USL Takes Major Step with Hands on Sports Partnership
Published on July 29, 2010 under United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, FL - United Soccer Leagues has entered into an exciting new partnership with internationally respected ticket sales and revenue consulting firm Hands On Sports & Entertainment. The agreement will allow USL teams to achieve increased levels of ticket revenue while utilizing Hands On Sports' decades of experience in North American major professional sports. As part of the deal, Hands On Sports will develop a comprehensive ticket sales & operations manual for all USL teams.
Hands On Sports offers professional leagues, venues and teams full service support designed to maximize ticket revenue while enhancing the skill and productivity of management and staff. They offer a proven ticket sales training program which provides a scientific approach to financially planning ticket sales goals. Among the areas in which Hands On Sports will provide counsel for USL teams are season, group and single-game ticket sales, ticket sales databases, staffing and training tips, stadium price scaling, ticket promotions, business plans and timelines, and the establishment and operation of booster clubs. Hands On Sports will also conduct training and best practices seminars for USL teams.
"Ticket sales is obviously one of the most important components in the roadmap to profitability for USL's senior level teams," USL CEO Alec Papadakis said. "Entering into this partnership, which will provide USL teams with the tools to give them the edge in a highly-competitive sports and entertainment marketplace, is one of the first steps in a much larger plan. USL will provide its teams the resources and support necessary to succeed in all aspects of their operations."
In addition to the ticket sales & operations manual being created by Hands On Sports, USL has added several professional sports veterans to its management team in recent months to oversee the creation of comprehensive operations manuals for all business aspects of a professional sports franchise. Prior to the start of the 2011 seasons, USL senior teams will also receive a comprehensive Marketing & Merchandising Operations Manual, Game Operations Manual, Web Strategy & New Media Operations Manual and a Sponsorships/Corporate Partnerships Manual.
USL's Team Services staff will provide year-round assistance in implementing the programs outlined in the manuals, as well as support to teams in the areas of communications & public relations, creative services, broadcasting, etc. USL's National Technical Director is also available to provide support to teams.
USL is planning additional announcements in the coming weeks that will further reinforce its commitment to providing teams with the highest level of professional support.
Among the leagues that have successfully utilized Hands On Sports' professional training are the National Hockey League, the Canadian Football League, the National Lacrosse League, the American Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League. Teams that have benefitted from a working relationship with Hands On Sports include the USL's Portland Timbers, the New York Red Bulls of MLS, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball, the NBA's Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves, and the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and New York Islanders.
"Hands On Sports & Entertainment is excited to partner with USL to work on such an important project," Hands On President Rob Sine said. "Ticket sales are a big part of the life blood of a successful sport franchisee and the steps that USL is taking to establish a strong foundation for its franchisees is tremendous.
"We believe that our expertise and experience in professional sport and entertainment ticket sales during the past 30+ years combined with USL's passion for soccer and intimate knowledge of its fans, together, we can help its current and new member franchisees eliminate hope as a ticket sales strategy for the future."
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