Bruins Not Up-Front With Thomas' Actions

By Zach Baru

The Boston Bruins may be focussing their attention on hockey-related business, however it's the business off the ice that has been stirring the most attention this week.  Tim Thomas' decision not to attend the Bruins' visit to the White House has dominated the Boston media, and shows no signs of slowing down soon.

As the Bruins organization lets this debate continue, members of the Boston media have started to question and speculate tension within the organization.  This would be the time for the Bruins to be up-front with the situation, but this is not happening.  Instead, the Bruins are letting the media and fans determine the direction of this debate, which at times completely gets off the topic of politics.

This here is the problem.  The spotlight is getting put on internal matters of the Bruins' organization, and it is surprising not to see more of a response by the organization themselves.  This debate is not going to end right away, especially in this town.

Although this is a unique situation, there are still some similarities between this and the season-ending media mess the Red Sox experienced in 2011.  The Red Sox took a back seat to the attention, and let the media dictate the outcome.  The Bruins should learn from the mistakes by the Red Sox, and be more up-front with an obviously sensitive issue.

Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.

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Time Slot for Patriots and Tebow's Broncos Could Prevent Record

By Zach Baru

If you think the ratings for tonight's Patriots-Broncos playoff game are going to be of record-setting caliber, just imagine what they would be on a Sunday afternoon.  Traditionally, Saturday nights are not great nights for television ratings, which could possibly prevent any records from being set by tonight's playoff game.

The last time the Patriots faced the Broncos, the game recorded a 19.5 overnight rating, as 28.2 million people made it the highest rated game for CBS since 2007.  Add this to last weeks 42.4 million viewers  that watched Tim Tebow and the Broncos beat the Stealers, and this sets up the potential for record-breaking ratings for tonight's game.

The only problem is that tonight's game could produce better ratings had it been scheduled for tomorrow, in the 4:30 time-slot.  Late Sunday afternoon games generally do exceptionally well in the ratings.  The 4:15 and 4:30 start times produce better ratings than the earlier 1:00 time slot due to the added west coast audience that a later time brings in.  

Had this time been given for the Patriots-Broncos game, it is very possible that many records would be set.  Given the current time, this game will likely not reach its full ratings potential.  The NFL is very upfront, and focused on giving its games the opportunity to assume the maximum amount of exposure they can receive.  One such example in recent years is the way in which the NFL has handled its flex scheduling.

It is very possible that had the NFL been able to make a change in start time for tonight's Patriots-Broncos game, it would have done just that.  A disappointing effect of tonight's game time is the inability to truly measure what the appeal of Tebow brings to the ratings.  With so many potential marketing opportunities for the NFL involving Tebow, knowing exactly what he can bring to the ratings would be a great measurement for the league.  Instead, an unpopular time-slot will have to do.

Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.

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Could the Boston Celtics Build a New Arena?

 

By Zach Baru

When Celtics ownership stopped by WEEI last week for an interview with Dale Arnold, an interesting moment occurred.  Arnold asked a question tweeted by a listener, “Are the Celtics interested in building their own arena?”  Even more interesting than the question, the response did not include a “yes” or a “no”.

So would the Celtics actually be interested in building their own arena?  Jeremy Jacobs and his Delaware North Companies own the Celtics’ home arena, TD Garden, as well as the Boston Bruins.  TD Garden is a tremendous asset for Jacobs, and one the Celtics do not benefit from.  Although the WEEI interview portrayed a very happy and healthy relationship between Jacobs and the Celtics, the benefits of owning their own arena are far too great not to speculate.

The chance of the Celtics actually pulling something like this off is slim, and we will probably see a new Fenway Park before a new Celtics arena.  But the idea of a franchise controlling all revenues from a major arena in a top 10 U.S. media market is one that shouldn’t be dismissed quickly. 

Celtics owners Steve Pagliuca and Wyc Grousbeck had nothing but praise for Jacobs and Delaware North when asked about their relationship, and the fact that they did not directly answer the question regarding arena plans is certainly not an indication that they have any such plans.  It seemed they were taken off guard with the question, and it was answered in a very predictable and careful manner.


