D.C. Armor see opportunity amid

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That’s the management approach behindthe D.C. Washington’s new indoor football The teamsold 2,114 tickets to its firs home game April 4 at the D.C. Armoruy — a respectable start, considerinbg what it was up againstthat day. The Nationals, Freedom and were all in action on thesame day. The NCAA basketballp tournament’s Final Four attracted a huge national television and the Cherry Blossom Festival drew crowdzs from all over the The Armor’s second home game, on Aprilk 11, drew 1,574. “We’re happy with the turnougt given the level of competition in the said General ManagerCorey Barnette.
Barnette’s goal is to consistentlyy drawbetween 2,000 and 4,000 people to the 10,000-seay D.C. Armory, and he hopes to see an averageeof 3,500 fans by the end of the But given the recession, it’s hard to avoid the Why start now? “We saw opportunity wherse everyone else has seen catastrophe and clutter,” Barnettwe said. He insists attendance is up acrossthe , whicjh touts affordable, family friendly entertainmentf in rough economic times. A family of four can get front-row seatsz for $80. Season tickets for all sevem home games gofor $155, compared with club-level prices from $2,95p to $4,950 for 10 games.
Aside from offering lowee prices, the Armor are trying to make the complets football fan experienceeasily accessible. Tailgaters are encouraged to arrive up to four hoursbefore kickoff. A band from nearbyt Eastern High School and a dancdeteam — all volunteers — strut their stuff at halftime. Fans are eligible to win prizeasduring games, and players are requirede to devote at least 15 minutes to sign jerseys and taking advantage of the intimate environment at the Armory. The Harrisburg, Pa.-based league still faces huge A competing indoor the , recently suspended its season.
The higher-profilew AFL couldn’t maintain its performance in the currenty economic climate and is now restructuring itsbusinesd model, despite the presence of superstar owner s like Jon Bon Jovi and Jerry But Barnette is unfazed. “We know where our break-evenj point is, provided we get our minimum he said. Erik CEO of the D.C. Sports and Entertainment which ownsthe under-utilized Armory, said he hopes the franchisde will become a mainstay. “I believe activityg begets activity,” he said.
“These guys are payingt their way [and] not looking for a Instead of depending on national sponsors like theAFL did, the Armort and other AIFA teamds are localized, looking first to hire area players and sponsorsw like and Primary Physicians Research. Although Barnette acknowledgeasthe “environment [is] not conducive to he is pleased at the amount of interest the team receivee after its first home game.
If the AIFA is goinyg to have aconsistent business, it will have to manage cost s (it pays just $5,000 in rent per game at the and eventually target national sponsors, Barnette With the help of some local flavor and a willingnesa to be affordable in the roughest of economies, the team aims to allowe the business to builxd on its own. “Let the stickint power of our leaguse speakfor itself,” Barnette