Sox Scoops 40.018: Season Ticket Sales Boom, Team Budget Increased
Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2019 4:00 pm
By Rick Mariotti
Chicago Sports Online
The only things selling faster than Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizzas in the Chicagoland area are Black Sox season tickets.
Team officials said 9,576 have been sold so far, and they estimate that total will nearly double (to 18,700) by Opening Day. That will be nearly 2,000 more than the team sold during its last season in Huntsville – and the increase comes even though the Black Sox raised ticket prices by $2 for the coming season.
“I think this shows how hungry Chicago area fans have been for the return of Brewster baseball,” said General Manager Vic Caleca. “Fan interest here is as high as I’ve ever seen anywhere, which makes us even more eager for the season to get started.”
Attendance and revenue-per-game projections are significantly higher for the first year in Chicago than for the past several seasons in Huntsville – even though the seating capacity of Black Sox Park will not be as large as that of the Opera House. The Huntsville stadium had a capacity of 40,000 fans, compared to 35,000 for the team’s new facility in Calumet City.
Even so, sources said the team is projecting attendance of more than 31,000 per game, compared to just 23,000 last year in Huntsville.
“I’m not prepared to discuss specifics, but we’re definitely bullish on both our attendance and revenue projections for the coming year,” Caleca said.
With good reason.
Front office sources said team accountants anticipate the team will take in nearly $250,000 more per game than it earned last season in Huntsville.
Indeed, owner Vinnie Vitale was so pleased by the financial projections that he increased the team’s budget by an additional $4 million for 2040 – from $116 million to $120 million.
“I think that’s Vinnie’s way of telling Chicago that he appreciates the support, and he’s going to plow those additional resources right back into the team,” Caleca said.
“If you’re not on the Sox bandwagon yet, we invite you to climb aboard. It’s going to be a fun ride!”
Chicago Sports Online
The only things selling faster than Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizzas in the Chicagoland area are Black Sox season tickets.
Team officials said 9,576 have been sold so far, and they estimate that total will nearly double (to 18,700) by Opening Day. That will be nearly 2,000 more than the team sold during its last season in Huntsville – and the increase comes even though the Black Sox raised ticket prices by $2 for the coming season.
“I think this shows how hungry Chicago area fans have been for the return of Brewster baseball,” said General Manager Vic Caleca. “Fan interest here is as high as I’ve ever seen anywhere, which makes us even more eager for the season to get started.”
Attendance and revenue-per-game projections are significantly higher for the first year in Chicago than for the past several seasons in Huntsville – even though the seating capacity of Black Sox Park will not be as large as that of the Opera House. The Huntsville stadium had a capacity of 40,000 fans, compared to 35,000 for the team’s new facility in Calumet City.
Even so, sources said the team is projecting attendance of more than 31,000 per game, compared to just 23,000 last year in Huntsville.
“I’m not prepared to discuss specifics, but we’re definitely bullish on both our attendance and revenue projections for the coming year,” Caleca said.
With good reason.
Front office sources said team accountants anticipate the team will take in nearly $250,000 more per game than it earned last season in Huntsville.
Indeed, owner Vinnie Vitale was so pleased by the financial projections that he increased the team’s budget by an additional $4 million for 2040 – from $116 million to $120 million.
“I think that’s Vinnie’s way of telling Chicago that he appreciates the support, and he’s going to plow those additional resources right back into the team,” Caleca said.
“If you’re not on the Sox bandwagon yet, we invite you to climb aboard. It’s going to be a fun ride!”