Bulls Called the First Players Only Meeting of the Season
The Chicago Bulls opened the 2023/24 campaign with a 20-point home loss to the Thunder. Not a great start to a season for a team with playoff expectations. However Chicago isn’t just sweeping the loss under the rug. After the loss the Bulls called the first players only meeting of the season. The Chicago Tribune reported that Billy Donovan walked into the locker room with the players already in a heated conversation. Donavan was then told by the players to leave after he asked them. My initial take on this is overreaction. It’s game 1 of 82, so there’s no need to react in this way. But the more I think about it the more I love it. Fans regularly complain that the players in the NBA don’t take the regular season seriously. I love that the Bulls called the first players only meeting of the season after just one game.
The players only meeting was not the only contentious moment of the evening. In the 3rd quarter Center Nikola Vucevic and Billy Donovan got into a heated exchange on the sideline. After the game Vucevic said he was just unhappy with some stuff the team was doing. He went on to say the Bulls didn’t play well at either end of the court against Oklahoma City. Zach LaVine also had some strong words for the team saying they didn’t play with enough heart. K.C. Johnson on Twitter/X reported that LaVine ripped into the team in the players only meeting. Let’s see if the players only meeting lights a spark in the Bulls locker room.
Florida Panthers are One of the NHL 's Fastest Growing Fan Bases
Fastest Growing: Florida Panthers
We’ve already gone through all the statistical growth on Instagram. But it needs to be reiterated that the on-ice success has been what’s fueled the growth of the fan base. Not the fan base needs to turn Amerant Bank Arena into a true home ice advantage.
A young Florida Panthers fan cheers during the third period in game three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
2nd Fastest Growing: New Jersey Devils
The Devils have a talented young group of players led by Jack Hughes. Fun fact: Jack’s brother Luke is a Defensemen on the Devils and their brother Quinn is Captain for the Vancouver Canucks. The Devils have grown their Instagram followers by 22.16% to 491,760 followers on the platform.
New Jersey Devils fans react after a goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
3rd Fastest Growing: Pittsburgh Penguins
This one is the most surprising. Not because the Penguins aren’t a great organization on and off the ice. But because they’re such an established team that you’d figure most fans already have their opinion on the team. But they still managed to grown their Instagram following by 18.91% to 2.8 million! That’s the most followers any team in the NHL has on the platform.
Pittsburgh Penguins fans celebrate a goal scored in the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
4th Fastest Growing: Seattle Kraken
I love the Krak Heads! I think it’s the most clever name a fan base have given themselves in recent memory. And it makes sense that a team going into their 3rd season is still growing their fan base. Plus they’ve had success early one with a trip to the conference quarterfinals in their 2nd season. They’ve grown their Instagram followers 13.84% to 569,500 followers.
Fans celebrate a Seattle Kraken goal during the second period in game three of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Dallas Stars and the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports
5th Fastest Growing: Anaheim Ducks
I think this comes down to one man: Trevor Zegras. The kid is a human highlight reel. They’ve grown their Instagram following by 11.7% to 461,900 followers.
An Anaheim Ducks fan cheers during the game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Montreal Canadiens at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
5th Slowest Growing: Tampa Bay Lightning
The Bolts have been an elite organization over the last half decade. They’ve lifted the Cup twice, lost in Finals, and had a President’s Trophy season. They have stars of the league at basically every position. They’ve only grown on Instagram by 2.9% over the last 12 months.
a Tampa Bay Lightning fan celebrates catching a puck against Winnipeg Jets during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports
4th Slowest Growing: Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers have become the red-headed step-child of the Philadelphia sports fan. The Eagles and Phillies each lost in their championships last year and are wagons this season. The 76ers aren’t on that level, but are led by one of the faces of the league and are a top-5 Eastern Conference team. The Flyers grew their Instagram following by 2.85%
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Flyers mascot Gritty entertains fans before the game between the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
3rd Slowest Growing: Washington Capitals
Another franchise that has been established for the last decade and led by Alex Ovechkin. They’re not the Stanley Cup contender they once were, but they’re still a solid team. Their Instagram following grew just 2.76% over the last 12 months.
Mar 17, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) tosses a puck over the glass to a fan during warmups while wearing a special Capitals Go Green Night jersey on St. Patrick’s Day prior to the game against the St. Louis Blues at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
2nd Slowest Growing: St. Louis Blues
This one is a little head scratching. The Blues have made the playoffs in 10 of the last 11 years. Although there hasn’t been a ton of success, they have lifted the cup. Their Instagram following increased by 2.47% over the last 12 months.
A fan holds a sign for St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) during the third period in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
Slowest Growing: Ottawa Senators
We’ve gone through why I think the Senators are having a difficult time growing their Instagram following. Their season has gotten off to a good start though, so maybe the next 12 months will show more growth than the previous 12 months.
Senators center Chris Tierney (71) skates past fans before a game against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports
