DISQUS

The Launching Pad: Baseball Marketing-The Loyalty Factor

  • faceyman · 1 year ago
    Great post JB! On another topic but related to marketing, I am convinced that Jeffrey Loria and Bud Selig helped in the demise of my beloved Montreal Expos. If the marketing had been done properly and the funding would have been in place for a downtown baseball park like every other MLB baseball city re: Baltimore, Cleveland, San Diego, Atlanta and so on, our Expos would still be here and competing in the NL. I only mention this because of Jeffrey Loria and his affiliation with the Marlins. He should stick to being an art dealer and get out of baseball! Am I bitter, absolutely!
  • Bud · 1 year ago
    JB: Fine post, and a good idea. I visited Miami during my newspaper days and I can tell you, for whatever reason, they just come out to the ballpark. Scheduling an afternoon game in Florida on a Wednesday with the kids already back in school didn't make much sense either, although it was getaway day for both teams.

    I think you have so much to do in South Florida, so much competition for the entertainment dollar, that unless the Marlins are in first place or playing in October, it's going to be a very tough sell. It shouldn't be, given the Latino presence in South Florida, but it is.

    Of course, comparing the Cubs and Marlins is a little tricky. One is a franchise that's been around for more than 100 years, plays in a great baseball city, and has had its games broadcast nationwide for going on 30 years. Of course, the younger franchise in the trendy (read: busy) city also has two more rings in the past 11 seasons than the older franchise has in 100!

    Bud.
    http://braves.today.com
  • jbinatl · 1 year ago
    I agree Bud, it is tricky to draw direct comparisons between the two clubs. There are always more factors at work like culture, environment, history, location, stadium. So I don't want to portray that this is the only reason the Marlins have struggled with drawing a crowd lately.

    My point was more focused on one factor I believe caused the Marlins to decline despite their championships rather than what made the Cubs increasingly popular.

    Thanks for your insights on this topic. You comments are great food for thought.

    ~JB
  • Danny Thornton · 1 year ago
    JB, I can remember living in Ft Myers a few years back and the Braves where heading to Miami for a Saturday game. I got premo tickets for just under $50, was front row field level 3rd base side and could talk to the on deck hitters. It was so hot that day and the service sucked. I placed an order with one of the "servers" in the 2nd inning and got my order in the 6th inning.