramento Kings – Reno Bighorns
Los Angeles Lakers – South Bay Lakers
Phoenix Suns – Northern Arizona Suns
Southwest
San Antonio Spurs – Austin Spurs
Houston Rockets – Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Memphis Grizzlies – Memphis Hustle
*New Orleans Pelicans – None
Dallas Mavericks – Texas Legends
Note: Milwaukee, Atlanta, Orlando, Minnesota and Memphis have teams that will debut next season.