BOSTON
Lottery adds $20 Red Sox ticket
The Massachusetts State Lottery is launching a new $20 Red Sox-themed scratch-off ticket in time for the MLB season, according to a Boston Herald report. The lottery has offered $5 and $10 Red Sox tickets, which have both been strong sellers, according to the report.
BUFFALO
New Era puts caps in Korea
Buffalo-based New Era Cap Co. is expanding its brand across the Pacific Ocean, signing a licensing agreement with the Korean Baseball Organization. Financial terms of the three-year pact were not disclosed. New Era said the Lotte Giants and Samsung Lions will be the first KBO teams to wear on-field fitted caps for the 2008 season.
CHICAGO
Bulls raise prices on one-third of tickets
The Chicago Bulls are raising prices next season on 33 percent of their season tickets. Seats between the baskets on the 100 level will rise from $120 to $135, main floor seats will increase from $225 to $250 and courtside seats will jump from $850 to $950, according to a Chicago Tribune report.
Bears choose agency for branding effort
The Chicago Bears selected Two by Four, Chicago, to develop the team’s first brand campaign in more than a decade, according to a Chicago Sun-Times report. Two by Four beat out seven other local agencies, finally earning the account over Romani Bros., according to the report.
New partner Kia has a vehicle
display and promotion at
Quicken Loans Arena.
CLEVELAND
Cavs rev up marketing with Kia
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Kia Motors America agreed on a marketing partnership. It includes a permanent and exclusive vehicle promotional display in Quicken Loans Arena’s “Loudville” area for all home games. Kia will receive additional in-arena exposure and scoreboard LED animation, and will exclusively brand the seat covers for all courtside home and away team bench seating.
CINCINNATI
Reds offer $30 inclusive ticket
The Cincinnati Reds designated about 400 mezzanine-level seats at Great American Ball Park as an “All You Can Eat” section this season. For $30 a ticket, fans can get unlimited hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and soft drinks. Those tickets went for $20 for most games last year and were a few dollars more for higher-demand games.
DETROIT
Ford Field sues AAFL over lease
Ford Field Management sued the AAFL in federal court in Detroit after the All American Football League canceled its inaugural 2008 season. The lawsuit claims that the league owes Ford Field $925,000, since it made a $75,000 down payment on a $1 million lease reserving the field for five Saturdays in April and May, according to a Detroit Free Press report.
DENVER
MLS Rapids begin loyalty program
The Colorado Rapids introduced the Rapids Kickback Card rewards program, which awards fans prizes every time they spend money at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park concessions, the box office and team store Altitude Authentics. Cardholders can use their card for discounts at Altitude Authentics, at express stadium entrances and at certain concession stands.
Miller Brewing Co. will continue its status
as a Bradley Center building partner.
MILWAUKEE
Bucks, Miller agree on 5-year deal
Miller Brewing Co. reached a new five-year sponsorship agreement with the Milwaukee Bucks that will continue Miller’s status as the official malt beverage sponsor of the team. The new partnership continues sponsorship of Bucks game radio and cable television broadcasts on the Bucks Radio Network and Fox Sports Net-Wisconsin.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAULFitness firm offers healthy ticket dealThe Minnesota Timberwolves teamed up with Life Time Fitness on a package the team calls “the healthiest game experience around.” For $25, fans can get a $35 game ticket, a turkey sandwich, a bag of pretzels, a fruit cup and either juice or water. Additionally, fans will get a one-day family pass to Life Time Fitness.
OAKLAND
A’s, Quakes offer combo ticket package
In a new cross-promotion, the Oakland A’s and San Jose Earthquakes are offering ticket packages to both franchises. Fans get tickets to five A’s baseball games and three Earthquakes soccer matches for either $160 or $215 each, depending on seat location. Part of the A’s ownership group owns the Earthquakes, an expansion MLS team starting play this year.
ONTARIO, CALIF.
Logo lands for new ECHL team
The Ontario Reign of the ECHL unveiled its official logo. The logo was designed by Keith Flynn of Flynnagain Productions in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The first professional sports team in Ontario, Calif., the Reign begins play in the 2008-09 season at Citizens Business Bank Arena.
PHILADELPHIA
Some Sixers’ season-ticket prices to rise
The Philadelphia 76ers will increase some season-ticket prices by about 4.4 percent next season. The team has not yet disclosed specific prices for the 2008-09 season, but in a letter to fans the Sixers indicated the increase will cover primarily season tickets in the lower bowl at the Wachovia Center. Club boxes and suites will not be affected.
Dunkin’ partners with area colleges
Dunkin’ Donuts formed partnerships with the Philadelphia region’s six Division I-A colleges as an official partner of each school’s athletic department. The sponsorship deals center on the men’s basketball programs at the schools, but will extend throughout the school year to include additional sports, on-campus opportunities and alumni programs.
PITTSBURGH
Steelers raising ticket prices
The Pittsburgh Steelers are raising ticket prices for the 2008 season. Seats for Heinz Field home games will now cost between $59 and $90, up from a range of $59 to $74 last season. Most seats will be in the $62 to $90 range, said spokesman Dave Lockett. Club seats will cost between $175 and $240, up from $150 to $212.
PORTLAND
Mariners advertise in Portland market
The Seattle Mariners will run radio and TV ads in the Portland market and created a special Web page geared to Portland residents, according to a (Portland) Oregonian report. The team also has two billboards in downtown Portland, one of which features center fielder Ichiro Suzuki and the tag line, “Mojo. Just 175 Miles North.”
SAN FRANCISCO
Bay Area cable network touts new name
Cable broadcaster FSN Bay Area will rename itself Comcast SportsNet Bay Area with special events at San Francisco’s AT&T Park and Oakland’s McAfee Coliseum. On March 31 viewers are invited to take batting practice at AT&T Park and watch a live telecast of the Giants’ season opener in Los Angeles.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Region selling Nationals scratch-offs
Virginia and Washington, D.C., are selling $2 scratch-off lottery tickets sanctioned by Major League Baseball and the Washington Nationals featuring an artist’s rendition of Nationals Park, according to a Washington Times report. Nonwinning tickets are eligible for a second-chance drawing for Nationals merchandise and tickets, according to the report.
Comcast, Post renew ‘Live’ partnership
Comcast SportsNet and The Washington Post renewed a partnership to collaborate on the live daily sports talk show “Washington Post Live.” The two media outlets agreed to a two-year deal to continue producing the hourlong interactive sports forum.
