Saints tickets now available through Tallahassee-based eLayaway
Will Brown | Tallahassee Democrat | January 10, 2009
In many Southern cities it's never too early to think about the upcoming football season — or securing tickets for next year.
To help football and other sports fans afford season ticket packages, Tallahassee-based eLayaway developed a program through which consumers can pay for their tickets in installments by placing them on layaway.
This sports offering is a new twist to the online layaway services the company provides for retailers and healthcare providers.
"The main thing we're finding is that Americans want payment options, and the ability to spread out payments. eLayaway has become that payment option," said Michael Bilello, senior vice president of business development for the company.
The National Football League's New Orleans Saints were the first team to partner with eLayaway. There has been considerable buzz about the concept by teams in other professional sports leagues, said Saints Vice President of Ticket and Suite Sales Mike Stansfield.
"This is just another payment option, just like Discover, just like Master Card (or) Visa," Stansfield said. "We're very cautious with the partnerships we make with anyone. This made all the sense in the world for No. 1, the consumers, our fans."
While the Saints home games were sold out this season, Florida State University and Florida A&M University cannot say the same.
Seminole home attendance decreased by 3.5 percent, or 2,773 fans, while the Rattlers experienced a 5.4-percent decline and 810 fewer paying fans in 2008.
Neither university uses eLayaway, however, officials at both stressed the need to make ticket packages more affordable for fans.
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