Going Wild In Minnesota

from Ben Goessling of the Pioneer Press, For a team slipping toward irrelevance in recent years, the addition of Parise and Suter can do much more for the Wild than just improve results on the ice after four straight non-playoff seasons.

The Wild have scored a marketing coup. They now have area stars headlining the club for the first time, adding a telegenic Minneapolis native in Parise and a likable Madison, Wis., product in Suter.

The news dominated local radio and TV sports coverage this week, with national shows also weighing in on the twin $98 million deals. And the early effect of Parise and Suter on the bottom line has been pronounced.

A team that had been at its lowest point in its 12-year history—losing money each of the past two seasons and going from guaranteed sellouts to a season-ticket base of 12,000 by the end of last season—enjoyed a sudden revival. Maher said the Wild sold 850 season-ticket packages Wednesday alone, and team spokesman Ryan Stanzel said the total had climbed north of 1,500 by Friday afternoon.

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Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/going_wild_in_minnesota/

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