Retail sales at SunTrust Park last year were up 45% over the '16 season at Turner Fieldgetty images
The Braves' revenue during their first year at SunTrust Park in '17 increased by $124M compared to '16, according to Liberty Media financial results cited by Tim Tucker of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. Liberty said that the Braves generated revenue of $386M in '17, a 47% increase from $262M in '16. Liberty Media President & CEO Greg Maffei "described the increase as 'astounding.'" The Braves saw a 76% gain in ticket sales, 31% gain in concession sales and 45% gain in retail sales "compared with their final year at Turner Field" in '16. Attendance increased by 23%, while the opening of mixed-use development The Battery Atlanta "provided a new revenue stream." Liberty said that the Braves had an "operating profit before depreciation and amortization" of $7M. That compared with a loss of $16M in the same measure the year before. However, the revenue increase has "not spawned a boost" in the Braves' payroll, which will be "lower at the start of this season than it was at the start of last season, barring major acquisitions in the next month" (AJC.com, 3/1). In Atlanta, Mark Meltzer noted "retail and residential developments" at The Battery were both over 70% leased as of Feb. 12 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/1).
