The Raiders season ticket campaign remains "mired in
confusion," with constant fan complaints and a possible marketing
"shake-up," according to the OAKLAND TRIBUNE. Coliseum officials
on Monday pushed back a payment deadline for would-be Raiders
season ticket holders, from today to next Monday. The deadline
is for the second of three payments for PSLs. Initial payments
have been received for 45,000 seats. The PSL money will play a
significant role in paying-off bonds used to finance planned
improvements to the Oakland Coliseum. Marc Ganis, Dir of Raiders
Ticket Marketing, said problems with phone lines to coliseum
clerks forced postponement of the deadline. Many fans expressed
frustration over having multiple ticket applications accepted and
being saddled with unexpected bills. Other criticisms include
misleading advertising, poor seat location, lost payments, and
the separation of groups of season ticket holders. Officials say
they will work with customers to "iron out problems," but insist
they are not giving refunds (David Li, OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 8/15).
WHO'S TO BLAME? David Li notes a Coliseum source said
Monday that Ganis, who was hand-picked by Raiders Owner Al Davis
and Oakland Deputy City Manager Ezra Rapport, would be "replaced"
this week. Ganis has denied that he will be forced out saying
the Raiders' marketing efforts will be "adjusted" -- at his
request -- to relieve him of day-to-day responsibilities while
leaving him with marketing policy decisions (OAKLAND TRIBUNE,
8/15).
