Execs Gather For Sports Facilities & Franchises

The Street & Smith’s Conference Group’s 8th Annual Sports Facilities & Franchises conference is wrapping up in DC, where sports industry leaders have spent the last two days discussing some of the hot-button issues they are facing on a day-to-day basis. Some common themes emerging from the conference: teams continue to search for new ways to lure fans amid the struggling U.S. economy; clubs are continuing to develop efficient ways to collect fan data through ticketing; and the increasing amount of all-inclusive tickets likely will continue to growth. The event was provided a jolt of energy during the first panel, as Marlins President David Samson described his relationship with the team’s players by saying, “They are not my friends. I don’t care about my relationship with them in any way.” Other highlights include sponsor integration at the new Nationals Park and MLS United's Victor MacFarlane talking about the growth of the league.