August 29, 2005

NSS Completes "Major Marketing in Minor League Markets" Report

For Immediate Release

Contacts:

Jamie Duklas National Sports Services (303) 221-2409

National Sports Services Completes Marketing
Analysis of Minor League Baseball

NSS Report Entitled “Major Marketing in Minor League Markets”

Denver, CO – August 29, 2005– National Sports Services (NSS) has announced the completion of its comprehensive, 40-plus page report on marketing and fan entertainment in the Minor League and Independent Baseball industry. Over the past three months NSS has conducted extensive interviews with team executives of over 140 teams (81%) in affiliated and independent minor league baseball. This extensive sample size has provided unparalleled analytical data. From this NSS has developed best practices that can increase bottom-line profits and affect significant change in the way teams market to and entertain fans.

“This report represents a significant undertaking,” said Matt Perry, CEO for NSS. “The results provide numerous insights into marketing best practices and offering a comprehensive entertainment package to fans. Minor League Baseball is in the business of entertainment and this report offers numerous examples of the latest and greatest in fan entertainment.”

The report delves into marketing and fan entertainment covering numerous topics including: advertising, giveaways, special events, ancillary entertainment, mascots, concessions, ticketing,marketing budgets and others. Each section includes graphs, summary and analysis and best practices guidelines. Each month National Sports Services will post a portion of the report on its web site www.NSSsports.com. More detailed information is available by contacting the company directly.

The results produced significant insights on effective ways to market minor league baseball. For example, the team web site has emerged as a primary marketing tool while special events and giveaways have added more themes to the evening’s entertainment. Food and beverage fare has become increasingly diverse, offering a food for every palate with teams serving up vegetarian items and regional/ethnic specialties, including a team in Texas that offers pickle flavored snow cones.

“The role marketing and entertainment play in keeping fans coming back is not to be underestimated,” said Jamie Duklas, Director of Business Development for NSS. “Many teams talked about the desire to stay conservative, but our research shows teams can offer fans new and creative entertainment options while being conservative and keeping the game as the focal point.”

A study, referenced in the report, states that over 30 percent of minor league baseball patrons spend little time actually watching the game. Teams have responded to the need for ancillary entertainment in numerous ways. Alternative seating such as picnic tables, grass/berm, decks and beer gardens have become increasingly popular facilitating socialization and promoting the experience. These seating options currently represent 17% of all seating in minor league baseball. Teams have also turned to pop culture to break the mold with special events such as Russell Crowe Phone Toss Night and Jennifer Garner Baby Shower Night.

National Sports Services is a sports consulting and development firm based in Denver, Colorado. NSS is designed to meet various needs in the sports industry, including franchise acquisition and sales, team operations and facility development. NSS is designed to meet all needs of several distinct groups: current sports franchises, potential ownership groups and municipalities interested in creating a new franchise. Our experience and knowledge allows us to excel at achieving the needs of each of these groups. We take pride in providing individual and creative solutions and in tailoring our services to meet clients’ complex needs.

For more information please visit www.NSSsports.com.

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