CHICAGO BANDITS 2011 Partnership Opportunities
THE TEAM AND THE LEAGUE
THE TEAM AND THE LEAGUE In 2010, the Chicago Bandits professional fastpitch team celebrated its 6th Anniversary Season with record attendance numbers, and the announcement of a new, permanent home in Rosemont, Ill. The Bandits are part of National Pro Fastpitch, the premier women s professional softball league consisting of four teams across the country in Chicago, Nashville, Orlando and Akron, Ohio. The team plays a 50 game schedule, 25 of those games at home in their new stadium. Bandits Stadium is a $5 million facility and is the first of its kind built specifically for women s professional softball in the United States. Featuring 500 chair back seats with cup holders, 1,500 bleacher style seats and an extensive party deck area perfect for family parties and corporate outings 2010 Average Attendance - 1,100 per game, compared to league avg. of 750 Five (5) consecutive maximum capacity crowds (over 2,100 people) to end the 2010 regular season campaign
AWARDS 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 Regular Season Champions 2008 World Champions, 2010 Runner Up Coaching Staff of the Year (2005, 2008, 2010) National Pro Fastpitch Rookie of the Year 2005 (Jennie Finch); 2006 (Stacy May); 2008 (Rachel Folden); 2009 (Tammy Williams); 2010 (Nikki Nemitz) Numerous All-NPF Team Selections National Pro Fastpitch MVP 2008 (Stacy May); 2010 (Stacy May) National Pro Fastpitch Pitchers of the Year 2005 (Jennie Finch); 2009 (Eileen Canney) Nokona Defensive Player of the Year 2008 (Tammy Williams) Nokona Offensive Player of the Year 2008 (Jamie Clark); 2010 (Rachel Folden)
Bill Sokolis Bill Sokolis is the founder and co-owner of a local construction company known as Kole Construction. Kole Construction focuses on carpentry and interior finishes contracting, working to update the image of Chicago and the surrounding areas. Bill started Kole Construction in 1988 and it has become one of the top interior finish firms in the Chicago land area. Bill and his wife Anita are blessed with three daughters; Renee, Andrea, and Krystal. Having three daughters led to Bill s involvement in women s athletics and specifically fastpitch. OWNERSHIP Being involved in baseball player himself while growing up, Bill understands the values that team sports can instill in young athletes. With those values in mind he co-founded a girl s fastpitch program called the Lemont Rockers. The Rockers program was developed for the girls wanting a higher level of competition in the Lemont and surrounding areas. Girls that aspired to play ball in high school and possibly college were given a chance to succeed at a competitive level. To date, the program has been a huge success helping numerous young ladies to achieve softball scholarships in various colleges across the United States. His involvement in the Chicago Bandits has helped open another opportunity for female athletes to follow their dreams as professional fastpitch athletes. Growing up, Bill was greatly influenced by a number of professional ball players. It is his desire to offer young female athletes the same opportunities and role models that he was fortunate enough to have. "I believe Chicago to be an awesome sports town with great fans. The Chicago Bandits consist of some of the finest women fastpitch players in the world. Combine that with the world s best fans; that spells success and a great day at the ball park. Thank You Chicago and enjoy." Responsible for player management and drafting rookies, Sokolis has chosen three consecutive Rookies of the Year including catcher Rachel Folden, shortstop Tammy Williams and Pitcher Nikki Nemitz. His team has won the Regular Season Championship six times in the last seven seasons, including one World Championship.
