Paul Woody had an interesting column in Wednesday’s paper, wondering why Minor League Baseball seems to have final say over how or when Richmond gets another team.

“Baseball is a business, but it is not like any other business. There is no Grocery Store League that determines where chains can put stores. Grocery stores open and close based on their ability to handle the competition.

Baseball people love to talk about the competition on the field. The competition off the field is another matter.”

Leaving the power of Minor League Baseball aside, I’ve been thinking a lot about the business of minor league ball. A few questions:
How much would a local business pay for the naming rights to a new stadium?
What businesses might be likely candidates?

Does paying for parking illicit some emotional reaction from consumers and turn them off, and would the Diamond get better turnout if parking was free?

Comments (1)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

How much is that team in the window?
written by Jason, June 05, 2008

I've always wondered how much it would cost to buy and run a minor league team. Owning a team of my very own would be sweet. But, since that's a pipe dream, what would it take for a community to own a team?

Season ticket holders are owners who have to reinvest every year and would benefit if a team did well. Sure they'd sign off day to day decision making, but create a team that doesn't just have to respond to the community as fans but as stock holders as well.

Maybe that's not a good way to run a team for all I know, but maybe a community that is engaged by the team and invested in it can care more.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment