Summer 2007-Post your weekly SBJ critiques here!
HPED292-Summer 2007
Hi Class,
Please post your Sport Business Journal (SBJ) critiques here! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
RH
posted by Dr. Richard Hsiao @ Tuesday, June 05, 2007
76 Comments:
HBO going back to camp, now with Chiefs
JOHN OURAND
Staff writer
Published June 04, 2007 : Page 54
This article highlights HBO and NFL Films training camp documentary focused on the Kansas City Chiefs. The show plans to give an inside look at real training camp and is being run on HBO so that the full experience, language and all can be seen. “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs” will air Aug. 8 for a total of 5 episodes. This was first done in 2001 with the ravens followed by the cowboys in 2002, but was put on the back burner until now. Personally I feel that this can be both good and bad. It gives spectators a chance to really experience training camp, but it may cause distractions to the coaches and players. It almost sort of cheapens football, making it more about the drama than the actual game.
Trucks sponsor offering coupon for Father’s Day
By MICHAEL SMITH
Staff writer
Published June 04, 2007 : Page 56
This article explains sears and craftsman's attempt for a big push in the NASCAR community for its fathers day sales. "Scott Howard, Sears’ manager of brand development and sponsorships, said he anticipates distributing about 75,000 coupons at the events. Coupons must be used by June 17, Father’s Day." Fans will also receive a $5 rewards card that allows sears and kmart to track how and where the fans use their cards. I work at Sears and can imagine that this will bring in many NASCAR fans to buy some tools, etc for fathers day. The sheer number of coupons being distributed is amazing. Sears is showing good marketing skills by using its ties with NASCAR.
I choose to read an article titled “ESPN2 takes swing at MLB draft” that was published on June 04, 2007 of the online version of Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal. The article debates if ESPN2 telecasting the Major League Baseball draft this Thursday, is a good decision. The senior vice president of ESPN Len DeLuca states, “This is an idea whose time has come.” The MLB wants the draft to be broadcasted just like the drafts for the NFL and NBA are televised.
Personally I believe that ESPN2 should broadcast the 2008 MLB draft. This would mean a lot of exposure for the MLB. Although the draft may not be as excited as other drafts such as the NFL and NBA, it would soon catch on. Because ESPN has begun to broadcast college baseball games, fans have become familiar with them and will wants to see which team picks them.
In relation to the sports industry and the field of sports management, I believe that this will be another step in the right direction. Because a drafts deal partly with the business end of sports it will be more exposure for our field. Drafts not only determine what team you will be playing for but what you will be getting paid to play for that team.
F1 flexes fiscal muscle with $3.3B loan to refinance debt, fund growth
DANIEL KAPLAN
staff writer
Published: June 04, 2007: Page 4
This article covers the $3.3 billion dollar loan that Formula One is planning on borrowing to refinance debt associated with the purchase of the circuit by CVC Capital Partners. This is an unbelievable amount of money to borrow for any organization since no other has come close to this amount. Though with the popularity of Formula One as an international market as well as its slow gaining popularity in the US and Asia, I think this is a good plan for F1 to slowly evolve into the top racing organization in the world and giving CVC a chance to focus their profits on the circuit instead of worring about recovering from their purchase.
Advantage, ladies, on tennis chief pay
By DANIEL KAPLAN
Staff writer
Published June 04, 2007 : Page 03
This article mentions how the women's tennis tour has earned more then it has in more than three decades. It goes on to tell how sponsors and TV are being attracted to the WTA Tour. "Revenue jumped 42 percent to $53 million in 2006, driven by increases in licensing and sponsorships, according to the tax return." This part of the article relates to the first chapter in Principles of Sports Management and how it mentions that sponsors are becoming very important to sports.
The article also goes on to talk about how the head of WTA has a chance to make more then the head of the ATP. At that time he was only making 1/3 of the head of ATP. It continues to talk about the different salaries that the different ATP's make.
It shows that the better a team/person does in a sport the better their chances are of sponsors. Sponsors are very important now-a-days to sports and what they have become.
In the article "Mets-Aramark deal to stretch for 30 years," the writers express how 30 year food, beverage, and merchandise sales pact between Aramark and the New York Mets, stands as one of the longest pacts for the concessions industry. Executive vice president of business operations for the club, Dave Howard, calls the pact a joint venture. The partnership between the two creates responsibility on both parts. With Citi Feild's introduction in 2009 the expected impact of the partnership is huge.
With a high attendance expectation in the new field and the anticipated per capita spending at the ballpark of at least $18 per person the tw parties will share revenue easily exceeding $50 million per year. This exceeds past per capita spending in recent years.
What's to come from this partnership? Well, we can expect club-style food services open to all fans on the stadium's mezzanine level and there will be four high-end food service areas featured as well. Specifics on themes, brands, or titles have no yet been determined, but Aramark and Mets officials will orient the space to make it at least on par with top-drawer dining options in Manhattan.
In my opinion I feel that the Mets have made a secure dicision with Aramark. Both parties share responsibility and benefits.
MLBPA’s Fehr gives hockey players tips on strong union
By LIZ MULLEN
Staff writer
Published June 04, 2007 : Page 03
This article talks about how the NHL executive director was fired and the MLB Players Association's executive director was giving advice to help the NHL. Fehr was giving advice to help keep the NHL strong and united club.
It is important to have player involvement in any sport.
Fehr makes note that he was proud with the player involvement and it helps the sport stay compatitive but still loyal.
This article and dealing with sports managment shows how Fehr has become very important to the MLB and everyone involved including players, fans, coaches.
NBA Nears Deal with TV Partners
SBJ Online Article Published June 4, 2007
This article was published on June 4, 2007 on the SBJ website. It has to deal with the NBA reaching deals with ABC/ESPN and Turner on a new 8yr media deal. This deal when sealed will be made the longest in NBA history (8yrs).The deal is said to be more than the $765 million annual average, the deal speculats that it would bring more money into the league.
With all eyes on the media these days I believe that it takes the glory away from the sports and sometimes the athlets. Athlets are getting to the point where they are not competing on the court or in the field but rather on the big screen or on the billboards. The leagues are willing to pay for the publicity of the sport rather than the great athlets.
I have been places and when it came down to watching a NBA game vs. a college game the crowd would chose college, because the games are claimed to be more exciting, because they are not competing for tv time or who can hang longest from the net, but they are competing againt athlets who care about the sport.
Then we can throw gambling into the sports scene, although gambling is illegal, behind closed doors noone will ever know! Thats the mindset behind the sports scene. From street runners betting or placing bets to even high governing officals placing bets on the hot teams.
I disagree with the money, not just the NBA is paying for the media hype, but the entire sports world pays for the hype. I believe that we should stick to the tradtions that the sports revolve around athlets, not the media.
NBA Near Deal with TV Partners
By John Ourand and John Lombardo
Publish June 4 2007
This article basically talks about a new deal between ESPN/ABC sports. This deal would be worth over 765 annually. The deal would be over an 8 year time period, which would be the longest in league history.
I believe this is a very risky move on the behalf of ESPN/ABC. The NBA is a struggling league when it comes to television viewers. I feel that the NBA is a dying league partly because of their promotion of stars. Being from Pittsburgh we do not have an NBA team. The closest team we have is in Cleveland and believe it or not people in this city root for Cleveland. The NBA is really making a big mistake by not promoting the Cavilleers in Pittsburgh. Cleveland has probably the biggest star in the league in LeBron James and fails to promote just miles away. This league is clearly dying and an 8 year contract seems rather long to me, especially considering how long and meaningless the regular season in the NBA is. These contracts basically suit the 2 and a half month period that is the playoffs in the NBA.
