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Don't like the game? Get a refund
By MELISSA TRUJILLO
Associated Press Writer
June 20, 2002

SEATTLE (AP) -- The hot dogs, the bobbleheads and the first-round draft picks aren't doing the job. So the Seattle Storm are trying a new way to get fans in the door: a money-back guarantee.

The Storm had the worst attendance in the WNBA last season, and the gate keeps dwindling. The team can't count on its performance, either. Seattle is 4-5 this season and had the league's worst records in 2000 and 2001.

The Storm lost by 12 points to the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday in a game in which Lauren Jackson, the 2001 No. 1 draft pick, scored in the wrong basket after rebounding a missed free throw.

So for three games on Friday, Sunday and Thursday, fans who are not satisfied with their experience will get refunds.

That's for any reason: poor play, benched stars or even lousy food.

But there's a catch.

Refunds will be provided only each night for a half-hour after the game, so fans must stay the entire game. Dissatisfied customers who are at least 18 must fill out a short feedback form to receive the refund. And the Storm will not refund money for parking, service charges or hot dogs.

Coach and general manager Lin Dunn said the team is confident it can deliver an exciting experience for new fans.

``It seems like a great opportunity for people who have never seen a Storm game. It's a win-win situation,'' she said. ``If you don't like it, don't come back, but at least give it a try.''

The Storm's average attendance last season was 5,954, and is even lower this year at 5,224.

The Storm, co-owned by Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz, are willing to take risks to increase their fan base, said team vice president Karen Bryant.

Money-back guarantees are common in the business world, but Bryant said she knew of no other sports team with similar deals. The Atlanta Hawks offer a $125 rebate to season ticket holders if the team does not make the playoffs.

The Storm decided to try the guarantee after the June 6 game against Charlotte, when the team had a 3-1 record, but only 3,927 fans attended.

For the refund games, the Storm play Indiana on Friday, Sacramento on Sunday and Orlando on Thursday.

``Given where we are and our willingness to try anything to get fans out, it sounded compelling,'' Bryant said.

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Storm refund tickets to three unhappy fans
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Sports Writer
June 24, 2002

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle Storm refunded the cost of tickets to three fans who said they were dissatisfied with their experience at weekend games.

In an effort to boost attendance, the WNBA team offered fans a deal last week: If you don't like the game, we'll refund your money.

The promotion, available for three home games, lasts through Thursday when the Storm play the Orlando Miracle at Key Arena.

A man and woman sitting together at Friday's game against the Indiana Fever asked for a refund because they insisted ``We should have beat them by more,'' Storm spokeswoman Valerie O'Neil said, quoting the complaint.

Seattle won 63-51. The fans got their money back.

On Sunday, a man bought a ticket at 6:45 p.m. for a game that had tipped off 45 minutes earlier. Sunday games often start at 6 p.m., but the man thought it was a usual 7 p.m. start, O'Neil said.

He told team officials the woman who sold him the ticket didn't tell him the game had already begun. He arrived at halftime.

``We had a witness that she told him, but he got his money back,'' O'Neil said. ``Hey, we're all about making people happy.''

The three refunds amounted to less than $50, she said.

The Storm have seen a slight jump in ticket sales, but it isn't known how many extra tickets have been sold because of the refund promotion. The team also has several other current promotions.

About 50 additional tickets were sold for both the Friday and Sunday games, O'Neil said.

``It's probably partly related,'' she said. ``It probably has some sort of effect, but we don't know how much. It's generated some great buzz and that's what we wanted it to do. It may make people take a second look.''

The Storm (6-6) have been desperate to bring in more fans. They had the worst attendance in the league last season and have finished with the WNBA's worst record in their two seasons since joining the league in 2000.

This year, they have No. 1 overall draft pick Sue Bird along with 2001's top pick, Lauren Jackson, but attendance is still dismal as they struggle to compete against the Seattle Mariners.