Anna Striano could barely compose herself after a teleconference with Pensacola Blue Wahoos owners and executives last week.
After weeks of uncertainty watching dire news reports regarding the state of minor league baseball, Striano, a California native in her fourth year with the Blue Wahoos as a merchandise and community service manager, finally heard the news she'd so desperately needed: The Blue Wahoos would not have layoffs or furloughs in the front office.
"When (team owner Quint Studer) said that, it was literally like I could feel the weight just come off my shoulders," Striano said. "I honestly turned my (computer) camera off for a minute, because I was crying. It has been such an anxious time, such an anxious season in everybody's life.
"I think that was in everybody's head about, 'What is going to happen, what are we going to do? To have that answered and know we are going to move forward, it was a feeling like, whew, such a relief."
Studer and his wife, Rishy, penned a letter to season ticket holders this week attempting to answer the many questions fans, employees and others invested in the minor league team held.
The owner was frank in stating that while he doesn't know when minor league baseball will learn its fate, he doesn't expect a season to be played.
In lieu, Studer said the team will continue to innovate with new side gigs, such as Airbnb listings, disc golf courses and more, to help offset a projected $3 million in losses.
While furloughs and layoffs could help with those margins, Studer said the organization was concerned with losing talent through layoffs and would instead seek to develop employees through the side gigs as well as loaning employees to local non-profits.
Team executives weighed five early scenarios as the pandemic developed and every one of them included layoffs or furloughs. The most extreme measures would've reduced Blue Wahoos staff to six employees, the number which helped form the team during its 2011 beginnings.
According to Studer, the ultimate price-saving measure would have been to shut down stadium activities indefinitely, but he said that move would have gone against the organization's community service objectives.
"If you're really looking to save money, because we're not really making money on movie nights and whatever," Studer said. "These are not the most profitable ventures. None are going to make up $8 million.
"We decided we wanted to keep doing these events because it's good for the community."
It's a move that will also impact a little over two dozen Blue Wahoos front office employees, a fate not shared by many organizations across minor league baseball.
"I have a lot of friends in the league and the industry and hearing what they are going through, this has been humbling," Striano said. "It makes me realize for sure how lucky we are to work here and be working for Quint. I feel like there are 160 other minor league teams that are not going to do something of this magnitude."
"You read his books and realize everything he has been taught over the years. Now, we're seeing it in action with us."
Eric J. Wallace can be reached at ejwallace@pnj.com or 850-525-5087.
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Blue Wahoos: Instead of layoffs, employees will be loaned to non-profits, repurposed - Pensacola News Journal
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