By
Zach Baru
The
2012 Major League Lacrosse Championship Weekend will be at Harvard Stadium on
Saturday, and for Cannons marketing, this could not be a better opportunity.
They are the defending champions of MLL, and unlike the championship
season last year, the two potential post-season games will be in Cambridge.
Last
August in Andover, Maryland at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the Cannons
won the league's title before 5,027 fans. This year, Harvard Stadium will
most likely be a bit more filled, as the Cannons' final home game earlier this
month drew 9,056 fans. High attendances this season, coupled with
on-field success should result in setting attendance records this weekend at
Harvard.
A 4
PM start on Saturday does not help, and box office tickets that are purchased
on gameday are a little high at $30. One thing that is certain, is if the
Cannons were to reach the final on Sunday, the game would give them excellent
exposure, as Sunday's game will be aired live on ESPN2. The Cannons have
benefited from the presence this season's Comcast SportsNet broadcasts gave
them, but a live ESPN2 appearance would really give the Cannons needed
attention.
As
the Cannons have seen great attendance figures grow in recent years, this is a
chance for them to capitalize on having the championship at home, and also
showcasing their brand to fans who may not know much about them. Last
year's title did earn the Cannons headlines, and also appearances on the field
at Fenway Park and Gillette Stadium, but this weekend they can truly obtain
maximum media exposure.
The
Cannons should be able to top 10,000 fans for Saturday's game, and if they
reach the championship Sunday, they could surpass their franchise record of
11,894 fans set earlier this year in June. The Cannons title last year
before 5,000 fans in Maryland may not have stopped the presses, but this year a
potential title in front of 10,000-plus fans in Harvard would really make an impression
here in Boston.
2012
Boston Cannons Home Attendance:
April
28 vs. Rochester: 9,174
May
5 vs. Charlotte: 9,273
May
12 vs. Hamilton: 11,277
June 9 vs. Long Island: 11,894 (franchise record)
July
19 vs. Denver: 7,743
July
28 vs. Chesapeake: 9,117
August
4 vs. Ohio: 9,056
Average:
9,648
Source:
Boston Cannons
Zach Baru can be followed on
Twitter @zbaru
and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
