Why the NFL Should Make the Patriots' London Trip Permanent

By Zach Baru

Even if every ownership group in the National Football League disagreed with having the Patriots become a permanent visiting team to London, you can't argue with the fan base New England has across the pond.  Just visit UKPatriots.com, and see for yourself.

The Patriots certainly have a strong following in New England and all around the United States, but across the pond, the Boston-London connection has transitioned to american football.  If you think the Liverpool soccer match at Fenway later this summer will be loud, wait until the Patriots travel to a sold-out Wembley Stadium with over 90,000 fans.  And you can bet the vast majority will be for the Patriots.

It is not only in the Patriots' best interest, but the entire league, that a strong fan base is awarded a chance to see the team they so passionately support.  And even if certain fans in England do not have a specific NFL team to root for, establishing a connection to one team each year will increase their chance of following the league passionately.

For travel purposes, the Patriots make an excellent candidate to visit London over other franchises.  Not to mention they have an ownership group that understands the importance of international outreach.  The Krafts want to do much more than just sell merchandise.  They want to continue a following that has maintained their support for many years, creating an international fan base many franchises do not have.

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

Celtics Marketing Needs Big Three

By Zach Baru

For the next five minutes, forget about anything that happens on the court.  Just think of each of the 18,624 seats in the TD Garden that have been filled every single game for 4 of the last 5 seasons.  It is this reason alone that the "Big Three" are just as much of a marketing presence on the court, than a defensive presence on the court.

With the exception of the 2009-2010 season, the Celtics sold to 100% capacity each season since the 2007-2008 season, when Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett came to Boston. For some reason, during the '09-'10 season, the Celtics' average attendance was 455 seats short of selling out every game.  Still, at 18,169 fans per game, the effect the Big Three have had on the box office is obvious.

Before their arrival, the Celtics had not sold out a season since the last season in the old Boston Garden, 1994-1995.  This drought is something the Celtics would not like to incur again, and the Celtics would be best playing it safe and milking the brand of the Big Three out for everything it is worth.

This current version of the Big Three still has the fascination and attention of the region.  This has been displayed in ticket sales this season, which was not suppose to turn out the way it did.  Earlier in the year, demand was so low that the Celtics were wisely lowering ticket prices via Facebook on certain game days to as low as $24 for box office tickets.

As it turned out, the season ended with another 100% capacity, a trend that can only continue with the region in demand for a product that is, well, in demand.  Without the Big Three, this would be a challenge.  With them - and yes, all of them - the Celtics should enjoy another season of box office success.

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

Cannons Find Success On and Off the Field

By Zach Baru

As the Boston Cannons continue their undefeated season at Harvard Stadium, the fans are showing their support, with crowds thus far reaching 11,000-plus.  Through 3 home games, the Cannons average attendance is 9,908, very impressive for a franchise who barely gets any media attention.

While playing at the 109 year-old Harvard Stadium certainly has its benefits as an attraction in itself, there is also the capacity issue.  If the the Cannons still played at their former venue Nickerson Field at Boston University, all of their games this year theoretically would have been sold out.  At the 30,323 seat Harvard Stadium, they are playing to a one-third capacity.

Between the historic setting that Harvard Stadium provides, and the lively atmosphere that can be found in Cambridge, the Cannons have established a very good relationship with the community.  They might not be getting the media attention they would like, but the fans continue to show their support.

As the growth of youth lacrosse continues across the region, the Cannons are on their way to increased popularity in the years to come.  While their league continues to establish itself, the Cannons will grow even stronger as a franchise.

Major League Lacrosse averaged 6,417 fans in 2011, with 3 teams carrying the weight, and the remaining three teams drastically decreasing the league's average attendance.  The Cannons finished second in the league with 8,661 fans per game, and this year they look to increase that as the heart of the season is yet to come.

Selling out Harvard Stadium may be far-fetched, but as the Cannons keep winning games, the loyal fans continue to fill the cavernous stadium with a sport new to its century-long history.

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

Boston Cannons 2012 Home Attendance:

April 28, 2012 vs. Rochester:  9,174

May 5, 2012 vs. Charlotte: 9,273

May 12, 2012 vs. Hamilton: 11,277

Source:  Boston Cannons, Major League Lacrosse

What Really is the Demand for Red Sox Tickets?

By Zach Baru

Lately it has been hard to avoid the local media's opinion of the Boston Red Sox "sellout streak."  And yes, it is also hard to avoid saying that phrase without using quotation marks around it.

While the Red Sox may in fact operate their ticket sales in a similar manner to other professional sports franchises, what has become indisputable is that demand for Red Sox tickets down.  Extremely down, as a matter of fact.  But just how bad is it?

