Cubs Missing the Boat by Not Marketing Ivy? |
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Monday, 22 September 2008 |
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It's green. It grows and it's from Wrigley Field. Doesn't that beat a Yankee Stadium urinal?
With the Yankees and Mets--not to mention every other team that has moved out of a stadium in the last ten years--hell bent on squeezing every last cent out of their death row ballparks, I have to wonder why the Cubs aren't marketing their greatest asset.
They don't even have to tear down the ballpark to do it.
The ivy that grows on the outfield wall is Wrigley's signature. It could be the Cubs' signature entry into the memorabilia market.
If they can put bat barrels, jersey swatches, buttons, tags and even 320 year-old hair into memorabilia baseball cards, why can't the Cubs clip off some ivy, or dig up a few seedlings and figure out how to keep them alive long enough to sell for fans to plant in their gardens?
The caretakers at the park have been known to take great pains to trim the ivy and sometimes stick some of it back in the ground in hopes it'll re-grow. They've even given some to fans who've asked. I'm sure there is Wrigley Field ivy growing in homes from coast-to-coast.
But the Cubs are missing out on a big revenue source. Which first time visitor wouldn't fork over $25 for a little slice of Wrigley to plant on the backyard fence? No guarantees of course. You may have the green to buy it, but you'll need the green thumb to make it grow. I'm sure someone with the Cubs could put together a little instruction sheet on how to plant it.
Imagine if they do actually break the 100-year drought and win the World Series? Who wouldn't want Cubs championship ivy? If I'm running a card company, I don't care if it goes into packs like those old autumn leaves your second grade teacher had you put into a book for an art project. Even dead, Wrigley ivy would make for a unique insert card.
Hey, it beats buying a urinal from the Shea Stadium men's room. |
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