Rangers Sucess On The Field Certainly Having Impact On Bottom Line
ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) - The old line about nothing succeeding like success certainly applies with the Rangers. After seeming on the brink of financial collapse it has emerged as one of the bright stars in Major League Baseball.
That success is measured at the turnstiles, in the media, and in team stores like the one in Uptown Dallas. Here, Katherine Chaney says her family has re-balanced its budget to allow themselves the luxury of more Rangers gear. "Tomorrow is my husband's birthday and we've always been big fans so we're looking for a little gift." A similar story for Brandy Wygal, shopping for new duds for her daughter. "She has officially told me her Josh Hamilton shirt has to be updated so I am here to find Josh Hamilton," says Wygal.
"We're a big sports watching community," adds Professor Mike Davis of the SMU Cox School of Business, who says it's hard to put a number on just how valuable the Rangers are now. "Because it's a private corporation, but all the metrics we see---attendance, TV contracts, just the general interest in the team all says we're on a big upwards spike."
Earlier, Forbes Magazine report put the Rangers as the 8th most valuable major league baseball franchise....before this record-breaking season. Its TV contract is huge. "We are one of the largest media markets in North America now and that's going to be reflected in the value of the Rangers."
Success also drives up demand for collectibles. Heritage Auction galleries thinks a Ted Williams and a Nolan Ryan jersey will command a higher price at an upcoming November auction. Williams manged the Rangers their first year in Arlington.
Heritage's Chris Ivy says equipment actually used are most in demand. "Team signed items—game used baseballs, game-used jerseys, bats---items like that that are a little rarer than manufactured collectibles." Autographed team pictures and ticket stubs themselves are valuable as well."
The Rangers rags-to-riches scenario is being embraced across North Texas and beyond. "Any time a team wins the American League championship, or World Series hopefully in the Rangers case, a lot of people want to have memorabilia associated with that team."
