Grassroots campaign has sold 70% of season tickets already?

TheDeuce · 03-02-2006, 11:30 PM

By continuing its dedication to reaching fans on all economic levels in the effort to retain and cultivate new season-ticket holders, the New Orleans Saints are excited to announce that the team currently has deposits for 70 percent of last year's season-ticket total, a figure that far exceeds the amounts posted in past seasons at this juncture.

The team's grassroots campaign -- as well as maintaining a devotion to reaching out to fans and businesses across the region with a substantial sales staff -- has been well-received in the community. Sparked by over 20,000 seats being made available at or below $35, season-ticket deposits have reached approximately 25,000.

The passion of the team's loyal fans, low price points and the Saints fulfilling a pledge in the weeks following Hurricane Katrina to return to New Orleans and lead the economic renewal of the city has stimulated the groundswell in ticket sales.

"We wanted to reach out to our fans that have supported this team and have weathered so many hardships recently," said Owner Tom Benson. "Part of that was making so many tickets available at prices far below the league average. Part of that was letting people know we are going to be an important part of rebuilding this community from all standpoints. And part of that is putting together a strong team for people to support. The people in this area recognize that, and the season ticket sales we have experienced show the area is on the rebound."

The Saints' first home game is slated to be Sept. 24 in a restored Louisiana Superdome against NFC South rival Atlanta. The club recently held a luncheon at the training facility for numerous local and regional businesses in an effort to build on the recent momentum. In addition, the club has formed the Saints Business Council, which consists of 27 Louisiana business leaders who have joined together to support the team's return to the Crescent City. Tommy Coleman, the CEO of International-Matex Tank Terminals, and Stephen Perry, the President of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, were named co-chairmen of the group.

"We are dedicated to being an engine of growth for the entire region," said Owner/Executive Vice-President of Administration Rita Benson LeBlanc, who heads the team's business endeavors. "The positive results that we are seeing are coming from every level, from individual fans who have always wanted season tickets to businesses that are as committed as we are to bringing New Orleans back. With this momentum, we look forward to reaching new heights in season ticket sales."

In addition to kicking off the home schedule against Atlanta, the Saints' remaining home opponents this season include the Baltimore Ravens, the Washington Redskins, the Philadelphia Eagles, the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals. The club will also host NFC South foes Tampa Bay and Carolina. Of the teams that will visit New Orleans, Washington, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Cincinnati made the playoffs in 2005.

http://neworleanssaints.com/newsroom...articleid=2312

gandhi1007 · 03-03-2006, 11:39 AM

Man, that article almost makes it seem like Benson isn't all about the money. Wow!!!

progress · 03-03-2006, 12:49 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2352598

NEW ORLEANS -- Without the team running a single advertisement, renewals for New Orleans Saints season tickets are nearly four times what they were a year ago.

Between 20,000 and 25,000 ticket holders have made deposits for 2006, when the Saints are expected to return to New Orleans following a vagabond season in San Antonio and Baton Rouge.

"Awesome," said Rita Benson LeBlanc, the team's executive vice president of administration. "Our invoices have just gone out, so we're really ahead of what would be a normal schedule."

Part of the surge has been the result of many ticket holders having money remaining in their accounts because of the cancellation of the New Orleans games last season, the team said.

Other interest, the team said, is likely being generated by the offering of more than 20,000 seats at $35 or less. This year's package consists of eight games instead of nine or 10 because home exhibition games will be played at other venues around the state.

Team officials also pointed to the hiring of new coach Sean Payton and the fact the Saints have the second pick in the NFL draft.

The Saints' first home game at the renovated and repaired Superdome is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 24, though the NFL has said the date could be adjusted for national television. The complete schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

"This is one of the most exciting offseasons we've had in a while," Benson LeBlanc said.

The team's chief financial officer, Dennis Lauscha, said the Saints revamped the ticket office immediately upon returning to the city.

"We came back and ramped up immediately. They hit the ground calling. And we've been in full force making phone calls," Lauscha said. "That's 15 people making outbound calls all day, both on the suite side and the ticket side. That has more to do with it than anything."

-------------

While I'm happy to hear ticket sales are better, I can't help but wonder exactly why there has not been a single advertisement as of yet.
Benson not wanting to spend money?
Benson wanting to keep ticket sales down in order to show that N.O. can no longer support a team?
Maybe I'm being overly concerned and it's just too early in the year and teams don't start pushing ticket sales until after the draft / free-agency.........

