In Indianapolis, Mike Chappell reports nearly 95% of Colts season-ticket holders "have renewed their orders." Estimated at 57,000, that is "a return to the standard Peyton Manning-era renewal rate after the team experienced a noticeable and anticipated dip" -- approximately 87% renewals -- in the '12 offseason. The Colts also have "sold all 141 suites at Lucas Oil Stadium." Approximately 5,500 seats "remain unsold as season ticket packages and won’t be put on sale until after the NFL announces the 2013 schedule Tuesday" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 4/11).
SOIREE ON THE PARQUET: Celtics Managing Partner & CEO Wyc Grousbeck said that the team is "considering filing an application" to host an NBA All-Star Game. He said that he "had a conversation" with Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Exec Dir Jim Rooney "about taking steps in the process." In Boston, Gary Washburn noted there is a "shortage of NBA cities applying for All-Star Games because of the cost." However, there is a "concern the NBA would not award an All-Star Game to a cold-weather city." The league has not held the event "in the northeast region" since Philadelphia in '02 (BOSTON.com, 4/8).
SWING AND A MISS: SPORTS ON EARTH's Emma Span writes the idea of the Twins charging fans to view early batting practice "was not particularly significant -- possibly announced prematurely, definitely retracted, and in any case involving a relatively small number of fans and a relatively small amount of money." What "does seem significant, however, is the anger provoked in Twins fans." Span: "The idea seems to have tapped into deeper resentment and concerns about fan treatment, the cost of games, and I would argue, the increasing class division at a lot of stadiums." That anger is "something teams should be paying attention to" (SPORTSONEARTH.com, 4/11).
