NYC FC's home debut on Sunday produced what some officials at Yankee Stadium were calling a record cash register ring for a regular-season MLS game. The team in a release today confirmed that the numbers were a record for the league. Around $500,000 in NYC FC merchandise was sold, with a per cap of $13.60. Scarves and jerseys seemed to be the most popular items at Yankee Stadium, where merch is handled by Legends Hospitality (Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large). Meanwhile, in Newark, Kevin Manahan noted metal detectors at the ballpark "caused chaos at some gates and forced many of the 43,507 fans to wait on long lines" (NJ.com, 3/16).
FULL HOUSE? In Orlando, Paul Tenorio noted "there has been some speculation" as to whether Orlando City SC "comped several thousand tickets" for its inaugural MLS game, which drew more than 62,000 to the Citrus Bowl on March 8. MLS regulations "prevent teams from comping more than 2,000 tickets." Orlando City Founder & President Phil Rawlins addressed the speculation on Twitter, writing the team had "less than 600 comps out. Less than 1%" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 3/13).
BE DECISIVE: In Columbus, Michael Arace reported Crew Chair Anthony Precourt "made the call" last week to pick up coach & Sporting Dir Gregg Berhalter's one-year contract option for '17. Precourt "acted with conviction and alacrity, which is something to be admired." The previous ownership group "dragged its feet at every turn and was loath to crack its pocketbook" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 3/15).
