The Senators have sold 774 new full season-ticket
equivalents as of yesterday, still short of team Chair Rod
Bryden's goal of 1,500, while 57% of the team's current
season-ticket holders have renewed their plans, also short
of Bryden's 90% target. However, 99 of the team's corporate
supporters have increased their financial commitment of the
team for next year. Bryden is set to hold a press
conference tomorrow to announce the status of the team's
ticket drive (Senators). In Ottawa, Andrew Seymour writes
that season-ticket renewals "climbed" 14%, new season-ticket
sales had "a jump of" 220 and 15 corporate partners
increased their support yesterday. But of "particular
concern" to team officials is that public support outnumbers
business support "nearly six to one," a number that team
President Roy Mlakar says "will have to change if the team
hopes to stay in town." Mlakar: "We have to hit more
businesses -- the small to medium businesses we need and
hope will step to the forefront." Bryden had set a February
11th deadline and Mlakar said, "I think Rod said it very
clearly (that) the 11th will indicate where we're going"
(OTTAWA SUN, 2/10). Mlakar said that "it's likely" that
Bryden "will announce plans to extend" the ticket campaign
during his press conference (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 2/10). But
Bruce Garrioch writes that "[u]nless there is a massive show
of support in the next 24 hours," the "For Sale sign will go
up on the franchise tomorrow." Garrioch lists Portland as
the "leading contender" if the team were to move to the U.S.
and "[i]ndications are Bryden isn't pleased about a lack of
momentum shown by some portions of the community and he's
getting tired of speaking about the issue," which "could
mean pulling the plug" on the team (OTT. SUN, 2/10).
TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS: Also in ottawa, tony lofaro
writes that the campaign to save the Senators "took to the
streets" yesterday, as a noontime pep rally with players
drew "close to" 1,000 people (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 2/10).
Meanwhile, Seymour writes that "more than" 600 Senators
supporters attended the rally (OTTAWA SUN, 2/10).
