A Star Wars-themed Vine clip released by the Fire broke the club's previous social media records. The short clip, which was developed completely in-house by the MLS team's staff, features G Sean Johnson using "the force" to stop a shot during practice. The clip has been played more than 820,000 times. Team officials estimate the clip -- also posted on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram -- has had an organic reach of more than 297,000 users, beating its previous high of 243,300. The clip also helped the club add more than 500 followers on Instagram in less than 24 hours (
Ian Thomas, Staff Writer).
YOU'VE GOT MAIL: In K.C., Sam Mellinger notes Royals GM Dayton Moore and other execs are on an e-mail list "that includes daily updates on attendance projections when the Royals are at home." This is "more important to the Royals than virtually any other team" in MLB. The Royals "have the rest of this season and four more on what might be the sport's worst television contract, a deal that pays them a fraction of the current market value even as ratings regularly set records." Attendance so far this season "has been ... encouraging," which is a "franchise-altering shift" for the Royals. Season tickets are up more than 30% and Royals employees have "grown used to telling even friends and family not to ask for tickets on the weekends" (K.C. STAR, 5/6).
JOB SECURITY? In Newark, Rich Chere ponders the impact of the Devils hiring Ray Shero as GM under the header, "After Devils' Changes, What Other Jobs Are In Jeopardy?" Devils Exec VP/Hockey Operations and Dir of Scouting David Conte has been team President Lou Lamoriello's "key man in the organization." But his decisions lately "have come under fire." Strength & Conditioning Coordinator Mike Vasalani has been with the team for 22 seasons and is Lamoriello's "eyes and ears in the dressing room." Senior VP/Communications Mike Levine's position "is in jeopardy" because he is "so closely aligned with Lamoriello" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 5/6).
