The Nationals this week will unveil their new "10 Moments of Thanks" campaign that is "part of a larger 10-year anniversary celebration planned for next season," according to Dan Steinberg of the WASHINGTON POST. The "first of 10 perks" for fans who have had season-tickets since '05 is a "registration for the opportunity to buy tickets" to the '15 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Nationals Park. The team "has about 1,800 accounts that have existed" since their inaugural season in DC in '05, "representing something like 4,500 fans." The "Moments of Thanks" will "include special experiences: a pre-game parade along the warning track for the longtime planholders, a VIP batting practice viewing, a chance to run the basepaths." It also "will include commemorative keepsakes: a 10-year anniversary pin, a parcel of dirt from the opening day 2015 pitcher’s mound, a commemorative 2005 opening day replica ticket." Additionally, signage inside Nationals Park "will list the names of all the planholders who have been there since the beginning." Nationals Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer Valerie Camillo: "A lot of times with our programs and campaigns, we do think about 'How will that help us sell tickets?' or 'How will that help us drive business?' This isn't really about that. These are our most loyal fans. They've been with us through the best and worst of baseball." Steinberg noted the '15 season "will have plenty of other 10-year anniversary moments, from the patch that players will wear, to 10-year promotional giveaway items, to the season’s overall marketing campaign, which will focus on memories" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 11/4).
PAYROLL PROBLEM? In DC, Adam Kilgore wrote the Nationals' payroll of $135M "will increase next season" unless they "trade current players and add little salary in free agency." This comes despite the fact that Principal Owner Mark Lerner on Opening Day last season said the team was "beyond topped out" with its payroll. The Nationals owe $93M in '15 to nine players under guaranteed contracts, so add in players "eligible for arbitration and young players set to make the league minimum, and they could owe 24 current players" more than $140M. That "is without adding a dime for potential free agents." Lerner last season indicated that the Nationals "would not operate at a significant financial loss" (WASHINGTON POST, 11/4).
