Predators Setting Franchise Records, Off the Field
January 24, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (January 24, 2006) -- The team has yet to play a game this year, but President Brett Bouchy says it has already been the most successful season in Orlando Predators history as the team has set franchise records for season ticket, sponsorship and total revenue.
"We still have two weeks to go before our first home game and we are breaking every conceivable sales record," Bouchy said.
Corporate partnerships have reached an all-time high in both volume and value. Local sponsorship revenue, excluding any trade agreements, is running 47% ahead of last year's record amount and 250% higher than the 2003 total. "Essentially our traditional sponsorship inventory is sold out," Bouchy said. "We are looking at some creative non-traditional inventory to provide additional sponsorship opportunities."
Ticket sales numbers are equally impressive for the Arena Football League team, which is entering its 16th season of play. On Monday, the team eclipsed 8,300 paid season tickets to the general public -- breaking the total for the entire 2005 season. When corporate tickets are included, the Predators now have 9,600 season tickets sold for the upcoming season. Bouchy expects that total to go past the 10,000 mark by the first home game. The 8,300 season tickets sold to the general public is up 47% from 2003 levels and the team has already exceeded last year's total ticket revenue by more than 15%. The Predators can seat 13,692 for Arena Football in the TD Waterhouse Centre.
Bouchy credits the revenue increases to several factors, including the growth of the Arena Football League and increased national exposure brought on by NBC. The Arena Football League is now operating in 18 markets, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Phoenix. The AFL is entering its fourth year of a network broadcast deal with NBC and also has a broadcast deal with FOX regional sports networks. EA Sports will be releasing an Arena Football League video game in February.
"The incredible growth and exposure of the league, combined with a conscious effort to control costs, has helped turn the franchise around," Bouchy said.
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