I was contacted by EPSN the Magazine and was asked to pose a question to our CSR readers. Every year they post their ultimate team rankings where all teams from the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB are ranked together. After the disappointing 2007 season Carolina was ranked #78 out of 122 teams. If you are not familiar with their Ultimate Rankings you cans see the previous results at ESPN's website and view their ranking methodology. I've summarized the Panthers rankings below:
Year | RNK | BNG | FRL | OWN | AFF | STD | PLA | CCH | TTR | Prev Season Standing |
2008 | 78 | 42 | 93 | 53 | 80 | 86 | 102 | 83 | 68 | 2007: 7-9 |
2007 | 37 | 21 | 60 | 29 | 80 | 68 | 63 | 33 | 48 | 2006: 8-8 |
2006 | 8 | 7 | 18 | 8 | 19 | 20 | 11 | 13 | 25 | 2005: 11-5 |
2005 | 12 | 47 | 24 | 6 | 17 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 2004: 7-9 |
2004 | 42 | 112 | 67 | 23 | 31 | 40 | 32 | 21 | 44 | 2003: 11-5 |
2003 | 99 | 115 | 112 | 54 | 62 | 68 | 101 | 54 | 68 | 2002: 7-9 |
They indicated that with their latest rankings the Panthers had a pretty sizable jump up the board in the Overall category and while they were not able to give me the exact ranking (yes I did ask) they indicated it was around 35 spots. That would move the Panthers to the mid to lower 40's in overall ranking. They also indicated both Player and Ownership moved upwards as well, but stadium experience, affordability, and fan relations still lagged.
Now back to the question, basically they are looking for fans reactions to the new rankings and why we think they jumped so significantly. Here is why they proposed to me:
We're just trying to get the true fan's perspective about the team in general and the specifics of the stadium as well as some lesser known factoids regarding the Panthers experience that are cool/funny and or interesting - and might be able to help explain and provide some color for these results.
They said some of the comments might be "published" along with the online results. When I asked about the print version they said it all depends on space. So feel free to post your thought and you could be selected. They will be stopping by later to read what everyone posted.
Of course we'll post a link to their Ultimate Standing when released.