HBO going back to camp, now with Chiefs
Brian Stalter
Staff writer
Published June 04, 2007 : Page 54
This article was good news to me. In 2002 I watched a special on HBO that covered the Dallas Cowboy's training camp. I became instantly addicted to the series. It was the first time I gained access into training camp. Before the NFL Network was created, this was the only way to truly see what happens "behind the scenes". Unfortunate for the Cowboys they finished their season an ugly 5-11. I hope it works out a lot better for Herm Edwards' Kansas City Chiefs. WIth the quarterback situation and growing Superstar Larry Johnson, it seems to be looking good for HBO's ratings.
Many people have a problem with this series staying on HBO and not moving to another network. I feel that if anyone knows about the true side of NFL football, they would understand. HBO President ROss Greenburg states, "There will be a lot of four-letter words that will be part of the scenery". When athletes are out on the field they do not worry about what they are saying. If this show would be on a different network, the audience would hear bleep after bleep after bleeeeeeeep!
Catching up with Previous AD of the Year winners...published June 04, 2007, Page 20 (online article)
This article focuses on Athletic Directors at some major universities and what they are accomplishing.
The first AD talked about is Lew Perkins from the University of Kansas. He arrived there in 2003 and right off the bat became implamenting changes to the athletic departments. Just as I learned so far in this course, he went in with the mind set to make the athletics at that school better by upgrading the athletic venus to be more competitive. Since he has been in charge he has written a strategic plan (2003)and within that five year plan he has already completed three-fourths of his ideas. He also strives to make all the sports more competitive for both men and women in their conference. The article goes on the talk about several more AD's that have strived to make their schools a better place for athletics such as Ted Leland, Bob Bowlsby, Eric Hyman, Andy Geiger and DeLoss Dodds. I believe what Perkins did for his college was vital for them to stay competition with other Big 12 colleges. Having a great athletic team is important however, for complete success you also need to have facilities that bring in crowds and that others schools want to be at and play on. In all cases appearances aren't that important but in the world of athletics sometimes appearances keep the crowds coming. For example the new baseball facilities at PNC Park brought the 2006 All Star Game and festivities into town, because the venue was new and imaculate.
Title: MLB bucks trend, gets out of th egate with strong numbers
By: Eric Fisher
Published: June 04, 2007: page 06 (online artical)
The artical that I read deals with the current ticket sales in major league baseball. The aritcal focuses on the increase of ticket sales in the year 2007. It states, "Through games of May 28, MLB was averaging 30,456 fans per game, 3 percent above last year's mark through that date." Although the teams that do well are usually the teams with the greatest attendance, it is not always a bad thing. There are many fairwheather fans out there who buy more tickets and attend more games the more that the team is winning. This has a positive effect. The increase in ticket sales allows the team to have more money to hire better players each year, slowly shaping their team into an allstar team.
ESPN2 takes swing at MLB draft
By JOHN OURAND
Staff writer
Published June 04, 2007: Page 10
This article covered the telecast ESPN2 aired of the MLB Draft which is the first time in the history it has been nationally telecast. This idea by the MLB is a great idea to get exposure for its next up and coming athletes. The NFL has made a main stream spectacle of its draft that gets 2 days and hours worth of coverage every year that its the topic of conversation every year that the College Football season comes around.
With MLB trying to compete with the NFL, NBA, and NHL as America's Past-time, this gives fans a chance to know who their team picked and what they have done since there is not much coverage of College or High School baseball. This in turn could also lead to low ratings since alot of these players are not very well known but its a start. Lets see if eventually this will be the next draft spectacle.
NBA near deal with TV partners
By John Ourand and John Lombardo
Sports Business Journal: June 4
This article describes the negotiations between the NBA and ABC/ESPN and Tuner over an 8 year media deal. The new package, if an agreement is made is to be announced during the NBA Finals or soon afterwards. The framework of the deal has been in the process for about a year. This agreement would be the longest television contract ever signed in NBA history.
So, why sign with ESPN/ABC and Tuner? In the last six years the NBA has been in a deal with ESPN/ABC and Tuner and they have remained cordial throughout negotiations for the new deal. For two decades Turner has remained an NBA media partner. Also, there has been no other network who has emerged as a serious competitor to them.
In my opinion this agreement may be a mistake. Since rating levels have been off for the NBA an 8 year contract could provide time for developement or could provoke 8 more years of low ratings. For this agreement to be sucessful and for higher ratings to occur I feel there needs to be a great deal of improvement in the forms in which the content will be presented and also marketing strategies targeted to create an increase and consistency in ratings on behalf of ABC/ESPN and Tuner.
Sports Law: Poorly crafted endorsement contracts leave athletes exposed
June 04
J. Douglas Baldridge, Don Berthiaume
Sports stars as well as celebrities must protect their vital interests in endorsement contracts. This protects them from losing income, engaging in protracted and costly litigation, and further diminishing of contract value. MCI-WorldCom has now become a name on the list of bankrupt companies.
Michael Jordan entered into such a contract with MCI-WorldCom in 1995. This contract agreed to pay Jordan $2 million per year with a $5 million signing bonus to meet four hours, four times a year to film comercials and to perform other promotional tasks. What happened is that the company was unable to pay Jordan upon completion of the tasks.
Jordan filed a claim against MCI-WorldCom with the bankruptcy court asking for $8 million, the remaining value of the contract. The court system found that Jordan failed to mitigate damages and that MCI-WorldCom had a durty to establish the amount by which the damages would have been reduced. Due to the missing pieces the court decided to hold an additional evidentiary hearing.
In my opinion the management in charge of Jordan's contract should have drawn up provisions for this situation during the intial contract agreement. On behalf of MCI-WorldCom, they should not have let Jordan have so much control over his tasks to begin with. If they had been more demanding with what they wanted from him, I feel that Jordan's case would be much weaker, but because he had so much responsibility and power over the company, it is probable that he will prevail.
NASCAR's driving force
France's simple sophistication defined sport
By: Michael Smith
Published June 11, 2007: Page 01(ONLINE)
The artical discusses the life of NASCAR man Bill France Jr. France played a very important role NASCAR. France started his career on CBS in 1979 and continued on to have the first billion-dollor TV contract at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1994. France was a well rounded business man. He did everything for NASCAR including hauling bread in 1996 at WAtkins Glen. I believe that it is men such as Bill France Jr. that have helped to develop our field of sports management. He push to clean up the image of NASCAR racing and make it what it is today. Without men like him it would mean less fans of NASCAR and less of a reason to hire people to work for them. NASCAR is another industry that allows fans to relate with players and spend money to go see them and purchase items related to them.
Jags search for ticket dollars in PURLs
By DANIEL KAPLAN
Staff writer
Published June 11, 2007 : Page 03
This article talks about the Jacksonville Jaguars creating personalized websites. These websites target a small to medium size business. “It is incumbent on us to educate the market on how to use the tickets to generate return on investment,” noted by the vice president of ticket sales. This site rewards top sellers and clients. It also has started a Jaguars Rewards Program which offers businesses the right to use the Rewards logo in advertising.
This article is related to this class by stating ways of investment, advertising, and promos. It shows how important it really is for teams to stay apart of an organization using ways like this Rewards Program.
Bettman, Daly get $2M raises
By TRIPP MICKLE
Staff writer
Published June 11, 2007 : Page 01
This article deals with NHL Commissioners salary. It showed that Bettman's salary rose 57% in just a year. This is due to the revenue growth that he has accomplished. It showes that the better your team does whether it deals with stats or just sales, you can raise you income greatly. Bettman took out his second raise for $5 million which is due in 5 years. This is assumed to be used for the better of the league.
It is important that commissioners of leagues do what is best for the team to keep the league alive. It is important that the fans stay loyal and continue to attend games and purchase team merchandise.
"League uniforms perserve history without breaking the bank"
By: Mark Hyman
Youth baseball players in Towson, Maryland have given up their MLB-licensed T-shirts two years ago to sport the colors and logos of the fabled Negro Baseball Leagues. Not only are these T-shirts affordable to the players, they are showing league wide respect for the social and political signigicance of the Negro Leagues.
