So what if the ticket office gave a couple of combined groups a bigger discount?
This was proven to be a lie by a self-promoting evangelical pastor last September.
Andy Silverman, the Rangers’ vice president of ticket sales, said the “sheer earning potential” of the gay community was a factor in the team’s decision to sponsor Gay Day. The gay community has tremendous buying power, and “we can’t ignore that.”
The Ballpark in Arlington has group promotions to everyone from the Jewish Community Center to the Boy Scouts, according to Silverman.
“Everyone is welcome at the ballpark,” he said.
“We’re trying to get as many people as possible to the ballpark,” said Blake. The team isn’t worried that marketing toward gay fans will hurt attendance, he added. With ticket sales down, Silverman said, the Rangers are marketing to as many people as possible.
Mack Williamson, president of the Texas Gay Rodeo Association’s Dallas chapter, said he was “very surprised” the Rangers contacted the gay community.