Hard

It doesn't take a phD in economics to know that "times are hard, son" as the kids say these days. With the exception of the Oakland Raiders - thanks in part to two astronomical short-term deals with cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and punter Shane Lechler - it seems as if every pro sports team is feeling of the plummeting economy.

While the NBA trading deadline was dwindling down and it was rather obvious that a few teams were paring payroll to lower costs, news broke out that the league was granting loans of at most $11.7 million to at least fifteen teams hoping to offset operating losses (the league itself being granted a $175 million credit from JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America).

Two weeks ago, Advertising Age reported that both the NBA and Major League Baseball were expanding their ad offerings to liquor and gambling (you read that right: baseball and gambling) to bring in revenue.

Yet, for a complete shocker, look below.

Now, if you live in this area, this should be VERY striking to see as the Yankees relied on their history alone to sell tickets. Is the economy tanking so badly - or at least are their usual ticket buyers reluctant to purchase seats in the brand new and pricey Stadium - that the Bronx Bombers have to hustle and bustle like everyone else in the league?

It's possible that every team in baseball is making some concerted effort to advertise ticket sales through what is known in the advertising and marketing community as behavioral targeting. Yet, this is the last team in the known universe you'd expect to use this avenue.

Could this be a result of the body shots that have crippled the financial sector (and beyond) that have taken away some of the usual suspects in ticket purchases for both New York teams? Could this be part of the potential public relations fiasco that may follow if the big wigs of some of the companies that receive bailout money happen to be seen on the YES Network  or YES Network-lite (FOX) during a game? Who knows, really.

All we can tell right now is that "times are hard, son."

Say What?!?!: Speaking of the Yanks, the financial sector and hard times, the Stanford Financial scandal (as mentioned recently on Scribe) actually affects a few players on the team. It may be nominal investments for these guys, but it's interesting nonetheless.