Towson Rec Council's uniform buying habits changed in 2005 when MLB made an agreement with Majestic of Bangor, PA. This agreement sent prices right out of the 450-player league. Sporting-goods vendors also were affected by the price hikes of licensed goods. As different options were tried such as using minor league franchise logos, they all seemed to fail as their prices also went up. Finally sports store owner in Baltimore, Mark Wedekind, began producing the Negro Leagues T-shirts. It is estimated that this trend is really going to take off nationwide. On opening game a crowd of 1,500 parents and fans attended, along with two special guests from the Negro Leagues.
In my opinion, this is a great solution to the financial problems occuring with uniforms for this league in Maryland. The proceeds made from the uniforms goes into maintaning the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. But I wonder how on a large scale this will affect revenue for the MLB? If this project does in fact hit nationwide, those are a lot of expensive uniforms not being bought from the MLB-license. Althought that is only a small portion of revenue I just wonder how it will affect numbers.
Vikings to get Plan B for stadium
By DON MURET
Staff writer
Published June 11, 2007 : Page 10
This article explains that The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission has hired sports architect Ellerbe Becket and general contractor Mortenson to update a seven year old study and determine what it could cost to upgrade the Metrodome. Many people feel that it is not worth it to update the aging building when it is already considerably smaller than most NFL stadium being built today. “It is not economically feasible to renovate the Metrodome,” said Lester Bagley, the team’s vice president of public affairs and development. I personally agree that it would cost much more in the long run to renovate the old stadium.
Experts review new round of marketable golf stars
By JON SHOW
Correspondent
Published June 11, 2007 : Page 09
In this article gives you information about 4 of golf's newest up and coming stars. 31 year old Zach Johnson has performed well so far at No. 4 in the FedEx Cup standings, with wins this season at the Masters and the AT&T Classic and two additional top-10 finishes. 31 year old John Rollins is also doing well at No. 9 in the FedEx Cup standings, three top-10 finishes. 27 year old Trever Immelman is No. 30 in the FedEx Cup standings, three top-10 finishes. and 21 year old Anthony Kim at No. 31 in the FedEx Cup standings, four top-10 finishes. Exposure for theses new faces of golf is essential to getting them out there to be seen.
SBJ#3
Bud Light's Major Sports Sponsorships
SBJ Online Edition
Punlished June 11, 2007
In this article it goes on to talk about he major deals Anheuser-Busch has made with major league team. A-B became the official beer of the MLB in 1996 they sponsor 26 of the 29 domestic teams.
After hearing this I got to thinking, who attends alot of the baseball games in this country? Families, with little children! We attend these games with alot of the sponsorships coming from beer companies. I see this as a way of getting young children to chose a brand of beer before they are even old enough to consume it. They put there name out there in these stadiums and venues and make it clear what they sell. They are a stong influence on our youth today. Not only is MLB has been sponsored by beer companies but many other sports as well. Basketball, some boat racing teams, Bill riding contests, Football, Hockey, Lacrosse, the Olympics, Snow sports, Surfing and Volleyball. The list can go on and on, the point is, beer companies are sponsoring teams where children are sometimes the biggest fans. Does this have an impact on whether they become underage drinkers? I do agree with the beer companies sponsoring the teams, that is a good way to make money, but can't we leave it in the bars or other places where only people over 21 can observe them!
SBJ #4
NHL Talks with Producer about Vegas Club.
SBJ Online Publishes June 11, 2007
This article was based on Jerry Bruckheimer and his quest for owning his on NHL team out of Las Vegas.
I totally agree with this article although not much is said about the final details, it is obvious that Jerry has alot of people backing him up on his decision to create a team in the middle of the desert, in Las Vegas. I am a fan of alot of sports hockey being one of them. And with Jerry behind the scenes, his team would have a great way to get their name out there. One thing the team would not lack would be advertising. Having more teams brought in would also send more money to the NHL.
I mostly can say that i agree with this article because expanding the NHL, is a great way to bring more money in and allow for more competition in the ice sport. Opening more windows for futrue hockey stars.
sbj#3
Rare look into NBA team biz
by John Lombardo, Staff Writer
This article is about the NBA francise, the New Orleans Hornets, who is the wake of Hurricane Katrina moved the majority of their home games the past couple seasons to Oklahoma City. The article shows the money they made on specific areas such as tickets(season tickets, group sales, and luxery seats), and concessions. Reports like this, especially specific ones are hard to find so this one was interesting. The most interest aspect of this report was the deal that the team made with the city. The Hornets generated 38.9 million dollars in revenue sharing during the 06-07 seasons. The Hornets had a deal with Oklahoma City that if they made 40 million in revenue, they would split have of all the money over the 40 million. I find it quite convienent that they fell just 1.1 million dollars short.
Expansion talk draws praise and a few gasps
By TRIPP MICKLE and LIZ MULLEN
Staff writers
Published June 11, 2007 : Page 06
This article is about the talks that have gone about the idea of the NHL expanding also with talks of producer Jerry Bruckheimer being envolved. I think this is a bad move by the NHL since some of their teams right now are struggling financially, why would you want to expand the league. The NHL is not popular enough like the NFL to support 32 teams.
I think that the NHL should first make sure that all the current teams are financial well off before they even think about expansion, plus the talks are about one organization being in Las Vegas which is not even that big of a hockey town. The NHL is lucky they survived after the strike they just had, they should concentrate on what they have now, before the hurt themselves with selfish decisions to expand.
NHL agrees to Sling content
Revenue-sharing deal involves Clip+Sling service to create, e-mail video clips
By ERIC FISHER
Staff writer
Published June 11, 2007 : Page 04
This article discusses the NHL's decision to allow the use of Slingbox, the cigarette-carton-sized device used to geographically transfer live television feeds, last week signed an agreement with the NHL to distribute league content via the forthcoming Clip+Sling service. The NHL-Sling pact, a revenue sharing deal in which the sling company and the NHL will share advertising built around the transferred clips, was the first such partnership between the company and a pro sports league. Sling is also aligned with CBS. Negotiations are currently ongoing with nearly every major sports league. This is a major change from the earlier feelings of the MLB about the slingbox. This is just one step towards geting more sports broadcasts out into the public to make fans for life.
Vikings to get Plan B for stadium
By DON MURET
Staff writer
Published June 11, 2007 : Page 10
This article delt with the Metroolitan Sports Facilities Commission hiring Ellerbe Becket, an architect, to determine the cost in upgrading and updating the Metrodome which was also done seven years ago. The Vikings lease also expires after the 2011 season.
With the metrodome which is one of the oldest and one of the smallest venues left in the NFL is a waste of time to even do this study about maybe renovating it. The renovations probably will cost over a quarter to half the amount that they could put forth for providing the Vikings a new home. Also if the stadium plans are not done, there is always the chance that the Vikings could relocate which would devestate Minnesota. The only feasible plan is to find the funding to provide a new stadium, wasting time with this study might waste away the chances of keeping the Vikings.
Vikings to get Plan B for stadium
By Don Muret
Published June 11, 2007: Page 10(ONLINE)
This artical discusses the Vikings struggles with getting a new stadium. The team has hired an architect to figure out how much it would cost to upgrade the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These plans will onyl be used if the team does not get public approval. A new stadium would cost about $954 million.
I agree with the Vikings plans to either upgrade or build a new stadium. A new and better stadium wll bring more people in to see the games. By selling more tickets, etc the team will be able to play their players more. I believe that building a new stadium would be in the cities best interest. If they are able to build the stadium large enough it will be able to hold superbowls. A superbowl would help everyone in the city not just the football team.
