Owners happy with first year in Arena league

The good news is that most ticket prices have dropped for the 2008 season.

VINDICATOR staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — The owners of the Mahoning Valley Thunder feel they’re off to a good start in making arena football a big part of the community.

Dr. Michael Slyk of Warren owns the team with Canfield’s Tim Chesney and Dr. Jon Saadey.

The good news for fans is that most ticket prices are less for the 2008 season.

Slyk is happy to have general manager Adam Tokash and coach Mike Hold back.

Stressing the value of consistency, Slyk said, “You can’t have coaches changing after a year. You have to give time to develop. One reason Mike likes coaching in Ohio is because of the huge talent pool here.”

The Thunder needed at least an 8-8 record for a chance for the playoffs in 2007.

“On the whole, we’ve had a successful year,” Saadey said. “We’ve put a lot together in a short period of time. “Yes, we want to win more and we want fans in every seat,” he added.

The Thunder were eliminated from playoff contention when they lost to the Tennessee Valley Vipers, 58-39, in their 15th game.

“It’s been a learning experience,” Chesney said. “On a scale of 1-to-10 with 10 being most ideal and 1 being let’s close the doors, I’d say we were probably a 6 or 7.”

Slyk said the franchise’s primary goal in 2007 was to launch the team.

“Perhaps the most exciting thing has been talking to fans and hearing how much they loved the game,” Slyk said.

All three owners expressed gratitude to area businesses who have supported the franchise, from ads on the boards to ticket purchases.

The Thunder opened March 31 with a sellout crowd of 5,954. Their next two home games drew 4,798 and 4,123 fans.

The other four home games have averaged approximately 3,500 fans.

Chesney and Saadey said they are a little surprised that the season average didn’t top 5,000.

“It caught me off guard — I thought we would get 5,000 a game,” Saadey said. “Looking back now, I realize how busy people are, from graduation parties to baseball games. And the weather was magnificent for each of our home games.”

This year, ticket prices ranged from $50 for the closest seats to $15 for end zone views.

Chesney said consultants have advised that there were too many price levels. For 2008, Thunder management has restructured most ticket prices.

VIP seats for season-ticket holders will continue to cost $50 (not including a service charge).

However, the sideline seats that were $40 are being reduced to $30. The other price levels are $18 for corner and lower end zone seats and $12 for upper end zone.

For Saadey, the highlight of the season came opening night when the sellout crowd completed a two-year effort to build the franchise.

“It was such a long time coming so there was much anticipation,” Saadey said. “We actually turned people away at the door and that’s something I hate to do.

“It was a great night for Youngstown, kind of like when [boxer Kelly] Pavlik fought [at the Chevrolet Centre],” he added.

Chesney is pleased with the character that the players have shown and the example Hold has set.

“He knows the game and his no-nonsense manner has been outstanding,” Chesney said. “I’m very happy with the selection we made for head coach.”

Slyk said seeing the team take the field was the culmination of a lot of hard work.

“There was a point where it looked like it wasn’t going to happen,” Slyk said.

Two summers ago, the Thunder ownership team was making plans to join the af2 in 2006 when they were informed that the Youngstown SteelHounds team had been granted an “sports exclusivity clause” for the arena’s first 12 months of operations.

SteelHounds owner Herb Washington, whose team debuted in October 2005, refused to waive the clause, delaying the Thunder’s debut until 2007.

Watching the expansion team struggle after a 3-0 start wasn’t easy, Saadey admitted.

“I never went into an athletic contest thinking I was going to lose,” Saadey said. “I expect to win. Do I consider it a successful season? Yes, considering all the injuries.

“We’re off the ground. I’m in this to win and improve our town. And we’re not going anywhere.

“We’ve made a few mistakes but they were first-year rookie mistakes that can easily can be corrected,” Saadey said. “I’m proud that we’ve handled ourselves professionally as an organization.”