Boston Red Sox President & CEO Larry Lucchino made an announcement during the fourth inning of the Red Sox-White Sox game Tuesday, letting fans know that the start time for Saturday’s game would be switched.
Instead of playing a night game against the A’s Saturday, the start time was moved to 1:10pm ET. The Red Sox are moving their start time up so Boston sports fans can attend the Red Sox game and still be able to watch the Boston Bruins later in the day. Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Bruins and Canucks starts at 8pm Eastern.
Lucchino says the team consulted the fans on the issue using social media and that over 90% of the responders suggested they move the start time of the game. Lucchino acknowledged “It’s not something we do lightly because we know we we’ll still be inconveniencing some fans,” but he hopes to make it up to them down the line if the conflict is severe.
The reason why we’re making a point to post this story is because it’s just an awesome and considerate gesture by the Red Sox. This is an organization that understands its fan base and is trying to cater to them. Boston fans were rated the most loyal in sports, and Bruins fans are hard core in particular (they’ll prank you or flip you off). Making them choose between the Bruins and Sox really would be difficult, and luckily the Red Sox are doing their best to eliminate the decision.
I can’t tell you how many times in Los Angeles (where I’m based) important Dodgers and Lakers games conflict, making viewers choose between the two. I even remember a Sunday night in the past when the Chargers had a big game on Sunday Night Football while the Padres had an equally important game (I believe the playoffs), and the start times fractured the San Diego audience. Any time an organization goes this far out of its way to work with the fans we want to recognize it. Nice job by the Red Sox, and hopefully other tams take note and follow their lead.