Rare look into NBA team biz
Report drills deep into Hornets’ local revenue
By JOHN LOMBARDO
Staff writer
Published June 11, 2007 : Page 01
This article is talking about the NBA and the revenues that are being made. It talks about the Hornets being relocated because of Hurricane Katrina, and how it received $9.35 in sponsorships and media advertising. It states that the agreements that the team made was any local revenue about $40 million would be split equally with Oklahoma City.
It continues to talk about how much revenue that the Hornets have made since the move all from concessions to tickets sales (seasonal and game). This article relates to the class especially the past few chapters we have read on dealing with salary caps and revenue.
The Jaguars have done something that has never been done before in the NFL. We talked about how we as sport managers could sell our team, club or organization well according to the sport journal the Jacksonville Jags have done something to boost ticket sales and thats alot of what there income is besides apparel.
They have use technology to maximise total revenue. Sending e-mail to familys buisnesses and other people that they can target to help push them to buy tickets for the game. they also give away gifts to top sellers and so on.
it is still to early to find out if it will work and im sure that it may need a few adjustments, but they are doing their job, trying to sell out there seats for games the more people the more money for the buisness.
Bud Light's Major Sports Sponsorships
Brian Stalter
Volume 10 Issue 8 page 24
This article immediately jumped out at me. Being an avid sports fan and a male over the age of 21, I have obviously noticed all of the beer advertisements during major sporting events. What I was unaware of was how much beer ads have overtaken sports. Reading this article assured me of how much beer company's pay to advertise and how effective these ads are.
Anheuser-Busch pretty much monopolizes beer sponsorships and advertisements in major sports. Anheuser-Busch sponsors 26 of 29 teams in the MLB, 26 of 28 teams in the NBA, and 28 teams in the NFL. Other major sports Anheuser-Busch sponsors are boat racing, bull riding, hockey, lacrosse, and even the OLYMPICS.
In this SBJ critiques I would like to take a look at the US open in Oakmont because it is being played right in my home town. Now the US open was played thirteen years ago in oakmont ant it is really easy to see the progress that we have made in thirteen years. the story in SBJ tells us how Johnny Miller is representing Lexus at the Open and he won the tourtament in 1973at Oakmont. but he is doing something alittle different this year. Thirteen years ago there was no hipe like there is today about the open there are new technologies that are being use to draw fans attention not to mention the amount of security there. In sport management one of the biggest goals is promotion and that is what Johnny Miller is doing in Oakmont is not only the 1973 champion but he is encouriging fans to step up to his golf simulator of Oakmont, and if you get a hole in one you could walk away with a brand new Lexus. what a marketing statagie. they are aso giving out computerized Leader Board so you can see what is happening all over the course.
To add to my comments above I would like to say that this is a huge production to set this whole thing up and as sport managers we are going to have to think about this kind of stuff, how to draw fans to your sport in this case golf and I believe that they have done a termendous job.
Article 5
Jags search for ticket dollars in PURLs by Daniel Kaplan
This article is a very interesting one that discusses the Jacksonville Jaguar's need to sell more season tickets. PURLs, personal urls basically reach out to a small or medium sized company and give them reasons why they should snack up season tickets. These PURLs are also filled with incentives among other things. I personally think that this is a great idea for selling tickets, although the outcome is yet to be seen. Many people are fans of the NFL as it is the most successful league in all of sports. Many people at businesses would like to go to games and now will if their company chooses to utilized the oppurtunity given to them
Article 5
Jags search for ticket dollars in PURLs by Daniel Kaplan
This article is a very interesting one that discusses the Jacksonville Jaguar's need to sell more season tickets. PURLs, personal urls basically reach out to a small or medium sized company and give them reasons why they should snack up season tickets. These PURLs are also filled with incentives among other things. I personally think that this is a great idea for selling tickets, although the outcome is yet to be seen. Many people are fans of the NFL as it is the most successful league in all of sports. Many people at businesses would like to go to games and now will if their company chooses to utilized the oppurtunity given to them
Expansion talk draws praise and a few gasps
By Tripp Mickle and Liz Mullen
Published June 11, 2007: page 06 (ONLINE)
The artical discusses ideas of expanding the NHL. The arguement of the artical is if this a good idea or not. Many say that it is a bad idea because the league has a hard time getting viewers and many of the teams are struggling financially. The Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos says that many of the owners in the league are open to expansion.
I agree with the owners of the league. Although some teams struggle an expansion could be potentially good for the entire league. With an expansion the more money that could be brought to the league. The only downfall is the possibiliy that the league could loose more money if the expansion has a negative effect.
League, ESPN advise patience on MLS ratings
By Tripp Mickle
This article is about the flat ratings MLS has been recieving through ESPN. ESPN claims that this summer the MLS should see higher ratings as they have made effort to creat aweareness about the games and put out significant promotional energy to notify the public about the new time slots. They have also put advertisements on news paper front pages, created commercial advertisements on television and also have highlighted game times on ESPN.com. The problem is that it just isn't enough. Currently the MLS ratings are comparable to those of the WNBA rather than to Major League Baseball or the NBA.
Scott Guglielmino, ESPN's vice president of programming, says that there are a lot of other places for people to spend their time rather than supporting the MLS. To me this is a bad excuse. I feel that ESPN hasn't been doing enough to gain the support that the MLS needs to become more popular and important to the American culture. They need to get the public excited about the game, the league, and the teams. The League expects that ratings and attendance will increase when Beckham and Blanco arrive in July. I think that it is great to bring soccer heroes on to our playing feilds, but is it going to make a huge difference? A difference large enough that ratings will meet those of other great leagues? I think they need to start from the begining, just like every other sport began. Soccer was popular in other countries before these great sport stars, so I think it is important to start at the root of the problem instead of "cheating" by stealing flashy players from other countries to make our leagues look great. It has to do with the love of the sport and I think it will be dificult to convince people to love or enjoy the sport because we're paying off players who some may favor. They need to show the public how fun soccer games are, how exciting sitting at a live game, or watching the game on TV is.
As for the MLS ratings, I think in time ESPN will pull the ratings up with time and concentration on what the people want. After a strong fan base is constructed I feel the MLS will be on its way to sucessful ratings.
NBC, Versus Cup ratings do not runneth over
By JOHN OURAND
Staff writer
Published June 11, 2007 : Page 07
This article discussed the low ratings that the Stanley Cup finals between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators drew for the networks of NBC and Versus. To me this isn't much of a surprise since these teams reside in small markets and really do not get publicity like alot of the other NHL organizations receive, plus with them only 2 years removed from the whole strike fiasco.
I think these networks plus the NHL dropped the ball on these finals when they were not advertised as much as the Super Bowl, World Series, or the NBA Finals that finished up last night. When you have lesser known teams playing in the biggest event in your sport. You need to get their names out there, try to spark some interest. When you think the aura of being the Stanley Cup Finals is just going to bring the viewers thats when they made the mistake.
SBJ #5
Leinart Picks CSMG to Handle Marketing
SBJ Online Edition
Published June 11,2007
This article I read was about quarterback Matt Leinart of the Arizona Cardinals and his marketing agent switch. He was also the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner. Since being drafted into the NFL he has been with CAA (marketing agency). While with CAA he has only had 1 national TV spot with NIKE, while Reggie Bush has had uncountable endorsements. Leinart now has signed with CSMG (another marketing company). He is accompanied at this company with professionals such as Dwayne Wade and Donovan McNabb.
I believe this change couldnt have come at a better time, maybe even should have happened sooner! My opinion is that Leinart was a very big draft pick and should of had better representation straight from the get go. His new company CSMG has picked him up stickly for marketing purposes, they are looking to expand their marketing talents to more professional players. I also believe with one company mainly handling his marketing his name will get out there more.
I think that sports marketing agencies are in big demand but finding the one that is looking out for the client and not the agents name is hard to find. I looked up the company that Leinart has chosen now and i think they have their priorities straight but only time will tell. With the marketing agencies so competitive these days I think this company has a good reputation so far of working hard and for the talent.
