Rays' Recent Success Has Created Financial Uncertainty For '09
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Rays' On-Field Success Could Complicate
Off-Field Financial Situation |
The Rays' on-field success has "arrived a little ahead of schedule, and it has put them in something of a financial bind," according to John Romano of the ST. PETERSBURG TIMES. The Rays will enter the '09 season around a $60M payroll, but the revenues "still aren't there to support it." The team is "gambling that they will be contenders again" in '09 after advancing to the World Series last season, as well as that their "season-ticket base and advance sales will catch up to their expenditures." Rays President Matt Silverman: "We're never going to do something that jeopardizes the franchise's health, that's first and foremost. But, yes, every dollar we spend this year will have an effect on future years." The Rays signed several free agents this offseason, most notably DH Pat Burrell to a two-year, $16M contract, and Romano notes the Rays have spent "well beyond their supposed means, which means one of two things: Either revenues (i.e. ticket sales) go up, or the payroll will eventually go back down." If the team's attendance remains near the bottom of MLB, the Rays are "going to start whacking the roster in order to trim the payroll." The Rays are "counting on attendance in the 2-million range in 2009," which would be an "increase of more than 200,000 from last season but would still put them in the bottom third" of MLB. To reach their attendance goal, the Rays are going to "need to sell between 8,000 and 10,000 season tickets, which would be a substantial improvement from last season." The team does not release its season-ticket figures, but Silverman said that renewals "have been encouraging" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 1/15).
FASHION FORWARD: The Rays yesterday "unveiled their new navy blue alternate jersey." The jersey is a "navy blue button-down with RAYS outlined in white trim with a light blue shadow across the chest." Light blue "piping surrounds the sleeves and collar and extends down the front of the jersey." The jersey "will debut on May 1 when the Rays play host" to the Red Sox at Tropicana Field (TAMPABAY.com, 1/14). MLB.com's Bill Chastain noted the jersey is the "first addition to Tampa Bay's collection of on-field apparel, which was introduced when the team changed its name, marks and uniforms" in November '07 (MLB.com, 1/14).
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