Author: David Shama

The NFL Report publication wrote that Forbes.com lists the Super Bowl as the No. 1 sports brand in the world.  In order the brands are the Super Bowl, Summer Olympics, FIFA World Cup, Daytona 500, Rose Bowl, NCAA Men’s Final Four, Winter Olympics, Kentucky Derby, World Series and NBA Finals.  An event’s value was calculated from various revenue sources including TV, tickets and sponsorships. 

Michael Cuddyer said the TV commercial where he “cuts” Johan Santana in half took about four hours to film and was made last winter here in town.  The commercial’s theme plays to Cuddyer’s love of magic tricks.  

Twins vice president of marketing Patrick Klinger writing via e-mail about the franchise’s successful armed services promotion last Sunday:  “Armed Services Appreciation Day presented by Qwest was a huge success.  The Twins players and sponsors, via the TwinsCare program, provided current and former members of the military and their families with nearly 4,000 complimentary tickets to the Twins-Blue Jays game.  About two dozen families were able to connect to loved ones serving oversees via live video links in suites at the dome.   The auction of the caps worn by Twins players that day continues on www.twinsbaseball.com through Sunday, June 3.  All proceeds benefit the Minnesota Military Family Foundation.” 

Lookinforthesecret won the $45,000 Honor the Hero Turf Express at Canterbury Park on Monday and continued an unusual success story for owner Balkrisna Sukharan of Blaine.  The horse was acquired by Sukharan for $12,500 in early January.  After winning $27,000 on Monday, Lookinforthesecret has earned $118,840 in less than five months. The horse has won five of seven starts for Sukharan, a former jockey is his native Guyana.

Former Gopher football player Lewis Garrison is building his resume as a college basketball referee.   Last season his assignments included officiating three Division II regional playoff games, and MIAC and state junior college championship games.   

St. Thomas junior Shara Guidry won the women’s discus with a throw of 145 feet, 11 inches at the NCAA Division III outdoor track and field championships last week in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  Saint John’s was the highest placing MIAC men’s team, finishing fourth among 79 teams with 27 points.  St. Thomas placed highest among conference teams with 17 points (tied for 14^th among 74 teams).

Tom Wistrcill, who directs the Gophers marketing, told Sports Headliners his goal is to sell out TCF Bank Stadium prior to the first game of the 2009 season.  The Gophers move into their new on-campus stadium in two years.  The facility will have approximately 51,000 seats and about 37,000 season tickets could be sold to the general public by 2009, according to Wistrcill, associate athletics director for external affairs.  Student season tickets could total 10,000 to 12,000 and the remaining seats will be in suites and club seating areas. 

“Absolutely, that’s a goal of ours to sell out the new stadium,” Wistrcill said.  “We’re going to have a fantastic product.  We’re going to have the premier stadium we think in college sports.  We think it’s a reachable goal. …” 

Public season ticket sales could total 27,000 this year, Wistrcill said. That would include a projected total of 4,000 new season tickets.  Student sales of 10,000 to 12,000 are expected, similar to last year. 

Advertising for season tickets will start in late July and continue into August.  Wistrcill said an advertising campaign for basketball season tickets is expected to begin in September. 

It’s unusual for a major college athletic program to have new coaches at the same time in the high profile sports of football and men’s basketball.   The arrival of Tim Brewster and Tubby Smith has provided the Gophers with the almost unique opportunity to “re-launch a brand,” according to Wistrcill.  He said the situation is a “tremendous opportunity” for the Gophers to create excitement and interest in the marketplace. 

Wistrcill expects the Gophers will come close to selling out Williams Arena for all games prior to the season.  He’s projecting new public season ticket sales of up to 2,500 and a total public sale of 11,500.  A student sale of 2,500 would bring the total to 14,000 in the 14,625 seat capacity arena. 

The arena includes approximately 2,500 seats with partially obstructed views.  Looking around a beam to see part of the action on the court is less than ideal but Wistrcill thinks increased interest in Smith will drive ticket sales.   

“Like any product, it’s supply and demand,” Wistrcill said.  “It wasn’t any problem getting people in those seats back in the late 90’s when the basketball team was at the top of its game.  We don’t think it’s going to be a problem getting people into those seats when Tubby gets the ship turned around the way we think he can.  And it (Williams Arena) is, we believe, the crown jewel of facilities in the Minneapolis area.  We hope to make it the toughest ticket in town again and that means everybody is going to be in every one of those seats cheering on the Gophers.”

Terry Ryan was talking about Kevin Slowey last winter when a lot of fans hadn’t heard of the 23- year-old right- handed pitcher.  The Twins general manager identified Slowey, who was drafted out of college by the Twins in 2005, as a prospect to watch in spring training. 

The Twins recognized Slowey as their Minor League Player of the Week last week.  He was 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA, striking out 13 batters and walking two.

So far this season at AAA Rochester, Slowey’s record is 6-2 with a 1.54 ERA.  He’s walked five batters in 64 and one-third innings. 

The guess is Slowey will join the Twins before the week is over, replacing Ramon Ortiz as a starter.  Management admires Slowey’s poise, competitiveness and control of his pitches.  He’s distinguished himself from teammate Matt Garza who many media thought would be with the Twins instead of Rochester.  Garza, who even drew mention as a possible American League Rookie of the Year candidate this spring, has struggled with his emotions and willingness to mix his pitches at Rochester where his record is 2-5 with a 3.21 ERA.  He has walked 22 batters in 56 innings. 

Garza reportedly wasn’t happy with the decision to send him to Rochester.  Twins pitcher Boof Bonser is a former roommate and buddy of Garza. “All I can say is he’s hungry,” Bonser said.  “He wants to be up here and who doesn’t?  It’s the big leagues.  Plus, he got a taste last year. …” 

Garza pitched in 10 games with the Twins in 2006, with a 3-6 record and  5.76 ERA.  He was here long enough to excite observers with his power pitching.  “He’s got a great arm,” Bonser said.  “It’s still fresh.  He’s got good stuff.  He’s got to learn to mix up his pitches. That’s all it is.” 

Bonser, who joined the Twins last season after pitching with Garza at Rochester, has less familiarity with Slowey.  “I didn’t see much of him (in spring training) but he was the big talk and he’s got great command (of his pitches),” Bonser said.  “He knows how to pitch.  Obviously he’s proven it right now.  I read about all those guys down there in the papers. ….”