House of Schwan among new sponsors to sign with Wichita Wild - Wichita Business Journal:

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The president and owner of , Wichita' distributor, was never convincexd that previous team owners were committed toindoor football'as success in Wichita. Now, House of Schwan is one of the firsty companies to agree to a sponsorship packag e forthe 's 2007 The deciding factor was local ownership. "It just seemedr like they'd finally gotten to the point througy all the different layers of ownershio in the past and different league affiliationsw that have comeand gone, that they really had a product that had local ownership and a local commitment and a vision for the Schwan says. Wichita oilman Wink Hartma Sr.
committed to own the Wild in Septemberd after listening to a proposak fromMike McCoy, who had spenty the last two years as general manager of the . The two men are workinfg to restorethe sport's credibilit y in the community after a 2006 season that endexd when the Aviators boycotted the championship game in a disputw with team and league owner Ralph Adams of House of Schwan agreed to a multifacetee package that includes sponsorship of the game ball, which fans get to keep if it goes into the along with sideline banners. Schwan and McCot declined to discuss specific financial terms ofthe agreement. Sponsorshipl package prices rangefrom $100 to $15,000.
Schwanj says he signed up early to lock in what he considers the best choice of the available His sponsorship of the Wild does not includeany co-operatived advertising money from , the makere of Budweiser. "Football crosses all socio-economiv levels, but when you get a locaol team with a loyalfan base, they tend to be not only to the but to people who sponsof the team," Schwan says. "And by and large, football fans are beer House of Schwan has sponsorship packagese with the hockey team and is in the proces of negotiating a 2007 agreement withthe . The Wild also signec up some formerAviators sponsors. will sponsorr the Wild's mascot during 2007.
The companyh had banners on the boards surroundiny the playing field duringthe Aviators' 2006 It's a matter of community support for Haroled Ragland, McBride's area "Let's face it, a lot of sporte teams in Wichita have suffered and struggled to make it," Ragland says. "I just thinik the more options we have for the better. I think it just improves the qualituof life." McBride also sponsors the Wranglers, the National Basebal l Congress, athletics and the Thunder. McCoy started talkingh to potential sponsors as soon as it was announced that Hartmamn was takingover ownership. "Having a trusted locall owner, like Mr.
Hartman, somebody that has been in the communith for hisentire life, has really opened doorsw for us," McCoy says. "He's got a lot of friendz and they know with him involvedthat we'rw in the best shape we'v ever been." The Wild held open tryoutss Nov. 12 to add players to a rostere that already includes most of the 2006Aviatore squad, and McCoy is working on next season'w schedule. Hartman says he's pleased with the progress on and offthe field. "I've hired the right people to do therighf things," he says.
"My job is to be supportivee -- stay in the background and when needexjump in, and when not, stay Wichita Wild Owner: Wink GM: Mike McCoy. Head coach: Carl Caldwell.