John P. Angelos

John P. Angelos
Residence	Baltimore, Maryland Saratoga Springs, New York
Education	Duke University University of Baltimore School of Law
Occupation	Executive Vice President, Baltimore Orioles President and COO, MASN
Parent(s)	Peter G. Angelos and Georgia Angelos

John P. Angelos is the Executive Vice President of the Baltimore Orioles, a position he has held since April 1999, leading the club's front office and overseeing day-to-day business operations.^[1] He also serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), overseeing the network's business operations. Angelos is the elder son of Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos.

Background

Angelos is a graduate of Duke University and received his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Baltimore Orioles

For more than fifteen years, Angelos has managed the day-to-day business operations of the Baltimore Orioles overseeing marketing and advertising, branding and promotion, major corporate sponsorship sales and ticket sales, governmental and public affairs, media and public relations, ballpark facility design and management, event operations, concessions rights negotiation and self-operation.^[2][3][4]

A New Spring Training Home

Beginning as early as 2005, Angelos served as a lead negotiator with various Florida communities over renovating the team's facility in Fort Lauderdale and ultimately relocating Orioles’ spring training to Sarasota.^[5][6][7] Throughout the five-year process, Angelos and the organization fielded offers from at least four cities in Florida for the Orioles new spring training home.^{[8][9][10][11]} Initial efforts were focused on renovating the Orioles’ existing facility in Fort Lauderdale.^[12][13][14] Facing setbacks in negotiations, Angelos and the Orioles turned to Fort Myers, Sarasota, and Vero Beach.^[15][16] On November 12, 2008, Sarasota, Florida made a $30 million offer to the Orioles. Additionally, Vero Beach, Florida made a formal offer to the Orioles on November 17, 2008.^[17] On July 22, 2009, the Orioles announced an agreement with Sarasota, Florida to move spring training operations to Ed Smith Stadium for 2010.^{[18][19][20][21]}

As a key facet of the public-private partnership with Sarasota, Angelos developed a unique “sisterhood city” integrated marketing approach to capitalize on the power of the Baltimore Orioles and Major League Baseball to create economic impact through tourism incubation for the city.^[22][23][24] The approach utilizes the Orioles’ multiplatform media assets to market Sarasota to consumers in the Mid-Atlantic region year-round.^[25][26] According to the Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau, visits and inquiries from Mid-Atlantic residents have increased by double-digits since the partnership began.^[27] The partnership was recognized by industry publication Sports Business Journal for providing the “marketing muscle” necessary to generate the tourist dollars that are “more important than ever to making the spring training business equation work.”^[28] In late 2013, the Tampa Bay Business Journal heralded the results of the partnership in a cover story, describing the deal as a home run for Sarasota’s tourism industry.^[29]

Ed Smith Stadium and Twin Lakes Park underwent a $36 million renovation prior to the 2012 season.^[30] In addition to Sarasota County's $24 million contribution and the State of Florida's $7.2 million contribution, the city of Sarasota and Sarasota County donated 80 acres on two complexes for the renovation project.^[31] The Baltimore Orioles added another $5 million in discretionary funds toward the renovation, bringing the total cost of the public and private funded project to over $36 million. Working closely with Angelos, David Schwarz Architects of Washington, DC and Hoyt Architects of Sarasota, Florida led the renovation efforts.^[32] The renovations also received acclaim from Sports Business Journal.^[33][34]

Development of the Orioles Radio Network

In 2006, Angelos created the Orioles Radio Network in an effort to bring the team’s programming rights in house. As a result, the Orioles self-operate all aspects of their radio business including sales, affiliate network distribution, programming and production. The move also gave the organization enhanced opportunities for corporate sponsorship, advertising relationships and revenue generation across multiple media platforms.

Since 2006, the Orioles Radio Network has more than tripled in size, spanning six states and dozens of top Nielson market areas.^[35] In 2008 alone, 15 stations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia were added to the Orioles Radio Network. The Orioles schedule is now broadcast on over 35 stations in six states and the District of Columbia.^[36][37]

As part of this development, Angelos also negotiated new affiliate deals and expanded Baltimore Orioles radio coverage to include pregame and postgame shows for every game, and in-game interviews with managers and coaches. However, the Orioles have been unable to find a radio station to play the games on in Ocean City, Maryland.

