“Let’s Dance.”
New Orleans Pelicans fans bought into Zion Williamson ever since the team’s rookie sensation Zion Williamson said those words after being selected first in the 2019 NBA Draft.
They may have even bought into Williamson after the draft lottery revealed the Pelicans would have the number one pick.
Or even back to his YouTube highlights when he was at Spartanburg Day School in South Carolina.
The New Orleans streets were celebrating the Williamson selection and they have embraced him with open arms.
Now they’re embracing him with open wallets.
According to Nathan Brown of nola.com, tickets to the Los Angeles Lakers game on Nov. 27 almost sold out when season-ticket holders were allowed early access. You can find that report here. The sales are boosted based on the Anthony Davis return, but Pelicans fans have been showing their excitement to see Williamson in the Smoothie King Center.
Marc Stein of the New York Times reported that the Pelicans sold 3,000 season tickets after the draft lottery. The number grew past 10,000 season tickets sold, according to SportsPro.
New Orleans ranked 25th in the NBA in attendance for the 2018-19 season. They brought in 16,004 people per game in their 42 home games.
Williamson won’t be the only draw for the Pelicans. The plethora of offseason acquisitions via the Anthony Davis trade, free agency signings and first round picks have the potential to raise attendance.
Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart can provide different roles for the Pelicans team. Free agents Derrick Favors and J.J. Redick filled much needed holes, a veteran big man and a 3-point shooter. Rookies Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker also shined in the NBA Summer League.
The ticket sales are reflecting the excitement around this Pelicans squad and Williamson is at the forefront as the reason for the boost in sales.