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Portland was named a top minor league sports market by Sports Business Journal

Portland was named a top minor league sports market by Sports Business Journal

Portland’s minor league sports profile has seen a boost this year. A release has just been observed.

Sports Business Journal named Maine’s largest city the top minor league sports market, recognizing “a community whose teams…are close-knit.” It’s the first time Portland has achieved the top spot.

Portland has been home to the Sea Dogs since 1994, the Maine Celtics (formerly the Red Claws) since 2009, and the Maine Mariners since 2018 (following the 1993-2016 Portland Pirates and the original 1977-92 Maine Mariners). The city gained a new team in September 2023 with the arrival of the Hearts of Pine as a USL League One franchise that will begin play in 2025.

In its article, the Journal described Portland as a “typical minor league sports town” and noted the attendance of the baseball, hockey and basketball teams. It was mentioned that the Sea Dogs have drawn an average of 6,021 fans per game over the past two years, that the Mariners’ average attendance of 4,377 is 30% higher than the Pirates’, and that the Celtics have more than 1,000 season tickets for this year.

The Journal also pointed out the early financial success the Hearts of Pine enjoyed before their debut. According to the article, the team has sold $170,000 worth of merchandise since releasing its logo and name in April.

BASKETBALL

WNBA: The league’s players’ union withdrew from the current collective bargaining agreement two years before it expired. The league and union had the opportunity to do so before November 1st.

The early exit marks a crucial turning point for the league. The WNBA signed an 11-year media rights deal worth $200 million a year and posted record attendance and viewership this year, culminating in New York beating Minnesota in overtime in a decisive fifth game on Sunday night.

NBA: New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III agreed to a four-year, $112 million contract extension.

BASEBALL

MAIN LEAGUE: The average time of a nine-inning game in the League Championship Series increased by 12 minutes to 3:16 this year, along with an increase in scoring, although the postseason total increased by two minutes in the second year of the League Championship Series The pitch clock has dropped to 3:00.

The LCS average was 3:40 in 2021, then fell to 3:26 in the first season of electronic pitch calling device PitchCom and 3:04 last year when the pitch clock was introduced.

• Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner underwent surgery on his right hand on Oct. 11, the team announced.

CAR RACING

FORMULA ONE: Formula One’s governing body fined the organizers of the United States Grand Prix nearly $550,000 after a group of spectators stormed the track at the Circuit of the Americas while the cars were still completing their cool-down lap after Sunday’s race completed.

The FIA ​​said about 200 fans in the stands opposite the pit lane climbed over a fence, fell about two meters and then scaled another fence and a barrier to get to the track. Fans will be allowed onto the grounds for the post-race podium celebrations, but only after all cars have left the track.

TENNIS

WTA RANKINGS: Aryna Sabalenka is No. 1 again after ending Iga Swiatek’s 11-month reign.

Sabalenka led Swiatek with 41 points, overcoming a deficit of 69 points from the week before, although neither played last week.

– Staff and Intelligence Report