Starring Steve Bisciotti as Ray Liotta
By far, my favorite answer in Jamison Hensley's Q&A with Steve Bisciotti was in response to a question about Ray Lewis. The Ravens' owner was asked whether he was disappointed with the way his star linebacker handled himself during the offseason. Bisciotti said, "No. It humored me." And in response to a follow-up, he said, in part: "I was just amused."
Humored? Amused? What odd characterizations. And I know it must've reminded you of Goodfellas, too? Can you imagine how the conversation between the owner and linebacker must've went down?
Steve Bisciotti: Ya know, Ray, you're a pistol, you're really funny. You're really funny.Ray Lewis: What do you mean I'm funny?
SB: You're amusing, you know. Jets… Cowboys… it's funny, you're a funny guy.
RL: What do you mean? You mean the way I talk? What’s the bottom line here?
SB: It's just, you know, you're just funny -- it's amusing the way you tell the story, the way you thought every team was gonna open their vault doors for you. It’s humorous.
RL: Let me understand this… I'm funny how? I mean, funny like I'm a clown? Am I like Chad Johnson? Or Kenny Mayne? Do I amuse you? I make you laugh? I'm here to amuse you? How am I funny?
SB: Geez. Calm down. Just humorous, Ray. That’s all I’m saying. I was just amused.
OK, I'll stop there. But you gotta admit -- Bisciotti's answer to that question was a bit, um, humorous.
Other great tidbits in there on Suggs and Mason and Stover. I'm also glad Jamison asked Bisciotti about the Ravens raising ticket prices. The Ravens have rationalized the price hike in a convincing way. Still, with the economy what it is, it would've been a nice gesture to skip this year's scheduled increase.
One interesting thing: While Bisciotti said the Ravens would be competitive "and then some" during an uncapped 2010 season, he also acknowledged that he's worried about selling sponsorships and suites during these tough economic times. Let's hope they figure out something before then, in order to avoid another ticket price hike (which, it should be noted, the franchise has been doing every two years).
I'm thinking of fundraiser possibilities. Could the offensive line sponsor a bake sale? Maybe the Ravens Marching Band should start playing birthday parties? Or perhaps a charity car wash by the Ravens cheerleaders? Yeah, that last one might have some potential.
Photos: Warner Bros.; Getty
Comments
Well, Bisciotti talked about layoffs not happening for the Ravens front office workforce, as they'd have a vote for everyone to take a 10% paycut to save the jobs of those possibly affected. I am sure all he has to do is ask his players to take a 10% cut if suite revenues fall.
Posted by: GHT | March 23, 2009 10:44 AM
Are concession prices gonna drop too?
Beer will now be $7.20
Sodas will be $5.40
Pizza will be $6.30
Nachos will be $4.50
Parking wil be $22.50
????
Posted by: mike | March 23, 2009 11:15 AM
There is no justification for raising ticket prices. The salary of the average fan is not increasing at the same rate as that of season ticket prices. There is a law of diminishing returns. How much longer can Joe Fan dish out the ducats for a ticket? It's time for the NFL to put a hard cap on these ridiculous player salaries. Forget the uncapped year. And don't give me a line about laying off the poor shmuck (no offense) in the office. Bring expenses down and stop raising ticket prices to pay for your inability to control player costs.
Posted by: Phil L | March 23, 2009 12:27 PM
Every industry in the country has people losing their jobs, but I wonder why athletes who are FILTHY RICH don't have to take a pay cut. If the government took a SMALL portion of these athlete's salaries, we probably wouldn't even have a deficit right now.The owners pay the athletes salaries though, but nobody is asking them to take pay cuts either.
Posted by: marcus matthews | March 23, 2009 1:05 PM
One way for the Ravens to increase revenues is to get rid of the band and sell the seats that they take up. The band sounds terrible and you can barely hear them anyway.
Posted by: Jeff | March 23, 2009 1:21 PM
As far as the government taking a small portion, they already do, its called taxes
Posted by: Tevon Austin | March 23, 2009 1:57 PM
Mr. B is right to bring up the after market for fan's season tickets. That's the $$$ that is driving the Ravens nuts. I'm not even talking about the "fans" who sell one, two - OK now three, games a year. It's your privilege to sell your seats for spot cash. Just say "No!" to Steelers fans, please.
It isn't just Joe the Fan's 4-6 tickets a year on ebay or craigslist that's being sold on line. It's tickets held by brokers and "agencies".The Ravens would love to get a cut of the $$$ made on this aftermarket, as they have found a way to do for PSL sales via Marketplace [full disclosure: satisfied Marketplace seller/buyer].
But getting more fruit from the vast after market for NFL "season" tickets, beyond some deal that designates a team's "official" existing mega-site, would seem to be an impossible dream. The internet aftermarket is how too many people get their NFL tickets now for there to be much more League or club control.
Posted by: Tucker in Sec. 527 | March 23, 2009 2:58 PM
As a PSL holder since Day-1 and go to all games, and I am steamed that "Mr. B" decided to raise prices on a bad year! To compete with what? The Ravens want that $ to get HD video screens and up grade the club level. The mistake they made overall was not putting in esculators! I for one want the Ravens to win the Super Bowl and make it a buyers market and I will sell off my PSL's. Two seats 2nd row sec. 148 "Goal Line." Steve, I cannot afford you much longer!!!
Posted by: Larry | March 23, 2009 4:00 PM
@Phil L There is a cap on player salaries - it's called the salary cap. Stop buying the tickets if you think they're too expensive.
@Marcus Matthews - hahahaha; I think you forgot to carry a few zeroes in your calculations there.
@Tevon Austin - that's the truth. Good luck at WVU next year!
Posted by: Steve | March 23, 2009 4:08 PM
marcus matthews, That band survived Baltimore's non-football years and has a legacy in Baltimore as big as the Colts. They are kept around because they are talented and provide better entertainment then some of the crap you’ll see at other NFL cities. I am sure you would rather see some hip-hop-crap at ½ time, but most season ticket holders like the traditional ½ time entertainment and look forward to it. I doubt you are even a season ticket holder and don’t have any business commenting on this subject.
Posted by: Voice of Reason | March 23, 2009 8:50 PM
I agree that the band must stay. When there was no Baltimore Colts, there was a Baltimore Colts Marching Band. I love listening to them play.
Posted by: Len Knighton | March 24, 2009 8:40 AM
VOICE OF REASON: PSL owner here and I can't stand the band. Also, my friend has been a PSL owner from day 1 and also can't stand the band. And he is a baltimore colts fan. I am 33, was 8 when they left, and have no sentimental attachment to them--he did. Also, my father is a PSL owner and baltimore colts fan and he would love to see the band go away.
Why am I paying this kind of money to watch HIGH-SCHOOL entertainment during halftime?
I'm not looking to get a head count and vote to decide what the majority of us want, but I wanted to post regarding your ignorant sentence at the end of your message. Whether or not they are season ticket holders or not has nothing to do with their opinion to keep the band or not. Don't assume because you are a season ticket holder and enjoy the band that all season ticket holders feel the same way or that other fans input doesn't matter. not being a season ticket holder doesn't mean they don't attend games.
Last season I got countless emails from the Ravens saying the games weren't sold out and tix were now available on ticketmaster. They are money paying fans too and have a right to an opinion.
Posted by: lose the band | March 24, 2009 11:58 AM