“People to People” Series with Cuba

Angelos was a representative of the Orioles franchise in the tripartite discussions between the team, the Cuban government, and the United States government and several of its agencies that culminated in the historic games between the Orioles and the Cuban National Baseball Team at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and in Havana, Cuba in March 1999.^[38] He and his brother, attorney Louis Angelos, led a delegation of team and baseball officials to Havana to negotiate the final agreement for the two-game series.^{[39] [40]}

Orioles and Consumer-Friendly Policies

Under Angelos' leadership, the Orioles adopted a wide range of consumer-friendly policies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.^[41] The franchise's Fan Cost Index metric consistently ranks among the best values in Major League Baseball for tickets, food, beverages and parking for a family of four.^[42] The franchise allows fans to bring food and beverages into the park to save on costs. In 2009, the team created a “Birdland Stimulus Package” with discounts and affordable entertainment options for families and the team's refund and exchange policy is one of the league's most liberal, allowing fans a great deal of scheduling flexibility.^[43] The club also received strong reviews for relaxing its refund policy during a bizarre rainout in 1999.^[44]

These consumer-friendly policies helped to make Oriole Park at Camden Yards the fastest ballpark to welcome 50 million fans, just 17 years after it opened.^[45] During that time, Oriole Park trailed only Dodger Stadium and Yankee Stadium in attendance. In 2008, the Orioles welcomed their 100 millionth fan in franchise history.

Oriole Park underwent a round of significant renovations to enhance the fan experience in advance of its 20th anniversary in 2012. New features included new bars and dining spaces, improved sight lines, upgraded concessions and the addition of six bronze statues of Orioles legends in center field.^[46]

Angelos and the Baltimore Orioles introduce a partnership with Baltimore City Schools in 2009

Orioles and Economic Impact

Various studies have measured the team’s impact on the local economy.^[47] In 2006, the Towson University Study found that the Orioles generated $166.9 million in gross business sales across the state of Maryland.^[48] That same season, the Orioles generated $18 million in state and local tax revenues. According to PressBox, local tourism leaders credit the ballpark for driving more than $2 billion in development around the stadium since 1992.^[49] Baltimore Guide also reported that bars and restaurants throughout the Baltimore area saw significant economic impact from the team's successful 2012 season.^[50] Forbes also noted “over the past two decades, the success of Camden Yards has helped Baltimore become a valid destination for tourists and businesses alike--and made it one of America's most livable cities."^[51][52]

Orioles and the Community

The club supports a variety of Baltimore-based nonprofit organizations that serve and improve the local community.^[53] In July 2009, Angelos introduced an innovative partnership between OriolesREACH and Baltimore City Public Schools to support education initiatives for Baltimore's youth.^[54] The program included a unique, integrated summer learning curriculum based on Orioles baseball.^[55] Most recently, the team announced a partnership to host the Baltimore City Public Schools Baseball Championships at Oriole Park beginning in 2012.

In Sarasota, the club has sponsored literacy programs, food drives and a variety of community partnerships.

MASN

Angelos led the launch of MASN as a full-time network in 2005.^[56][57][58] MASN is now available on basic cable, satellite, and telecom systems to 18 million viewers throughout Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C. and parts of Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Delaware and West Virginia.

At MASN, Angelos negotiated dozens of carriage agreements throughout the territory and oversaw carriage-related public affairs, government relations and supporting litigation at FCC and Appellate Court proceedings including the ongoing carriage dispute with Time Warner Cable.^[59][60] In addition to managing the day-to-day business operations of the network, he oversaw MASN’s transition to HD along with other programming and production enhancements including on-site pre and post-game shows live from Nationals Park and Oriole Park at Camden Yards.^[61] In 2010, Angelos was named as one of the top ten decision-makers on in-market MLB streaming by Sports Business Journal.^[62]