Fox Soccer buys Premier’s Web, mobile highlights
By TRIPP MICKLE
Staff writer
Published June 11, 2007 : Page 04
This article reports that fox soccer has acquired the rights to broadcast on US mobile and internet devices for the next three years. It will cover the 2007-08 through 2009-10 seasons and will cost around $1.3-$2million, covering both english and spanish speaking channels. Fox Soccer Channel will begin providing Premier League highlights online at FoxSoccer.com and on mobile devices this August. Some of what will be offered includes highlights of all Premier League matches, a weekend roundup of all the games and packaged highlights like best goals, saves, players and teams. The mobile package will include in game highlights so users can get updates of games already in progress. Fox Soccer Channel currently reaches 30 million houses across the country. The highlights package offers the chance to expand to more than 100 million additional customers through cell phones and the Internet. This is a great thing for the soccer community. In the US soccer is not really that big of a sport, somewhat due to its lack of broadcasting. This will enable more people to get information about the soccer games than ever before.
Johnny Miller joining Lexus at Oakmont
By JON SHOW
Correspondent
Published June 11, 2007 : Page 05
This article reports that NBC golf analyst Johnny Miller will be spending the week as a spokesman for Lexus, a new sponsor of the U.S. Golf Association. The tournament is being held at Oakmont Country Club right here in the Pittsburgh area. Miller is scheduled to make several appearances on behalf of Lexus throughout the week, including morning show appearances via satellite link to promote a Lexus sponsored survey asking golfers how they improve their game. Oakmont is special to Miller, where he won the US Open in 1973, which is considered one of the greatest comebacks in golf history. This also marks the first year that the US Open will have large scale corporate sponsorships. Both Lexus and American Express are sponsoring the tournament. Eventually the USGA is looking to expand its number of corporate partners to four, hoping to announce one in January 2008 and one for 2009. All of this attention is great for the Pittsburgh area. It will really give people the chance to see Pittsburgh and experience it for what it truly is.
The Making of Bud Light
Published June 11, 2007 : Page 18
This article deals greatly with our class. Just the pictures that are shown dealing with this article you can clearly tell they are sponsors for several different teams/events. It goes on to talk about the difficulties it had throughout some time. It states that it cost $50 million campaign to go from Budweiser Light to Bud Light. This beer now accounts for more than half domestic beer. It continues to talk about how it sold this product and who the consumers were.
It goes on to talk about advertising at stadiums and billboards. Also how Bud Light now comes in aluminum bottles. This article shows how important sponsoring, advertising and even the name brand can provide a good source of revenue.
Jags search for ticket dollars in PURLs
By Daniel Kaplan
Published June 11, 2007: Page 03 (ONLINE)
This artical focuses on the team wanting more ticket sales. The team wants to attempt to get this raise in ticket sales through PURLs. PURLs are personal URLs. The Jags have created 2,500 personalized web sites. These sites are made to get companies to buy season tickets. The Jaguars spent about $10,000 on the program and are hoping to raise ticket sales about 16,000 this year. With a stadium that sits about 67,000 and with high hopes to seat it. As sport managagers it will be our job to bring people to our stadium or events. Things such as PURLs will help to assist us in this.
Article 6
Earnhardt could blaze trail with Adidas deal by Michael Smith
This article is about NASCAR drive Dale Earnhardt Jr. He has recently stated that he is leaving his current race team and moving to Hendrick Motorsports. This move takes him away from the race team that his step mother has a lot of control over. Earnhardt Jr. has a lot of popularity in the world of NASCAR. He is a young, talented, and good looking. People also like him because of how great his father was. Earnhardt Jr. is like a Jeff Gordon was only people seem to like him a lot more. This article focuses on a possible deal with Adidas. This idea is incredible on paper for both NASCAR and Adidas. NASCAR doesn't have a major label marketing their name and Adidas teamed with Earnhardt's popularity could become a selling phenominon.
First Finals trip could help Cavs toward arena improvements
By John Lombardo
During the NBA finals the slogan "rise up" was creating with a double meaning, one of which adhears to the team's desire to renovate Quicken Loans Arena. Owner Dan Gilbert would like to create more revenue-genterating opportunities in the arena. With the team's appearance in the finals helps the chances politically to build support for the possibility of public funding. Already the arena has had a facelift through the improvements done to the "Q". This included the installation of seats, a new scoreboard, and LED advertising.
Renovations in store for the Arena are likely to be additions such as an atrium and bunker suites. They are also looking to add new sponsorships.
In my opinion I think that renovations are a great idea to bring in additional revenue. Baseball stadiums all over the U.S. have been doing this to bring up profit, so I think that the Cavs should use it to their advantage. Making the arena more fan friendly and attractive will keep the fans coming back. Especially if the cavs bring on another sucessful season.
SBJ 5
MLS Considers Americans' Interest in Premiership a Plus
SBJ Online Edition
Published June 18, 2007
This article talks about Major League Soccer (MLS) as a "true global sport".
I believe this to be a great accomplishment. Although i do not play soccer, i see it as much of a sport as Baseball or American Football.
The game is solid and since the first team was bought in England by an american in 2003 there has been a considerable uprising in Americans investment in MLS. Now there are 10 franshises owned by Americans and net worth went from $15 million to $30 million. I believe this to be a good thing. Since the popularity of the sport has increased the game had been making its way over to the States with a roar. It may not be a big leap but a great step for the sports world in the US.
USOC sums up the journey ahead in ‘Amazing Awaits’
By TRIPP MICKLE
Staff writer
Published June 18, 2007 : Page 03
The USOC their new tag "Amazing Awaits" that will be associated with the upcoming Olympics as a marketing tool to appeal to younger americans but to also go with corporate partners and national government bodies.
This marketing tool might help the Olympics if it actually does appeal to the younger kids, teenagers, and early adults. The olympics here in the US are not viewed as highly as the national sports like MLB, NFL, NHL, and NBA. The USOC needs to draw back the aura that is international competition and that nationalistic pride that other countries dive into when they see their athletes in the Olympics. This is also a good marketing ploy since this phrase, compared to others used for the events in Sydney and Athens can be used as a marketable merchandise phrase that will help with sales of their products.
Stern: Ratings present NBA with challenge
Published June 18, 2007 : Page 01
This article talks about how the NBA is having some trouble. It makes note that the ratings for the Final's this year are down more than last season. Stern Says he is not worried about this and he feels the reason they are down is because the first two games have been "blowouts". When asked about feelings on The Sopranos attracting more views then the NBA Stern says that "It did but it didn't. The show was on for an hour were as we were on for a 3-hour block. We still have the highest ratings each night the Finals were on.
Stern makes note that the NBA is entertaining sponsors, athletic and apparel companies. This is what we just read in sports sponsorship. it is important for organizations like this to keep everyone happy so they will help the sporting teams out in the end. He also talks about how they have digital rights in China. This is also something we have just read about how it is important that the whole world is involved. That is what this article mentions and how it is related to what we are reading now.
Stern: Ratings present NBA with challenge
Published June 18, 2007 : Page 01
This article talks about how the NBA is having some trouble. It makes note that the ratings for the Final's this year are down more than last season. Stern Says he is not worried about this and he feels the reason they are down is because the first two games have been "blowouts". When asked about feelings on The Sopranos attracting more views then the NBA Stern says that "It did but it didn't. The show was on for an hour were as we were on for a 3-hour block. We still have the highest ratings each night the Finals were on.
Stern makes note that the NBA is entertaining sponsors, athletic and apparel companies. This is what we just read in sports sponsorship. it is important for organizations like this to keep everyone happy so they will help the sporting teams out in the end. He also talks about how they have digital rights in China. This is also something we have just read about how it is important that the whole world is involved. That is what this article mentions and how it is related to what we are reading now.
