MLB Commissioner Bud Selig "spent a marathon day" in
the Tampa Bay area yesterday "trying to drum up support for
the Devil Rays," according to Kyle Parks of the ST.
PETERSBURG TIMES. Selig, who met with mayors and newspaper
execs, also told 500 local business leaders at Tropicana
Field that he is "optimistic" about the team's future but is
"concerned about last season's attendance," which was down
25% from '98. The drop marked MLB's largest percentage
decline. Selig: "I'm concerned about years three, four and
five because I want this team to be here forever, and I want
it to be productive." In conjunction with Selig's visit,
MLB released a study on the team's impact on the local
economy, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, that shows the
Devil Rays generate $105M in new spending each year from
out-of-town visitors, which is part of the overall impact of
$324M. Meanwhile, the team also unveiled its new marketing
slogan, "Hit Show." Business leaders and officials who took
part in the meetings described the mood as "cordial," as
Selig "repeatedly said moving the team is not a good
option." In a bid to boost group sales, a new plan would
see the local chamber of commerce "keep" 5% of the ticket
revenue "if enough members buy season tickets or partial-
season plans." The team has increased its group sales staff
from five to ten people (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 11/17). The
PricewaterhouseCoopers study showed that roughly 30% of
those attending Devil Rays games last season live outside
the Tampa Bay area (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 11/17).
