File under “Bad Customer Relations” for Ravens
August 18, 2008
The Baltimore Ravens are usually impeccable when it comes to being fan friendly, but Saturday night, I thought new coach John Harbaugh dissed the 40,000-or-so fans who stayed in their seats to watch the second half of what was a terrible exhibition game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Every one of those fans stayed to see the team’s No. 1 draft pick, quarterback Joe Flacco, play. But after Troy Smith played the entire first half, Kyle Boller, last year’s starting QB, played the third quarter. The Ravens had the ball at the end of the quarter, so Boller continued the drive (which — surprise, surprise — ended with a punt).
When the Ravens got the ball back with about 12 minutes left in the game, Boller ran back onto the field, accompanied by many boos from the fans, who clearly wanted Flacco. The rookie finally made his M&T Bank Stadium debut with about eight minutes to play.
I know Harbaugh has a plan, and his No. 1 goal is — as it should be — getting ready for the season. But doesn’t the team owe something to the fans who pay regular season prices to come and watch exhibition games?
ED WALDMAN, Managing Editor/Business
Sphere: Related ContentFrom the gridiron trenches to the vineyard
August 14, 2008
When you’re enjoying your nice glass of chardonnay, pinot noir or maybe merlot this summer, names like Napa Valley, Bordeaux and Alsace may cross your mind. Now you can add J.O. to that list of grape-crushing gurus.
Though Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Jonathan Ogden’s days of mashing defensive linemen into the ground are over, he’s now part of a different gridiron – Gridiron Cellars.
As part of Charity Wines, which has also teamed with O’s legends Brooks Robinson and Eddie Murray, Gridiron Cellars will debut Ogden Cabernet in stores and online Oct. 1. Retailers can pre-order the limited edition wine beginning this Monday, Aug. 18.
A bottle will only cost you $14, and for it’s a good cause. All the proceeds will go to the Jonathan Ogden Foundation.
FRANCIS SMITH, Special Publications Assistant Editor
Getting ready for the Ravens
August 4, 2008
This year’s Ravens gear officially became available online this month, but if you’re planning on going to the team’s training camp in Westminster, you won’t have to wait for your gear to arrive in the mail — a good variety of clothing and gadgets is on sale at the team store just outside the fan viewing stands.
Saleswoman Gloria Makoy says Ray Lewis gear is and has always been the first to sell out in her five years of working at the camp. Other popular items are white hats, shirts and footballs (better for getting autographed) and 8 x 10 player photos.
Makoy also said she often sees dads buying souvenirs like bottles for the baby back home or earrings for the wife who couldn’t make it.
Makoy, a Pittsburgh native, said Ravens training camp is more accessible than others she’s seen.
“At Steelers training camp, you couldn’t even get close to the players,” she said. “Here, if you want an autograph you can definitely get it.”
(The camp’s Ravens store also sells Sharpies.)
Many of the other vendors at Ravenstown, an area at training camp with games and tents offering product promotions for kids and other visitors, said they recognize families who come back every year.
“It so cute, I begin to recognize the kids and parents and I watch them grow up,” Makoy said.
Does anybody here make training camp a family tradition?
LIZ FARMER, Business Writer
Sphere: Related ContentPETA to Ravens: “No flyovers, please”
July 1, 2008
Wherever there are humans making animals perform things… PETA is not far behind.
In response to the Baltimore Ravens’ announcement they would be hiring a trainer to teach ravens — the birds, not the players — to fly around at home games this season (see my blog on the topic here), People for the Ethical Protection of Animals has sent a letter of protest.
Here’s an except from the letter to Ravens vice president for marketing Gabrielle Dow, who thought of the idea after seeing a trained hawk at a Seattle Seahawks game:
“Anyone who has attended a sporting event can attest to the sheer intensity of these games. The energy is palpable, and it is part of what makes attending these events so enjoyable. But the bright lights, screaming fans, and loud noises — such as air horns, bands, and amplified sound systems — are terrifying for animals who can’t possibly understand what is going on. Regardless of how these birds are trained, they are likely to be severely distressed by the overwhelming confusion of the situation…
“Public sentiment is rapidly moving away from the antiquated notion that animal displays are acceptable or fair to animals. Costumed humans are undeniably the most effective — and humane — entertainment for sports fans.”
The letter, sent by Kristie Phelps, assistant director for PETA’s Animals in Entertainment Campaign, went on to ask the team to prohibit the use of live animals at all Ravens games.
Has PETA crossed a line here or do you agree with them? And by the way, I have to say while costuming people may be fairer to animals, I’m not sure how lovely it is to the poor guy in one of those heat traps on a 90-degree day in August. Just a thought.