Other than the benefit of being able to control various streams of basketball-related revenue, a newly built Celtics arena would create the opportunity to provide competition for major concerts in Boston.  TD Garden attracts many top artists each year, but does not provide good acoustics for concerts.  A new arena would create a new option for promoters looking for a large arena in Boston.


Given this economy, and limited options for an accessible location, a new arena in Boston is a far-fetched idea.  But certainly not one to completely disregard.

Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.

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Patriot Place Would Benefit From Full-Time Commuter Rail

By Zach Baru

One of the best features of Gillette Stadium is not only Patriot Place, but rather the alternative method of travel available to and from Patriots games.  It is not required that fans must spend an hour-plus wait in traffic before and after football games.  Fans have the opportunity to take commuter rail to and from Boston and Providence, and stops in between. 

This is an excellent benefit for both fans and the franchise, which has been burdened with attempting to ease the traffic congestion around the 68,756 seat stadium.  The partnership with commuter rail owner Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and its operator Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad, has proven to be popular.  For the beginning of the 2011 Patriots season, MBTA added additional rail cars to its “Football Train” service. 

This service to Foxboro for Patriots games provides an excellent glimpse of the benefit commuter rail could have for the Patriots if full-time service were added.  Studies have already been conducted, and there have been opinions for and against the proposed new route.  Everything from funding, to profitability, to environmental impact has been studied and debated. 

There has been a trend in recent years among sports and entertainment venues and incorporating public transportation.  Gone are the days when stadiums are built with the expectation that 100% of the fans will be arriving by car.   The combination of better transportation options, traffic congestion, and high gas prices has provoked a surge in the use of public transportation to sporting events and concerts.  Many of the new arenas and stadiums being built include plans for high volume use of public transportation.

Connecting Patriot Place and Gillette Stadium to Boston’s South Station and possibly Providence full-time would be a great benefit for not just Patriot Place, but Foxboro as well.  As more people come into Foxboro every day and shop at Patriot Place, or dine at restaurants, the local economy will continue to grow.  For any great venue, accessibility is substantially important.  Full-time commuter rail to Foxboro would make it possible for a growing lifestyle and entertainment center to further connect to Boston, and bring in more tax revenue for Foxboro. 

With the increased number of commuter rail trains, the congestion in and around US-1 and I-95 would decrease, improving the traffic flow in the area.  This would not only be an improvement to the local economy, but an improvement to infrastructure as well.  Patriot Place’s location can be both its best asset and biggest challenge.  It is time to solve this problem, and bring full-time commuter rail to Foxboro.

Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.

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Valentine Signing Gives Red Sox Great PR Opportunity

By Zach Baru

At a time when much of the media has been taking more shots at the Red Sox organization than all of the Bruins' powerplays this season, the signing of Manager Bobby Valentine is an excellent opportunity to prove that business is running smoothly on Yawkey Way.

The media can sway public opinion, and often turn the public against a franchise. The Red Sox need to ensure the public that they are in the driver’s seat, and there is no time like the present.

First and foremost, the Red Sox need to continue to show that order is in place in the front office. This involves establishing exactly where new General Manager Ben Cherington falls, in terms of power. The Red Sox should not let the media dictate this, they must continue to make it clear. The public needs to know exactly who is in charge, and should not have to question or debate this. Too much speculation over Cherington’s power has been discussed in the media, and the Red Sox must make this end.

This is certainly an important time for the Red Sox, as they have a powerful and extremely marketable brand.  Fortunately for the organization, Boston is a very forgiving town. Although any small issue can become a PR mess the next day, ultimately, New England fans are passionate and forgiving.

The perception of the Red Sox brand does not all revolve around one manager. And long-term, it certainly won’t revolve around one season. However, the importance of this off-season cannot be taken for granted.  Tonight was a success, and this must continue.  At a time when the Red Sox have the entire Boston media captivated, they have to take advantage, and use it to benefit the Red Sox brand.

Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.

