by Jason Daniel Baker

Created on: October 04, 2010   Last Updated: October 12, 2010

The media is pretty dismissive of exhibition games. So are the coaches of the pro sports teams that play in them seeing each of them essentially as an open practice. The general accord reached about exhibition games between sports teams, the media and fans is that they are a necessary aspect of the training camps of pro sports teams but winning or losing mean less than nothing in the greater scheme of things.

Those that work in the marketing departments of pro sports franchises can get pretty frustrated at that attitude particularly as many of them see the possibilities to generate ticket sales, sell more merchandise and create a general positive vibe about the teams within their respective markets setting the tone for the opening of the regular season.

My view on sports marketing for professional teams is more extreme. I'd try to find a way to market the practices, warm-ups, cheerleader auditions. What some regard as refuse I consider to be potentially marketable product.

In the NFL there is persistent talk about expanding the schedule to 18 games. I don't think they need to do that  if they properly market the four pre-season games they already put on every year.

Neutral Site Games

The NFL has experimented with neutral site exhibition games in the past but only in a limited way. Having games in foreign locales like Tokyo, Mexico City, Toronto etc proved to be a novelty overseas that did well commercially but in Toronto the results have been pretty disastrous as fans have balked at exorbitant tickets prices for exhibition games.

You can imagine how the coaches of different franchises feel about having to travel a long distance for what is essentially an open practice. It is a big hassle that adds to all the other big hassles they have to deal with and one they tend to view as unnecessary.The more positive coaches will say it helps get the team used to playing on the road. I doubt any of them really believe that.

I have nothing against neutral site exhibition games but my approach would be less adventurous or more systematic. I would schedule neutral site exhibition games in secondary and tertiary markets for the respective clubs and make them annual rituals.

For example, for the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers an annual training camp exhibition game in Hartford, Connecticut. The distance isn't that great for either team to travel and a lot of fans of each team live there.

Use of Third Jersey or Throwback Jerseys

A team will generally only use throwback

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>