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Post by SamH on Mar 22, 2022 12:40:08 GMT
Just to say, Saintpat has been invited here and has the link, but he feels whatsbev is and always will be the best place to discuss basketball. He did say never say never though so we might see him here one day.
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Post by LTfan on Mar 22, 2022 12:43:25 GMT
True that. I’ve been on and off for past 3 years and can’t even buy a t-shirt for the kids. Merchandise (or lack of it) is a complete joke. It’s been ‘coming soon’ for 2 years now. Even if you were to take the view that as long as 777 are making money it doesn’t matter whether Lions are actually winning titles, the lack of merchandise is just bizarre. What’s the point of getting increasing crowd numbers at the Copper Box if you’re not capitalising on that further by selling some merchandise? It’s also a great way of increasing brand awareness, something they clearly want to do. It just doesn’t make sense. I can only assume it’s supply issues… but for 2 years?! |
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Post by irf on Mar 22, 2022 14:26:12 GMT
True that. I’ve been on and off for past 3 years and can’t even buy a t-shirt for the kids. Merchandise (or lack of it) is a complete joke. It’s been ‘coming soon’ for 2 years now. Even if you were to take the view that as long as 777 are making money it doesn’t matter whether Lions are actually winning titles, the lack of merchandise is just bizarre. What’s the point of getting increasing crowd numbers at the Copper Box if you’re not capitalising on that further by selling some merchandise? It’s also a great way of increasing brand awareness, something they clearly want to do. It just doesn’t make sense. I can only assume it’s supply issues… but for 2 years?! Or like Pat says They don't need the money from merchandise and it's too much like hard work for anyone there to organise |
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Post by topcata on Mar 22, 2022 14:37:47 GMT
I was there on Sunday - as I was up in Glasgow rather than a specific trip to watch.
Phoenix had probably 300 fans there amongst all the neutrals.
Lions probably about 6?
I’d have thought brand identity would have been top of the owners priorities?
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Post by LTfan on Mar 22, 2022 16:25:20 GMT
I was there on Sunday - as I was up in Glasgow rather than a specific trip to watch. Phoenix had probably 300 fans there amongst all the neutrals. Lions probably about 6? I’d have thought brand identity would have been top of the owners priorities? To be fair Cheshire to Glasgow is half the distance of London to Glasgow. But why 777 aren't doing any Lions merchandise is beyond me. The 'they don't need the money from merchandise and it's too much like hard work to organise' doesn't even make much sense. If they don't need the money why are they spending time/money/effort in increasing game attendance? And spending time/money/effort on increasing brand awareness. Merchandise capitalises on their investment in getting people through the doors and increases brand awareness - anyone wearing a Lions t-shirt is basically a walking free billboard from them. But we've been having this discussion for years, and lets be honest, we're not seeing any merchandise again this season. |
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Post by massiveridersfan on Mar 22, 2022 19:02:23 GMT
True that. I’ve been on and off for past 3 years and can’t even buy a t-shirt for the kids. Merchandise (or lack of it) is a complete joke. It’s been ‘coming soon’ for 2 years now. Even if you were to take the view that as long as 777 are making money it doesn’t matter whether Lions are actually winning titles, the lack of merchandise is just bizarre. What’s the point of getting increasing crowd numbers at the Copper Box if you’re not capitalising on that further by selling some merchandise? It’s also a great way of increasing brand awareness, something they clearly want to do. It just doesn’t make sense. I can only assume it’s supply issues… but for 2 years?! Can't be supply issues - it's because they don't care about the fans I think. |
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Post by spacejammer on Mar 23, 2022 12:38:35 GMT
Would love to hear Vince’s views![/quote]
Well if you listen to yesterday's BBL Show you finally got your wish as Vince is guest along with Rahmon Fletcher discussing the final.
I'm listening to it now and he is expressing his disappointment in the London team and crediting Cheshire.
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Post by spacejammer on Mar 23, 2022 12:40:16 GMT
Half of lions team look like they don’t want to be there Spot on Stevetino - too many Lions players looked like it wasn’t really hurting. Look at the final Lions time out if you want to see what I mean. Eagles wins apart, rarely have I enjoyed a BBL result so much. Sometimes David can beat Goliath. And the Cheshire fans were great. Would love to hear Vince’s views! Well if you listen to yesterday's BBL Show you finally got your wish as Vince is guest along with Rahmon Fletcher discussing the final. I'm listening to it now and he is expressing his disappointment in the London team and crediting Cheshire. Alot of stick on the attitude of the Londo team and organisation as well. |
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Post by dandayr on Mar 23, 2022 13:10:42 GMT
watched the BBL show yesterday when I saw what covering and who was on.
I took from the words - square pegs in round holes since Vince was moved on.