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Bruins Make Twitter's Top Trends Wednesday

By Zach Baru

The power of Twitter, it really is amazing.  Our very own Boston Bruins saw this first-hand Wednesday night, as they reached global popularity on social media.  

Not one, but four of Twitter's most popular worldwide trends on Wednesday were associated with the Bruins.  The media-hyped controversy over the hit by Boston's Milan Lucic on Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller 12 days ago lead up to hockey theater on Wednesday night in Buffalo.  As soon at the game started, Twitter was flooded by people weighing in on their thoughts on the game.  

The result: instant exposure for the Bruins.  From a marketing standpoint, this is priceless.  Having the Bruins trending on Twitter creates excellent international exposure for the brand, and at a minimal cost to the franchise.  This right here is the power of Twitter, keeping an entire network of social media users in touch with the Bruins' product, and reaching out to new potential fans.

So just what were the four Bruins-related trends topping Twitter's worldwide list on Wednesday?  The first two occurred during the game, and were the expected hashtag "#Bruins" followed by the surprising hashtag "#dontpokethebear".  The last two trends were not hashtags, and occurred immediately following the game.  They were of course "Tim Thomas", and unexpectedly followed by, that's right, "Jack Edwards".

For those of you wondering what in the world a hashtag might be, all you need to know is that it's just a small example of the undeniable power of Twitter, and the ever-changing medium it represents.  For years, the sports business industry has had a unique opportunity to adapt and embrace social media.  There is still more work to be done, and more potential for sports franchises to market their brands.  Social media has been, and will be the new way of marketing.  And it is not going anywhere.

Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.

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How They Rank: Top Boston-Area Stadiums and Arenas

By Zach Baru

As the seventh largest media market in the U.S., Boston is a favorite for event promoters.  But just what are the top venues in the area?  It is more than just visual appeal and amenities that make a venue important, it's convenience and the over-all fan experience.  Using these factors, and after visiting the venues, here's how I rank the top 5 stadiums and arenas in the Boston market:

#5: TD Garden

The Garden is for the most part modern, however, it lacks any sort of character.  One of the best features of this venue is the HDX video scoreboard, which offers stunning high definition resolution at 1080p.  The Garden offers some of the best access to public transportation in Boston, as it sits above North Station, with service from MBTA Commuter Rail, Amtrak, and subways.  For a large arena that seats 17,565 for hockey, there are not too many bad views, making this arena a great place to see sports and concerts.

#4: Agganis Arena

The intimacy of the 6,150 seats for hockey ensures that any seat can be close to the action.  The accessibility of the Green Line subway makes getting to the game easy and hassle-free.  The six year-old building is extremely modern, and is located in the John Hancock Student Village, a very lively area on the Boston University Campus.

#3: Harvard Stadium

No venue in the region has character quite like Harvard Stadium.  Built in 1903, the stadium has historical charm, yet also modern innovations such as a video board and a new public address system in 2008, FieldTurf in 2007 and a major infrastructure renovation in 1984.  While many stadiums are simply "venues" for the game, this stadium can be the main attraction itself.  It is easy to loose your focus, and appreciate all the history that surrounds you.

#2: Fenway Park

Fenway is intended to preserve its century-old history while offering the modern amenities fans expect when they attend an event.  Fenway does an excellent job balancing these initiatives, and offers easy public transportation options.  The Green Line subway and the MBTA Commuter Rail both have stations in the Fenway area.  While the concourses lack the width of newer stadiums, many older seats have been replaced, and three new LED video boards were installed for the 2011 season.  The ability to watch replays and other video in high definiton is a major addition to the fan experience at the ballpark.  

#1: Gillette Stadium

As beautiful and well designed as a stadium Gillette is, what really makes the 68,756 seat stadium so special is the fact that it is located at Patriot Place.  The entertainment and lifestyle center includes anything a fan, family or tourist could ever want. Centered around a Mariott Courtyard hotel, Patriot Place has plenty of upscale and casual dining restaurants, bars, shopping and even activities for children.  What makes Gillette Stadium stand out from the other venues is that it is not an attraction, it is a destination.

Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.

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