PawSox Face a Big Little Challenge in Worcester

Thursday, June 06, 2019

GoLocalWorcester Business Team

Bravehearts Memorial Day Game May_2019 PHOTO: Bravehearts

The City of Worcester, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and private investors are investing more than $240 million to build a new stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox, as well as land takings, related developments and adjacent infrastructure improvements.

There might be one little complication — the Worcester Bravehearts.

On Tuesday, the Worcester Bravehearts had an overflow crowd of school children of nearly 5,000 at a daytime game. In contrast, through 24 games this season the PawSox claim attendance of 3,928 per game.

A GoLocal review last year found that the Pawtucket Red Sox were inflating their attendance by as much as 300 percent. A GoLocal review of the reported attendance versus the actual number of paid in-stadium fans raised questions about the financial viability of the financing scheme considered by the Rhode Island General Assembly -- before the deal fell flat.

The PawSox reported attendance to the International League -- for that game last May -- was 2,328 for the game, and when pressed by GoLocal on the attendance number they were told by a PawSox spokesperson that the turnstile count was 1,444, but according to photos taken at McCoy, the attendance was approximately 400. PawSox officials refused to explain how the team's turnstile number could be 1,000 fans higher -- or more than 300 percent.

The Bravehearts -- the 2014, 2015 and 2018 champions of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League -- have a much different story -- and a very loyal following.

“We actually oversold the ballpark, we had to bring in bleachers from Holy Cross and use benches from the dugouts,” said Dave Peterson, General Manager of the Bravehearts, of this week's numbers.

“I mean, it was standing room only, that includes people who walked up and bought tickets. Every single one of those people got lunch with their tickets,” said Peterson. It should be noted that the Bravehearts stadium — Fitton Field -- seats just 3,000.

More than 5,000 attended the Bravehearts' game

A GoLocal review found PawSox inflated attendance by 300%

Billionaires Versus College Kids

While the Red Sox minor league team’s ownership is packed with billionaire titans of industry who are immersed in creating a development project in Worcester complete with a hotel, retail shops and apartments, in stark contrast are the Bravehearts, a team focused on the game.

The group of owners of the PawSox are worth an estimated $8 to $10 billion and depending on how you book the value of Fenway Sports Management (a division of the Boston RedSox’ parent company, Fenway Sports Group) which has an ownership position in the PawSox, the net worth may be even higher. Note: John Henry’s net worth is reported at $2.5 billion, according to Forbes.

While the PawSox are focused on retail trends and occupancy rates and the new hotel, the Bravehearts are connecting children and players as pen pals.

“Oh yeah, I absolutely think we can compete with [the Paw Sox]. It's a different product, they are AAA team so they focus more on baseball, we focus more on the entertainment,” said Peterson.

“But we offer things they can’t, free parking, autograph sessions, sponsoring little league teams, our pen pal program where students write letters to players five months out of the year and then meet them at a Bravehearts game. I mean, they will probably do some of that, but we already have the foundation built and that is what is going to carry us to compete against them,“ added Peterson.

Dave Peterson, Bravehearts GM

Competition

As the Bravehearts continue to grow their fan base and attendance each year, the team will face in just two years a well-financed team with a glimmering new stadium.

"There will be some curiosity with the new stadium, I expect the [WooSox] will do great their first year and second year and third year, but it's about can they keep that going. We grow every year and I’m not sure they will be able to do that. But we will see," said Peterson.

A 2017 review by GoLocal found that during the preceding ten years, six of the 14 teams in the PawSox' International League rehabbed or built new stadiums. The cost of the construction totals more than $275.3 million in rehab and construction costs since 2008. Despite the massive investment during this decade, one thing has not increased in the International League — attendance.

While the GoLocal examination of the rehabs and new stadiums found that more than $275.3 million has been invested and according to the executives at the Pawtucket Red Sox and Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien that on average 70-75 percent of the rehabs and new construction costs are assumed by taxpayers.

“I don’t know why the WooSox are worried about a summer collegiate team, we are itty bitty, I don’t know why they worry about us. But I guess that means we are relevant,” said Peterson.

“… they are in our ballpark, they come to our ballpark, they have taken photos, looking at our sponsors. It's a competition. Competition is good for everyone,” he added.

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