Franchise Notes

Vikings Expecting To Sell About 55,000 Season Tickets This Year

The MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL BUSINESS JOURNAL's John Vomhoff Jr. reports Vikings officials "expect to sell about 55,000 season tickets this year, flat from a year ago," as about 90% of the team's season-ticket holders renewed from last season, "also on par with last year." The Vikings this season are "pushing two- and five-game packages and group ticket sales, an area where the team has placed only limited emphasis in the past." The team has hired a "full-time group sales executive and has planned events," such as Faith & Family Night on September 21, "aimed at boosting group sales." In addition, the team's corporate sponsorship sales "are up slightly heading" into this season (MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL BUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/5 issue).

WEST COAST CUSTOM: Portland city leaders last Wednesday agreed to "tentatively back" Triple-A PCL Portland Beavers and USL Portland Timbers Owner Merritt Paulson's bid to bring an MLS expansion franchise to the city. Portland is among eight North American cities vying for an MLS team, and Paulson's plans "include spending $75[M] to upgrade PGE Park into a soccer-centric facility and move" the Beavers into a new ballpark (Portland OREGONIAN, 9/8).

TRIPLE PLAY: The Brewers yesterday announced three options for fans that will "guarantee seats for post-season play" this season. Fans who purchase a full-season ticket plan for '09 will "be able to buy all 2008 postseason games" at Miller Park, while fans who purchase a 40-game ticket plan for next year will have the right to purchase tickets to all NLDS and NLCS games at the ballpark. Fans who buy 20-game ticket packages will be able to purchase one NLDS game and one NLCS game (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 9/9).