Red Sox CMO Adam Grossman said that the team is “a little bit behind” in overall ticket sales than it was at this point last year, according to Michael Silverman of the BOSTON GLOBE. Attendance for the Red Sox “ticked up almost 50,000 last season from 2022 to 2.67 million.” But over the last two years, the team has “returned to the 2.65 million to 2.8 million range it drew in the first four years of this ownership” (2002 to 2005) “before hitting 3 million-plus from 2008 to 2012.” There were “still slightly more than 3,000 tickets remaining” for today's home opener late Friday afternoon. One week later, for the April 16 game against the Guardians, "13,545 tickets remained, or about 36 percent of Fenway Park’s capacity." Grossman said, “We’re selling a lot of tickets. Not as many as we were, but we’re confident that we will still continue to sell as the team comes back.” Silverman noted as of Friday, the team said that it “was ahead 73 percent compared to last year on ticket sales and 90 percent ahead on revenue for its theme nights and cultural and identity nights, evenings that feature freebies such as hats and bobbleheads.” Of its 81-game home slate, the team “expects to hold 60 such events, eight more than last year and 19 more than 2022.” Red Sox season-ticket holders and past ticket buyers “have been receiving a flurry of emails this spring from the ball club announcing discount ticket offerings” (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/8).
WINNING FIXES EVERYTHING: In Boston, Peter Abraham wrote the second part of the equation for the Red Sox “will be winning back their fans.” It was “stunning at times last season to see large groups of opposing fans at Fenway,” especially on summer weekends. Fans of the Mets, Blue Jays, and Dodgers “all but took over” the ballpark when their teams came to town. With the payroll dropping -- “which many fans interpret as disinterest from ownership” -- the Red Sox “may have some sparse crowds early in the season. Giveaways and theme nights won’t fill those empty seats.” Winning will (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/8).
NO MORE GIMMICKS: With Fenway Park's first game of 2024 set for Tuesday afternoon, WBZ-FM's Michael Felger and Tony Massarotti reacted to the latest upgrades to the ballpark's fan experience. Felger said of the new, larger beer options, “You know what I think, their best chance is turning into a beer garden for the kids. Like I feel like that’s the pop at Fenway Park recently.” Massarotti: “Yea you can get in for 9 bucks, its like a low cover charge.” Massarotti noted that the team has “no sizzle” to draw fans in. Felger: “So even though tickets are lagging behind and there are seats available for Opening Day, the team said its ahead 73% and 90% on revenue on theme nights and cultural and identity nights.” Felger: “This is how they are going to recoup the revenue, those kinds of nights.” Massarotti: “That’s bullcrap.” Felger: “Take away the kids with the fake IDs and squids dressed like Voldemort -- are their any baseball fans left over there?” Felger added nobody cares about the baseball team. Felger: “You would think that the good start would help, nope. They need freaking furry anime night to get people into the building” ("Felger & Mazz," WBZ-FM, 4/9).
