Griffey in Seattle makes good business sense

The table seems to be set for Ken Griffey, Jr.’s return to Seattle. Seam heads across the great Northwest bemoan the idea, but I’m not ashamed to say that I’d like Griffey back for no better reason than nostalgia. I’d love to see No. 24 running (or hobbling) around the outfield one more time.

Arguments against bringing back the player who saved baseball in Seattle are many. He’d take at-bats away from younger players. He’s not half the player he used to be. He’s not worth the money. He was mean to sports writers (boo freakin’ hoo). And all of those reasons are valid. However, Griffey still has some pop in his bat and the reasons for adding him to the lineup are valid as well.

But perhaps the most important reason for bringing Griffey back, in the minds of M’s front office staff anyway, has to do with money and running a business. Here in the real world, the nation has been plunged into the worst financial crisis since the great depression and the Mariners are trying to figure out how to sell a guy four tickets at $50 a pop, $9 beers, $6 hot dogs and $30 parking. How does one convince a family of four to spend $250 at the ball park on a Saturday night when on Monday morning Mom and/or Dad could lose their job?

How does one convince someone to come out to Safeco and spend money when the team is out of the race by mid-May? I’m afraid watching how the three-man platoon at first base is working out simply isn’t a compelling enough reason to bring fans to the ball park. Griffey in the lineup would be the illusive compelling reason.

The other part of this is the sponsorships and advertising revenue falloff the Mariners are no doubt seeing. Bottom line, companies are not going to be buying advertising or sponsoring hat nights when they are laying off employees and shutting down facilities. If the M’s can convince one or two of these companies that their return on marketing investment will be high enough with Griffey in the lineup, they may be able to slow the exodus of ad revenue.

The naysayers say that Griffey’s boost in ticket sales and merchandising revenue will be a short blip. I disagree. Folks who are on the fence about dropping their season tickets may think twice about it. Seeing Griffey on the field for the home opener is most certainly a compelling reason for fans to hold on to their season tickets one more year. The M’s will see a surge in Griffey jersey sales and merchandise – items that would never have been sold otherwise. I’m afraid Jeff Clement won’t carry the load.

Griffey’s affect will be negligible during this rebuilding process for the Mariners. He may even win a game or two for the team. Bring back Junior. I’ll buy a jersey with my first unemployment check.