In Orlando, Josh Robbins reported the Magic Friday increased season-ticket prices for '11-12 "by an average of four percent over this season's prices." The team sold a record 14,200 season tickets for '10-11, and are "incentivizing their current season-ticket holders to renew by offering discounts to people who pay in full by March 4." Fans who "pay in cash by that date will receive a six percent discount on their new season tickets." If there is an NBA lockout next season, "ticket buyers will have an option of receiving a refund with interest for any cancelled games." Robbins noted it is "difficult to make apples-to-apples comparisons between the current season's prices and next season's prices because the team is reclassifying many of its seats" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/12).
MAKING CONTINGENCY PLANS: Vikings VP/Public Affairs & Stadium Development Lester Bagley said that team officials have "had discussions with the University of Minnesota about potentially playing its two home preseason games at TCF Bank Stadium" if the Metrodome roof is not replaced in time. In Minneapolis, Judd Zulgad noted the "biggest issue might be the fact beer is not sold at TCF Bank Stadium, taking away a source of revenue." Still, it is "better than the alternative to having the Vikings play four preseason games on the road" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 2/11).
BAY BREAKTHROUGH: In Oakland, Joe Stiglich noted the A's "seem to be repairing their image after years in which much attention has been focused on the club's stalled attempts to build" a new ballpark. The A's "did more to improve their roster this winter than any other AL West club and seem to have created a buzz heading into this season." A's VP/Sales & Marketing Jim Leahey said that season-ticket sales at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum are "up approximately 50 percent from this point last year." Last season, the team's "average home attendance of 17,511 was second-lowest in the majors," ahead of only the Indians (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 2/13).
TO BE FRANK: In L.A., T.J. Simers reported an NFL spokesperson confirmed that Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt "was given the chance to buy four tickets" to last week's Super Bowl XLV in Dallas and did so, but his ex-wife, Jamie, "never had the chance to buy Super Bowl tickets." Simers wrote, "We just don't know about McCourt these days. And that's odd. He promised us from the day he took over he was going to be transparent. But that has proved to be a lie. We learned a lot through court documents, things transparent Frank never mentioned previously. ... Now we hear from transparent Frank only through a spokesman" (L.A. TIMES, 2/13).
