JAZZ STRIKE IT RICH WITH CONSECUTIVE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES
Despite the fact that the Jazz's two stars, Karl Malone and
John Stockton, are age 34 and 32 respectively and the team
recently failed to sell out a playoff game for the first time in
Delta Center history, the Jazz are in good financial shape,
according to Karl Cates of the DESERET NEWS. Though the team
plays in one of the smallest markets in the NBA, 13 consecutive
post-season appearances -- which Jazz VP of Marketing Jay Francis
likened to "a miner striking gold" -- make the team a good
investment. While revenue from playoff ticket sales goes mostly
to the players, Jazz Owner Larry Miller generates money from two
sources -- radio and TV advertising and concessions. TV revenue,
however, "dries up" as the playoffs progress because NBC
exercises its exclusive broadcast rights. Miller and Marriott
Corp. share concession revenue. Miller's group controls all
souvenir sales. The Jazz are also insuring their future with the
"Junior Jazz" outreach program of 64,000 local youth players
(DESERET NEWS, 5/13).
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