LIZ FARMER, Business Writer
Sphere: Related ContentPrepare for flyovers at Ravens games
June 30, 2008
Would Edgar Allan Poe be rolling in his grave? He might if he knew the Baltimore Ravens have hired a trainer to teach their avian namesakes to fly around M&T Bank Stadium before home games this season.
According to Associated Press, the team’s vice president for marketing, Gabrielle Dow, thought of the idea after seeing a trained hawk at a Seattle Seahawks game.
Georgia-based trainer Daniel Walthers is apparently teaching the birds to fly out of the tunnel players use to run onto the field and to mimic the words “touchdown” and “go Ravens.”
Can he teach them how to say “nevermore”? Or to “accidentally” drop birdie bombs on the opposing players’ bench?
What do you think of this new marketing ploy? Is it fun? A lame spectacle? Is there something else you’d like to see the birds do?
Or do you have concerns (like whether the birds will develop an attitude midway through the season and demand more money for next year’s contract)?
LIZ FARMER, Business Writer
Sphere: Related ContentReport: Giannasca to bypass Baltimore, head for Hilton Head
June 27, 2008
In a story in today’s Reading (Pa.) Eagle, Edward V. Giannasca II says he will appeal his $33 million loss to former Raven Michael McCrary — and denied he has any intention of fleeing the country with his three children, as alleged by his ex-wife.
“What is she talking about fleeing? I’m right here,” Giannasca told the paper from his office in Reading, where he’s seeking approval for a $2.8 billion mixed-use project on 80 acres along the Schuylkill River.
Giannasca said he “merely got passports for all the children at the same time because one son needed one,” the Eagle reports.
He will have a chance to explain that to visiting Judge Paul E. Alpert, who ordered him to appear in Baltimore City Circuit Court on Monday, June 30, under threat of a body attachment.
But, according to the Eagle, he has other plans.
“Giannasca said he won’t be there because he and his family will be on a weeklong vacation in Hilton Head, S.C.,” the story said.
The Eagle also says Giannasca stayed away from this week’s legal proceedings in Baltimore, despite a court order and his own promise to appear, on advice of counsel.
BARBARA GRZINCIC, Managing Editor/Law
Sphere: Related ContentJoe Flacco jerseys for sale
April 29, 2008
Well, it’s out with the old and in with the new at the Baltimore Ravens Store this week. Less than 48 hours after the team used its first round draft pick to add University of Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco to its roster, the Flacco No. 5 replica jersey went on sale Monday.
Chad Steele, director of media relations for the team, reports 30 jerseys sold the first day (“which is pretty good,” he adds).
Meanwhile, any merchandise related to former Ravens QB Steve McNair, who recently announced his retirement, is half off and being shipped for free.
While the site has a photo of McNair with the message “Thank you Steve,” this is still one of those times you are reminded that football is a business. For the Ravens, this product didn’t pan out as well as they’d hoped. They’re likely hoping a newer model in Flacco (who will likely compete with resident backups Kyle Boller and Troy Smith for the starting spot) will produce better results.
But it’s different when the product is an icon — an oldie-but-a-goodie you didn’t want to see go. A visit to the Green Bay Packers Web site shows that it’s not only selling retired QB Brett Farve’s jerseys at full price, but they’ve actually created more Favre-related merchandise, such as “Favre We Won’t 4 Get” or “Favre for President” slogan tee-shirts.
Notwithstanding applause to the Packers organization for cashing in on a player even after he’s off the roster, is the “Brett Favre Collection” an anomaly or are there Ravens players that also carry this kind of cache? If linebacker Ray Lewis announced his retirement today, would the folks over at Owings Mills start drumming up “Thank you Ray” tees?
LIZ FARMER, Business Writer
Sphere: Related ContentRavens 2008 schedule released
April 15, 2008
Trees are budding, flowers are blooming and the 2008 schedule of the National Football League has been announced. So begins a new season for football fans everywhere, including those of the Baltimore Ravens who — perhaps more than most fans — are ready to forget that 2007 even happened.
And why not? With a new head coach, a top 10 draft pick and an exciting 2008 schedule, the coming season is one of hope for Baltimore.
Among the highlights: opening the season at home — for the first time since 2005 — against the Bengals; a primetime game against rival Pittsburgh; and the November face-off between John Harbaugh and his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles.
We have a well-timed bye right before playing the 2007 Super Bowl champs, and are never away from home for more than two weeks. Of course, we play the Colts again for the fifth consecutive year.
- WEEK 1 - vs. Bengals » Sunday, September 7, 1 p.m.
- WEEK 2 - at Texans » Sunday, September 14, 4:15 p.m.
- WEEK 3 - vs. Browns » Sunday, September 21, 4:15 p.m.
- WEEK 4 - at Steelers » Monday, September 29, 8:30 p.m.
- WEEK 5 - vs. Titans » Sunday, October 5, 1 p.m.
