Friday, August 8, 2014

Fort Myers area sports radio pessimistic on Rays viability



Throughout my time running this blog and the associated twitter account, I've read some very interesting opinions on the Tampa Bay market. Most of these opinions come from people who just don't know and are based on little evidence. A few facts and explanations and these people sometimes actually understand.

But some opinions on the Tampa Bay market have actually surprised me. Especially from those I would assume would be supportive or at least neutral on the subject.

My most recent surprise came from two sports radio "personalities" from Fort Myers, David Moulton and John Cassio of 99.3 ESPN.

According to Google Maps, the central point of Fort Myers is 111 miles from Tropicana Field, an hour and 43 minute drive up I-75. Initially, a city this far away could be assumed to be in the Rays market, however according the New York Times/Facebook survey of team "Likes" throughout the US, the Rays are the third most popular team in Lee County, holding only 8% of the population. The New York Yankees hold 23% and the Boston Red Sox hold 16%, respectively. When we drill down to the zip code level, the results are the same throughout the area, with the Rays third behind the Yankees and Red Sox.

Of course, Fort Myers is the Spring Training home of the Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins.

With the fan base in Fort Myers is not overwhelming supportive of the Rays, it is at least explainable why hosts would not completely understand or be negative on the Tampa Bay market. They need ratings for their market. As well, 99.3 ESPN is in competition with a Rays affiliate in Fort Myers, The Fan 1240. So 99.3 ESPN can afford to be the anti-Rays voice.

Moulton, one of the co-hosts of the Miller and Moulton in the Afternoon show, has thought for four years that the Rays MUST sign Derek Jeter and make him part owner of the team.

Nov 2010:
the owners of the Rays have to realize by now that their franchise is never going to "make it" there unless something dramatic happens.

(Jeter would) increase attendance ... he'd become the hometown guy and help make the Rays, the hometown team.
Meanwhile, according to the NY Times/Facebook data, 51% of baseball fans in Hillsborough County prefer the Rays. Only 17% prefer the Yankees. Pinellas County is even stronger, with 56% preferring the Rays and only 9% preferring the Yankees.

Even after the April 2014 NY Times/Facebook article was released, Moulton doubled down that the Rays MUST sign Derek Jeter in order to be successful in the Tampa Bay market.

July 2014:
Derek Jeter is the only person who can do it.

Maybe.

Do what?

Save Major League Baseball in Tampa Bay.

I like the Rays, so this is not an anti-Rays rant. Far from it.

It's just time to be brutally honest. Major League Baseball in Tampa-St. Pete is not working. The stadium is lousy and located in the wrong city. Because of it, the fans won't come out to watch the team play and they never will. Ever.
Later in the article,
Unless something dramatic happens quickly the Rays future in Tampa Bay is bleak. Major League Baseball has given up on Tampa Bay as a viable market. Commissioner Bud Selig went so far this past Tuesday to talk up the city of Montreal's chances of landing a team again.
Ok, if you have make a disclaimer saying how much a Rays supporter you are, you should know catering to less than 20% of the demographic over 50% makes no sense. As a matter of fact, attempting to wedge a rival's best player as the "face of the franchise" might actually turn-off Rays fans. But Moulton doesn't mention that. Nor does he quote any actual demographic data on the market. And Moulton fails to mention how Selig also said the demographics in Tampa Bay are good and that baseball can work in the market.

But I guess if you are committed to an idea, you don't want to let it go. Especially if the demographic who listens to you supports it.

(Note: I corresponded with Moulton about his idea. Great exchange of ideas. Hope to continue it in the future.)

But Moulton is not near as bad as another member of the 99.3 ESPN staff, another employee who is down on the Tampa Bay market.

The following are tweets from John Cassio, Program Director of 99.3 ESPN.
and
and
Cassio also claims the Rays received a zero radio rating on their Rays Radio Fort Myers affiliate, The Fan 1240/1270 AM.

Meanwhile, Cassio has former Red Sox player and WEEI Boston sports analyst Lou Merloni on as a guest. Again, playing to his demographic.

I am surprised the Fort Myers ESPN Radio team is so negative. It's disappointing these radio personalities, located barely 100 miles from Tampa Bay, are so uninformed of the realities of the Tampa Bay baseball market. I would have accepted if they were pro-Marlins, but supporting Rays divisional rivals, claiming the Rays should employ rivals' players, and promoting the relocation of the team to a city out of Florida is mind-boggling and evidence of the struggle the Rays face everyday in developing their state-wide fanbase.

Sad.
on
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