Eagles President Don Smolenski defended the team’s decision to hold just one open training camp practice this year, saying that it will be "more than enough to meet demand, based on last year’s attendance," according to Rob Tornoe of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. Smolenski, appearing on WIP-FM yesterday, said, "Last year, 120,000 tickets were reserved for the two practices, and of those, only 10,000 were actually reserved for both days. And only 2,500 people actually came to both days." Smolenski later added that the team could have "more open practices next year if demand increases." So far, 23,000 tickets have been "sold for the open practice" at Lincoln Financial Field the night of Aug. 4. Last year, the Eagles said that 40,000 fans were in attendance to "take in the team’s first of two open practices, which were free to the public but required a ticket." But Smolenski said that the number "dropped to 5,000 fans for the second open practice." Smolenski also "defended the decision to charge $10 per ticket to enter this year, the first time fans won’t be able to attend an Eagles practice for free." In addition to all the proceeds going to autism research, Smolenski said that it was "necessary to have a 'good experience.'” Smolenski said that additional considerations "were at play, including scheduling and preserving field conditions" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 7/24).
