by David Chapman
Staff Writer
It’s been a busy offseason for the Jacksonville Suns, yet with the first pitch three weeks away team owner and President Peter Bragan Jr. and staff are looking forward to the season ahead with optimism in a bevy of ways.
At the forefront is their affiliation change from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the much closer to home Florida Marlins — a partnership Bragan believes will ultimately be beneficial to both parties.
“We’re excited to be with the Marlins and I know they’re excited to be with us,” said Bragan.
While the affiliate change made some fans upset, he said, it made better business sense for the local organization to have the parent club closer to home. The Marlins have their own cable TV deal within Florida and the big league exposure should filter down to Suns in avenues such as highlight packages more local viewers will see and identify.
Additionally, fans should be able to see more big name players from the parent club on rehabilitation assignments in Jacksonville — something the Dodgers used Class AAA affiliate Las Vegas for due to its closer proximity to Los Angeles — which Bragan said always draws more fans through the gates.
Though he enjoyed the club’s relationship with the Dodgers immensely, the move made better business sense.
“We just have to do what’s best for the Suns,” said Bragan.
Heading into the season from a business standpoint, ticket sales for individuals have surged — something he attributes to affordability — to the point where he believes individual sales records could be set.
It’s the group sales that are lacking, which Bragan believes is due to the sagging economy in corporate circles.
“I think for Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Public, this is going to be one of the most attended seasons yet,” he said, before adding with a laugh. “But for group sales, we’re not getting the AIGs and Citibanks of the world buying group seats this year.”
While group seat sales aren’t where Bragan would like to see them, sponsorships aren’t as bad as he expected — though they are down from a year ago.
“I’d say it’s about 80 cents on the dollar from a year ago,” said Bragan, “but we’re making a late rally.”
Longtime sponsorships from staples like car dealerships have dwindled the past year and are being replaced by signs and logos from fast food restaurants, hospitals and furniture stores — things he said haven’t been affected as much by the poor economy.
“One of the things I tell sponsors and potential sponsors is that people will be coming through the gates and seeing their product,” he said. “It’s definitely an opportunity.”
Attendance projections are always set at 400,000 people a season at the beginning of the season, said Bragan, which has been topped a couple times, but fell short last season.
Several of the team’s various popular promotions such as the daytime Businessperson Special and Thursday Night Throwdown! featuring drink specials return for another season as well as one-time themed nights such as Valentine’s Day in May, Halloween in June, and St. Patrick’s Day Eight Months Away! in July all dot the schedule and should attract a crowd, said members of the promotions department.
One of Bragan’s best feelings, though, has to do with the return of everyone in his front office for the second year in a row instead of turnover due to the economy.
“Everyone’s here and excited for the season to get started,” said Bragan. “We’re optimistic it’s going to be a damn good year.”
For more information on the Jacksonville Suns, go to www.jaxsuns.com.
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