Acquiring RB Frank Gore and WR Andre Johnson already is "proving to be good for business" for the Colts, as within days of "signing the high-profile free agents, about 300 people paid a deposit to be on the season ticket waiting list," according to Anthony Schoettle of the INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL. With demand for Colts season tickets "climbing, the list now has 8,000 people," which is "500 more than a year ago." Colts COO Pete Ward said that season-ticket renewals "are running 4 percentage points ahead of this time last year," and he "expects the renewal rate to settle at or above" 95%. Ward said the renewals will "trickle in for the next week or two" despite a March 16 deadline. Schoettle noted this year’s demand for Colts tickets "is a stark contrast to three years ago, when season renewals fell 6 percentage points" to 87% following a 2-14 season and the release of QB Peyton Manning. Ward said that all five Lucas Oil Stadium suites coming up for renewal after the '14 season "were quickly renewed or sold, meaning the Colts have sold out the 143 suites" for '15. He added that all 7,100 club seats "are sold out, too, with a 700-plus waiting list" (IBJ.com, 3/18).
