Franchise Notes
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Leiweke Says AEG Looking
To Add Second Int’l Star To Fire
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AEG President & CEO Tim Leiweke, as part of an extensive N.Y. TIMES profile on AEG Chair Phil Anschutz, said that the company is “now in talks to bring a second international star” to the MLS Fire, one of three teams owned by AEG. Leiweke: “We are working on a deal right now.” Leiweke, “suggesting whom he is trying to snare,” added, “There are only four players that move the needle: Ronaldo. Beckham. Zidane. Ronaldinho” (N.Y. TIMES, 4/22).
MONEY BAGS: The Braves have teamed with GE Money to offer a 90-day same-as-cash financing plan to purchase season tickets. Braves Senior VP/Sales & Marketing Derek Schiller: “No other professional sports team has done this type of promotional plan to my knowledge.” Schiller said that the plan is available for purchases of $199 and up on ticket plans ranging from four-game flex packs to full-season packages (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 4/22).
LOSING PROPOSITION: In a Q&A with the ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, Palace Sports & Entertainment President & CEO Tom Wilson was asked how the Lightning can lose money when St. Pete Times Forum is “full every night.” Wilson: “Your gate revenues don’t come close to paying your players. I mean, you’re talking more than $10[M] short. So (fans) may be there but you have one of the lowest ticket prices in hockey, so our average gate is right in the middle of all the league. ... If you’re doing [$30-35M] at the gate, you’re scrambling” (ST. PETE TIMES, 4/22).
TANK TOPS? In a N.Y. TIMES Op/Ed, Deadspin.com Editor Will Leitch wrote during the last two months of the NBA regular season, it “appeared that [the Celtics] tried to lose” to help their chances in the draft, which includes C Greg Oden and F Kevin Durant. One could also “make a strong argument” that the Bucks, Grizzlies and Hawks did the same. And their fans “seemed perfectly O.K. with this.” If “you are rooting for your team to lose, I question just how much a fan of that team you really are” (N.Y. TIMES, 4/21).
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