Colts officials said that their season-ticket renewal rate “is approaching 95 percent” ahead of today’s deadline to have renewals postmarked, according to Anthony Schoettle of the INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL. That figure “matches the rate at which Colts fans renewed season tickets” during former Colts QB Peyton Manning’s “salad days in Indianapolis.” And it is “not just seats that are selling hot for the Colts.” The 13 Lucas Oil Stadium luxury suites “which were available this off-season also have been sold.” The strong renewal rate “means the Colts only have a few thousand remaining tickets to sell.” Colts COO Pete Ward said that after “taking the next month to offer an opportunity for existing season ticket holders to upgrade their seats,” the team will “offer the remainder for sale as season tickets.” If there are “still tickets available, the team will hold an open house during a mini-camp practice on June 12 to let prospective ticket buyers check out the available seats.” Only after the season-ticket sale “ends in the summer -- and if there are any remaining tickets available -- will single game tickets go on sale.” The Colts last year at this time “had about 8,200 tickets to sell and still had 1,600 to sell for the season opener about a month before the 2012 season kickoff” (IBJ.com, 3/13). In Indianapolis, Mike Chappell notes Colts Owner Jim Irsay “has a message” for fans abojut free agency that he left in a voicemail. Irsay said he spent “with the top of the top” and had his wallet open “matching everyone else’s.” Irsay “earmarked more than $81 million” for free agency. He spent “heaviest” on OT Gosder Cherilus, whose five-year contract signed yesterday is worth $35M with $16.5M guaranteed. Irsay said, “I made Cherilus the highest-paid right tackle in football. Enough said” (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 3/14).
