MPR's Tom Scheck reports it's not just the players and fans who would like to see the Minnesota Twins success in playoffs last another couple of weeks through to the World Series…so would downtown businesses and merchandisers who are profiting themselves from the Twins' success.
TOM SCHECK: It only takes a visit to the Twins Pro Shop in Roseville to see how the Twins postseason has affected merchandise sales. The place is bustling with people this week as fans show their support by buying Twins paraphernalia. Karen and Chelsea Kastner are in the store because they're thinking about buying a gift. Karen Kastner says they only thought of coming to the Twins store because the team is doing so well on the field.
KAREN KASTNER: We're not looking for anything too huge or expensive, just something nice and just a small reminder or whatever. So I know some of these jerseys can be like $100 or something. That's a little out of our range today.
TOM SCHECK: Matt Noll, who manages the Twins Pro Shop, says the average customer spends about $25 in the store. He says the most popular items are the team's American League Central Division title t-shirts, hats and player game day shirts. The most popular authentic jerseys are of Twins center fielder Torii Hunter and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. Those shirts run for $139. Noll's says he was expecting a strong consumer push because of the team's success, but admits he was a little bit surprised at the demand.
MATT NOLL: I was expecting it, but I guess I didn't know it would be this great. I think the fans have really come alive. And I think it's wonderful.
TOM SCHECK: Officials with the Twins also say sales are brisk at the Metrodome. Crowds at the Metrodome have averaged between 55,000 and 56,000 fans for each of the four home playoff games. Twins spokesman Brad Ryder says the average fan is buying about $11 in concession sales and $3 in souvenirs. He says the team splits concession sales with the Vikings and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, which owns and operates the Metrodome.
In terms of ticket sales, Ryder says the team won't see a significant amount of money unless the games go deep into the playoff series. He says ticket sales for the first four games of the League Championship Series and the World Series go to the players and Major League Baseball.
BRAD RYDER: If you get in a situation where the Twins hopefully would be able to advance to the World Series and play seven game series in the League Championship Series and seven game series in the World Series. Even though a lot of people may be losing their fingernails over those type of scenarios, those are the only scenarios where we really see any significant revenue increase at all.
TOM SCHECK: Ryder also says the Vikings are making money from the luxury suites, even though it's baseball. The Metrodome lease allows the Vikings to lease the luxury boxes. The Twins only make money from the tickets they sell for the fans in each luxury box. The average price of each luxury box is $4,500 a game. The Twins, however, will see a 30% increase in corporate sponsorships for next year.
Smith College Economics Professor Andrew Zimbalist says Twins playoff fever won't produce much of an overall increase in local economic activity. He says people who are buying Twins gear this year are less likely to buy Vikings, Timberwolves, or Wild merchandise. And Zimbalist says people will shift their overall spending habits because of the Twins success.
ANDREW ZIMBALIST: If people decide on Tuesday night they're going to go to the bar to watch the Twins play and spend an extra $10 on beer on that night, it means it's $10 they're not going to be able to spend at the bar some other night, or $10 they won't spend at the bowling alley.
SAM GRABOWSKI: I would say to the economists, what is wrong with anything that helps jumpstart spending in any way in the metro area?
TOM SCHECK: Sam Grabowski with the Minneapolis downtown council says downtown hotels, restaurants, bars, and merchandisers could see a financial impact of up to $30 million if the Twins make it to the World Series. He says fans, media and businesses from other states and countries will pump some money into the area if the Twins keep winning.
SAM GRABOWSKI: If they're not spending it because of the celebration of the Twins, they might be just keeping it in their pockets. And the hospitality industry is hurting if they don't spend it.
TOM SCHECK: Grabowski says the only downtown business sector that may be suffering from the Twins success is the area's fine dining restaurants. He says many people may be reluctant to visit those establishments because of traffic concerns. I'm Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio.
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