In sport managment you have to get the job done no matter what. In the big leagues you have to sell your team, franchise, league,etc.... Jerry Bruckeimer a TV and movie star wants to own an NHL team in Las Vegas. He has meet with all the nessacery people and they are putting things into motion. Now as the commisioner in this case Gary Bettman you have to be thinking that having some one that knows how to work with the media can prove to be a good canidate for owning a NHL team. Not only does he know how to work the media Jerry also knows how to sell his product and has all the help in the world.
First Finals trip could help Cavs toward arena improvements
By John Lombardo
Published june 18,2007 Pg.33
This article focuses mainly on sponsorships. The Cleveland Cavaliers have not been a very good money maker for the city of CLeveland. With very bad seasons and never winning a championship, fan did not flock to Quicken Loans Arena to watch the Cav's lose and not even be in Playoff contention. That all quickly ended with drafting Lebron James. James has taken the Cavs to the Playoffs and this year to the Finals. Cav's President got more than he ever expected with the addition of Lebron.
The Cleveland Cavs stadium, Quicken Loans Arena, has been in need of renovations and revenue generating opportunities. Companies know that people are going to buy tickets to see Lebron or tune their TVs to see his games. Advertising offers have been going through the roof. The companies are paying a lot of money to have their product name all over the arena.
Earnhardt could blaze trail with Adidas deal
By Michael Smith
Published june 18,2007 Pg.01
This article is about Dale Earnhardt Jr. signing a sponsorship deal with Adidas. I feel that this is a very good move for Nascar. Nascar has millions of fans. A lot of those fans attending the races spend a lot of money. Adding a sports feel to Nascar may attract a ton of different fans.
I also feel that Dale Earnhardt Jr. would be a great spokesperson for this change. Earnhardt hold a reputation as an "everyman", and using him will move this merger between sports apparel and Nascar an easier one.
Walk up sales stumble as technology advances by Jay Weiner.
This is without a doubt the most interesting article I have ever read and it also happens to make a lot of sense. With the advances in technology, people are buying tickets in other ways now then walking up to the window and purchasing one. People can print out their own tickets on their computers or order them via telephone. Ball parks are also downsizing so that the less tickets available the more people buy in advance because they are scared they won't get a ticket. This leads to less people working the ticket windows and allowing focuses in other aspects of the ballparks. Another interesting topic that is said to be about a year away in technological terms, is that soon with a PDA or cell phone you will be able to order a ticket and pay electronically, you will then be sent a bar code on your phone or PDA and that code will let you into the game. These advances are in my opinion awesome. The convience these changes bring are tremendous.
soccer caught my eye in the sports journal because we learned about international sport in a previous chapter. they call it an American Invasion into football as they would call it any where but the U.S. Big name people with money buying up soccer teams in england. this could be the start of something huge. this is a growing sport to americans they are saying that it will bring in more money than the NFL by nearly a 100 million dollars more. in the next couple of year I believe that soccer is going to be everywhere it is a huge opportunity for sport managers to anticipate. haveing soccer becoming a huge sport can also offer traveling opportunitys for us (public,fans,sportmanagers)and it wouldnt be just going out of the state it would mean leaving the country. there is a down side how ever you have to respect the different countries rules. you wouldnt be able to go into a diffent country like an american cowboy. I think that it would be best to sit back for a second and see how native owners owners ran there club and how they acted toward there fan base, because how would we as americans feel if some forein owner flashing his money around came into the U.S and bought up an NFL team. I have a feeling that there would be huge problems with that. so I think that it would be in our best intrest as up comming sport managers to keep up with this growing sport so that we could have an edge on what is going on, that is if that is where you are professionaly headed.
SBJ #7
American Invasion
SBJ Online
Published June 18, 2007
This article starts out "The Americans are coming! The Americans are coming!". And to that I say, So what someone has to do it! This article is about U.S. sports team owners going into England and purchasing Soccer teams, that are predicted to do better than the Yankees, with revenues.
Americans have all the right to go over and bring up soccer teams if they want. People all over the world are starting to tune into MLS, and if noone is going to start new teams how is this league going to grow any larger? Its not so someone had to step up. Half of the world hates Americans already so lets just give them some more reasons, thats what i think anyways.
We have so many successful leagues out there like the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and know coming around are womens sports. All i have to say is that people are going to spend their money somewhere, why not make it a good time. The sports and entertainment industry are growing faster than ever and it being lead by the best, the Americans!
First Finals trip could help Cavs toward arena improvements
By: John Lombardo
Published June 18, 2007: Page 33 (ONLINE)
This artical discusses the possibility of Cleveland Cavaliers improving their current arena. Although some work has already been done, including new seats and a new scoreboard the team still wants to improve more.
I agree with this artical. I believe that it is only possible for a team to move forward and keep people coming to watch them if their arena is comparable with others. With the improvements of the arena there will be an increase of people coming and an increase of money coming in.
Ducks shatter Cup's per cap mark
By Don Muret
The Anaheim Ducks have secured the Stanley Cup for California and have also made a new record in amount of retail revenue. Their merchandise per capita of $24.70 obliterated the Stanley Cup single-game record of $17 set in 2002 by the Detroit Red Wings. They generated about $430,000 in gross retail sales.
After FMI pays for the cost of goods and labor the Ducks recieve an "equitable split" of the revenue. Tons of new merchandise were sold. Championship merchandise was sold out after the game.
I think that the investment in the expansion and upgrading of concession operations and making the team store larger really paid off during the big game. I feel that another reason for the sucessful numbers are due to the changing of the logo. The fans want the new merchandise and also the merchandise with the new colors and logo. Maybe some other teams could gain some extra revenue with a similar approach like the ducks have used.
First Finals trip could help Cavs toward arena improvements
By JOHN LOMBARDO
Staff writer
Published June 18, 2007 : Page 33
This article covered the Cleveland Cavs "renovations" or improvments that they have and are planning to make to the Quicken Loans Arena.
I believe the idea to renovate their arena comes at a perfect time where you can say they sort of have the stars aligned. They are coming off one of the most successful seasons that the Cavs or for the fact any Cleveland team has had in a long time. Plus with the star power they have with LeBron James, who is certainly going to fill the seats at the Quicken Loan Arena weither they have a good season or not. With these improvements they can help their market compete and help attract more attention to the team with even being able to eventually host an All-Star game and hopefully a few more NBA Finals also.
Earnhardt could blaze trail with Adidas deal
By MICHAEL SMITH
Staff writer
Published June 18, 2007 : Page 01
This article describes how Dale Earnhardt Jr. is working on his own apparel deal with Adidas. His line will be called "ClimaCool wear" and will be sold in sporting good retailers. It also states how NASCAR-related apparel doesn't really exsist in sporting good chains, but Earnhardt could change that. Even Mark Dyer (VP of licensing and consumer products) states that it is the only area that is not well developed. It is mentioned that more and more sports brands (Nike, Reebox) are also thinking of endorsing more NASCAR items.
This article deals with what is being talking about now in out book, because it is getting their brand known by a different crowd and it helps NASCAR by endorsing their name. This could be a big change in NASCAR. This could be the step that they were looking for in making NASCAR more popular. I feel this will help them out a lot in the end.
Licensed product aren't hitting the wall, SGMA President says
By Terry Lefton
Published June 25, 2007 Pg 12
This article explains how sport licensed apparel is a hard product to sell because it in not particularly fashionable. Retail sales of licensed sports products in North America are close to $14 billion a year. Technology was the answer most often given when licensors were asked about emerging categories.
Another way to boost sales of licensed products is to emulate the NBA. In 1998 the NBA opened its own store in New York City. The NHL will open a store in Manhattan the September which will have a hockey themed Starbucks and an XM Satellite Radio Studio. Stronger Brands will also open their own stores. Under Armour will open a branded store set to open in Baltimore in November.
