D'Backs Struggling Amid Tough Economy, Tumultuous Offseason
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D'Backs Have Parted Ways With
Execs And Players Including Johnson |
The D'Backs, already "battling to simply survive in this woeful economy," with the Cardinals reaching the Super Bowl now "are faced with yet another impediment: attention deficit," according to Bob Nightengale in a sports-section cover story for USA TODAY. In an off-season "marked by almost across-the-board budget-tightening" in MLB, few teams "have endured such a tumultuous winter" as the D'Backs. The team in November "laid off 31 employees," and the club also has "parted company" with P Randy Johnson and RF Adam Dunn. Also, General Partner & CEO Jeff Moorad "resigned to pursue majority ownership" of the Padres. D'Backs President & CEO Derrick Hall: "We've been hurt by the economy like everyone else. We had the most employees in baseball, but it's still a tough day when you're letting good people go." Nightengale notes the D'Backs offer the "lowest average ticket price" in MLB at $15.96, and the team also "removed 500 seats this winter to produce two all-you-can-eat $25 suites." D'Backs Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick: "We're doing everything we possibly can to make it affordable to the fan. It's just so difficult in this economy. No one knows how deep the recession will go and how long it will last." The D'Backs "hope to benefit from the impending news that they'll host the 2011 All-Star Game" at Chase Field. While MLB "hasn't made an official announcement," two MLB execs "confirmed the decision has been made." Nightengale notes the "biggest unknown might be the Cardinals effect from their Super Bowl run." D'Backs Exec VP & COO Tom Garfinkel: "What we're hoping is that if people (attended) the Super Bowl, maybe that replaces their summer vacation. And if they stay home for the summer, then they come out and see us at the ballpark." Nightengale notes the team has an 84% renewal rate on season-ticket packages, after selling 15,600 for the '08 season. Kendrick said that the club's payroll for the '09 season will be about $70M, but "close to $100[M] including the deferrals" (USA TODAY, 2/3).
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