Inner Demons

They're S.F.'s new pro football team. They've got second-rate players, an untested product, and a concept with a history of failure. But that's OK -- they have a great marketing plan.

Comments (0) By Mark Athitakis Wednesday, Jan 24 2001

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The Demons held a similar event last month at Pacific Bell Park. There, people ran through the stands to lock in their seats, and there was virtually no evidence that the WWF was involved at all. Pac Bell's store sold out its stock of Demons hats in less than half an hour that day, and 1,500 people bought season tickets, bringing advance sales up to 20,000 -- well ahead of the 7,500-seat benchmark the XFL has set for each team. So far, Pac Bell Park alone has been enough of a selling point for Demons tickets, though the cheerleaders were doing brisk business as well -- the line for photos snaked past the right field causeway and into the mezzanine. It was almost as long as the line for tickets.

It was such an exciting time, both in Vegas and San Francisco, that hardly anybody noticed that professional football players were scrimmaging on the field. Pac Bell Park's video screen showed that wrecking ball slamming the kick returner over and over, and a booming voice on the PA system put everything in its proper perspective:

Paul Trapani

Offense coach Joe Paopao (right) conferring with players.

Paul Trapani

Offense coach Joe Paopao (right) conferring with players.

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"If you're here for the hot cheerleaders and the cold beer," it said, "now's your chance to get your picture taken with the cheerleaders. It's free. Just don't tell the wife."