Caps Listen to the Fans!

Posted by Cheryl Nichols | Thursday, July 09, 2009 | , , | 0 comments »

ESPN the Magazine ranked the Washington Capitals as the Number 1 team for responsiveness to fan feedback. Number 1, not just in NHL, but in ALL professional sports.

The Capitals ranked 6th overall out of 122 professional teams on ESPN the Magazine's Ultimate List for 2009. The 1st place fan feedback helped the Caps jump 39 spots from last year. It is also interesting to see that five out of the top ten are NHL teams. Number one overall was awarded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (MLB). See press release below for additionals Caps rankings.

Being a first time full season ticket holder to the Capitals for the 2008-2009 was truly an amazing experience. We all know that the product on the ice was fantastic, however, all of the "behind the scenes" staff and events were equally fantastic.

We have been season ticket holders to other sports in town and nearby cities and the Capitals blow all of the others out of the water regarding customer service. The owner, Ted Leonsis, invites fans to email him and add him as a friend on Facebook! He appreciates hearing feedback - both good and bad.

The front office established the guest services department and each season ticket holder was assigned to a guest services specialist who could answer questions and help with just about anything.

Yet, just a another reason why Ted Leonsis is the best owner in sports.

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.


Press Release:
Capitals Rank Sixth in ESPN The Magazine's 2009 Ultimate Standings
Team ranks No. 1 in responsiveness to fan feedback Washington Capitals
Jul 1, 2009, 6:32 PM EDT

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals rank sixth in the newly released ESPN The Magazine’s 2009 Ultimate Standings list, jumping 39 spots from last year in part because of a first place ranking in responsiveness to fan feedback. The magazine rated 122 Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League (NFL) and National Hockey League (NHL) franchises by how much they give back to fans.

“It is great to be recognized by ESPN The Magazine,” Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said, “and I am proud that our organization continues to deliver great value to our fans. Our fan base is one of the most passionate in all of sports. We had a great season, and we shared it with great fans. The Verizon Center was electric and promises to be in the future as Caps fans continue to rock the red.”

The report was the result of exclusive and original analysis by ESPN The Magazine and the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center, combined with fan feedback data gathered by the consulting firm Maddock Douglas, ESPN.com and GMI NetReflector. More than 50,000 responses were collected. The analysis is used to determine how franchises establish and maintain the greatest overall reward for their fans.

Teams were judged on affordability, bang for the buck, coaching, fan relations, ownership, players, stadium experience and title track. The Capitals’ No. 1 ranking in responsiveness to fan feedback helped the organization to place 11th in fan relations. Other categories where Washington ranked high were ownership (fifth), coaching (10th), players (12th), which relates to the effort the players put on the ice and their likability off the ice, and stadium experience (15th). Washington enjoyed what could be considered the franchise’s most successful regular season in history to move up 54 spots to rank 11th for bang for the buck. The Capitals improved in all of the categories resulting in the overall ranking of sixth.

Washington had a club-record 29 sellouts in the regular season and sold out every playoff game at Verizon Center. The average attendance was 99% of capacity. The Capitals have sold out for season tickets for 2009-10, making Verizon Center the place to be.

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