The Twins "went on the public relations offensive" with
a statewide radio campaign "promoting their request for a
new ballpark," according to Jay Weiner of the Minneapolis
STAR TRIBUNE. Three 60-second spots began airing Friday to
add "a human touch to the debate," said Pat Forciea, Twins
marketing consultant. The ads feature a "man-on-the-street
interviewer," Mal Sharpe, telling citizens "that he's
looking for people to build a ballpark." Weiner notes that
people "respond favorably." Forciea said the ads, which
will run for 10-14 days, will cost the team "tens of
thousands" of dollars. The ad campaign comes after a MN
House committee gave the ballpark bill its first approval.
It included a provision to sell the vacant Met Center land
in Bloomington and "use the proceeds to help pay off" the
Metrodome $36M debt. The bill "would also strip" the Dome
of its $20M in reserves, which Weiner noted the Metropolitan
Sports Facilities Committee "hoped to use" to refurbish the
Metrodome for the Vikings (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/12).