03-02-2006, 11:30 PM	#1
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928	Grassroots campaign has sold 70% of season tickets already? By continuing its dedication to reaching fans on all economic levels in the effort to retain and cultivate new season-ticket holders, the New Orleans Saints are excited to announce that the team currently has deposits for 70 percent of last year's season-ticket total, a figure that far exceeds the amounts posted in past seasons at this juncture. The team's grassroots campaign -- as well as maintaining a devotion to reaching out to fans and businesses across the region with a substantial sales staff -- has been well-received in the community. Sparked by over 20,000 seats being made available at or below $35, season-ticket deposits have reached approximately 25,000. The passion of the team's loyal fans, low price points and the Saints fulfilling a pledge in the weeks following Hurricane Katrina to return to New Orleans and lead the economic renewal of the city has stimulated the groundswell in ticket sales. "We wanted to reach out to our fans that have supported this team and have weathered so many hardships recently," said Owner Tom Benson. "Part of that was making so many tickets available at prices far below the league average. Part of that was letting people know we are going to be an important part of rebuilding this community from all standpoints. And part of that is putting together a strong team for people to support. The people in this area recognize that, and the season ticket sales we have experienced show the area is on the rebound." The Saints' first home game is slated to be Sept. 24 in a restored Louisiana Superdome against NFC South rival Atlanta. The club recently held a luncheon at the training facility for numerous local and regional businesses in an effort to build on the recent momentum. In addition, the club has formed the Saints Business Council, which consists of 27 Louisiana business leaders who have joined together to support the team's return to the Crescent City. Tommy Coleman, the CEO of International-Matex Tank Terminals, and Stephen Perry, the President of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, were named co-chairmen of the group. "We are dedicated to being an engine of growth for the entire region," said Owner/Executive Vice-President of Administration Rita Benson LeBlanc, who heads the team's business endeavors. "The positive results that we are seeing are coming from every level, from individual fans who have always wanted season tickets to businesses that are as committed as we are to bringing New Orleans back. With this momentum, we look forward to reaching new heights in season ticket sales." In addition to kicking off the home schedule against Atlanta, the Saints' remaining home opponents this season include the Baltimore Ravens, the Washington Redskins, the Philadelphia Eagles, the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals. The club will also host NFC South foes Tampa Bay and Carolina. Of the teams that will visit New Orleans, Washington, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Cincinnati made the playoffs in 2005. http://neworleanssaints.com/newsroom...articleid=2312
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928

03-03-2006, 11:39 AM	#2
gandhi1007 Part Time Pimp Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,967	RE: Grassroots campaign has sold 70% of season tickets alrea Man, that article almost makes it seem like Benson isn't all about the money. Wow!!!

03-03-2006, 12:49 PM	#3
progress 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 114	RE: Grassroots campaign has sold 70% of season tickets alrea http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2352598 NEW ORLEANS -- Without the team running a single advertisement, renewals for New Orleans Saints season tickets are nearly four times what they were a year ago. Between 20,000 and 25,000 ticket holders have made deposits for 2006, when the Saints are expected to return to New Orleans following a vagabond season in San Antonio and Baton Rouge. "Awesome," said Rita Benson LeBlanc, the team's executive vice president of administration. "Our invoices have just gone out, so we're really ahead of what would be a normal schedule." Part of the surge has been the result of many ticket holders having money remaining in their accounts because of the cancellation of the New Orleans games last season, the team said. Other interest, the team said, is likely being generated by the offering of more than 20,000 seats at $35 or less. This year's package consists of eight games instead of nine or 10 because home exhibition games will be played at other venues around the state. Team officials also pointed to the hiring of new coach Sean Payton and the fact the Saints have the second pick in the NFL draft. The Saints' first home game at the renovated and repaired Superdome is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 24, though the NFL has said the date could be adjusted for national television. The complete schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. "This is one of the most exciting offseasons we've had in a while," Benson LeBlanc said. The team's chief financial officer, Dennis Lauscha, said the Saints revamped the ticket office immediately upon returning to the city. "We came back and ramped up immediately. They hit the ground calling. And we've been in full force making phone calls," Lauscha said. "That's 15 people making outbound calls all day, both on the suite side and the ticket side. That has more to do with it than anything." ------------- While I'm happy to hear ticket sales are better, I can't help but wonder exactly why there has not been a single advertisement as of yet. Benson not wanting to spend money? Benson wanting to keep ticket sales down in order to show that N.O. can no longer support a team? Maybe I'm being overly concerned and it's just too early in the year and teams don't start pushing ticket sales until after the draft / free-agency.........
progress 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 114

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