Sox projecting increase in attendance

[southsider2k5]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-leag...11651--mlb.html

 

 

About CLE Indians significantly lowering prices for concessions, souvenirs, parking, etc.

 

40% increase in attendance projected already from 2012....and Opening Day sold out in 6 minutes.

 

The bandwagon is back on!

[LittleHurt05]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-leag...11651--mlb.html

 

 

About CLE Indians significantly lowering prices for concessions, souvenirs, parking, etc.

 

40% increase in attendance projected already from 2012....and Opening Day sold out in 6 minutes.

 

A 40% increase of the 2nd worst attendance in baseball still leaves them in the bottom half of the league. Cleveland rocks!

[caulfield12]

It's an interesting idea, and one I hope catches on.

 

I'm not sure the opening day sellout thing much different for most other clubs, is it? Opening day sells out no matter who you are. How fast did our opening day tickets go?

 

 

Miami, lol?

[caulfield12]

message: We do listen.

 

"Through the course of those surveys, we understand that concessions was a barrier to the enjoyment part of attending a baseball game in Cleveland," said Kurt Schloss, the team's Vice President of Concessions. "Based on that feedback, it turned into how do we change the perception of attending a game and turn it into a positive."

 

Cleveland did not stop at beer. Hot dogs go from $4.50 to $3.00, charging only $1.00 at 15 specific games. Most other food items will see a 25 percent price cut.

 

It is a franchise-wide re-set on value, and not some short-term PR pop. Most older fans remember what that has meant in Cleveland. Back in 1974, for a game against Texas, the team discounted beer from .65 cents to a dime (limit six per person). Needless to say, there was a drunken riot in the ninth inning, and the Indians had to forfeit the game.

 

 

"We want this to be meaningful value for these fans no matter where they are in the ballpark where they can enjoy the savings of a good hot dog, beer or Pepsi," Schloss said.

 

That is a reference to a place like Houston. Last year, beer at Astros games went to $5.00 — but only in certain parts of the ballpark. This season, the franchise is at $5.00 all across the stadium.

 

Although rare, this is not without precedent. When Arte Moreno took over the Los Angeles Angels a decade ago, one of the first things he did was reduce beer prices. At $4.50, their prices remain well below the league average.

 

"I can't speak to other franchises, but I know when you look at where these prices are, compared to the MLB average, the price of beer here is 34 percent below the average," Schloss said. "I would assume other teams would follow suit, but I can't speak to that."

 

In the end, it's a classic cost-benefit analysis. If discounted beer and food attracts more people to the ballpark, they still pay for the ticket, pay for parking and may even buy more food since it's perceived as cheaper. Ultimately, it could mean more revenue rather than less.

 

"Will they come to a game more often? That's our goal," admitted Schloss. "I hate to say we make it up in volume but that's what we're looking for."

 

There is about $24 million more invested on the field this season with the additions of Nick Swisher, Mark Reynolds and Michael Bourn. The front office expects to win, and the concession and ticket offices want as many people there to see them win.

 

"It's all based on the same message," Schloss concluded. "Let's get a good team on the field, and let's have a value offering when they get there."

 

www.cnbc.com

[LittleHurt05]

Are you trying to sell us Indians tickets caulfield?