Ace Ticket has denied involvement in purchasing any unsold Red Sox tickets to continue a sellout steak.  If these two organizations haven't teamed up to do this already, judging by the prices on AceTicket.com, they better start soon.  Bleacher seats for Monday's game against Seattle are available for $15 per seat. A pair of grandstand seats starts at $17 per seat.

If that isn't enough to excite you for a night on the town, then go to StubHub.com, where bleacher seats start at $5 per seat for a set of 3 tickets, and a pair of grandstand seats start at $7 per seat.

As this team continues to disconnect to its core fans, the decrease in demand for tickets will not slow down.  The Red Sox cannot keep waiting for this mess to sort itself out.  While Boston sports fans have always been a very forgiving group, Red Sox fans are voicing their message loud and clear.  And now that message has slipped into the secondary market.

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

Red Sox Commercial Crosses the Line

By Zach Baru

When it comes the history and tradition of the Boston Red Sox, everything and anything is very sensitive among the faithful fans who have been coming through the Fenway Park turnstiles their entire lives.  So what makes it right for a recent Red Sox commercial to have superimposed logos of NESN and Jordan's Furniture on the Green Monster with Luis Tiant pitching?  One hundred years of tradition points to all signs of crossing the line.

It is hard to conceive the efforts of the Red Sox to "celebrate" Fenway Park's 100th birthday when we see added graphics of corporate logos on what once was an all-green wall.  If the Red Sox are attempting to honor their history, they should spend more time actually honoring it, rather than partnering up with Jordan's Furniture.  While fans understand the revenue corporate sponsors bring to the Red Sox, this sends the wrong message to fans of the importance of Fenway Park's history.

If the Red Sox wanted to include NESN and Jordan's Furniture, it wouldn't have hurt to place the sponsors at the end of the commercial, stating they are official sponsors of Fenway Park's 100th season.  This would have preserved the historical accuracy of the clip, and even have brought more attention to their sponsors.

The next time a commercial is made commemorating the history of the Red Sox, it should be approached with just that in mind, the sacredness of this franchise.  Fans have adjusted to many changes over the years of Fenway Park, but putting a 21st century impression on events of the past simply crosses the line.

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

Liverpool to Come to Fenway, What About the Revolution?

 

By Zach Baru

Soccer will once again return to Fenway Park this summer, as Liverpool takes on AS Roma on July 25.  It is any New England soccer fan's dream to see a match at Fenway, but absent is the appearance of New England’s very own club, the Revolution, which are currently three games into their regular season. 

Even though Liverpool does have a Boston connection, a doubleheader with the hometown Revs would have made the occasion even more special for New England fans.  Not to mention, additional opportunities for Fenway Sports Group to cash in on the extra revenue from a second game.  From the Revolution’s standpoint, a game in front of potentially 37,000 fans would have been a great opportunity for the team to showcase their product.

There would have been a lot of great advantages to adding a doubleheader to the Liverpool game, but having such an event take place would certainly have its complications in order to become a reality.  Agreements would have to come from Fenway Sports Management and the Kraft Group, owners of the Revolution.  Additionally, approval would be needed from Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing for everything from field conditions to broadcasting.  The Fenway Park field would certainly be a concern to ensure a quality surface for a regular season game to be scheduled.

And as for the soccer game to be played at Fenway July 25, it will definitely be an exciting occasion for soccer fans everywhere.  But imagine if our Revs could be part of this event.  It would be a great way for the Red Sox to truly capitalize on an already special day for soccer in New England.  And furthermore, the Revolution would be able to reap the marketing benefits the Bruins enjoyed when they took over the ballpark for the 2010 NHL Winter Classic.

It may be a long-shot, but having the Revs play at Fenway would be a great opportunity for all sides.  Next year, let’s make it happen.

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

Bruins' Account Executives in Mid-Season Form

By Zach Baru

Just because the Boston Bruins are sold out of season tickets does not by any means give the account executives reason to slack off.  That could not be further from the truth.  They are hard at work, making sure passionate Bruins season ticket holders and plan holders are taken care of 365 days a year.

With interest in the Bruins at the highest level in decades, the Bruins are making sure they do everything to keep their fans happy.  Package holders are given the personal touch they deserve, and more specifically, the attention the money they spend deserves.

As the season winds down, time approaches for a new season of renewals.  And soon after that, a window of opportunity for new plan holders.  Season tickets have been capped yet again this season, and providing first-class service is key to the Bruins to retain sales, and fans alike.

A small example of the personal touch executed by the Bruins this season came during the holidays.  Bruins holiday cards were sent out to plan holders, with a personal note from their account executive.  Is this going to make a plan holder renew every season for the rest of their life?  No, but it certainly plants the seed for the bond the Bruins are trying to create between the team and the fans.

These days it may be hard to find organizations that operate with principles like this, but it almost always are the successful ones that understand the concept.  We are fortunate enough to have a few of those right here in Boston.  And the Bruins are no exception, focusing on personal connections that translate into passionate fans.

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