In Miami, Greg Cote writes under the header, "Meddlesome Owner Jeffrey Loria, Not Ozzie Guillen, Is Main Reason For Miami Marlins Mess." Cote: "You can surround him with an opulent new, state-of-the-art ballpark but, well, he’s still Jeffrey Loria. New team name, new logo, new colors, new uniforms, new stadium, new players … same old meddling owner leading the league in impatience." It has become "a comic tragedy, this franchise, a baseball version of 'The Emperor’s New Clothes'" (MIAMI HERALD, 10/25).
CRACKING DOWN: In Chicago, Danny Ecker wrote the Cubs are "cracking down on season ticket holders that it says exploit their seats on secondary ticket sites." The team yesterday "sent 'non-renewal notice' letters to about 40 accounts." The letter states in part, "After careful consideration, we regret to inform you we have decided not to renew the license for your account. As a result, you will not be offered the opportunity to purchase season tickets for the 2013 season." This marks the "first time the Cubs have done such a purge." Cubs VP/Communications & Community Affairs Julian Green said that the notices "will have no impact on other season ticket holders that sell some or even most of their seats on secondary sites like StubHub." Those that were sent letters were "identified as account holders that are more systemic in their reselling practices" (CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 10/24).
TEAMING UP AGAIN: The Packers and Verizon Wireless are renewing a partnership this season to collect used phones and monetary donations through the “Protection is the Name of the Game” campaign. The campaign is an extension of Verizon's HopeLine program, which is dedicated to helping stop domestic violence. Included in the campaign are a season-long phone drive at the Verizon Wireless Gate and in the Atrium at Lambeau Field, a stadium-wide phone drive at the Dec. 23 Packers-Titans game and a PSA featuring Packers WR Greg Jennings (
Packers).
UP FOR SALE?
In South Florida, Kevin Gale reported Zimmerman Advertising Founder & Chair Jordan Zimmerman is "reportedly interested in buying the Miami Dolphins" from current Owner Stephen Ross. A Zimmerman spokesperson said that he "had no comment on the buyout report." Zimmerman is a limited partner with the NHL Panthers and has a "keen marketing sense" (
BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/24).
