The seemingly endless yellow brick road to Oz, or what residents of central Indiana have come to accept as privately owned professional sports franchises seeking financial sustenance to build and upgrade, is nearing a tipping point of practical expenditures.
For almost 18 years, the Indianapolis Indians have poured tens of millions of dollars into Victory Field while the city has spent hardly a dime.
Since the Indians began their affiliation with the Pirates in 2005, they have posted a 668-604 regular-season record, including a 352-289 mark at Victory Field.
The Indianapolis Colts are playing defense as city leaders move to hike a ticket tax on downtown events by 67 percent. The team says raising the tax on tickets from 6 percent to 10 percent will harm its bottom line and that of local businesses that rely on Colts fans.
The city’s professional baseball team has thrived financially since 2009, bucking the woes of the economy.
The minor-league Indianapolis Indians overcame a bevy of obstacles last season to continue a run of major-league profits.
For the season, the city’s minor-league baseball team drew 580,082 fans to Victory Field over 71 home dates. The franchise has posted year-over-year attendance increases in four of the last five seasons.
Like most young boys in the 1950s, baseball was my first sports love.
What's the secret to baseball profitability? Why is the offseason so important? Franchise President Max Schumacher fields questions.
The baseball franchise dumped Ticketmaster for another sales management firm that charges buyers lower fees.
The Indianapolis Indians have torn out about 400 seats in Victory Field’s left flank to make way for Captain Morgan Cove—an open-air restaurant and bar that will feature a menu separate from other stadium offerings and table service for up to 120 fans.
The minor-league professional baseball team continues to pull in fans and sponsors as Hoosiers seek affordable family entertainment.
The Pirates, the Major League parent club of the Indianapolis Indians, made nearly $29.4 million in 2007 and 2008, according
to team financial documents, years that were part of a streak of futility that has now reached 18 straight losing seasons.
State awards unclaimed shares of the minor league baseball team to bidders who offered as much as $27,505 for each share.
A full season of televised games will give franchise a platform to promote attendance at Victory Field.
Concession-stand items for $1 started drawing crowds a few years ago to what had been a slow night at Victory Field.
Team profits declined from $1.23 million in 2008 to $459,603 this year. Despite
that, the team’s board voted unanimously to pay a dividend.
Ten years ago, the Indiana Pacers sold out their 69 Conseco Fieldhouse suites and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
barely touched a phone to sell its 120 luxury boxes. But entertaining at luxury suites is out of vogue
now, thanks to the recession and companies keeping a closer eye on spending.
The Tribe attracted 549,552 fans (8,202 per game) to Victory Field this season—its third-best average
since 2001.
Members of the Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board this afternoon passed a $63 million budget for 2010 that hinges on the
City-County Council’s approval of a hike in the local hotel tax.
