Inside A Red Sox Focus Group Edition

Last night this Blog was invited to a Boston pro sports focus group.  Once in the room it was revealed this was in fact a Red Sox focus group, team reps were on the other side of the one way mirror, the moderator was an independent third party, and the group was composed of nine rabid Red Sox fans.  All together it was three women, six men, four full season ticket holders, and five partial season ticket holders.  It was an interesting evening to be sure, and the cares of Red Sox management became clear. What follows are the issues the moderator got the group to discuss.

On the relationship between the team and the fans:  The moderator established, through several question and answer sessions, that when big time Red Sox fans think of the team they have feelings of family and friends, and when the fans think of how the Sox management views them, fans feel viewed as clients.  With these facts established the moderator asked what the group felt they were owed from the team.  The moderator then asked if fans were clients, then it followed that the team was a business, and a private business with no need to open the books it was pointed out, shouldn’t the business be allowed to make a profit? 

On Fenway Park:  Did fans see a difference in Fenway between now and five years ago?  What do fans think about when they enter Fenway? 

On the game experience:  How do fans feel about bells and whistles during the game?

On the September collapse:  What did fans think about how the season ended in general?  If fans could meet with the players the day after the season, what would the fans want to know?

On expectations for the team:  What did fans expect for the upcoming season?  What would exceed expectations?

On Red Sox gear:  The group was shown a traditional blue hat with the red B logo and a pink hat with a blue B logo.  What did we think of the caliber of a fan wearing a blue hat versus a pink hat?


The answers and discussions generated within the group were fun and animated, but what the team cares about is much more interesting.  It's nice to know hardcore fans' opinions are valued, although to think this was the only focus group is rather obtuse.  Clear is the commitment to Fenway Park, and the answers given on the subject ranged from universal applause on the Park improvements to feelings of total peace and happiness when setting foot in the place.  This Blog was quite amused with the Sox gear questioning, but thrilled that the response to bells and whistles was pure disdain. With PR maestro Dr. Charles Steinberg back in the fold there's little hope of 'Sweet Caroline' taking a bath, but quashing any sausage races or fireworks ideas before they begin is all to the good. The team also seems to be rather annoyed at the fan-base when it comes to questioning the amount of money spent on player salaries, and it doesn't appear the Sox have any plans to get a half decent shortstop or solid starting pitcher.  It will be up to the likes of Mike Aviles, Nick Punto, Daniel Bard and starting pitcher X to get this team over the hump this year, buckle up for the ride.

Until next time,

The SAHD