The Ravens recently announced some changes at M&T Bank Stadium intended to “enrich the game-day experience for their fans.” Really? Ok, the Mojo Man wants to touch down upon those changes and then you tell me if the average fan will leave on game day feeling “enriched.” (NOTE: Sorry but I can’t help the wise-ass commentary that follows each change…)
Change No. 1: Recycling Program – Throughout the season, Ravens fans will be able to recycle their used plastic beverage bottles in more than 400 Coca-Cola Recycling bins and barrels placed around M&T Bank Stadium.
MR. M.R.: I recycle at home and I properly stow my empties in the tailgate lot. Excuse me if I see this as nothing more than a way to generate ad revenues from some sucker company…ah excuse me – Coca-Cola.
Change No. 2: Renovated North Club Level – The Ravens have fully renovated the North Club Level during the offseason — replacing the existing carpet and hard surface flooring with new carpet and terrazzo flooring that features a magnificent Ravens bird head logo inlayed on the 50 yard line. The Ravens have also added 24 new LCD TV monitors to the north club level, which now brings the total monitor count to 76, and added multiple drink rails throughout the lounge. Cost of the renovations: $5 million.
MR. M.R.: Gee what a way to spend the money generated by the ticket price increase. This is akin to using my middle class tax dollars to reduce the tax exposure of the filthy rich.
SIDE BAR: Mojo has heard through the grapevine that these enhancements hardly dazzled Mile One which holds a mack-daddy suite on the 50 yard line. Word is Mile One tried to bail on the Ravens given the economy’s negative impact on auto sales but the club wouldn’t allow them to escape their contractual obligations. Want a suite for a game? I’m sure Mile One is willing to listen to offers.
Change No. 3: Club Level – In addition to the newly renovated Club Level, the Ravens have upgraded the four small corner bars on the Club Level with a specific theme for each bar to include a Patron Bar, Crown Royal Bar, Bacardi Rum Bar and Stolichnaya Vodka Bar.
MR. M.R.: One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor. Oh and the rich get richer…
Change No. 4: Lottery Ticket Sales – The Ravens have entered into an agreement with the Maryland Lottery to partner on a scratch off ticket. In addition to traditional retail sales, this ticket will be sold in and around the stadium on game days.
MR. M.R.: Well whoop-de-doo! After buying a couple of beers at M&T, the Mojo Man has no scratch left for scratch offs.
Change No. 5: Text for Help – The Ravens have established a text number for fans sitting in the seating bowl to report fan behavior that is not in keeping with the Ravens Fan Code of Conduct.
MR. M.R.: Can we send a text requesting Vasoline?
Change No. 6: Talon Pub (Lower Concourse) – Talon Pub will add Jack Daniels spirits along with Guinness beer products to its list of offerings.
MR. M.R.: They’ve been serving Guinness. Can you please throw us indigents a freakin’ bone?
Change No. 7: Ravens Ticket Exchange – As part of "My Ravens Account," PSL Owners will have the opportunity to post tickets for sale for games they cannot attend. The Ravens Ticket Exchange will also provide a safe place for fans to purchase tickets to sold-out games.
MR. M.R.: As if you couldn’t sell them on your own, why not let Ticketmaster do it for you. Last time I checked, Ticketmaster is hardly a philanthropic organization.
Change No. 8: Gate Openings – The Ravens will adjust the gate opening times for games from two hours prior to kickoff to 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Parking lot opening times, which are set at five hours prior to kickoff, will not change.
MR. M.R.: Now there’s an enhancement for you! Longer lines when entering the stadium will increase your chances of making new friends. Well at least you won’t have to rush to finish your half-filled beverage as you approach the gates.
Change No. 9: Park & Ride – The Ravens are working with a consortium of local charter bus companies to provide affordable bus service to home games.
MR. M.R.: Still waiting for that “enriched” feeling…
Change No. 10: Closed Captioning – Through a new partnership with Colorado Captioning, a word-for-word transcript of all public address and referee announcements is transmitted, virtually instantly, to any web-enabled hand-held device.
MR. M.R.: Not bad but clearly “enriches” only a select few.
Change No. 11: Ravens Walk – To add to the pre-game experience, the Ravens are adding a 15′ x 8′ large screen LCD TV on Ravens Walk, which is located north of the stadium through parking lots B/C. The Ravens will also be enhancing the areas between the food and beverage stations on Ravens Walk with branded barricades.
MR. M.R.: Ok, we like big screens but let’s call a spade a spade here…don’t the branded barricades rope you in to the concession areas? So who’s really being “enriched.”
Sorry Ravens, but the Mojo Man is hardly impressed. In fact, I’m a bit insulted that you are trying to spin this as “enriching” the game day experience for fans when really it benefits only you, your corporate supporters and the few who are hearing impaired. At least you got it right for the latter.
Look if you want to “enrich” the game day experience by placing TVs in bathrooms, reconfiguring bathrooms to improve the queuing and building escalators to the upper deck but you need the extra Benjamins to make it happen, MOVE THE BAND!
I get the nostalgia and I get the tradition of the band but there’s no reason the tradition can’t continue by booting them out of those seats. This isn’t college anymore. Besides, when the band vacates their seats to get ready to perform a lame version of a Metallica song, the resulting empty metal benches don’t exactly reflect well upon the Ravens or the city of Baltimore.
Sell the seats, rake in the PSL and ticket dough and then genuinely “enrich” the game day experience for those who really make M&T Bank Stadium what it is.
