Could Lonn Trost (and Randy Levine) Be On The Way Out The Door?

"Look, we can't lose the next generation of Yankee fan because a father can't afford to take his kid to a game."
- Lonn Trost, July 13, 2008

“If you purchased a suite, do you want people in your suite? If you purchased a house, do you want people in your house?”
- Lonn Trost, May 12, 2009

Are you wondering why there is such a difference in those quotes? One was a media-trained Lonn Trost being profiled by a newspaper, the other was Lonn Trost being taken to task at a press conference. "Press conference Lonn" is probably a better indicator of his true feelings about the type of Yankees fan that the new Yankee Stadium caters to, as he wasn't prepped for the questions, and was speaking off the cuff.

"I practically lived in old Yankee Stadium, that's why, when the architect said, 'We're going to move right field in a foot,' I said, 'Oh, no, you're not.' To Yankee fans, those distances are sacred."
- Lonn Trost, July 13, 2008

Most of right field is shorter in the new park, by as much as 9 feet, but more typically by 4-5 feet
- Greg Rybarczyk (Hit Tracker Online) April 19, 2008

Apparently, Lonn Trost's architect punked him, because right field in the new stadium is most definitely shorter - and home runs are flying out because of it. That extra 9 feet probably allowed the Yankees to add 2 or 3 extra rows of $95 seats, so in Trost's mind, it was a no-brainer.

We don't take joy in anyone potentially losing their job, but when it comes to a weasel like Lonn Trost, we will admit that 1050 ESPN Radio's breaking news this afternoon actually brightened our day. Word that Randy Levine may be on the chopping block as well is icing on this fiery cake.

These two men have single-handedly disenfranchised thousands of Yankees fans with their out of touch policies and decisions. Babe Ruth, George Steinbrenner and Derek Jeter have all spoken about Yankees fans and how they one of the main reasons for the team's consistent success for over the years. With the new Yankee Stadium fiasco, Lonn Trost and Randy Levine seem to have lost sight of that important point, and they may lose their jobs because of it. If the reports are true, we wish Trost and Levine the best of luck in their future endeavors and pity the poor fools who allow them to ruin another organization. Read the full post, after the jump

Lonn Trost And The Yankees Need a Better Publicists Version 2,087

“If you purchased a suite, do you want people in your suite?” Trost said, referencing the pricey Legends Suites that are closest to the field. “If you purchased a house, do you want people in your house?”

Lonn Trost is so out of touch with the fans that he doesn't even know the way the old Yankee Stadium worked. In 2008, people were able to congregate by the foul poles and meet players, watch batting practice, and enjoy being close to the field. Now, there is a security guard stationed at every single entrance to the field level seats, including the outfield box seats in front of the bleachers. Nobody pining for access to the area close to the field during BP wants to sit in anyone's "house." What an asinine quote from the person who is running the Yankee organization into the ground.

Why didn't any of the beat writers reporters covering the press conference follow up with a question about non-Legends field level access? Perhaps it is because they too are slightly out of touch with the plight of the average fan? Perhaps it is because they talk the talk in op-ed columns regarding Trost, but once they get in front of him they fall for his ratty charm? We'll never know.

Unfortunately, all we learned from Lonn Trost's press conference today is that the Yankees are price gauging as always (in regard to the memorabilia pricing) and they still don't understand how to make some easy fixes to the new stadium. Would it have been so difficult to announce
some positive news instead of continuing to allow the barrage of stories with a negative tone? We stand by the fact that the Yankees need to consider hiring a completely different PR firm and starting anew. We hear A-Rod knows a guy. Read the full post, after the jump

Help Wanted: Media Trainer and Publicist For Yankee Executive With Oral Diarrhea

This is an awkward moment in NSI history - two authors of the blog penning a similar post at the same time. Here is another take on today's Randy Levine media meltdown:

On the day that the Red Sox and Yankees renewed their famous rivalry, Yankee President Randy Levine had another franchise an entire league in his cross-hairs. Proving yet again that he is completely out of touch with the general public, Levine thought that completely ripping Major League Soccer and their commissioner would be the best way to respond to criticism about empty seats at the new Yankee Stadium. As quoted by the AP, Levine lashed out:

"Don Garber discussing Yankee attendance must be a joke," Levine said Friday. "We draw more people in a year than his entire league does in a year. If he ever gets Major League Soccer into the same time zone as the Yankees, we might take him seriously.

