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The Buccaneers struggle to sell tickets. That doesn't make them unique in the NFL, or even unique in Florida, but it does present a certain problem. Former Bucs' operations manager Joe Bussell thinks the marketing department could do a lot more to fix the problem than it is doing now, though.
I figured it out once. Between St. Pete, Clearwater, Tampa, & Orlando, the Bucs would have something like the 5th highest population in NFL
— NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) July 16, 2013
There is no reason the Bucs shouldn't be able to get people out to games on Sunday afternoons. Marketing plan is all wrong.
— NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) July 16, 2013
RT @NFLDraftMonster: Stadium doesn't have family friendly places around it either. Mostly strip clubs. >>Didn't market to families either
— NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) July 16, 2013
Market to transplants: "Come cheer against you rivals." That or market to kids and create a fan pipeline. If kids want to go, parents will.
— NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) July 16, 2013
Fans in Tampa...how often do you see a Bucs commercial on TV? Don't worry, I'll wait...
— NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) July 16, 2013
.@NFLDraftMonster @DanielSoden I suggested a bus service from Amway Arena in Orlando. Bucs pay for buses. Fans leave cars in Amway lot.
— NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) July 16, 2013
That's harsh -- but I can't say it's unfair. The Buccaneers have struggled to sell tickets for years, and the marketing plan has to be a part of that problem. That's not to say that fixing marketing will magically fix everything -- and I do think marketing has gotten better under Greg Schiano -- but it will help. Their genius marketing plan for 2009 apparently consisted of sending junk faxes to businesses (and then getting sued for it).
One team to take as an example? The Jacksonville Jaguars, especially under Shad Khan's ownership. They've been aggressive in their marketing and have done a very good job communicating with and catering to their fans. Right now, the Buccaneers do some of that -- certainly more than they used to do -- but not nearly enough.
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