May
Lions lose 10 per cent of season-ticket base
Courtesy Vancouver Province:
The analogy used on the business side of the Lions these days is in direct contrast to the part of the CFL team that is set to hold its first full training camp session in just over a week.
“We’re in our playoffs right now,” said business vice-president George Chayka. And in that context, the Lions are currently out of a postseason berth.
Noting the Lions are no more immune to the economic recession than any other business, Chayka said on a conference call Thursday that for the first time in six years the club anticipates a drop in its season-ticket base.
The projected shortfall is 10 per cent, which would leave the club with roughly 22,000 season-ticket-equivalent plans, a different picture than the club presented during its last financial update in January.
Weighed against the downturn is the fact the club projects a slight increase in revenue, owing in part to restructured ticket prices and sales of all but 200 of 1,341 new club seats.
And the club’s prime selling season, or playoffs if you will, is set to begin next week. Another boost is possible when 15 new suites, in-seat touch-screen club section ordering devices and improved washrooms and scoreboards are unveiled through the coming season at B.C. Place Stadium.
“We’re going through a transition year in regards to the building, and given the renovations combined with the economy, we’re not going to be far off revenues,” said Chayka.
The club’s marketing campaign, which starts Monday, takes on a culinary theme this year. The tag line: Come watch our opponents eat it.
BACKFIELD IN MOTION
Reshaping the offensive backfield has occupied coach Wally Buono’s work week. The signings of rookie imports Martell Mallett and Charles Pierre, reported at theprovince.com some time ago, were announced Thursday. Next to be announced is a one-year contract extension for Lyle Green.
Only Bret Anderson has longer continuous service than the 33-year-old Green, who could well be moving up the seniority list. With 13 non-imports trying to make an active roster for the first time at camp, the club is debating whether to use Anderson’s roster spot for a younger special-teams player. Anderson, 34, has been with B.C. since 1997, splitting the last four years between football and full-time work at Port Coquitlam Fire and Rescue.
