Wildcats defy change with surging memberships

Photo: Perth Wildcats Media.

Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena says the club is on track to sell out memberships, downplaying concerns around Bryce Cotton’s departure and fan reaction to the team’s new logo and brand reveal.

The highly publicised exit of Cotton in May was met with a negative reaction from supporters, but the Wildcats countered strongly, signing Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. and bringing back young gun Ben Henshall.

Following the release of the club’s new jerseys for the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Season, Arena said fan sentiment remained strong heading into the new campaign.

“Membership has increased. We are close to tapping out on memberships because we need a certain amount of tickets available for fans who want to come to one, two or three games. We can’t just pack out RAC Arena with members,” Arena told The West Australian.

“Across the board there is more and more interest in the Wildcats. It hasn’t decreased.”

Photo: Mark Arena and Jesse Wagstaff (The West Australian)

In June, Perth released a logo aimed at being “modern and simplified with a fiercer, more powerful Wildcat”.

“I have no regrets in regards to the rebrand. That is going to be the right decision for the Wildcats,” Arena said, defending speculation of unrest amongst fans.

“I think the online response has been a vocal minority. Very few people have approached me one-on-one and said they don’t like it.”

The Wildcats will feature several new faces when they play an intraclub game on Friday at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre.

Read the full story here >> Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena reveals memberships are set to sell out as he rejects theme of Red Army angst