Pacers GM wants more fans at games

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The general manager of the Indiana Pacers took to Twitter Monday morning to air some frustration about home game attendance.

A number of Chicago Bulls fans were on hand at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Sunday night as the Pacers took the win. General manager Kevin Pritchard wasn’t happy there weren’t more fans in blue and gold.

Does anybody else get upset that their was so much red in the stands last night. Very frustrating. What can we do to change that? @ pacers

— Kevin Pritchard (@PacersKev) March 4, 2013

Later, Pritchard spoke with 24-Hour-News 8 about game attendance.

"We understand that fans from other teams come and watch games. We get that," he said.

But when the home team is fighting for a top three seed against a division rival on national television its tough to take.

"We got a little frustrated.  Donny and I were watching the game and we were little frustrated.  And so we wanted to open up. You know, Twitter is a great opportunity to hear from your fans," he said. 

Tallking about the tweets on his 1070 the Fan radio show, Dan Dakich points out, with tickets readily available from resellers for a Pacers game at a price that starts under $10, it's almost impossible to keep Bulls fans from following their team to Indy. Dakich says letting fans know the team needs them through social media makes sense.

"But there is obviously a good way and a bad way to go about getting your message out and I think what Kevin did was great," he said. 

Dr. Jay Gladden a sports marketing specialist for Indiana University says, the Pacers are already getting the attention of the pundits in the NBA who think the team is one of the few in the league that can compete with the Miami Heat.  And taking to twitter he says works.

"Putting something out like that on twitter certainly gets people talking and can't be a detriment to the cause.  Certainly people start saying, maybe we should get down there and check it out," he said. 

Pritchard said the feedback has been 95% positive.  Though he said he didn't tweet to get people talking about his team. He insists he just wants fans to know how much they are appreciate and how important they are in winning.

Pritchard thanked the fans who already attend games via Twitter, and urged others to follow suit by attending one of the remaining games this season.

Only 22 games left in the season. Have you made plans to come see us?@ pacers We are fighting for a top playoff seed and need u to b there!

— Kevin Pritchard (@PacersKev) March 4, 2013

Thanks for all the feedback. Nothing like @ thefieldhouse @ pacers when it's rockin' and nothing but gold swag in the building.

— Kevin Pritchard (@PacersKev) March 4, 2013

Trust me-we know we need the fans. It helps us win. It helps us play better. Truth is WE NEED YOU! And thanks 2all who come game after game

— Kevin Pritchard (@PacersKev) March 4, 2013

The Pacers lead the Central Division and are the second ranked team in the Eastern Conference, with the reigning NBA champions, the Miami Heat, leading the Eastern Conference.