"Hey Don, worry about Beckham, not the Yankees. Even he wants out of your league."

While we can't argue the veracity of Levine's statement, we can easily question his choice of targets. Don Garber, the commissioner of a failing league, was simply lamenting the empty seat issue, saying "It's incomprehensible that you watch a game, and there will be front-row seats empty." Don Garber might be the commissioner of a sports league, but his sentiments very well could have been those of any Yankee fan - from superfan Freddy "Sez" to any one of the writers here on NSI.

The problem is, Randy Levine, Lonn Trost, and most of the other high level executives representing the New York Yankees are completely out of touch with the average Yankee fan. We're one bad interview away from Levine or Trost taking a page out of former Motorola CEO Ed Zander's book and saying "I love my job, I hate my customers [fans]."

It seems that evert time Levine is quoted, he is vehemently refuting someone else's critical statement . Levine is on the defensive at all times, and he is making the New York Yankees look bad. He even responded to a crazy idea that we shared with Richard Sandomir of the NY Times, suggesting that the Yankees tear down the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar.

The time has come for the Yankees to reel Randy Levine in by hiring a media trainer to work with him around the clock. Until he learns the proper way to conduct an interview, the Steinbrenners should ban him from speaking to the press. After the training is over, the Yankee should hire a publicist for Levine who will stay by his side at all times that there is even a remote chance of him speaking to the press.

The New York Yankees are the most famous franchise in sports and are worth $1.5 billion. When will their upper level executives stop making asinine quotes to the media as if they are cocky ivy league graduates running a startup? Read the full post, after the jump

Lonn Trost is a liar - All the proof Yankee fans need from a year-old interview

I received an email from a disgruntled Yankee season ticket holder containing an MP3 of an interview that Lonn Trost conducted with Mike and the now defunct Mad Dog last March 11. In the interview below, listen to Lonn the sleaze go out of his way to brag about what a great relocation plan the Yankees had concocted and how happy the fans would be.

Nearly one year later, egg is dripping down his face, but the Yankees are laughing their way to the bank.

Scroll to 7:18 of this clip and listen for the next minute or so. It is pretty unbelievable that Francesca let him off the hook so easily in that interview last week. Accountability just doesn't exist these days, even when archives of print, radio and TV are so readily accesible. It is sad, really.



If the player doesn't work, you can download the interview here.

What do you have to say for yourself, Lonn?

Update (3/5/09): Some folks in the comments are pointing out how forthcoming Lonn was in his interview, mentioning the obstruction in the bleachers and talking about the TVs in the walls. If you read this blog, you will see that the bleacher obstruction has not been news since September when NY Mag posted a photo from the 3D seat selector. The fact remains that the relocation process that was being touted as one of the most efficient and well-planned in the history of sports in the interview linked above is still going on with a month until opening day. Any season ticket holder that didn't upgrade to full season is disgruntled. The interview from one year ago shows Trost's ignorance in regard to the pending relocation. Instead of tempering expectations for the process, he boasted proudly how happy everyone would be. That was his first mistake.

Talk about it in the Stadium Insider Forums!

Tax Season is here - Save By E-Filing Your Taxes and tell 'em Stadium Insider sent you - Only $19.95! Read the full post, after the jump

Pre-sale date set for Yankees 2009 single game tickets

According to inside information, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees' season ticket holders will get their shot at 2009 New York Yankee single game tickets on March 17, 2009. One would assume that New York Yankee ticket plan holders will have a pre-sale prior to that date, and the on sale for the general public will be shortly after that date.

The COO of the Evil Empire, Lonn Trost mentioned that single game tickets would be on sale on or around March 15, 2009. It is not surprising that the general on sale date is likely to be later - Lonn Trost typically speaks in half-truths.

When dates are confirmed, Stadium Insider will be the first to let everyone know.

Talk about it in the Stadium Insider Forums! Read the full post, after the jump