Allowing fans to attend games, even in limited numbers, is important to the Astros' bottom lineGETTY IMAGES
Astros Owner Jim Crane "expects that fans will be able to attend games at Minute Maid Park when the delayed 2020 season commences," according to David Barron of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Crane yesterday said that the Astros will "consult with Gov. Greg Abbott and with city and county health department officials before the season begins in late July." He "emphasized, however, the importance to the team’s bottom line for fans to attend games, if only in limited numbers." COVID-19 cases are surging in Harris County, and Crane "alluded to the uncertain nature of things in discussing the prospect of fans returning to the ballpark this season." He said, "We won’t really know until opening day." While Crane was "optimistic about fan attendance, the Astros offered a more cautious approach in an email sent to ticket holders" yesterday. Meanwhile, Crane said that local revenues -- corporate sponsorships, local TV and radio rights fees, gate receipts, concessions and merchandise -- "account for more than half of the Astros’ revenue stream." He said those numbers “are going to be way, way down” this season (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/25).
WHAT'S UP AT FENWAY? Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy also "hopes to see fans back at Fenway Park at some point this season." While Kennedy noted that he sees fans returning this season as a "possibility, he didn’t want to get ahead of himself." He said, "I don’t know if we will (have fans). It’s probably a little bit of me, personally, projecting my own hope that fans will be back. ... If we can (have fans), it’s important we do it in a safe and responsible way" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/25).
IN THE TWIN CITIES: After consulting with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Twins President Dave St. Peter said he is "hopeful that at some point in the 2020 season we will be able to introduce fans." St. Peter: "It ultimately will be up to the governor’s office and the Department of Health and frankly up to the virus in terms of whether that will be possible" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/25).
CARDS HOPEFUL: In St. Louis, Derrick Goold reports the Cardinals are "'hopeful' at some point during their 60-game schedule that they will be able to open Busch Stadium to a reduced number of fans." Team officials have "continued looking into a variety of plans to use should fans be able to attend games." The possibilities range from a "crowd of 10,000 in the ballpark to possibly utilizing the seats atop Ballpark Village as a way to have a small crowd watch games from beyond the stadium’s seating" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 6/25).
