The fans of the San Francisco Giants, apparently. Forbes.com has an interesting article up which ranks the MLB’s most valuable fans. To find the results, they divided the local revenue of each team (including such sources as local television and radio revenue, gate receipts and sponsorships) for the 2008 season by the population of its metropolitan area, according to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate. It’s an interesting piece worth checking out.
A look at the top-ranked Giants’ $78 revenue per fan reflects just how juiced Bay Area fans are to see their team, regardless of its last few lackluster seasons. In comparison, the Dodgers, who made it to the National League Championship Series last season, only generated $38 in revenue per fan.
Of the $166 million the Giants generated in local revenue last year, 71% came from gate receipts and from their local television deal. The Giants get better television ratings than most other teams in similar markets. In December 2007, the team smartly acquired a stake in FSN Bay Area, resulting in a station name change to CSN Bay Area and $30 million in rights fees, a 30% increase from the prior year (and more than double what the Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres get from their local deals).
For an additional wow factor, the Giants introduced two new luxury suites: the Legends Club, a 120-person party space in left field, and McCovey Cove Loft, a 40-person patio space off the right field wall that creates the illusion fans are actually sitting on top of the grass.
Not surprisingly, the Florida Marlins were ranked as having the least-valuable fans which bring in only $11 per person. You can’t blame it on the players since the Marlins have won two World Series championships and boasted winning records the last five seasons. Maybe if their stadium didn’t have the disposition of a cemetery a few more people might show up.
As for the Giants, despite having one of the most gorgeous ballparks in the league, the experience at their games is great. I went to AT&T Park a bunch of times when I was in college and had a great time, even though I was decked out in Dodgers regalia. The stadium is clean, the views are perfect, and the concessions prices aren’t absolutely terrible. On top of that, the place looks beautiful at night and the whole experience is augmented by their loyal fans. I can’t stand the team, but I love where they play ball.