UFC revels in its defining moment
By Aaron Moore
Published june 25,2007 Pg 28
This article is about how the UFC is becoming so popular so fast that major sports media needs to start covering it. Before a sport can truly become nationally recognized, it must succeed in a defining moment that justifies its presence in the eyes of the media and the fans.
Ufc 71 turned the sport from side show to prime time. It made more publicity and attention than the Mayweather-De la Hoya fight. Eight years ago Nascar went through the same fight that the UFC is now. Look at where Nascar is now! The UFC's next step is to become more popular than the NHL. I feel that the UFC and MMA will be so big that they will have to change the BIG 4 sports into the BIG 5.
Baseball union reviews complaints
By Liz Mullen
In the MLB's new collective-barganing agreement a cap was proposed on all entry level players's signing bonuses and also a slotting system. The MLB players Association is investigating complaints about this proposal. Such complaints are that major league clubs are being threatened by the league office to negotiate the league recommended signing bonuses for this year's amateur draft picks are about 10 percent lower than last year's bonuses. Since the MLBPA rejected the MLB's proposal on signing bonuses this information isn't legit.
The truth is that although changes to the amateur draft were made, each club is still free to make it's own decisions about paying drafted players and MLB is prohibited from trying to stop a club from paying a draft pick more than the commissioner's recommendations. I think that the MLBPA has every right to investigate the situation because obviously someone somewhere is trying to pull something if the league negotiations and drafts are not running smoothly. I don't however understand the problem. If the clubs want to pay the drafted players more than I think that it is their problem not the leagues.
when people think sport managers they think football, baseball, hockey, basketball.....ect but there are other possibilities out there like skateboarding or snow boarding and tourtements like the X games. as a sport manager you have to look at different possibilities that may not be right under your nose. Now these kinds of sports are not going to be the same set up as football, baseball and so on but there is a future here. there are legal issues right now with Fuse LLC, and Ominicom where people thought that Fuse sold the company to ominicom. there is alot of money involed with in these two groups, both being sponsored by Moutain Dew and sony among others. but the point that Im trying to make is that there are company's you can work for in different fields than the what people think as normal sports. there are company's out there like Ominicom and fuse that do multiple sport enteretainment and could be your ticket to sucess
Tandem marketing team hired for new Louisville arena
By DON MURET
Staff writer
Published June 25, 2007 : Page 05
The Louisville Arena Authority has decided to build a new $252 million arena. The companies involved are Learfield Sports and Team Services. Their role is to promote the new arena, selling their season tickets, boxes, etc. Learfield Communications, parent company of Learfield Sports, acquired Team Services in 2005, and officials from both companies said this is the first time they have worked together on a sports facility project. The University of Louisville men’s basketball team is going to be the primary tenant for the new building, set to open in 2010. According to the seven year contract, the authority negotiated with Learfield Sports and Team Services will pay the marketers a monthly fee of $10,000 for the first 12 months and a separate commission fee for their services. Team Services previously consulted on naming rights for the Louisville authority. Project officials are targeting $40 million for a naming rights deal, which would tie the Louisville facility with Fresno State’s Save Mart Center for the biggest naming rights agreement for a college arena. If all goes according to plan the authority will collect $15 million in marketing revenue for the first seven years of arena operations. With this agreement it is a sure fire way to get this project completed and making money for the authority in no time.
Nintendo puts stats, food into M's fans' hands
By Don Muret
Publish June 25, 2007: Page 05 (ONLINE)
This artical discusses Nintendo's new idea to use its new product the Nintendo DS to order food and drinks, watch replays, and download stats from MLB.com during the game.
I believe that this will be a postive thing for baseball. I think this because it is another way for spectators to use their Nintendo DS. Problems could occur will food ordering if the wireless network was not working well. Also by charging the the spectators to use it, it is also another way to have money coming into the business.
It’s a winning year for ArenaBowl
By JOHN LOMBARDO
Staff writer
Published June 25, 2007 : Page 07
This article covered the up coming ArenaBowl in New Orleans that will be the first in its 21 years to be sold out in New Orleans which is also the third year that the game will be played at a neutral site. Also this years Arena Bowl has also done well in the sponsorship market.
I believe this is good for the AFL since it is showing that it is becoming a prominate sports league. When you go 20 years without selling out your biggest game of the year, it makes you doubt the legitimacy of the league but with the new deal they have struck with ESPN this year and now with the sell out, the "All Fun League" is starting to give the big four a run for their money
SBJ #8
Nintendo puts stats, food into M's fans' hands
SBJ online article
Published June 25, 2007
This article is about the Nintendo-owned Seattle Mariners and a new sports application for the Nintendo DS systems. As this test drive sets off it will allow fans attending games in the stadium to order food, view replays, download stats from MLB.com and get updates on out of town games.
To them its a good way to make more money: Number one because more people would have to own a Nintendo DS to be able to do it, Two More convienant than gettin up out of your seat as a fan, and three you have to pay everygame to use the software. The money just racks up.
However, i see it as another way of helping make americans lazy. I mean it bad enough that when your at a game its all greasy foods that are pretty bad for ya not to mention the price you pay for that stuff, but now you dont even have to get up out of your seat to wait in line for it.
"Jags search for ticket dollars in PURLs" Vol. 10, Issue 8, Pg3
The NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars have just recently created 2,500 personalized web sites that are strictly made to reach out to businesses in the area. These sites have rewards and giveaways for people that buy tickets, and they even let companies use the Jaguars logo if they buy a significant amount of season tickets or club seats. These sites are known as PURLs, or Personalized URLs. This is apparently unheard of in the NFL and the Jaguars are the first to use this method, so therefore that is why it is even in the news. The Jaguars Predict that this will be more effective than direct mail and they see no reason not to try something new because they do not know of any other teams in the NFL using this method or technique. Since using the PURLs, the team has sold 6,000 more seats than the previous year and only has 600 out 10,000 club seats available this year.
There is no reason that this should not work. Anyone who has the money like a business and sees a deal for there hometown football team, will jump all over any deal that is thrown at them from an NFL team. The Jaguars are not selling tickets either, they are just helping their sells by promoting with a little incentive. This is not illegal and it seems to be beneficial so far for there organization, so why not use this technique? If this does good for the Jacksonville Jaguars then you can guarantee that other NFL teams are automatically jump onto PURLs, and they will probably quickly become more common and beneficial to sports fans, but Specifically Jaguars fans for now.
"Earnhardt could blaze trail with Adidas deal" Vol. 10, Issue 9, Page 1
This article focused on the news about Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Adidas have been working on a deal. The deal they are working on is a line of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Lifestyle Adidas apparel. This apparel would include such things as jerseys, performance T-shirts, and maybe eventually footwear. NASCAR's Vice President of consumer products, Mark Dyer, called apparel the "least developed part of the sport".
I feel that this is a very good thing for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and even more so for NASCAR. This will not necessarily open up a new fan base, but in my case alone I like basketball and Dale Earnhardt Jr. but I am not very interested in racing and I do not have any racing merchandise because I never went to a race. Now if I was out shopping at a sporting goods store and I saw a Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jersey that I liked, then I would buy it. I feel this would be the same for many people who are big sport fans, but only like racing a little. I also feel that just putting this out on the market can help, any exposure to the sport or racing team cannot hurt. This is A big thing for Dale Earnhardt Jr. because of his recent change to Hendrick Motor sports, but this is even bigger for Nascar being that apparel is the biggest downfall of the sport. This has never been done with any other racer and this is new for the sport itself and everyone feels and hopes that it will bring a boost in the marketing of the sport.