In several interviews with Toronto sports radio host Joey Vendetta, Angelos discussed the development of MASN, the value of sports television rights fees and the current landscape of regional sports networks.^[63][64] Additionally, on a panel at the Leadership in Sponsorship 2014 conference, Angelos discussed how the development of MASN allowed the Orioles to integrate assets and content to build a 360-degree, multiplatform sales and sponsorship strategy.^[65][66]

Competitive Balance in MLB

Angelos is a vocal advocate for introducing parity mechanisms in Major League Baseball to develop competitive balance in the league. In various speaking engagements, interviews and in a cover story with SportsPro Magazine, Angelos has described the many disadvantages for small and mid-market teams within Major League Baseball’s decentralized model.^[67][68] Angelos argues that introducing a salary cap and floor would reduce payroll inequality and allow small market teams to keep pace with baseball’s wealthiest, big market teams.^[69] Historically, he argues, successful small market teams like Oakland and Tampa Bay have overcome extraordinary economic disadvantages to compete successfully with the league’s biggest spenders.^[70]

Angelos often points to the NFL’s centralized revenue-sharing model and parity mechanisms as a key foundation of the league’s enormous success, especially in smaller markets.^[71] He also argues that greater exposure for small market teams in national television broadcast schedules – similar to NFL scheduling – would showcase the combined strength of baseball’s franchises and create a stronger, more balanced league.^[72]

Racing and gaming industry

A lifelong supporter of Thoroughbred racing, Angelos serves on the Board of the Directors of the Maryland Million, one of the nation's best-known single days of horse racing competition. Founded by legendary sportscaster Jim McKay in 1986, the Maryland Million brings together local horse breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys, Maryland businesses and racing organizations to showcase Maryland's best Thoroughbred racehorses in an intramural championship competition. Angelos has also managed breeding interests and has participated in other racing and breeding related partnerships in Maryland, New York and across the East Coast.^[73][74] Additionally, he brought popular New York Thoroughbred racing – including Saturdays at Saratoga – to viewers throughout MASN’s seven state territory.^[75]

Most recently, Angelos developed, distributed and served as executive producer of At the Post Live, an interactive racing show featuring horse racing personality and expert analyst Andy Serling with special guests live from Hattie’s Restaurant in Saratoga Springs, NY.^[76][77] At the Post Live airs throughout the Albany region on ESPN Radio 104.5 FM and online at ESPN’s 1045theTeam.com as well as on the Daily Racing Form every Thursday evening. Throughout the season, special guests have included Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito, elite trainers Kiaran McLaughlin, Chad Brown, Dale Romans and Ian Wilkes, Breeder’s Cup champion jockeys Rosie Napravnik and Ramon Dominguez, Washington Post journalist, and creator of the industry-changing Beyer Speed Figures, Andy Beyer, and Daily Racing Form publisher and noted author and columnist, Steve Crist.

In its first year, the program had strong local advertising support from a variety of corporate, nonprofit and media sponsors including Parting Glass Racing, the Christopher Dailey Foundation, ESPN Radio 104.5, Thoroughbred Building Solutions, Special Olympics New York, Hattie’s Restaurant, New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc., Daily Racing Form, Permanently Disabled Jockey’s Fund, Saratoga Hospital Foundation and Camden Sports Productions.^[78]

Additionally, Angelos is actively involved in philanthropic endeavors to support the racing community. He is an active supporter of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation—an equine sanctuary for retired Thoroughbred racehorses – and has donated a number sports experience packages to benefit the organization’s annual gala. He has also donated similar packages to the Saratoga Hospital Foundation’s Summer Benefit Auction as well as other local and industry fundraisers.^{[79] [80]}

Support for progressive organizations and candidates

Outside of the sports and entertainment industries, John Angelos has been politically active and a strong supporter of progressive candidates and organizations both nationally and in Maryland.^[81]

In the past, he donated to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the DNC Services Corp, Presidential Candidates Joe Biden and Barack Obama, Congressman John Sarbanes, Democratic Candidate for Congress Frank Kratovil, the Missouri Democratic State Committee, the Indiana Democratic Congressional Victory Committee and the Democratic Party of Colorado.^[82]

Angelos is also an ardent supporter of the ACLU, Amnesty International, Planned Parenthood, Special Olympics, St. Jude Hospital and several progressive and populist publications.

References