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Franchise Notes

In Milwaukee, Don Walker reports the Bucks have added "some well-connected lobbyists" in their efforts to land a new downtown arena. In addition to Bucks VP/Business Affairs Robert Cook, a licensed lobbyist who has been "meeting with public officials at City Hall, Milwaukee County and in Madison, the Bucks have added former Assembly Speaker Jeff M. Fitzgerald and seasoned lobbyist Eric J. Petersen to the fold." Meanwhile, Fitch Ratings announced that it had "upgraded" the NBA's "leaguewide revolving facility borrowings and senior notes." According to the research report, the NBA "plans to issue senior notes and increase the bank revolving facility as part of the league's plan to increase club allowed debt" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 1/23).

PACKED HOUSE: Attendance for the Eastern Conference-leading Hawks' games at Philips Arena is up more than 2,200 fans per game from last season, while local TV viewership is up 61% through 39 broadcasts on SportSouth. Through 20 home games, the Hawks are drawing 16,328 fans per contest. The team has sold out five of their last six games at home. Meanwhile, SportSouth viewership in the 18-34 year-old demo has increased by 196% from last year. Earlier this season, the club drew its highest single-game TV rating since '11-12, generating a 2.78 rating in the Atlanta market for a Dec. 23 victory over the Clippers (Hawks).

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITI: On Long Island, Steven Marcus reported Mets ticket sales "suggest a rise over last year's total of 2,148,808, the first time attendance increased" since Citi Park opened in '09. Mets Chief Revenue Officer Lou DePaoli said, "We're still trying to wrap our hands around exactly what that could look like. Ticket sales are up 19.26 percent ahead of last year, season tickets are up 12 1/2 percent." DePaoli said that the team will "again focus its promotions on the weekends, where ticket sales grew 3.4 percent" (NEWSDAY, 1/21).

THE WHOLE "KID" & CABOODLE: Orlando City SC announced it has sold 10,000 season tickets for its inaugural MLS season, with former MLBer Ken Griffey Jr. being recognized as the 10,000th Central Florida resident to purchase season tickets (Orlando City). In Orlando, Brian Schmitz reported Orlando City is “hoping to expand” its season-ticket base from 10,000 to 14,000 “heading into the opening” of its new 19,500-seat downtown stadium next year. Orlando City SC President & Founder Phil Rawlins “predicts the Lions will sell out their new stadium, meaning fans won’t be able to get tickets.” He said that that “will force the fledgling franchise to start a waiting list” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 1/22).

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