The Dodgers compete for fan dollars with multiple local teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and MLS GETTY IMAGES
The Dodgers have led MLB in attendance for "six years running," but President of Dodgers Business Enterprise Tucker Kain is out to "design new ways to assure that the 3.8 million fans that come through the turnstiles each year, will keep coming," according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY. Orange County has two teams each in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS and MLB, so the Dodgers are in "competition for those entertainment dollars." Dodgers investor Peter Guber said that the team will "hand the keys of the franchise over to Kain and let him do anything he envisions to keep the Dodgers as kings of the hill." Nightengale: "Think an entertainment district on the vast land surrounding Dodger Stadium. Think about a high-speed underground system tunnel leading to Dodger Stadium before the 2020 All-Star Game. Think about night clubs and sports bars inside Dodger Stadium. ... Think about a stadium experience where you can change seats, even move into different sections, every three innings during a game." Guber said Kain has to "curate new audiences at the young level and connect with them." He said, "It's not so much people interested in the statistics of baseball, but Fortnite, League of Legends, Snapchat, Instagram, Pinterest, the immediacy of the environment, the gamification, fantasy, gambling and the social aspect." Kain: "We're figuring out a way to create more personalized fan experience." Guber: "We want to turn the audience from passengers into participants. This is show business. We're going to take chances. If we don't take them now, when?" (USA TODAY, 1/17).
NO PLACE LIKE HOMESTORE: The Dodgers reached a multiyear sponsorship deal with Ashley HomeStore, which comes in at the Proud Partner level. The Dodgers will be installing four Ashley HomeStore recliners at Dodger Stadium, while creating a promotion in which Dodger fans can win the chance to watch a game from the recliners by visiting participating Ashley HomeStore locations. In addition, the home furnishings retailer will host a Hope to Dream event at Dodger Stadium in which full bed sets will be given to 100 local deserving children (Dodgers).
