ECHL’s Bakersfield Condors: If we don’t make the playoffs, your tickets are free
The Bakersfield Condors had another rough year in 2012-13, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season and winning just 22 games, good for dead last in the ECHL.
Also, there was that hilarious escaping condor incident.
But 2013-14 will be better! The Condors guarantee it. Breaking the cycle of playoff-lessness isn't just a goal for the club next season -- it's an expectation. And so confident are the Condors that they'll make the cut for the 2014 Kelly Cup playoffs that, if they don't, your tickets are free. From the Condors:
Purchase a Condors ticket plan, Pick-6 or larger, for the 2013-14 season, and if we do not qualify for the 2014 Kelly Cup Playoffs, your six games in 2014-15 will be FREE.
[...] "We will make the playoffs, I guarantee it," said Condors President Matthew Riley. "But if we don't, it's no skin off our back, because all of the free tickets will come out of JO's paycheck."
If you're wondering who JO is, that would be team General Manager John Olver, who took over on April 11. He's been charged with getting this group back to the dance, and if he doesn't, the tickets you bought are coming out of his pocket. No pressure, Olver.
He's confident that he can get it done.
"30 years in the hockey business and I have never missed the playoffs," he said, apparently unaware that this means he's due for it. "I don't expect that streak to end this season."
Of note: there are nine teams in the ECHL's Western Conference and eight make the playoffs, so it will be tough to screw this up. But it's possible!
The offer, which is valid through the end of July, works like so: buy six tickets on the Pick-6 plan, and if the Condors finish outside the playoff bubble for the third straight year, those tickets are on the house, or at least the master of it.
It's win-win! Or lose-win!
Anyway. The Edmonton Oilers should adopt this model.
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