Angels VP/Marketing & Ticket Sales Robert Alvarado said that the team's renewal rate for season tickets is "about 95% despite an across-the-board average price increase of 1%-3%." In L.A., Mark DiGiovanna noted the Angels "sold 16,000 full-season equivalents" in '14. Alvarado "expects that figure to approach or surpass 17,000" in '15. DiGiovanna noted the team "sold a franchise-record 31,000 season tickets" in ’06. That figure "dropped to 24,000 in 2012, to 21,000 in 2013 and 16,000 in 2014, but the Angels have drawn 3 million or more fans for 12 straight seasons" (L.A. TIMES, 1/31).
RAYS OF HOPE: In Tampa, Marc Topkin reported MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred "spoke encouragingly Friday about a new facility and the Tampa Bay market overall." Manfred said that Rays Owner Stu Sternberg "remains optimistic something can be worked out somewhere in the Tampa Bay area, and he shares that view." Manfred said the Rays "absolutely" need a new ballpark. Manfred: "I think with an appropriate facility that Tampa Bay can be a vibrant major-league market” (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 1/31).
PEACHY KEEN: Cobb County (Ga.) Manager David Hankerson last week said that work on the Braves’ SunTrust Park is “moving forward as planned.” Hankerson: “We’re on track and on schedule for the April 2017 opening.” Braves Exec VP/Business Operations Mike Plant said that excavation work is “expected to be complete by the end of February” (MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL, 2/1).
HOLLYWOOD LOVE STORY: In L.A., Steve Dilbeck noted the Dodgers’ marketing slogan for ’15 is “We Love L.A.” Dilbeck: “It’s not ‘I Love L.A.’ like in the song, but we love L.A. Guess they wanted to save paying royalties to Randy Newman.” Dilbeck added, “I have exactly zero idea how much an annual marketing slogan translates to actual team revenue, but suspect last year’s slogan -- ‘Live. Breathe. Blue.’ -- didn’t have the faithful storming the Dodger Stadium gates” (L.A. TIMES, 1/31).
