- 3 hours ago
Commanders president Mark Clouse joins the program to preview the new value menu coming to Washington home games this season.
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00:00Joining us now is our friend, Commander's Team President, Mark Klaus.
00:03Mark, how are you, dude?
00:04Good, man. Great to be with you guys. Hopefully you're hungry.
00:07I know B. Mitch likes to eat during the show, so I got you covered, man.
00:1112 o'clock, Mark. 12 o'clock all the time. It's close.
00:15So tell us, obviously there's a big announcement here.
00:19Help us understand exactly what we're announcing,
00:21because I know season ticket members is a big part of this.
00:24Right. So, you know, if you've been following along,
00:27you know, since Josh bought the team, we've been really focused on
00:31improving the fan experience, and so we listen.
00:33We listen to what fans are asking for.
00:35There we go.
00:36Okay, good.
00:37You can hold it.
00:37I know. I've got to be a professional like you guys.
00:40You know, we really focus on listening to what matters most to fans,
00:45and, you know, one of the things that they talk a lot about
00:48is the value on food and beverage.
00:49We know that if you're coming to a game, especially a season ticket member,
00:54you're spending a lot of money,
00:55and I want to try to keep finding ways to elevate the value.
00:59And, you know, why are we focused on season ticket members?
01:02First, it represents about 80% of our ticket sales in the building.
01:07They are really a foundational part of our core fan base.
01:11And, you know, we want to show gratitude.
01:14We want to thank them for being part of something
01:16and really committing to us for the entire season.
01:19And we know that they're investing money that's hard-earned,
01:22and we want to try to find ways to give back.
01:25And last year we spent a lot of time and energy on quality of our food.
01:28This year we're adding value to it.
01:30I was telling JP earlier that I know you all listen,
01:33and you try to address the things that people are saying.
01:35Do they have people saying stuff to you all like, you know, thank you?
01:38Because when you hear a rumble, you all address it immediately.
01:43Yeah, we certainly try to.
01:44I mean, we can't do everything.
01:45And certainly I understand that if you're not a season ticket member,
01:48you're asking, hey, what's in it for me?
01:50We do have things that we're bringing this year for the broader fan base,
01:54including the beloved $5 Bud Lights that we had at Legends Plaza.
01:58So is that for the whole game now?
02:00It's for the whole game at Legends Plaza.
02:02$5 beers.
02:03$5 beers at Legends Plaza.
02:05Okay.
02:05There's going to be a crowd at Legends Plaza.
02:07Yeah, and by the way, it was very popular last year.
02:11And we've also partnered with Pepsi,
02:13who's been our partner on the value menu as well.
02:15And we're going to offer a combo that's under $10 for Pepsi
02:19and a special hot dog every game.
02:21That's for all fans.
02:22That's great.
02:22But, you know, today we do want to celebrate our season ticket members.
02:26So help me understand what season ticket member means.
02:28Because does that mean you buy tickets through the entire season?
02:31That's right.
02:31Or are there different levels of it?
02:32Yeah, they're buying essentially all of our home games.
02:35Okay.
02:36And they get a series of benefits, right?
02:40Cheaper parking.
02:41They get special events.
02:42You know, one of the things we're announcing today
02:44that was also very, very loud and clear from our fans
02:48is they want more football access.
02:50And so this year at training camp,
02:53we will double the number of days that will be season ticket member days
02:57at training camp.
02:57Oh, wow.
02:58Okay.
02:58So we're going to go for-
02:58So of the public days.
03:00Right.
03:00Okay.
03:01So of the public days, we had season ticket member only days for three days
03:05last year.
03:05Okay.
03:06This year we're going to have six.
03:07Wow.
03:08And we heard a lot from our fans that this was important,
03:11that this was something that they really wanted.
03:13So it's part of a series of things that we're trying to do to really elevate
03:18that value as our fans are, like I said,
03:21investing a lot of hard-earned dollars on this.
03:23B, you know, Mark's a tall guy.
03:25And I think for the television and the streaming crowd,
03:28they are unaware that we're also sitting in lower chairs.
