Marlins See Effects Of Offseason Moves On Ticket Sales

Marlins Seeing Ticket Sales Decline Following Offseason Moves

The Marlins “felt the predictable impact of their offseason dismantling Saturday, selling far fewer tickets than they did a year ago at their annual FanFest,” according to Barry Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. On the first day of sale for individual game tickets, the Marlins said that they sold “more than 13,000 tickets — compared with 25,000 at last year’s FanFest.” Marlins President David Samson said, “While the number of tickets sold met our expectations, we would have liked more.” Jackson noted the Marlins — who are “expecting season-ticket sales to drop from 10,000 to about 5,000 — did not estimate the crowd at FanFest, but it likely didn’t compare with last year’s 30,000.” When tickets went on sale at 10:00am ET, there were “about 70 people in line — about half the number lined up at the same time last year.” Samson told season-ticket holders at one of the town meetings during FanFest, “I don’t apologize one bit for this product. The run you’ve had as a season-ticket holder is unparalleled. There are fans all over the country that would trade places (with you)” (MIAMI HERALD, 2/12).

NO SMALL TASK: In West Palm Beach, Joe Capozzi reported the Marlins this season plan to “sell fans on the idea of connecting and growing with their new, young players.” The marketing slogan is a “slight variation” of last year’s, going from “Get Hooked” to “Get Hooked Up.” Samson: “It’s get hooked up with tickets, get hooked up with people, get hooked up with a good time. It’s sort of a double-entendre, which is fun.” Capozzi noted Marlins P Justin Vargas, RF Jeremy Hermida and manager Joe Girardi are “among images that will be featured on billboards and season-ticket items.” The team also will feature new players Mike Jacobs and Hanley Ramirez on giveaway gloves and T-shirts. Marlins VP/Marketing Sean Flynn said, “We’re going to integrate the new guys into the mix as much as we can. They’ll be used evenly. We’re not going to say this is [P Dontrelle Willis’ and LF Miguel Cabrera’s] team. ... We’re going to highlight all of our guys.” Capozzi noted none of the team’s TV ads will feature players, “continuing the approach the team used last year” (PALM BEACH POST, 2/12).