The Brooklyn Nets report nearly 99% attendance at Barclays Center home games. However, gate count and *paid* tickets unclear.

In the past NBA season, the Brooklyn Nets dropped in attendance rank from eleventh to 21st, according to ESPN, but only saw a fractional decrease in numbers, averaging just 101 fewer fans per game than in 2022-23.

The reported attendance--which reflects tickets distributed, not sold, and does not equal gate count--was 17,568 per game, or 98.85% full. The NBA, as the league announced, set an overall attendance record, with arena's averaging 98% of capacity.

What we don't know is how many Nets freebies were given out. Remember, based on anonymous sources, the New York Post said the 2021-22 Nets, "after giveaways, sold about 15,000 tickets a game."

The Nets in 2022-23 had, at least for part of the season, a couple of superstars, and made the playoffs after a 45-37 record.

From ESPN

Sunny outlook?

Given the team's mediocre performance this past year, with a 32-50 record ranking them 11th and thus out of playoff contention, the Nets didn't have much to promote, so, as I pointed out, they went back to invoking "Brooklyn."

I rank very, very low on the list of active Nets ticket buyers, but I did get cold called twice by a Nets ticket agent recently, which suggests they are trying pretty hard.

Let's see if ticket prices become more affordable. Well, the Nets at least hired a new coach, well-regarded Sacramental Kings assistant Jordi Fernandez, so we should see him get some hype.

Then again, as journalist Steve Lichtenstein pointed out, "this will be Brooklyn’s fifth coaching change (including interims) in six seasons." That's a lot.

2022-23 attendance

From ESPN