The Mets yesterday assigned Tim Tebow to the Single-A South Atlantic League Columbia Fireflies, an announcement that is "sure to spike ticket sales," according to Lou Bezjak of the Columbia STATE. Fireflies President John Katz said that ticket sales are already "trending upward" from last year, the club's inaugural season. Katz said of Tebow, “You don’t get athletes that have a broad appeal from so many demographics. So much about Tim Tebow is appealing to folks." Bezjak notes Tebow will "wear his No. 15 jersey he wore as quarterback at Florida and in the NFL for the Fireflies" (Columbia STATE, 3/21). Fireflies Owner Jason Freier said having Tebow is "one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities." MiLB.com writer Benjamin Hill added that this "is reminiscent" of Michael Jordan's '94 season with the Double-A Southern League Birmingham Barons. In Charleston, Chris Trainor notes that season "brought massive crowds out to the ballparks of the Southern League." Hill said Tebow's time in Columbia is "going to have a real long-term effect in remembering the name 'Columbia Fireflies' and having it be in popular culture." Tebow's scheduled arrival will "undoubtedly give the Fireflies a box office boost." The team was a "good-but-not-great sixth in attendance in the 14-team South Atlantic League" in '16. Hill: "Now every team that's playing in the South Atlantic League is looking at their schedule and realizing that they have (home) games against the Fireflies that are basically guaranteed sellouts." Single-A South Atlantic League Charleston RiverDogs Exec VP & GM Dave Echols said, “My job is to put butts in seats. That makes Tebow a win-win for Charleston and for South Carolina" (Charleston POST & COURIER, 3/21).
LEAGUE OF HIS OWN: USA TODAY's Gabe Lacques writes the marketing of Tebow’s swing through the South Atlantic League "has begun." His "appeal will stretch all throughout the southern division" of the league, which is "largely positioned" in SEC territory. The Lexington Legends are "marketing a 'Ten Tebow Ticket Package' that offers fans the chance to purchase seats for all 10 of the former Heisman Trophy winner’s games at Whitaker Bank Ballpark" (USA TODAY, 3/21).
