Franchise Notes
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Lions Have Invited 6,000 Former Season Ticket
Holders To Exclusive Minicamp Session June 24 |
In Detroit, Nicholas Cotsonika reports the Lions Thursday sent an e-mail to former season-ticket holders that was an "invitation to an 'exclusive' minicamp session June 24" at team HQs in Allen Park. The Lions last season "failed to sell out five of their last six home games," and Lions VP/Business Operations Bob Raymond said, "We've really tried to reach out more to our fans. In the difficult times, you have to work harder at it." Raymond said that the team "went back to 2002 and identified all the season-ticket holders who had not renewed." The letter, signed by new coach Jim Schwartz, outlined the "benefits of committing to the Lions for the new season, including discounts on tickets and merchandise." Raymond said that they "invited 6,000 former season-ticket holders to the minicamp," and "between 300 and 400 had responded to say they were coming" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/12).
WELCOME BACK: In N.Y., Joshua Robinson reported the New York Sportimes are "bringing World TeamTennis back to the city for the first time in 30 years." The Sportimes "will play a seven-game home schedule this summer in a new 2,000-seat stadium on Randalls Island." The net proceeds from the season "will be used to help support the Randalls Island Sports Foundation." The stadium is "at the heart of a new $15[M] complex that includes 20 tennis courts and that will open this month." Sportime had been "planning the complex before the economic outlook worsened," and Sportimes Managing Partner Claude Okin "conceded that corporate sponsorship had fallen below expectations, but he said he was confident that the blend of big-name players and young Americans competing in team tennis could attract a crowd" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/11).
PURPLE REIGN: In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman notes the Vikings have "not released anything about the progress of season ticket sales," because there is "no doubt the season ticket sales are off a minimum" of 10-15%. But QB Brett Favre "would bring a rush to the ticket window." Favre becoming a Viking also "definitely would increase the possibility of finding a solution to the Vikings stadium problem" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/12).
ALL HAIL THE KING: Web-measurement firm Omniture indicated that Cavs.com for May "reached an all-time high with 1.6 million unique visitors," a 136% increase over May '08, while page views during the month "came in at 9.7 million," up 57% from last year (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 6/11).
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