Watch out big four-Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, Sixers,-there is a new dirty dozen, minus eight, that has stormed the Philadelphia sports world. Though three of these four "non-major" sports teams have been around for sometime, their recent popularity has soared.
The Kixx are coming off a championship season and the hard work seems to be paying off. Tomorrow the indoor soccer team will announce an exclusive television deal with CBS. That is, CBS will televise only games involving the Kixx, no other teams in the league. The deal was reported to be worth an estimated $2 billion dollars over four years.
"Only a few years ago we were desperate for fan attendance, now we have a 10 year waiting list for season tickets," said Joshua Jasper, Cheif Executive Chair of the team.
The Wings, the indoor lacrosse team, have been on the Phladelphia sports scene for almost 20 years. Last year they passed the Flyers in total attendance for 2006-07.
"Give-aways can help," said Milly Vance,Team Rep,"Especially when you tape $100 bills to the bottom of every seat...every game." The Wings are by far the most successful of the "non-majors", winning an astounding six championships.
The outdoor version of the Wings, the Barrage, are relatively new to the scene, but were the surprise local story last year by winning the championship (pictured above). They drew over two million fans last year alone. The success, on the field, came so quickly that the team is in negotiations for exclusive TV rights with both NBC(home games) and ABC(road games). The state has awarded the franchise a $700 Million grant to build a 70,000 seat retractable stadium at the coveted Navy Yard complex.
"We don't want the Barrage to go anywhere for a long, long time," said Governor Rendell.
Finally, the Soul may be the most popular of them all. The indoor football team made the playoffs for the second straight year in 2007. The team is so popular that the NFL recently invited them to join them outdoors, possibly making a home at Lincoln Financial Field with the Eagles. When playing the Soul other NFL teams will have to play by the Arena League rules.
"We think Philadelphia could support one and a half NFL franchises," said NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell.
Notes: The Barrage stated that they would not share their new stadium with the Soul if they decide to join the NFL.
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