Predators President & CEO Sean Henry is determined to "turn bandwagon fans into Preds faithful and keep the team attractive to corporate sponsors," according to Eleanor Kennedy of the NASHVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL. The team "expects to have about 13,000 season-ticket holders, including half- and full-season packages, up from about 10,000 at the end of last season." Henry said, "We could’ve just sold 17,000 full-season tickets this year." But in Henry’s view, a team that "sells out its arena with season tickets during high times may struggle to create new fans for the future." Kennedy noted the Predators have made other ticketing changes, including "reducing mini-plan packages from 15 games to 10." There is a "slate of upgrades at Bridgestone Arena this season: additional grab-and-go food stations in the upper bowl, two high-end hospitality suites on the event level and more renovations," part of $70M in upgrades over the past seven years. Henry said that the team "sold more merchandise during the two-month playoff run than it does during a regular 82-game season." New sponsorship revenue "already has eclipsed last season’s total," and at least six partners have "requested renewal proposals a full year ahead of their renewal date." The Predators also have "almost sold out their inventory of premium seating." Two "plush hospitality suites were added to the event level during the off-season, one of which was sold more than a month before opening night." Those suites start at $1M apiece, the team’s "first seven-figure product" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/5).
