In the article, “Nationals Fight Invasion of Phillies Fans with Ticket-Sales Restrictions,” National’s Chief Operating Officer Andy Feffer told the Post, "Forget you, Philly. This is our park, this is our town, these are our fans, and it's our time right now." His goal is to prevent the Philly Fans from taking over their ballpark. In doing so, Feffer and the Nationals Organization are selling single-game tickets only to people who live in the DMV area. This is one way of controlling the type of fans that attend the baseball game.
Feffer is really annoyed by Phillies fans, which he expresses in this quote. "We've heard it enough, we've seen it enough, and I don't like it any more than anyone else," he said. "We're trying to build a team here, and nothing irks me personally or the people here more than to see another team's fans - particularly Philly fans - in our ballpark, holding up signs. That's not the way it should be. And I think we've got an opportunity here to do something different." Andy Feffer wants to change the culture of the organization, and turn the Nationals Baseball Team into a winning program, which is very evident in his efforts to attract more of “their” fans.
I believe this strategy will work IF they actually convince fans to come out and support. Hopefully, an increase of fan support will give the Nationals something to play for and improve their record so their fan base can continue to increase. These are all things Andy Feffer and The National’s Organization are working towards.
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Review by Ryan Smith in KIN 435 (section 1)
I chose to read the article “Nationals Fight Invasion of Phillies Fans with Ticket Sales Restrictions." This article discusses how the Washington Nationals are fed up with the Phillies fans taking over their ballpark. The Nationals Chief Operating Officer is even quoted saying “forget you Philly. This is our ballpark, this is our town, these are our fans, and it’s our time right now.” It is easy to see how this problem arises because with the Phillies winning success and their devoted fan base, they don’t have a problem with traveling to see their baseball team play. Not to mention that driving from Philly to Washington isn’t all that bad of a drive.
So in a plan to “Take Back to Park” as the Nationals call it, they have strategized for the first series with the Phillies by only selling single-game tickets to Maryland, Washington, and Virginia residents. This ticket restriction will go on for the next month before opening ticketing sales up for everyone else to purchase. The Phillies organization basically laughed at this plan implemented by the Washington Nationals. They go on to mention that they (Phillies) have never experienced their park being taken over by another ball team because as long as you are winning games, you don’t have to worry about such a problem.
In conclusion, I believe that this plan that the Nationals has come up with is terrible. I think that it’s just a lousy excuse as for why they can’t get fans to come out to the games. Looking at the bigger picture this might be a good idea for the Washington Nationals but the real solution for this problem is simple, just win games and your fan base will naturally increase.
This article is about FILA’s decision to make an endorsement deal with Jelena Jankovic. She was born and raised inBelgrade, Serbia. Jankovic was the first Serbian player to win a Grand Slam title when she won the Wimbledon mixed doubles. She was ranked Number 1 until 2009 when she was defeated by Serena Williams. Also in 2009, she wasn’t re-signed by Reebok and had a previous contract with ANTA a Chinese-based sportswear company. Her playing style is mostly known for consistency and being able to effectively slide on any surface she plays on.
FILA is a brand that is internationally successful except in the US. Some of their sponsorships include players like Grant Hill, Jerry Stackhouse, and Barry Bonds. These players aren’t as popular as they were in the 80s and 90s, which probably had a huge effect on FILA’s marketing in the United States. All together FILA had, or has 23 tennis athletes as endorsements, but only two are American. This article begs the question that though Jankovic is a good player, what makes her so special that she could influence a lot of people to think about FILA or their products. I haven’t heard about FILA since I was a child, so I had no clue that it still existed. If my favorite player started wearing FILA apparel tomorrow, I can’t honestly say that I would start wearing it, but it would make me think twice before I just put the brand down as a whole.
FILA has reached out to Jankovic because she is a great player with a great attitude about her profession and her life. Currently she is out with an injury, so I wonder how that would damper their plans to market in commercials and during different tournaments. Nevertheless, FILA is continuing its trend of reaching out to athletes of different ethnicities to strengthen its brand as a whole.
We all know that doping, which is known as the administration of drugs to enhance or inhibit sporting performances, is frowned upon in almost every sport. Cycling is one of the many sports in which doping is considered illegal for individuals to do. In the article, “Cycling Sponsor gets Warm and Fuzzy”, it talks about a cyclist named Contador who has been involved in doping scandals and has failed drug tests relating to using performance enhancing drugs. Although, Contador has been found guilty for using performance enhancing drugs his sponsors, Saxo Bank, has remained loyal to him and continue to sponsor him during his difficulties. Most sponsors are known to revoke their sponsorships from individuals who are involved in doping scandals or have failed drug tests relating to the issue, such as T-Mobile and Milram. T-Mobile and Milram pulled their sponsorship away from Floyd Landis Phonak immediately after he was involved in a doping scandal. Saxo Bank continued to sponsor Contador because they state that they “support their clients in their moments of success and also of difficulty, and this is equally valid for our riders”. Although Saxo Bank stated that they basically stay with their clients through the good and bad of their sport careers, it is believed that Saxo Bank continued to stay with Contador because of the money that he has and can bring to them. Everyone knows that the economy right now is not at its best and therefore I understand why Saxo Bank would continue to stay with Contador. He is a great cyclist who has won many cycling tours, such as recently having two stage wins in the Tour of San Luis in Argentina. Although the punishment of being involved in a doping scandal, in Germany, is a two year ban, I feel that Saxo Bank is smart by staying with Contador because they know that once Contador ban is completed he will be back cycling in full force and would be capable of winning tours and money to give to his sponsorship.
