Franchise Notes
In Minneapolis, Zulgad & Scoggins report during a Fan Forum conference call with season-ticket holders yesterday, Vikings President Mark Wilf "expressed optimism about the 2009 season." Wilf said the team's season-ticket sales for '09 are "slightly behind last year, but we're being very aggressive and we're going to make sure that our games are sold out and broadcast on local television." Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen hosted the call, which also featured Vikings VP/Player Personnel Rick Spielman (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/28).
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Devils Have Seen 60% Season Ticket Renewal
During Recent Early-Bird Program |
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Devils Owner Jeff Vanderbeek said that the team "already has had a 60[%] season ticket renewal during a recent early-bird program." In Newark, Rich Chere noted the early-purchase program, which ended April 17, "resulted in 8,800 ticket renewals." Since then, with early-bird prices still in effect, "another 751 season tickets have been sold." Vanderbeek: "In a three-week selling window to have 60[%] of our season ticket renewed is a resounding success." The Devils are "hoping to sell another 4,000 season tickets by the start" of the '09-10 season (NJ.com, 4/23).
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Scottish Premier League (SPL) club Celtic investor Dermot Desmond "believes that financial difficulties facing clubs in England will eventually lead the FA and the Premier League to bring in the vast money-making potential of Celtic" and fellow SPL club Rangers. Desmond: "They will open up some time to us but I would think it could be in the next 10 years. We have no debt. We are probably one of the most independent clubs in the whole of Great Britain and Ireland. Ten or 11 clubs will go into administration. I would not be surprised if three or four go into administration in the Premier League" (Manchester GUARDIAN, 4/28).
DIRECT KICK: In London, Rory Smith cited sources as saying that EPL club Liverpool is "not in discussions with" with India-based developer GMR group "over either investing in the club or buying out" Liverpool co-Owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. A GMR rep was "present in the directors' box for last Tuesday's" game against Arsenal, but it is "believed no talks have been held over possible investment in Liverpool" (London TELEGRAPH, 4/27).
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