03:31Yeah.
03:31You look like a giant right now.
03:35Yeah.
03:35What's going on, you guys?
03:37Am I too tall to be on TV and in radio?
03:40No.
03:40No, we got you.
03:41We got right in space.
03:42So with the season ticket members, do they show a badge or something?
03:47Great question.
03:48Great question.
03:48So one of the other things that we're going to do is really work this year
03:52to make it simple.
03:54So essentially when you are a season ticket member,
03:56you will get, in essence, it's almost like a credit card that you can utilize
04:01that will be scanned at all of our concession booths.
04:04Now, here's the thing, too.
04:05We know that a lot of people share their season tickets.
04:08So if you share your season ticket or transfer your ticket to a friend or family,
04:13they will get the deal as well.
04:15Now, if you sell them, that's a different story.
04:17But if you're transferring them or sharing them among your friends and family,
04:21they're going to get the deal as well.
04:22That's cool.
04:23And you're able to do that all through SeatGeek?
04:24Yeah.
04:25It's actually a combination.
04:26We have a particular provider called Shift4 that helps us do the technology.
04:32But, like, for the end user, it's just you scan your phone or whatever.
04:35Yeah, it's just going to be super simple.
04:36It's going to come right through.
04:37True.
04:37You'll be able to put it.
04:38You know, we're working on getting it right into your, like, Apple wallet.
04:41That's awesome.
04:42So it's just part of what you've got as your game day.
04:44That's cool, man.
04:44That makes sense, man.
04:45Yeah, I like that.
04:46And is it for the – I'm trying to – I'm sure the PR officials in the room here can
04:53help me here.
04:53I'm trying to come up with a word that isn't cheap.
04:55The more affordable food options?
04:57Fan friendly.
04:58These are values.
04:59Values.
04:59Values.
05:00These are great values.
05:02I agree with that.
05:03That's why I know that word has the wrong connotation.
05:05I'm trying to get to the right one.
05:06For the value items, can you buy them anywhere?
05:10Is it special concession stands?
05:11All over the stadium.
05:13I think it's 25 different concession stands around the stadium that you can buy this at.
05:19And, you know, look, one of the things that I think is important about value or when I set out
05:23to try to figure out, you know, with the team, where do we want to price things?
05:27One of the things we like to do is say, all right, I got $20.
05:30I'm going to the game.
05:31What can I get for that?
05:32And with the value menu, you're going to be able to get two Pepsis, right, two Pepsis.
05:37You're going to be able to get two hot dogs.
05:38I'm a diet, man.
05:39Can I get a diet?
05:39You can get that, too.
05:40Can I get that, too?
05:41I need my aspartame.
05:43Two hot dogs.
05:44Good.
05:44You're not losing any weight, though.
05:46I'm just trying to make – I'm 44.
05:48I'm about maintaining.
05:49Whatever your motivation is for those fine Pepsi products, you get two hot dogs, and then you can either have
05:55fries, nachos, or popcorn.
05:57To go with that.
05:58And these are just portions of it.
05:59These are full-size portions.
06:01Yeah.
06:01$20 for that.
06:02That's kind of like a family deal.
06:03It's a little bit like that.
06:04They're becoming the football version of the Masters.
06:06Yeah.
06:06At Augusta.
06:07You're going to break out some egg salad?
06:09We've studied a lot who has been most successful in really creating value for fans.
06:16And I will say there are other sports, other buildings in the NFL we've really gone to school on trying
06:23to figure it out.
06:23And these prices, which represent, on average, a 59% discount over the everyday price, this will make us among
06:31the most affordable in the NFL.
06:33Right there with all the others that have kind of paved some of the way for the value menu concept.
06:39I tell you what, I love this, and it's something that I have – over the course of my years
06:45covering this team, they play the Falcons pretty regularly.
06:48Yeah.
06:48Like, it's not a division rival, but it's a conference, and it's close.
06:51And, like, they play Atlanta often.
06:53And I feel – you would know better than me, but the Falcons felt like the trailblazer in let's give
06:59our fans some value items.
