The Tigers hold a 3.5-game lead in the AL Central and, as a result, have provided a "financial windfall" for FS Detroit, according to Bill Shea of CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS. FS Detroit Senior VP& GM Greg Hammaren said that the RSN "expects to set its own record for its Tigers and overall revenue this year." He added that the net's revenue is "pacing at least 10 percent ahead" of the '12 season. Hammaren: "We are pacing extremely well against our budgeted numbers for baseball. It's fair to say we will finish ahead of budget for the full Tigers season. How far above budget is a little difficult to predict, and it will depend on if there is a close pennant race the last six weeks of the season." Data from SNL Kagan showed that the RSN is "expected to see operating revenue rise" to $154M in '13 from $136M in '12 and $119M in '11 (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 7/21). In Detroit, Tony Paul reports the Tigers "once again boast the top local ratings" in MLB at the halfway point of the season. The Tigers are averaging a 9.16 local rating in the Detroit market, "which puts them nearly on pace to match or surpass their record numbers from 2012, when they reeled in a 9.21," which was up 41% from '11. The previous best was a 7.54 rating in '07. Local numbers before the All-Star break included the Tigers being "No. 1 in prime time 12 weeks out of 15." They also beat five of the seven NBA Finals games on ABC and beat four of the six Stanley Cup Final games on NBC and NBC Sports Network. Additionally, the Tigers "went head-to-head several times against the Red Wings and won, including during the hockey postseason" (DETROIT NEWS, 7/24).
