The Hornets announced "fan-friendly" concession pricing at Spectrum Center this season, to be used through the team's mobile app. In Charlotte, Katherine Peralta notes prices on the "six most popular concession items at the arena" will be 35-45% lower than normal menu prices. Hornets Exec VP and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Pete Guelli said that the team had conversations with concessionaire Levy "soon after the Hawks announced their new pricing." Guelli said that the decision to lower prices on popular menu items "came from feedback from fans." Guelli added that lower food prices and the team's performance are "what fans ask about most" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/2).
CAPTURE THE FLAG: In Green Bay, Richard Ryman noted the Packers used of a "patriotic banner instead of an American flag during the national anthem" prior to their game against the Bills on Sunday. Packers Dir of Public Affairs Aaron Popkey said that the team "used banners before when other pregame activities take up part of the field." On Sunday, the Univ. of Wisconsin Marching Band played the national anthem and "occupied half the field." Popkey said, "To avoid causing confusion, we will not be using such displays in the future" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 10/2).
FOLLOW THE MONEY: In S.F., Scott Ostler writes the A's are the "best story in baseball." However, the team's "phenomenal success" this season does not prove it is possible to "win without spending money." Of the bottom 12 teams in payroll size, "only one team made the playoffs," the A's. Conversely, the teams "ranked No. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 9 on the payroll list" all made the playoffs. Despite this, the A's are not "pounding the money-doesn't-matter drum." President Dave Kaval, in "cheerleading efforts for a new ballpark," said that the team would "use revenue generated by a new Oakland ballpark to pump up the payroll to a level necessary to compete with the top teams" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/2).