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Post by spacejammer on Mar 23, 2022 17:23:56 GMT
watched the BBL show yesterday when I saw what covering and who was on. I took from the words - square pegs in round holes since Vince was moved on. I think from what he said it sounded like he was more interested in the BBL and 777 were more intrested in Europe. And the lack of experience running a franchise suggests this is something of a learning curve for them. Obviously now as mentioned if they want to give something to shout about then they need a good run and to win the playoffs especially in there home city. And perhaps they can get some more fans in and capitalise on the opportunity of a home final. Then similar to the Eagles over the Summer they'll to sit down and sort things out. Teams and franchises do have rough patches and bad seasons. Question is will we be saying the same things this time next season about the Lions organisation? |
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Post by LTfan on Mar 25, 2022 10:39:59 GMT
Interesting interview with Vince on The BBL Show. One criticism was that there's now a complete lack of experience with those now running the organisation... I can't disagree with that. As far as we're aware there's now no one with any experience in running a British basketball club involved in the London Lions. Lack of merchandise was even mentioned.  Another criticism was the amount of minutes Kaboza got in the Trophy final. I'm not sure whether I agree with this or not. Yes, he's young and inexperienced... but he was also one of the few players who looked like the game actually meant anything to them. I do agree Justin Robinson is currently being underused, especially whilst Reese is out, but there might still be injury issues there. |
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Post by topcata on Mar 25, 2022 17:28:16 GMT
I’m at the Copper Box now and they have merch!
Chatting to the guy selling it - he said 777 were tired of “idiots bitching about no merchandise” they decided to sell some.
Said previous owners had turned down all chances to sell any.
Anyway good to see - but no kids sizes
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Post by massiveridersfan on Mar 25, 2022 18:03:00 GMT
Interesting interview with Vince on The BBL Show. One criticism was that there's now a complete lack of experience with those now running the organisation... I can't disagree with that. As far as we're aware there's now no one with any experience in running a British basketball club involved in the London Lions. Lack of merchandise was even mentioned.  Another criticism was the amount of minutes Kaboza got in the Trophy final. I'm not sure whether I agree with this or not. Yes, he's young and inexperienced... but he was also one of the few players who looked like the game actually meant anything to them. I do agree Justin Robinson is currently being underused, especially whilst Reese is out, but there might still be injury issues there. Robinson hadn't been on court long when he asked to be subbed at one stage. Still recovering? |
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Post by LTfan on Mar 25, 2022 19:08:43 GMT
I’m at the Copper Box now and they have merch! Chatting to the guy selling it - he said 777 were tired of “idiots bitching about no merchandise” they decided to sell some. Said previous owners had turned down all chances to sell any. Anyway good to see - but no kids sizes Wow. Finally. I’m not sure about those comments though… are people really idiots for expecting a professional sports team to sell merchandise? Also, previous owners turned down all chances to sell any? That would be the previous owners that sold merchandise at every game, and made decent money doing so? Now if they could also sell merchandise online then we’d be back to the standard set by the previous owners, and all other BBL clubs. |
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Post by topcata on Mar 25, 2022 19:14:32 GMT
I’m at the Copper Box now and they have merch! Chatting to the guy selling it - he said 777 were tired of “idiots bitching about no merchandise” they decided to sell some. Said previous owners had turned down all chances to sell any. Anyway good to see - but no kids sizes Wow. Finally. I’m not sure about those comments though… are people really idiots for expecting a professional sports team to sell merchandise? Also, previous owners turned down all chances to sell any? That would be the previous owners that sold merchandise at every game, and made decent money doing so? Now if they could also sell merchandise online then we’d be back to the standard set by the previous owners, and all other BBL clubs. It wasn’t the previous guys who sold the old merchandise - that used to be mainly NBA stuff presumably shipped from the States. It’s first time I’ve ever seen specific Lions kit for sale. Looks decent quality Kappa - just shame no kids stuff |
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Post by LTfan on Mar 25, 2022 19:26:00 GMT
Wow. Finally. I’m not sure about those comments though… are people really idiots for expecting a professional sports team to sell merchandise? Also, previous owners turned down all chances to sell any? That would be the previous owners that sold merchandise at every game, and made decent money doing so? Now if they could also sell merchandise online then we’d be back to the standard set by the previous owners, and all other BBL clubs. It wasn’t the previous guys who sold the old merchandise - that used to be mainly NBA stuff presumably shipped from the States. It’s first time I’ve ever seen specific Lions kit for sale. Looks decent quality Kappa - just shame no kids stuff You could certainly absolutely buy Lions branded merchandise previously, branded t-shirts etc. and jerseys (along with generic NBA stuff). Although maybe not for the last few years. |
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Post by topcata on Mar 25, 2022 23:11:21 GMT
It wasn’t the previous guys who sold the old merchandise - that used to be mainly NBA stuff presumably shipped from the States. It’s first time I’ve ever seen specific Lions kit for sale. Looks decent quality Kappa - just shame no kids stuff You could certainly absolutely buy Lions branded merchandise previously, branded t-shirts etc. and jerseys (along with generic NBA stuff). Although maybe not for the last few years. Really? Never seen any (although we’ve only been a few times and in last 4 years). The fans there have always moaned about lack of stuff to but though |
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Post by LTfan on Mar 26, 2022 8:47:06 GMT
You could certainly absolutely buy Lions branded merchandise previously, branded t-shirts etc. and jerseys (along with generic NBA stuff). Although maybe not for the last few years. Really? Never seen any (although we’ve only been a few times and in last 4 years). The fans there have always moaned about lack of stuff to but though It May be as long ago as 4+ years ago, but you used to be able to get Lions hoodies, tshirts, jerseys, etc. I even have a London Lions mug I bought at a game many years ago. More recently you might be right, but you could still at least buy Lions branded merchandise online. It wasn’t to the quality of most other teams (in my opinion), but at least it was available. EDIT: Actually some of the old merchandise looks to still be available here: www.shoplondonlions.co.uk/shop/category/Apparel?c=2037472 |
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