07:01And I love – every time we've gone down there, I would always tweet out a picture of the cost,
07:05and fans would go crazy.
07:06Like, I love that you guys are trying to embrace that.
07:08Yeah, we are.
07:09And, you know, one of the things we're trying to do is create a range of options for our fans.
07:15And so, you know, if you want an all-you-can-eat model, our club level provides it, right?
07:20All-you-can-eat for club level season ticket members as well as $5 Bud Lights on the club level
07:25all year long.
07:26$5 Bud Lights on the club level included as part of your club season ticket is $5 right there on
07:33the club.
07:33That is – of all good ideas.
07:35I think the B. Mr. Penley Show might endorse the most, the $5 Bud Lights.
07:40$5 Bud Lights.
07:40We know our audience here.
07:41That's going to be a hit.
07:42No, look, it's a little bit – the point of it is –
07:45You might want to get used to a lot of people being at Legends Plaza.
07:47Or the club level.
07:48Yeah.
07:49So, look, if you happen to be – that's your preference, then we got that covered for you.
07:53But the flip side, dude, I saw Waters $2.50.
07:56Yeah.
07:57That is entirely appropriate.
07:59Right.
07:59And I think, like, if I'm taking my kids to a game – I'm not going to say what game.
08:04I took my daughters to a game, and they both wanted a lemonade.
08:07And it cost me $22.
08:09And, like, I'm in a position where I could swing it.
08:12But I'm not happy about it.
08:13And then you tell your friends about it.
08:15No.
08:16And there's plenty of people that aren't in that position to swing it.
08:18Yeah.
08:18Look, and we hear that loud and clear from our fans, right?
08:21This is one of the top, if not the top, piece of feedback we get from the game day experience.
08:28It says, hey, we want to have a more affordable set of options for food and beverage.
08:34And, again, when we think about our season ticket members that are making that commitment for the entire season, let's
08:40start there and really make sure that we've got a great recognition and gratitude for what they're doing.
08:46Because it's really important in the world today when there's a lot of choices and we know we're asking folks
08:53to spend really hard-earned money here.
08:56I mean, we want to make it feel like you're getting a great experience and a great value.
08:59Well, I know I talk to a lot of fans, and whenever they say, well, man, they're trying to make
09:06sure that they do the right thing, that's all you have to do.
09:09Yeah.
09:09If you're addressing the situation, then the fan feels better, they're willing to spend a little money.
09:13Yeah.
09:14And, look, I can't do everything, and I know that.
09:16Yeah.
09:16But the things that we can do, we want to really try to lean into those and make sure that
09:20we do.
09:21Can we do just two other things real quick?
09:23Talking with Commander's Team President Mark Klaus, what has been the feedback or perhaps at this point, like, the sales
09:29of new uniforms?
09:31Oh, incredible.
09:33Yeah.
09:33Incredible.
09:34We're among the very top in the NFL right now for merch.
09:37I think people, one, appreciate the acknowledgement and the nod to the past, but I will say the Hail Razor
09:46black uniform has also been incredibly popular.
09:49It helps seeing Jaden wear it every time.
09:51Yeah, I know.
09:52People are really excited, like, when is it going to come?
09:54When are we going to come to the field?
09:56So more to come on that.
09:57And then, look, the new alternate logo is part of that.
10:01A lot of the merch or hats, T-shirts that have the spear and the W have done incredibly well.
10:07And, you know, I know for some of our fans that, you know, or maybe we're out of stock on
10:12a couple things, we're working as quickly as we can to get those in.
10:15How much?
10:16Some of them saw yesterday, I had a phone call, say, should I get the red or the black Hail
10:20Razor?
10:20Get the Hail Razor.
10:21Dude, I love it.
10:23It's a great choice.
10:24You know what's the right answer to be, Mitch?
10:25All three.
10:26All three.
10:26We got a white one, too.
10:28There you go.
10:28There you go.
10:29I loved that at the draft party, I believe, you gave away the black Hail Razors.
