The Predators have “put together a plan for their season-ticket holders in case the lockout extends into the season,” according to Josh Cooper of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. If ticket holders “leave their accounts open, they will be credited for the games canceled and not rescheduled.” They also will “receive a 10.25 percent bonus credit on an annualized basis on the canceled games.” It can be used for “food and beverage, merchandise, select Bridgestone Arena events, single-game tickets, 2013 Stanley Cup playoff tickets and 2013-14 season-ticket renewal.” Ticket holders otherwise can get refunds for canceled games, but "will be exempt from the bonus credit.” The Predators also said that they have “no plans for staff layoffs during the lockout” (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 9/21). Meanwhile, in New Jersey, Tom Gulitti reports the Devils “emailed a letter to full season-ticket holders Thursday outlining the team’s policy for refunds.” The team is “offering season-ticket holders two options for the ticket money from the canceled games.” The first is to “keep the money on account with the team and receive 2 percent interest on the total through the full season or until the season gets under way.” The second option is to “request a refund.” Season-ticket holders who have paid in full “will begin receiving their refunds Oct. 31” (Bergen RECORD, 9/21).
UNNEEDED INTERRUPTION: In Tampa, Damian Cristodero notes this lockout joins the '04-05 work stoppage as having "disrupted the Lightning's chances to make even more inroads, competitively and economically, into its nontraditional market.” The ’04-05 lockout “interrupted the Lightning's drive to defend the 2003-04 Stanley Cup title.” The ‘12-13 season was “supposed to be marketing gold, with the celebration of Tampa Bay's 20th anniversary season.” Still, Cristodero notes the team’s community outreach “is at an all-time high under” Lightning CEO & Minority Owner Tod Leiweke and Majority Owner Jeff Vinik, who “has put $47 million of his money into upgrading the Tampa Bay Times Forum and its scoreboard, and in 2011 pledged $10 million to local charities over five years” (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 9/21).
