In Chicago, Danny Ecker notes the Cubs recently "hired 10 full-time reps for an 18-month gig aimed at greater outreach toward potential customers and building a sales force for its future." Cubs VP/Sales & Partnerships Colin Faulkner said the new additions "bring the team's new-ticket sales head count to 40 employees," up from 24 last year. Ecker reports the Cubs "looked to other MLB teams that have implemented similar programs," like the Red Sox, Padres and Pirates (CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 8/28).
FINALLY BUC THE TREND? In Pittsburgh, Rob Biertempfel noted the Pirates, on track to make the postseason for the first time since '92, have "mailed order forms for playoff-game ticket strips to its current full-season, 20-game and 10-game ticket holders." Among the cost options for the 11-game strips are $655 apiece for upper grandstand, $1,328 apiece for lower outfield box and $3,825 for the first row of the Lexus Club (TRIBLIVE.com, 8/26).
IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: THE MMQB's Peter King wrote, "Whoever designed those horrific new Jaguar helmets needs to go on vacation for a couple of weeks." Anyone who "looks at that black and tan thing and says, 'Cool,' is the same kind of person who wouldn't tell the emperor he was naked" (MMQB.SI.com, 8/26).
SKY IS THE LIMIT: In Chicago, David Haugh reports the addition of F Elena Delle Donne has helped the WNBA Sky see a 22% spike "in average attendance to nearly 7,000 fans." The more "visible Delle Donne becomes, the more the WNBA benefits, the impetus behind her decision not to play in Europe next offseason like so many peers." She said, "I want to do it differently, be a WNBA player who stays and keeps attention on the league. It's all part of my job to make it better for young girls who want to go pro someday" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/28).
