After "losing money and fans" in '11, the MLS Crew hope an economic-impact study they commissioned will prove their "worth to the community -- and garner an infusion of cash for stadium- and jersey-naming rights," according to Steve Wartenberg of the COLUMBUS DISPATCH. The study by Minneapolis-based Conventions, Sports & Leisure indicated that the Crew's games and other events at Crew Stadium have "generated $384 million in direct spending since the team began playing" in '96. Team President & GM Mark McCullers said, "We thought the study would be helpful in making our case for local businesses to support the Crew." Despite making the playoffs four consecutive years, Crew attendance "dropped in 2011 to 12,185 per game, the second-lowest in the league behind only San Jose, which averaged 11,858." McCullers said that the team "lost money, but he declined to say how much, only that it was 'in the millions.'" He said that to break even this year, the club "needs to find local companies willing to pay for naming rights to the stadium and the team’s jerseys, and sell at least 10,000 season tickets." McCullers "would not disclose current season-ticket sales, but he said they have already topped last year’s total of about 5,000." Wartenberg notes the Crew have "not had a jersey sponsor since Glidden’s contract ended after the 2010 season" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 2/9).
