In Baltimore, Ryan Sharrow noted the Ravens slashed concession prices this offseason after team President Dick Cass called the costs the "most significant complaint" from fans in recent years. Cass said, "We took a hard look at it. ... We’ll absorb a loss, assuming concession sales don’t go up, but even if they go up, they’re not going to go up enough to absorb the loss we’re going to have from reducing the prices. But we think it’s the right thing to do, it’s the sensible thing to do in this environment." Sharrow noted the price cuts are "expected to result" in a $1.5M decline to the team's annual concession revenue. Cass admitted that the team also is "looking at doing something for our suite holders." He said, "We’re talking again about concessions and food in terms of pricing" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/31).
PARK PLACE: In Las Vegas, Richard Velotta notes the Raiders' "four-lot satellite parking plan" for their new stadium was "green-lighted" by Clark County commissioners. The four off-site locations will be for "all events at the 65,000-seat" stadium scheduled to open in '20. Raiders President Marc Badain said that the four leased locations would have "paved parking, and each site would be capable of hosting tailgating activities." He added that "tailgating opportunities would be possible on game days close to the stadium in the area where a natural-grass field on a giant moveable surface is parked." On game days, that surface would be "slid into the stadium." That surface "wouldn't be available on UNLV game days, since the Rebels will play on an artificial surface" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 9/6).
WHO ARE THESE GUYS? In DC, Les Carpenter noted it seems as if Redskins fans are "refusing to buy into" the team, as the "personal connection between the Redskins players and their base has eroded." Part of this "fan detachment might come from a modified approach to team-building," as the locker room is "not filled with highly paid superstars with big personalities." There was something "odd about the jerseys" worn by fans at the Redskins’ final three preseason games, as nearly all of the names stitched or embossed across their backs "were of men who are no longer Redskins." Redskins fan Calvin Lewis said, "I have no idea who these players are" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/5).
