Business Report on the Brewers

[AJAY]

It looks like the Brewers will get a few million less in revenue sharing this season. I guess they are less needy now that they are drawing more attendance and selling more merchandise and sponsorships. It also looks like the Brewers are AGAIN spending money on the sound system at Miller Park. Didn't they fix it last time? I hate to sink more money into the sound system. I didn't know it needed upgrading.

 

A new retail store is expected at Miller Park too. No comment on what the player payroll will be in 2008.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=675640

[logan82]

I wish they would take out some of the speakers. I really don't care to or need to hear the PA announcer.

[tomwopat]

It's nice to hear that Mark A. is still dedicated to improving the fan experience at MP. The PA system for the most part is ok, but there are some parts of the ballpark where it is basically unintelligible.

 

I had thought that a new HD scoreboard was the next improvement to be made, but I guess this is priority.

[Klements Bratwurst]

"Although the Brewers will have a profit for the third year in a row, Attanasio said the proceeds would go back into the organization for the team's payroll for 2008."

 

From the article, this obviously was the best part that I read. Ok, dare we start making predictions as to exactly how high the payroll may go in 2008?

 

75 Million? 80 Million? 85 Million? $90 Million?

 

The last two seems like a stretch for sure, but with some expiring contracts in Jenkins, Koskie, Mench, etc, they will have some dough to spend this offseason, either working on contract extensions, or plucking a free agent or two, or taking on salary via a trade.

 

However, according to Cub fan boards, you can't win with a 110 million dollar payroll, so it is a mute point. You have to spend $130-$135 Million to get it done!

[hawing]

The PA system for the most part is ok, but there are some parts of the ballpark where it is basically unintelligible.

 

In our section it was nearly unintelligible from early 2003 until the middle of this season. We stopped commenting after a while, and as such were very surprised when it started working again. So if they are hoping to apply that success elsewhere in the park, I'd support it.

[JohnBriggs12]

I think they could go to $80 million in payroll, but that doesn't mean they should just because they can. They are going to need to go well above that amount to keep at least some of their core young talent down the road, and it makes sense to bank some of that now or perhaps buy out arby years instead of signing free agents.

[Invader3K]

I had noticed the PA system seemed better overall this year, but there are still some places where you sit and you can't understand anything that is being said. It's a small annoyance.

 

$3 million less in revenue sharing will hopefully not be a big setback for the team, judging by the tone of the article.

[BrewCrew39]

Please, I beg.....in addition to replacing the sound system, please replace all the LAME audio used to "pump up" the crowd. Like the pathetic "Charge!" soundbite is really getting anyone riled up.

[Nearsighted Views]

Please, I beg.....in addition to replacing the sound system, please replace all the LAME audio used to "pump up" the crowd. Like the pathetic "Charge!" soundbite is really getting anyone riled up.

I agree. I love the sirens some of the parks use. Maybe they can sink the money into installing 8 or 9 of those. That'll get em' riled up!

[ITz DJ TJ]

Glad to hear that they are upgrading the sound. I could never hear audio from the video's played on the scoreboard.

 

 

<3 Mark Attanasio

[Zycho32]

Bring back the Beer Mug!!

[Invader3K]

"bring back the beer mug!"

 

Ugh...I know people are sentimental about it, but I don't think Miller Park really needs any more stuff in the outfield (especially with the Amoco thing out there, which I think it sort of cool). Maybe if they do away with Bernie's current shack and slide, but otherwise I wouldn't care to see it. I wish they could do a little more of a "makeover" on the outfield area, honestly...it is starting to look cluttered with all the ads (which I understand are necessary), coupled with the overall industrial look of the park. At least they have that ivy out there so it doesn't look completely sterile.

[slack00]

especially with the Amoco thing out there, which I think it sort of cool

Looks like Citgo needs to throw a few more logos on it!

 

Seriously though, like it too. It's advertising so it brings in revenue, but the information they put on it after a home run is relevant from a fan's perspective. It's a win-win as far as I'm concerned.

[Invader3K]

Whoops, I knew it was Citgo. Don't know what I was thinking.

[hawing]

That's OK, Invader. Though that rolling noise you just heard was some Citgo marketing guy's head...

[Invader3K]

Well, in my defense, Amoco/BP has a pretty significant presence there with that ribbon board race thing.

[owbc]

Good decision to fix the sound system (again).

 

I think the HD scoreboard is coming after the 2008 season, when the lease on the current one expires.

[Paul77]

I think the HD scoreboard is coming after the 2008 season, when the lease on the current one expires.

I think it might be longer than that. I remember reading (semi recently) Mark A. said he wanted to make sure that what ever they upgrade to is "top of the line" for more than a few years and that it was probably going to be a few years before they make a move. Something along the lines of waiting for the next big thing in scoreboard advancement before upgrading.

 

[Tbadder]

I really wish they'd two things to the park. 1) take out the ribbon advertisement, and 2) rip out the sound system altogether and replace it with NOTHING. No music, no "charges," no nothing. If a person needs artificial means to get it up, well then, it means you need artificial means to get it up. Sometimes we (sports fans) are so weak.

[owbc]

2) rip out the sound system altogether and replace it with NOTHING. No music, no "charges," no nothing

If you think Miller Park is bad, don't ever go to a Madison Mallards game...

 

Although some don't like all the noise, at least 90% of Brewers "fans" are of the variety that prefer music. I'm a huge baseball fan and even I enjoy being entertained with music and gimmicks (execpt by Sandy Maxx).

[hawing]

(execpt by Sandy Maxx)

 

And I'll tip my cap to the Brewers, since 2007 had dramatically less "Pointe hostesse" action.

 

A little part of me sighs inside during games when fans only cheer upon instruction from the videoboard, so I understand the frustration with the "Charge" chant and such.

But without a PA system, there'd be no Dean Rosko organ magic, and I would truly miss that.

 

So the video/score board - whatever the big electronic equipment in CF is called - is leased? From whom?

[chadomac]

does anyone else think that car race on the ribbon board is the stupidest thing ever?

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

" does anyone else think that car race on the ribbon board is the stupidest thing ever? "

 

Yes, its the dumbest of a series of dumb things that dumb down the Miller Park experience. I think MA has done a GREAT job making the Miller Park baseball experience better, but there are some things like that are just too gimmicky and stupid.

 

If they raced remote control cars across the outfield for $1,000 (one car with a Twins Flag, one car with a Brewers Flag, one car with a Cubs Flag) i think it would be much cooler....

 

but at the end of the day, Miller Park is about BASEBALL not video games. I wish they'd show more "flashbacks" to Braves/Brewers past etc instead

[RightFieldCoder]

Yes, they need more flashbacks to that '57 and '82 teams. It's like the team has forgotten they've existed.

 

I hate the ivy. It stinks too much of Chicago. Let's put some shrubbery or anything else out there. Or better yet, use the idea we came up with here at BF.net several years ago. Giant...shark...tank. That would be a wicked cool hitter's eye. It would also be awesome to go walking around back behind the scoreboard.

 

The corporate take over is getting a little much. I can see it now. "Stepping up to the plate, McDonald's presents Prince Fielder. He hits the first pitch down the line in Klement's Left Field. He's trying to stretch it to a double. There's going to be a close play at Hal's Harley-Davidson second base. Prince is safe. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim California player dropped the Associated Bank Ball and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel umpire called him safe." I can't wait.

 

Call me an old fogey, but I want the ballpark experience to be about the baseball game on the field. Let the TV and radio games do the blatant corporate pitch.