- WEEK 6 - at Colts » Sunday, October 12, 1 p.m.
- WEEK 7 - at Dolphins » Sunday, October 19, 1 p.m.
- WEEK 8 - vs. Raiders » Sunday, October 26, 1 p.m.
- WEEK 9 - at Browns » Sunday, November 2, 1 p.m.
- WEEK 10 - BYE
- WEEK 11 - at Giants » Sunday, November 16, 1 p.m.*
- WEEK 12 - vs. Eagles » Sunday, November 23, 1 p.m.*
- WEEK 13 - at Bengals » Sunday, November 30, 1 p.m.*
- WEEK 14 - vs. Redskins » Sunday, December 7, 1 p.m.*
- WEEK 15 - vs. Steelers » Sunday, December 14, 1 p.m.*
- WEEK 16 - at Cowboys » Saturday, December 20, 8:15 p.m.
- WEEK 17 - vs. Jaguars » Sunday, December 28, 1 p.m.*
* flex schedule game
I won’t make predictions for the coming season — putting me in a small minority among football fans — but I definitely believe this season won’t be one to forget.
EMILY ARNOLD, Special Publications Editor
Sphere: Related ContentWho should replace Brian Billick?
January 4, 2008
The Baltimore Ravens are looking for a new head coach. The reasons are well, and painfully, documented.
The question now is “Who?”. Reports have the team narrowing the list of potential candidates down to 30 with a further dwindling to eight expected.
Who the next coach will be is extremely important for a team that saw its season spiral out of control, losing 9 of its last 10 games. The lowlight being the loss to New England where, after a heroic performance against the Patriots, the team blamed everyone but themselves for letting a victory slip away and their coach arrogantly defend boneheaded decisions.
Mind you, 40 miles down I-95 in Prince George’s County, the Redskins were dealing with the murder of a teammate and star player and similarly bad play calling and on-field performances. They rallied, though, behind a coach who took responsibility for his team’s lackluster play and brought them closer together.
Sphere: Related ContentBisciotti and Angelos: A double standard
January 2, 2008
First things first. Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti seems to be a great guy. He even returned my phone calls when I covered the sports-business beat at The Sun.
Bisciotti seemed genuinely torn up about firing Coach Brian Billick. But here’s a question: Why haven’t Baltimore’s sports columnists and sports talk show hosts beaten up Bisciotti for “meddling” in the Ravens’ football affairs with the same vengeance that they routinely beat up Peter Angelos with for “meddling” in the Orioles’ baseball affairs?
Is there one iota of difference?
To be clear, I think both Bisciotti and Angelos have every right to “meddle.” They own the teams. You can’t meddle in something that’s your’s.
The reason Bisciotti’s gotten a free pass is that the sports writers also think he’s a great guy. Angelos — well, not so much. (And to be fair, Angelos also always returned my phone calls. We even shared a cab once from Major League Baseball’s New York headquarters to Penn Station.)
But if they think it’s wrong for Angelos to have his hand in baseball decisions, it’s hard for me to imagine why they wouldn’t think it’s wrong for Bisciotti to have his hand in football decisions.
Am I crazy?
ED WALDMAN, Managing Editor/Business
Photo courtesy of scout.com.
Sphere: Related Content-
Business
Business posts- Busted energy-related myths
- Giant has makeover, reveals new logo
- Survey shows mixed results for MedImmune
- Ye Olde Roland Park Country Club
- Lowering the stakes
- Harbor East construction update
- O’s fans outnumbered
- Free tickets!
- File under “Bad Customer Relations” for Ravens
- Another week, another crane collapse.
Law
Law posts- Volunteers help eligible apply for stimulus payments
- The Big Picture
- The $1.5M wife
- Bruce on Dale
- This week in Maryland Lawyer
- Law blog round-up
- The bureaucrat, the bribes and the leaky toilet
- Congress said ‘thanks, but no thanks’ to Leakin
- The ups and downs of the courthouse elevators
- Photo caption contest: A dummy for a passenger
Recent Posts
- Volunteers help eligible apply for stimulus payments
- The Big Picture
- Busted energy-related myths
- Giant has makeover, reveals new logo
- Survey shows mixed results for MedImmune
- The $1.5M wife
Recent Comments
- Ronald Henry Pierce: Not proud of how we came together, but proud to have her. Want to read about the chld’s...
- vampire: ROFL - that Bruce, he sure has a way with words. Karma, dude.
- Any Given Tuesday: To the previous commenter, unless you’re paid to submit comments to blogs, I’m going...
- Caryn Tamber: You’re right; I should have credited the Romenesko media blog, which is where I read the story...
- curious: Either you read the Seattle Times on a regular basis (unlikely), or you read about Shakespear...