10:33And I just, like, a lot of times the giveaway hats are kind of like you could tell they're the
10:37giveaways and they look kind of chintzy.
10:39Those look dope.
10:39They were real.
10:40Yeah.
10:41How much, if at all, as you guys, you're trying to thread a very difficult needle.
10:45And I think you've done an absolute hell of a job with it.
10:48I mean that.
10:49I've commended you in private and I mean it publicly.
10:51How much, if at all, do you listen to the people that still scream about everything that used to be?
10:56Look, I think, you know, we've talked about this before.
10:59I listen.
11:00I, you know, I understand, you know, their frustration.
11:05I understand.
11:06And, you know, what I hope they feel, at least, is that for the things that we can control and
11:11the things that we can do, that we're trying to do that.
11:14And, you know, as it relates to the heritage of this team, there's no one prouder of the Redskins era,
11:20of, you know, our legends, our Super Bowl championships.
11:24That is very much part of something that's in our mind all the time.
11:29And, you know, whether it's some of the.
11:31As it should be.
11:32Right.
11:32As it should be.
11:33As some of the, you know, Jersey retirements and things that we do to recognize folks that really, you know,
11:39were the symbols of the greatness of that time.
11:42And, you know, look, we continue to provide some nods here and there.
11:46The spear, as we talked about, is one of those great icons from our past that can live, you know,
11:52in the commander ecosystem that we've built.
11:55And, you know, we're going to continue to look for ways in which to do that.
11:59And, look, honestly, you know, my, you know, what I actually think is that, man, I hope those that are
12:07so dead set against where we are can get beyond that to be part of what I think is going
12:12to be an incredible journey.
12:13I think that's what we're doing on football, what we're doing in the stadium, you know.
12:18A saying I always heard from Big John Thompson.
12:20He say the loudest is not always the majority.
12:24You got to sometimes understand that some people don't have time to do anything else but complain.
12:29Yeah.
12:29And they sound like they're the majority.
12:31Social media is such a platform.
12:31They are far from the majority.
12:33Look, but, you know, I will just say, look, I respect the points of view.
12:36I understand it.
12:37We really do try to internalize doing everything we possibly can.
12:43Threaten the needle, dude.
12:44To bring us all together, right?
12:45Yeah.
12:45That's what this should be about.
12:46Last thing, just stadium update.
12:48Where are we at?
12:48Yeah, great progress.
12:50A lot of good work happening in a variety of different areas.
12:53We are already underway on doing some of the infrastructure work there.
12:59You know, the storm sewers and electrical, important things that we get done before we break ground next spring.
13:06You would have seen the announcement from Metro on their transportation plan, which we very much support.
13:13One of the things that I really like about what they're doing is the gold bus line that goes from
13:21Union Station to the stadium.
13:23Very good idea.
13:23And why that also is so, you know, helpful is that it also then opens up access to parking in
13:29other parts of the city.
13:30So now, you know.
13:31Union Station's got that huge garage, right?
13:33So even if you're inclined to drive, it gives you another place to go.
13:35I mean, look, I think we're really trying to go to work on making sure that we're buttoned up on
13:41that.
13:42We know how important it is for your game day experience and feel really good about the progress being made
13:47there.
13:48Hey, man.
13:48Thank you for making sure you're talking.
13:49Appreciate you guys as always.
13:50Thank you for the lunch, too.
13:51Yeah, hey.
13:52B-Mits, take it care of, man.
13:55Thank you very much, Mark.
13:56All right, man.
13:56Thanks, guys.
13:56Commander's team president, Mark Klaus, making time for us.
13:59Appreciate you.
13:59For the season ticket members, man, you've got a lot of great value options now when you're at Northwest Stadium.
14:06And if you're not a season ticket member, I imagine you still can be.
14:09Go out and get your season tickets right now.
14:12They're going fast, and let's raise some hail.
14:14Value options, baby.
14:16That's the word, value.
14:17Value options.
14:18Mark, thank you very much for the time.
14:20B-Mitcher-Pinley coming right back.
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