Though the Blue Jackets have been "less visible" around
Columbus since a marketing campaign last spring pushed PSL
sales to 8,000, the team will spend the next month securing
deals with a management group and concessionaire for
Nationwide Arena and signing radio and TV agreements as it
prepares to start play in 2000, according to Craig Merz of
the COLUMBUS DISPATCH. Blue Jackets President & GM Doug
MacLean: "As an organization, we've got 18 people working
for us. At this time next year, we'll have 70." The team
will launch another PSL campaign in April in order to reach
its requirement of 12,000 season tickets sold by March 2000,
and jerseys and a mascot will be "unveiled" in the fall.
Blue Jackets VP/Sales & Broadcasting Michael Yormark said a
TV deal is close to done, but the team must wait for final
approval of its territorial rights since they may overlap
those of the Penguins and Red Wings in parts of OH. So far,
potential cable outlets include Fox Sports Ohio and the Ohio
News Network. A concession contract is being finalized with
Delaware North's Sportservice (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 2/18).
