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March 01, 2006^10:00am
The Olde English Ds^127
Sports Business - The Boys Of Spring  
www.forbes.com/home/business/2006/02/24/baseball-spring-training_cx_tr_0227springtraining.html
Spring Training
[Other]
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An interesting article on the business side of spring training only a true Baseball Geek will enjoy.

excerpt:

The emphasis on spring-training marketing coincided with the widening of the revenue and payroll disparities that began plaguing the industry in the mid-1990s. While small-market clubs can't compete with big-market teams for regular-season television money, spring training is a chance for a more equal playing field. The Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers both drew over 100,000 fans last spring--not far off the New York Yankees' and Atlanta Braves' totals.

"Teams are viewing spring training as a profit center rather than a cost center, to the point where it's becoming common to negotiate better stadium terms [with local governments]. It's become a microcosm of the larger industry," says sports business consultant David Carter.