THE FANS
STATS ABOUT THE FANS The Chicago Bandits average over 1,100 fans a game. These people are mostly college educated with families. They are consumers that are the perfect demographic for your business to target for market branding. Who is the Bandits fan? 73% are married 78% have children 57% are over the age of 40 75% are college educated 52% have a household income over $75,000 Where do Bandits fans live? 45% reside within 15 miles of the new ballpark 50% live outside of the 15 mile radius 5% live out of state, in neighboring states (Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio) 1% live in other states
THE FANS 76% of Chicago Bandits fans are between the ages of 18-59 50% of Bandits fans have at least one child in the household. This is 15% more likely than the market average
BANDITS IN THE NEWS The Chicago Bandits and Bandits Stadium have been covered widely by local and regional publications and networks. A unique blend of ownership, market, facility, approachability of players and on-field success have made the Bandits the talk of Chicagoland
TOP REASONS TO PARTNER WITH CHICAGO BANDITS SOFTBALL 1. On-field Success World Champions in 2008; Six-time Regular Season Champions (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010) 2. Growth Potential The sport of softball is becoming increasingly popular in the Chicagoland area with over 14,000 participants every year. Softball events like the Womens College World Series and KFC World Cup drew record attendance numbers. Over 240k softball teams nation-wide are registered with the Amateur Softball Association 3. Popularity Bandits fan are loyal! 72% of fans attended at least 10 home games during the 2010 season
NOT JUST BANDITS SOFTBALL Bandits Stadium will be home to numerous events throughout the calendar year. Not only is the multi-purpose complex the home of the Chicago Bandits, but it also provides businesses, charities and private citizens a place to meet, organize and celebrate. For your business that just means more exposure in our year-round facility! Trade Shows IHSA Softball Games Youth Football Games Snow Activities Youth Soccer Games Car Shows Corporate Outings Concerts Adult Flag Football Youth Softball/Baseball Tournaments College Softball Big Ten, Big East, Horizon League
Relay for Life Snow Patrol Concert Jennie Finch and Women s Sports Foundation Fox Valley Scooter Show
ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS Entertainment Capital of the Chicago Suburbs So much to do So much to see... Best place to be!
ROSEMONT Population - 4,224 Family units (non-single family homes) - 58.3% Within A 20 Mile Radius of Stadium Median age - 38.9 years old 69.6% of population in 20 mile radius of ballpark is families, or non-single resident homes Median Household income - $68,307 30% of Households make over $75,000
SPONSORS The success of the Bandits has opened the door for many national and regional companies to expand their business in the Chicagoland area. Whether it is entertaining clients on the party deck, renting the facility for a company picnic or filming a national television show, the lure of Bandits Stadium is the common thread that expands these companies throughout Chicagoland to demographics they might not otherwise reach. Bandits sponsors range from Fortune 500 companies to local businesses. The draw for most companies is the Bandits positive image in the community and the large number of dedicated fans attending ballgames with expendable income.
BANDITS SIGNAGE OPTIONS Advertising space within the ballpark is an ideal way for your company to maintain high visibility in front of a captive audience. When fans attend Bandits games and other events at the park, your signs will be visible to the crowds and media, giving your businesses signage a higher rate of exposure Outfield Fence Signs are a popular, time-tested, and effective method of National Pro Fastpitch sponsorships make your business and logos part of the action providing branding opportunities that are highly visible to everyone in attendance at Bandits games or other events allow a large canvas for your logo, message or slogan and are mixed into the overall atmosphere of the ballpark experience, becoming reference points for web and radio broadcasts get captured by various media photographers as a backdrop to the action on the field 8 x4 - $2,000 8 x8 - $3,200
Concourse Signs are strategically placed throughout the most high-trafficked can be seen by fans in line for concessions and merchandise on their way to the restrooms, walking to and from their seats and every entrance point to the main concourse area, allowing you to create eye-catching displays that are backlit for maximum visibility. 3 x4 Dugout Tops allow you to brand your business on top of and inside the home or away team dugouts - area s that are not overwhelmed with other sponsor names, one sponsor space is available per dugout 30 x10 One Year Two Years Scoreboard Signs allow your brand to be placed alongside vital information throughout each ballgame, located in a highly visible point 2 @ 4 x25 4 @ 2 x5
Foul Pole Signage create a unique, creative and memorable way to show your brand s message that is set apart from traditional forms of partnerships. This must be a two-year deal 25 tall Backstop Signage allow you to brand your business right behind home plate, perfectly visible for every pitch, every team photograph and clearly seen on every web broadcast 4 x8 Infield Banner allows you to brand your business right behind home plate, perfectly visible during the game while the action is taking place. 2 x10
NAMING RIGHTS Kids Zone your chance to be the presenting sponsor of the Kid s Zone, an area of the park targeted to younger kids. Have your brand logo, name and information easily visible to parents and kids that come to participate in the Kids Zone s daily activities Party Deck your chance to be the presenting sponsor of the Party Deck! The party deck is an area targeted to groups, businesses and parties at the ballpark. As presenting sponsor your name will be on all print materials, website pages and signage related to the party deck. *additional naming rights opportunities available upon request (i.e. stadium rights, club seats, etc.)
PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCEMENTS Get your company name, slogan and message broadcasted directly to the ears of loyal Bandits fans in attendance with a :15 second spot PA announcements fit seamlessly into the flow of the game, getting your message heard from our experienced PA announcer
PROMOTION NIGHT SPONSORSHIP Throw out the first pitch 25 Reserved tickets 50 General Admission tickets Your logo on the selected premium giveaway Inclusion in all print and web advertising of the event PA announcements during the ball game
ON THE WEB The Bandits official website, www.chicagobandits.com is the most popular in the NPF and provides your business with prime placement, interactive options, and the ability to drive consumers exactly where you want them to go with direct links to your product or information. Averages 19,964.94 Unique Visitors per month through direct url (www.chicagobandits.com) Averages 822,547 visitors through links (facebook, twitter, newsletters, etc.) per year since 2007 with a record high in 2010 Each visitor views five (5) different pages per visit Home Page Ad - 800px X 150px Inside Pages Banner Ad - 800x150 Main Partners Page (logo plus description)
BROADCAST STREAMING OPTIONS Chicago Bandits home games are broadcast live, on the web, by our award winning broadcaster Mike Knezevich who brings the in-game action to your computer or TV with colorful commentary and expert insight into the sport of fastpitch softball Inning Sponsor Associate your company name and slogan with a specific inning in each broadcast. Recorded or Spoken Sponsor Reads (each spot is :30 seconds long and is either recorded or spoken, not a commercial) Opening/Closing Billboard Your company logo and message will be broadcast to all our dedicated viewers at the start and conclusion of each game Player of the Game Associate your company name and slogan with each ballgame s Player of the Game. Awarded at the end of each game, this is the perfect opportunity to have your company associated with the best player of each game
GAME DAY OPTIONS Several game day sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2011 season. Place your company s message and logo along side key parts of Chicago Bandits games. Game Day Options include: Starting Lineup Board and Announcement Starting Lineups 5th Inning Stretch Stolen Bases / Caught Stealing Foul Balls Speed Pitch Stolen Bases/Caught Stealing Strikeouts and Walks
PUBLICATIONS Pocket Schedules over 20,000 pocket schedules are distributed at the ball park, office, community outlets, events, mailed with merchandise and ticket orders, appearances and businesses throughout the Chicagoland area. They are the definitive source for who, when and where the Bandits are playing listing game times, special events, promotions and more. Sized at 3.5 x 5 this handy guide easily fits in wallets, pockets and purses for easy transportation and access 2011 Magazine 94 percent of programs are distributed to fans at the ball game at very low cost at each of the ballparks entrances and during all Bandits home games. Magazines include player bios, statistics, feature stories, photographs, schedules and more information to keep fans up on everything Bandits. The 2011 Magazine is being published in three issues. Special Offer - Buy two full-page ads, get the third issue free plus two season tickets and one public address announcement per game!
SEASON TICKETS (25 DATES) Reduced ticket prices Unused tickets can be exchanged for tickets to a future game Complimentary parking passes for every two Full-Season tickets purchased; discounted parking available for other packages Season Ticket Holder Meet the Bandits day for full-season ticket holders Bandits Cap and Pin for full-season ticket holders Private post-game autograph line for full-season ticket holders Access to Coaches Chalk Talk before select home games Merchandise discounts and official season ticket holder t-shirt
PARTY DECK With one located in left field and another above and behind the first base dugout, the Party Deck overlooks the field from two angles of the stadium, perfect for company outings or family and friends Includes Buffet, beverages and beer - all for maximum of 50 people
SAMPLING Any food product must be four ounces or smaller The Chicago Bandits reserve the right to refuse products that are in conflict or not in the best interest of the Chicago Bandits
TERMS AND CONDITIONS This proposal is submitted to potential partners on a non-exclusive basis and the Chicago Bandits LLC reserves the right and ability to present all inventory elements, rights and privileges to other potential partners. All inventory elements, rights and privileges and conditions contained in this proposal are subject to availability at the time of the final agreement and all prices are net to the Chicago Bandits LLC.