Are the Yankees a Tarnished Brand?

Could the Yankees brand betarnished?The 2008 postseason was the first since 1993 (1994 excluded due to the obvious) not to include the New York Yankees. The 2009 Yankee season offered much promise, however. A number of expensive contracts had terminated (Giambi, Abreu, Pettitte, Mussina, Pavano), and that, combined with the additional revenues to be generated from the new Yankee Stadium led to much optimism concerning future fortunes, on and off field. The Yankees did the expected and dominated the free agent market, signing Sabathia, Burnett, Teixeira and re-signing Pettitte. The FA spending spree prompted some owners to publicly express their support for the implementation of a salary cap. The “Evil Empire” was expected to rule again. But somehow, that all seems a long time ago. More recently the Yankees have encountered a series of surprises and disappointments off and on the field. The recession diminished the anticipated demand for luxury suites and premium seats at the new s...