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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Assuming the MLB Athletics arrive here in Las Vegas in 2028, the Big Leagues of baseball could take a bite out of their Triple-A affiliate’s business at Las Vegas Ballpark.
But there will always be a niche for the Pacific Coast League Aviators because they sell an affordable alternative to the A’s and the mior leagie team has developed a nice reputation for giving away freebie promotions like Saturday vening’s Superman jerseys.
A good half-hour before the ballpark’s gates opened at 5:30PM, lines of fans extended from the entrances as people were hungry to receive the free Superman jersey.
The Aviators has had success choosing promotional freebies like T-shirts, ballcaps and jerseys that appeal to their fans, many of whom still wear the free jerseys given to them when the Triple-A team was known as the 51s and played in downtown Cashman Field.
The Aviators did not sell out the stadium for their game against the Reno Aces, which defeated the A’s affiliate, 14-8, before a reported crowd of 7,654. The Aviators won their division in the season’s first half and will be playing in the postseason.
The 2,000 freebie jerseys went quickly at four ballpark entrances on three sides of the Downtown Summerlin stadium that cost $150 million to build. In Oct. 2018, Summerlin master developer Howard Hughes Corp. received $80 million from the LVCVA in the form of a 20-year naming rights deals to underwite more than half of the stadium construction costs.
The mother of all Aviators freebies is set for Sept. 18 when the team gives away a Vegas Golden Knights-themed jersey. You might recall in 2018 when the team played at Cashman there was a rowdy crowd of fans seeking a VGK-theme jersey as a giveaway.
The A’s frequently move players to and from their Las Vegas affiliate, so most Aviators games includes big league players.
PSA
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