Another Expensive "Owners" Club

[Free Agent Fan]

Can't say this is a fan club at all.

Blackbirds BoosterPalooza Through June 21st!

The Blackbirds are offering special incentives for those who join the Baltimore Blackbirds Backers Booster Club by June 21st. For the next week, those who join the black and silver levels will receive a free game worn Blackbirds jersey (while supplies last) and those who join the red level will receive a free team car magnet.

The Baltimore Blackbirds thank their fans for a great 2007 season and are looking forward to building an even more successful 2008 season. With your help we can make it happen! By being a member of the Blackbirds' Backers Booster Club you will gain advance notice on ticket sales, discounted tickets, special access to team information and functions, special discounts, and help your hometown team build a winning season. If you would like more details, please email John Wolfe at [e-mail] You may join by clicking on the appropriate button below!

Red Level – $100
- 5% discount on tickets (including season tickets) and merchandise
- Membership Card
- Exclusive “Blackbirds Backer” T-Shirt
- Monthly E-Newsletter
- Name in Program and Media Guides


Black Level - $500
- 10% discount on tickets (including season tickets) and merchandise
- First Delivery of 2008 Blackbirds Authentic Jersey
- Membership Card
- Exclusive “Blackbirds Backer” T-Shirt
- Monthly E-Newsletter
- Name in Program and Media Guides


Silver Level - $1,000
- 15% discount on tickets (including season tickets) and merchandise
- First Delivery of 2008 Blackbirds Authentic Jersey
- Official 2008 Football
- Membership Card
- Exclusive “Blackbirds Backer” T-Shirt
- Monthly E-Newsletter
- Name in Program and Media Guides
- Dinner for Two at Exclusive Booster-Team Dinner


In addition all booster club members will receive exclusive offers on tickets, new team merchandise, as well as special offers from our sponsors.

Additional information:
- The discount will go into effect immediately on all merchandise,
- The discount for tickets would apply on any 2008 ticket purchases, including season tickets,
- Membership cards will ship in July,
- First e-newsletter will publish in August,
- T-Shirts will ship in September,
- When the 2008 Jersey artwork is available, club members will get the first look, and then can select your style jersey. These should ship before training camp starts and before the are open to the general public,
- Footballs will be available when the season starts,
- You will appear in the 2008 game programs and the 2008 media guide
- The dinner will take place following the 2008 season

Next season, if you pay the renewal fee, here is what you will receive:

Red Level - Renewal Fee $25
- 5% discount on tickets (including season tickets) and merchandise
- Membership Card
- Exclusive "Blackbirds Backer" T-Shirt
- Monthly E-Newsletter
- Name in Program and Media Guides

Black Level - Renewal Fee $50
- 10% discount on tickets (including season tickets) and merchandise
- First Delivery of 2009 Blackbirds Authentic Jersey at a discount
- Membership Card
- Exclusive "Blackbirds Backer" T-Shirt
- Monthly E-Newsletter
- Name in Program and Media Guides

Silver Level - Renewal Fee $100
- 15% discount on tickets (including season tickets) and merchandise
- First Delivery of 2008 Blackbirds Authentic Jersey at a discount
- Official 2008 Football at a discount
- Membership Card
- Exclusive "Blackbirds Backer" T-Shirt
- Monthly E-Newsletter
- Name in Program and Media Guides
- Dinner for Two at Exclusive Booster-Team Dinner

Next season, if you decide to move to the next level, here is the cost and what you will receive:

Move from Red to Black Level - $400
- 10% discount on tickets (including season tickets) and merchandise
- First Delivery of 2008 Blackbirds Authentic Jersey
- Membership Card
- Exclusive "Blackbirds Backer" T-Shirt
- Monthly E-Newsletter
- Name in Program and Media Guides

Move from Black to Silver Level - $500
- 15% discount on tickets (including season tickets) and merchandise
- First Delivery of 2008 Blackbirds Authentic Jersey
- Official 2008 Football
- Membership Card
- Exclusive "Blackbirds Backer" T-Shirt
- Monthly E-Newsletter
- Name in Program and Media Guides
- Dinner for Two at Exclusive Booster-Team Dinner

[johnw]

We are also working with one of our fans, who is working toward setting up a Fan Club (see the recent thread on our web site). The Boosters is a separate venture. We were pretty up front with our fans when we first posted the booster idea. We need funds from the fans to help take the team to the next level and in return they will get some nice benefits. No secret there.

Also, you may want to post the information from the same page about our Youth Clinic we are doing. 3-day Indoor Football and Football Skills Clinic for only $150. Check around most camps are $450 plus. A nice way for us to connect with the kids in the community -- several indoor football leagues started here this spring.

Thanks,

John Wolfe
Baltimore Blackbirds
General Manager

[Free Agent Fan]

Instead of calling it Boosters (which is assimilated with fan clubs), why not call it marketing? because that's what it is more or less. Your basically selling ad space with some benefits. Don't get me wrong. I want to see teams have enough money for them to thrive.

On the other part with the working with a fan to start a club. Feel free to have them PM Gene, Ron, or myself on some helpful tips on getting it started.

[Canton Cougar Fan]

This is an idea that seems to be procreating league wide as an additional source of income.

The differences are that Baltimore does not have an established fan club yet, so they really are not stepping on anyone's toes.

The Legends unveiled their season ticket plan for 2008 and announced that the account holder would become a member of the "Legends Backers". Now, I took great offense to this as I took it as undermining my efforts to promote the Leatherheads.

However, I sat down with the Legends office and discussed it. They understand my reaction and I understand what they wanted to do. So, we, together, created a new season ticket package in which all season ticket holders would be VIP Leatherheads or "Legend Backers". A perk for buying season tickets plus it increases our number of members.

I don't like the high priced "booster" organizations that seem to be popping up. First Talahassee, now Baltimore. I know that money talks and BS walks but that's still just one ass in the seats on game day.