Author: David Shama

All those college kids who fantasize about a front office job in pro sports could head to St. Paul for a field trip and watch the operation of the Minnesota Swarm.  A 21^st century professional sports model is on display for Swarm games at the Xcel Energy Center where college students might take a lesson in game day operations and promotions.

Can’t make it to the game? The National Lacrosse League serves up Swarm games and those of other franchises on the Internet.  But do try to show up at one of the Swarm’s remaining regular season home games, all scheduled during the next three Saturday nights.

A visitor last Saturday found bag pipers rehearsing more than 90 minutes before the 7 p.m. game.  Closer to game time, down on the field, the U.S. Army swore in a group of recruits.

Pre-game activities included a Hollywood style introduction of Swarm players, with an on-field welcome by selected fans, and also a Swarm player interview.  There was also a tongue-in-cheek, low key introduction of the Swarm’s opponent, Calgary. The public address announcer struggled with whether to describe Calgary as the “Roughnecks,” or the “Rednecks.”

Something lacrosse fans don’t struggle with is pricey player salaries.  Most players in the NLL make under $20,000 per season and almost all have other jobs.

Game time included an occasional lacrosse tutorial over the P.A. system.  Reference was made to the 30 second game clock and opinion offered that lacrosse is more similar to basketball than hockey.

The audience included motorcycle enthusiasts who were in town for a show and received a special ticket offer from the Swarm.  That’s part of the business plan for indoor lacrosse teams like the Swarm who hustle for ticket buyers and sponsors like the Onion, U.S. Army and Budweiser who appeal to their young audience.

After the game, part owner Andy Arlotta can be found thanking fans for their attendance.  He and his dad, John Arlotta, are in their first year of ownership, although the franchise is in its fifth season.

John, a former health care executive and Notre Dame grad, said the Swarm is a passion for his son.  “He loves this business,” John said.

John is enjoying the experience, too, and that helps during a season where the Swarm will lose a lot of money, perhaps deep into six figures.  John wouldn’t specify a figure but hopes two years from now the operation will be at break-even.

The Swarm announces average attendance of about 12,000, although not all of it’s paid.  Average ticket price is about $20 with some seats selling for $63.  The total attendance and average ticket price both must go higher to improve the budget.

But John said their ownership of the team is expected to be long term, partially because of Andy’s passion.  The other reason is professional sports franchises appreciate in value a lot over time.  A lacrosse franchise worth several million dollars today might command $10 million or more in the years ahead.

For now John is reminded of his days as an athlete and how he can identify with the competitive play he sees from his players on the field.  “I didn’t know I’d have that kind of reaction to it,” he said.

Both Sporting News Magazine and ESPN The Magazine predict the Twins will win the Central Division in their baseball previews.  Twins president Dave St. Peter said he likes former manager Tom Kelly’s philosophy of preferring to be picked lower and “ambushing people.”

Sporting News said the Twins “have a strong rotation, and you never can underestimate a Ron Gardenhire-managed team.”  The magazine also wrote to “look out” for 23-year-old left fielder Delmon Young.  The publication quoted pitcher Kevin Slowey as saying Young’s “talent is amazing.”

ESPN wrote about the organization’s edict to pitchers throughout the farm system and big league club to throw strikes.  ESPN reported the Twins have “ranked first or second in fewest walks allowed in baseball for six consecutive seasons.”

The Twins’ radio rights with Hubbard Broadcasting expire after the 2010 season, while the Vikings’ deal with Clear Channel is up after this coming season.  It’s a good guess that CBS and WCCO Radio are paying attention.  

Minnesota Monthly’s latest issue includes a feature on Sid Hartman, “The Last Sports Reporter,” https://www.minnesotamonthly.com/media/Minnesota-Monthly/April-2009/The-Last-Sports-Reporter/

The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference can do a little boasting after Minnesota State (32-2) won the NCAA DII Women’s Basketball National Championship on Friday night against Franklin Pierce.  Conference teams have won three national titles this school year, Minnesota State’s championship along with Concordia-St. Paul in volleyball and Minnesota Duluth in football.  The conference has six national titles since 2006.

Carleton senior forward Zach Johnson and Bethel senior guard Tim Madson have been named to the D3hoops.com All-American teams. Johnson was a second team selection and Madson a third team choice.  Johnson averaged 22.8 points per game, including 22.4 in MIAC games.  Madson averaged 18.9 points per game and was the best free throw shooter in the conference, making more than 90 percent of his attempts.

If NFL.com’s mock draft is correct, the Vikings’ NFC North Division rivals will do them no favors during the first round of the college draft on April 25.  Analyst Pat Kirwan has Detroit, Chicago and Green Bay, who all draft players on the first round before the Vikings, choosing offensive tackles.

Right offensive tackle is arguably the Vikings’ biggest need in the draft but picking at No. 22 makes coach Brad Childress and company late to the party.  Detroit, with the first choice in the draft, will take Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith, according to Kirwan. Green Bay, at No. 9, will pick Alabama’s Andre Smith, while Chicago, with the No. 18 choice, will go for a third offensive tackle, Arizona’s Eben Britton.

Further thinning the offensive tackle pool, St. Louis and San Francisco will also take offensive tackles before the Vikings pick comes up at No. 22, according to Kirwan’s predictions.  The Rams will draft Virginia’s Eugene Moore with the No. 2 pick, while the 49ers are projected to choose Mississippi’s Michael Oher at No. 10, according to https://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d80f330d5&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true&campaign=Google_MockDraft

With perhaps five of the first 21 picks being offensive tackles, common sense speculation is the Vikings will try to fill another major need, wide receiver.  A popular prediction on multiple mock drafts, including by Kirwan, is that the Vikings will choose Florida junior wide receiver Percy Harvin.

Don Banks wrote this comment about Harvin as part of his draft preview for Sports Illustrated/CNN: “Having come close but failing to land T.J. Houshmandzadeh in free agency, the Vikings need an injection of play-making at receiver.  Harvin and North Carolina’s Hakeem Nicks are the two best remaining available pass-catchers.”

Banks has Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree, projected to Oakland at No. 7, Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin, at No. 16 going to San Diego, and Maryland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey, a No. 17 pick by the Jets, being the first three wide receivers selected in the draft.  More at https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/don_banks/03/12/mock1/index.html

Harvin is small for a wide receiver, perhaps generously listed at 5-11, and has a reputation for injuries, but his speed and elusiveness have been impressing since high school in Virginia where some considered him the best prep prospect in the country.  Harvin may not only help the Vikings have a second reliable big play receiver with Bernard Berrian, he could take handoffs as a running back, and probably more likely return punts or kickoffs.