Locomotives work phones, cultivate fans far and wide

Maybe it was simply a matter of picking up the phone and placing a few calls.

After selling only 473 season tickets a year ago, the Locomotives say they already have sold more than 1,000 for the upcoming United Football League season. They've done it the old-fashioned way: by reaching out and touching football fans, both near and as far away as Southern California.

"We set up a call center and contacted people on the phone," said Ruben Herrera, the Locos' vice president of business development. "We weren't going through the phone book and calling people at random. We've been out at events locally the past few months and collected information from interested fans. We always believed that if you don't call them, they're not going to call you."

The Las Vegas franchise has attempted to improve its local visibility by having players, coaches and cheerleaders attend nonfootball events such as festivals and charity fundraisers. The team also is using social media to communicate with fans about leaguewide events, such as the UFL Draft and the announcement of the 2011 schedule.

In doing so, the team is gaining exposure in Las Vegas and beyond at minimal cost.

"We're still going to advertise on TV, radio and in the paper -- all the traditional ways," Herrera said. "Not everyone is on Twitter or Facebook. But when you combine everything, it gives us the best chance to get the word out."

The word has spread well beyond Southern Nevada. Four of those 1,000-plus season tickets belong to Dave White and four others to Barbara Nall. White lives in Sun City, Calif. -- some 265 miles from Sam Boyd Stadium -- and Nall lives in Rancho Palos Verdes, near Los Angeles.

White used to live in Las Vegas and Pahrump but left for California in 2003. He was in Las Vegas during Thanksgiving weekend in 2009 and attended the inaugural UFL championship game. He liked what he saw and became a Locos fan.

"I bought two season tickets last year and went to all the games," White said. "But with the cost of gas and travel, I wasn't sure I could afford to do it again. But in the end, I decided to go for it."

White, who said he loves the UFL so much that he made his Twitter name "LocosFan," doubled his subscription and will bring three of his five children to each of the team's four home games.

"I've always liked the alternative leagues -- the USFL and the XFL," he said. "But the UFL gives me something to root for since there's no NFL team in L.A."

Nall wanted to do something nice for her husband Joe's birthday.

"A co-worker of mine had bought two season tickets, and when she told me about it, I thought, 'What a unique present,' " Nall said. "My husband is a football nut, and Las Vegas isn't that far, plus we love going to Vegas. Now we can make a whole weekend of it -- stay in a hotel, see a show, go out for dinner and, of course, go to the football game with our friends."

Locos president and coach Jim Fassel said the team relishes the long-distance support.

"I've always said that once you see our team play, you'll want to come back," he said. "Obviously, they've developed a passion for us, and we're glad they're with us."

Herrera said the team will launch a website Monday -- lasvegaslocos.com -- in hopes of generating broader interest in the team.

"We're the only team in the UFL to have our own site where we control the content," he said. "We want to do everything we can to make this work."

Keeping tickets affordable is part of that strategy. The most expensive season ticket is $120 and the least expensive is $40. Parking is included, and all season-ticket holders get perks such as access to the players and coaches at team parties, merchandise and an opportunity to buy additional season tickets for children 15 and under at half-price.

"That's why I was able to buy two more," White said. "It's really affordable -- even for someone driving from Southern California."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.