"Ducks shatter Cup’s per cap mark" Vol. 10, Issue 9, Page 5
This story is like a dream come true for the Anaheim Ducks and their new co-founder Henry Samueli. Henry Samueli was hired in 2005 and spent millions to upgrade the Anaheim Ducks concessions at the facility. Now this year when the Anaheim Ducks beat the Ottawa Senators for the Stanley Cup, the Ducks reported a merchandise per cap of $24.70 for their game 5 win at home in the Honda Center. This is amazing considering before this the highest merchandise per cap in a game was held by the Detroit Red Wings to win the cup at home at Joe Louis Arena in 2002. After the game they also sold 2,500 "locker-room" T-shirts and hats. They also feel this was good timing considering the just got a new logo and team colors. This was truly perfect timing for the Ducks and Henry Samueli. I think that he made all the right moves by coming in and putting money into concessions and changing up the logo and colors because it gives your team and fans a new feel and a new energy, and it proves it can cause something like this to happen. When you have that new excitement and then you succeed as well, people will go crazy and buy everything they can. As I mentioned with the perfect timing, it helped significantly that they won the cup at home, because I highly doubt they would have sold anywhere near as much as if they won in Ottawa. This was a combination of good decisions, good efforts, good luck, and very good timing and the Anaheim Ducks really benefited on the marketing of this Stanley Cup Finals victory.
"ESPN.com targets gamers with new arcade section" Vol. 10, Issue 9, Page 6
This is a very good idea for ESPN. It is already a very successful corporation along with their website. The website already attracts many people with Fantasy Football, Stat Tracker, scores, news, and highlights. I personally use the ESPN website for multiple reasons and find it to be very informative and interesting. The addition of and arcade site will only make it more pleasurable for users to play around on the site and check things out. I know myself alone when I first see it, I will spend a good hour or so just playing around with all the forty or so free games to play on the website. I know even if I do not like a game or think it is boring, I will at least spend the time to checkout the game and play it for at least five minutes or so, and I am sure a lot of other people will too and that equals a lot of web use for the ESPN website. I also think that it is pretty cool that right now their initial sponsor for this is the Marines. That will give it that tough patriotic feel that will give you some pride as you waste endless hours playing around on their website. Most likely anyone who is on a sports related website, is going to be slightly interested in sports games. They will also have card games on it which is perfect to reel in all the people that are crazy about Poker. All around this is a very good idea for ESPN and will only keep people visiting and spending time on their website. Also by attracting people to the website, there is always the possibility of the user getting interested in buying something or joining a membership, which once again only benefits ESPN.
"Nintendo puts stats, food into M’s fans’ hands" Vol.10, Issue 10, Page 5
This is a very neat idea but when it comes down to it, these will probably end up like the "smart seats" that the Giants and Devil Rays used mentioned in this article. They sound cool and seem like some new cool technology that will advance the fan and entertain them, which may be true for the first use or two. Once people see this a few times and use it, it will not be that spectacular and fans will just do what they normally do at games until something does eventually come around to enhance their experience at the games. The fact that you can use the Nintendo DS to order food or switch which seat you need your order at is really neat, but none of this stuff is groundbreaking in technology and it will eventually fade out. The two people that used the DS and wrote about it in this article, had nothing positive to say about it. The closest to a positive comment was that it seemed neat, but needed much improvement before it could sell. This could also take away from the fans experience of the game by always looking down at their DS and then they miss something in the game. I do not think that this will really become big and catch on, and if it does the I would really be surprised but still be reluctant to purchase one.
"It’s a winning year for ArenaBowl" Vol.10, Issue 10, Page 7
This year the Arena Football league will hold their annual ArenaBowl in New Orleans and it is already a sellout. This is big for the AFL because just three years ago the AFL started holding the ArenaBowl at a neutral site, which happened to be Las Vegas the past two years, and neither of those games sold out. The main sponsors helping out the AFL with this big ArenaBowl in New Orleans is Discover and Mitsubishi. There will be tons of things going on to attract and please the sellout crowd including a golf tournament, U.S. army sponsored pregame, and a "dream team" cheer leading competition. This will be on July 29 on ABC and the sponsors included will also set records for the AFL. This event will help raise money for the Katrina relieve and this is a good thing in every aspect. This is so big due to the fund raiser and location, this although it is ethically right, it is also smart for marketing to use this as the location. Not only will this help the relieve fund and draw more attention to the victims, it will also draw in a huge new crowd of viewers for the AFL. The AFL is somewhat evil in using this as their marketing strategy, but they would not be the first and the city will actually appreciate it at least. There will also be a Styx concert at halftime and that should help draw an older crowd to this event. There is a lot of help coming from sponsors which is always going to really boost and benefit this event. Without all the help from participating sponsors, this event may not be what it is and not be a sellout. I had no idea about this at all but after reading this article, I am actually happy I read this and found about it so I can watch it, because it seems very interesting and anyone who is a football fan will probably find some entertainment in this game especially if you are attending the event in New Orleans.
"PGA Tour getting ready for the playoffs with ad series", Vol.10, Issue 10, Page 10
There is a new series of commercials debuting in August to promote the FedEx Cup this year. I have definitely noticed a great increase in the popularity of golf and this is very well part of the reason. The PGA has taken a considerably noticeable change in their advertising approach. They have definitely added some humor and other athletes from other sports and aspects to their advertising, which helps bring in other groups of viewers. This article talks specifically about four new commercials that include other famous athletes that have performed in championships, and they are giving different golfers information on how to win in the playoffs. These seem like they will be really neat commercials, but there is one that I just find so crazy because of the combination of athletes in the advertisement. There apparently is a commercial that includes Jim Furyk and Jerome Bettis, with Jerome Bettis telling Jim Furyk that Breakfast and eating right is important to being a champion. Now this combination may not seem so weird to the average sports fan, but to me this is very unique. To begin I have lived right near the city of Pittsburgh all of my life so naturally I am a Steelers fan and I love Jerome Bettis. The more unique thing is that, when I was in high school my teacher was Jim Furyk's aunt and we would always talk to her and was recently a local favorite at the U.S. Open in Oakmont, so naturally there are some hometown ties and I do not know if that is why they decided to do the commercial together, but it is definitely unique. I am kind of bias to both athletes so that is why I find that combination to be interesting and any other fan of either sport may not but that is what advertising is all about, just bring in as many as you can because you can not please everybody.
"NASCAR ratings down, but young demos solid", Vol. 10, Issue 10, Page 10
I found this article to be very interesting because my brother and I have recently started watching NASCAR and we fit within the demographics of which they are all pumped up about. I have also noticed a lot of my friends that never watched racing, start watching it and picking winners for the races. I always had friends that loved it and my father and one of my good buddies never miss a race and my brother and I never watched it but now we do. This article is saying that NASCAR showed a significant drop in viewers last year, but they are still excited and have hope because not only do things like this naturally happen, but they are happy because even though their viewers overall went down, the amount of viewers from the ages of 18 to 34 went up significantly. I found this odd because I have noticed this, then I seen this article so it shows that it is just not my opinion your thought, it is an actual stat and this is really happening. I do not know if I would be necessarily satisfied and stationary with these results, but I do see the point and it is a step in the right direction. I feel that a lot of times it may not be the fan base or age for racing, it could be the location and where they pinpoint their locations and audiences. The sport is obviously catching on to younger crowds, and this could stick or go away and we will have to wait until next year but one thing is for sure, and that is that no matter what happens next year, NASCAR will have a huge decision and change to make regardless of the viewers because good or bad they will need to make a change if there is an decrease in viewers and also be ready and able to capitalize on the increase should there be one.
NFL-Themed sponsor spending will hit estimated $1.1B
Keith Jones Week 3
The NFL is the most popular sports league in America. Not only is the NFL exciting, its' popularity is growing at a rapid pace. To help that popularity continue to increase, the NFL is spending over a billion dollars to make sure that happens. The NFL is using stars such as Peyton Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson, Reggie Bush, and Matt Hasselback to spear head the efforts. If you are a company that wants to increase revenue the best bet is to join the bandwagon and endorse the NFL. These sponsors will make tons of money by backing the NFL. Advertisements that take place during NFL games catch the eyes of the typical NFL fan. If you want to make alot of money support the NFL because they are doing big things.
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