Money-back guarantee

Hawks offering refunds if team doesn't make playoffs

ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Hawks are offering season-ticket holders somewhat of a money-back guarantee.

If the Hawks don't make the playoffs next season, those fans who have full-season ticket plans will receive a $125 refund. The Hawks have missed the last three postseasons.

The offer is the first of its kind among Atlanta teams. Hawks president Stan Kasten called it an attempt to repair the team's public image and a testament to coach Lon Kruger's confidence.

"Lon came to upper management and said he wanted to do this, to change perceptions. He wanted the fans to know how strongly we believed in the team," Kasten said.

The Nashville Predators, who have never made the NHL playoffs, made a similar pledge to their fans for next season.

The wager could cost the Hawks as much as $500,000, based on 2001 sales of about 4,000 full-season ticket packages costing between $1,025 and $3,485 each. But Kruger isn't worried about losing the bet.

"We like our team. We expect to make the playoffs," he said.

If the Hawks make the playoffs, full-season ticket holders will get the first playoff game free.

 

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