Attendance Helps M's Chart Eighth-Consecutive Profitable Year

Mariners Continue To Turn Profit At Safeco Field

The Mariners were profitable in '07, "as has been the case for every full season" since the team moved into Safeco Field in '99, according to Art Thiel of the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER. That comes even though the team's $113M payroll was above the budgeted $99M figure for the '07 season. Mariners President Chuck Armstrong, who would not reveal specific profit figures, noted that at the All-Star break, the Mariners were seventh in MLB payroll, though only 14th in market size.  While the Mariners projected a net operating loss for the '07 season with attendance of 2.3 million, the team drew 2.67 million fans.  With sources estimating the team's 12-year extension with FSN Northwest at more than $450M, Armstrong said, "This is the kind of deal that allows us to be competitive in player payroll."  FSN Northwest VP & GM Mark Shuken said of the deal, "We came up with a thin margin, but it makes both sides happy." Thiel notes the team's games averaged an 8.2 Nielsen rating on FSN this season, second in MLB to the Red Sox' 12.2  on NESN (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 11/9).