The Redskins last week at FedExField held a fan forum "featuring about a hundred fans and a host of top team officials," and given an open mic and the ears of the team’s front office, fans "took advantage," according to Dan Steinberg of the WASHINGTON POST. Execs on hand included President Bruce Allen, Senior VP/Communications Tony Wyllie and "several other top decision makers." Fans "asked about the number of visiting fans at home games, and about the season ticket wait-list." They "asked about the appearance of the concourses, and about overcrowded elevators." They "asked about the difficulty finding parking spaces amid unruly tailgaters, and about the worry that a new parking system would make tailgating more difficult." And -- "for at least some of the fans -- they left the event pleased that their concerns had been heard." One fan said, "I felt cared about in a way that I probably haven’t since I’ve been a season ticket holder." A second fan added, "I thought it was a pretty positive back and forth." Officials during the event announced that the Redskins Marching Band "would likely be moved back to the 100-level this season, its previous home before being moved up to the club level." They said that there "would be more halftime shows in the future, something many fans have requested." Allen "told the crowd that the team was considering staging a Thursday afternoon matinee for the preseason home finale" against the Jaguars, a 1:00pm or 3:30pm ET start that "would make the game more family-friendly." A third fan said, "It’s a step in the right direction. They’re finally listening to everyone’s concerns, trying to get all the right people in a room at the same time with their paying customers" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 4/16).
INTIMATE SURROUNDINGS: Allen at the meeting said the Redskins' future will include "a more intimate stadium" that will be closer to what RFK Stadium was. Allen: "What we’re looking at, the future of the Washington Redskins in our new venue -- whether it’s here, wherever it is -- is going to be a more intimate stadium. It’s going to be closer to what RFK is." He added of team Owner Daniel Snyder, "That’s Dan’s vision. He grew up at RFK Stadium, going to the games. And, as you know, that was 53,000 fans. And if we’re going to have loyal people ... Forget the person who just wants to come for a game or two. You can lose that customer. Bring the people who BLEED burgundy and gold. And we want exactly what you want, and I feel your passion for it. We want those people in our stadium. We don’t want to sell it to the Eagles and the Giants fans" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 4/16).
