COVID-19 and Sports: Minor League Baseball and Las Vegas Aviators Are Shut Out In 2020
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
There’s no joy in Downtown Summerlin today.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the 2020 Minor League Baseball season to be wiped out.
That means no baseball at lovely Las Vegas Ballpark, the $150 million palatial palace of baseball that is home to the Las Vegas Aviators, the Triple A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. It’s a major revenue loss for the Aviators, which hit the jackpot last summer with seven-figure merchandise sales and dozens of sellouts.
And no Finn the wonder dog retrieving baseball bats this summer.
It’s a brutal blow for the Aviators, owned by Summerlin master developer Howard Hughes Corporation of Dallas, Texas.
Major League Baseball Tuesday informed Minor League Baseball that it will not be providing its affiliated Minor League teams with players for the 2020 season. As a result, there will not be a Minor League Baseball season in 2020.
“These are unprecedented times for our country and our organization as this is the first time in our history that we’ve had a summer without Minor League Baseball played,” said Pat O’Conner, Minor League Baseball president & CEO. “While this is a sad day for many, this announcement removes the uncertainty surrounding the 2020 season and allows our teams to begin planning for an exciting 2021 season of affordable family entertainment.”
Minor League Baseball, based in St. Petersburg, Florida, began as the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues. It was founded Sept. 5, 1901.
In 2019, the re-branded Aviators inaugurated a fancy new ball yard in Downtown Summerlin and averaged 9,299 in announced attendance for each of the 70 home dates to lead the minors. The season-long announced attendance was 650,934. There were some nights when there was a bigger announced attendance in Summerlin than in Oakland, where the parent team A’s play at the Coliseum.
The palatial ballpark, named Las Vegas because of an $80 million naming rights deal from the local tourism agency (LVCVA), had 47 sellouts in 2019.
“We are very disappointed in this news today,” Las Vegas Aviators President/COO Don Logan said. “The fact the Aviators didn’t have the opportunity to follow up on a great first season at Las Vegas Ballpark is very sad for everyone involved with the organization but most importantly for our fans. Obviously, the global pandemic has affected everyone in the world and the health and safety of all citizens is way more important than anything.”
The following is the Aviators ticket policy for the cancelled 2020 Pacific Coast League season:
Season Tickets:
Credit for 2021 season tickets plus a 10% bonus in stadium dollars to use on concession/catering, merchandise and tickets.
Refund minus 15% to hold seats for 2021 season.
Full Refund
Groups:
Credit for 2021 season tickets plus a 10% bonus in stadium dollars to use on concession/catering, merchandise and tickets.
Full Refund
Single Game Buyers:
Credit for 2021 season
Refund
Single Game Buyers:
Credit for 2021 season
Refund
Individual season ticket holders will be contacted by their sales representative.
In 2020, the jewel of a ballpark stands silent.
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