In Green Bay, Richard Ryman reported the Packers have announced "higher season ticket prices for the sixth consecutive year." Increases of $3-5 per game "put the team about 18th in average ticket price." Packers President & CEO Mark Murphy said that the organization's goal "is to be just below the league average." Tickets last year increased an average of $3 each (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 2/14).
FINDING THE PIRATES' BOOTY: In Pittsburgh, Bill Brink reported the Pirates are projected to have a payroll of more than $90M this season, an "unprecedented figure for the organization." The increase is due to "record attendance coupled with increased ticket prices, massive new TV contracts and the increase in income from revenue sharing." It will mark the fourth straight season the team will have a new record payroll, and the Pirates will have "doubled their payroll in a six-year span." However, they could still "rank in the bottom third of MLB” (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/15).
GET BEHIND THE HOME TEAM: In San Diego, Eddie Brown wrote the excitement around the Padres following their slew of offseason moves is "reaching a fever pitch," and Padres GM A.J. Preller's "'shock and awe' tactics were masterful." The team has done "everything possible (and then some) to create a winner," and it is time for fans "to step up" and attend games. Brown: "A new era of sports fandom needs to take hold in this town. It is not good enough to wait until July or August to show up. ... Padres ownership, inspired by the 'good' A.J., has made a commitment. It's your duty to reciprocate" (UTSANDIEGO.com, 2/15).
STEERING CLEAR OF TROUBLE: In Miami, Joseph Goodman reported Hawks F Al Horford does not seem "too thrilled with the idea" of Hawks GM Danny Ferry "rejoining the organization." Horford was asked if he thought Ferry "should be forgiven for his racially charged comments and reinstated" as GM. He said, "I don't know. Whichever ownership comes in, they're going to have to figure those things out and see if he's the best fit" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/16).
