Owners are the winning team behind the prospering IronPigs team

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“Keep the hot dogs warm and the beer cold. There is nothing complicated about our business – just an attention to detail and executing on your plan,” said Finley, a former lawyer who co- owns the team with Craig Stein, a former accountant and real estate developer.

Since locating to the Lehigh Valley in 2008, the IronPigs – an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies – have garnered continued success – and not only in terms of attendance.

The franchise was recently chosen to host the 2013 Gildan Triple-A National Championship game to be held on Sept. 17, 2013. Three years ago, the team was chosen to host the 2010 Triple-A All-Star Game.

NOTE: As this issue of Lehigh Valley Business went to print, the IronPigs were a mere one-and-a-half games behind the Pawtucket Red Sox in the standings for a Wild Card playoff spot. Team spokesman Jon Schaeffer said making the playoffs “could very well come down to the final day” of the season, Sept. 3, when the IronPigs played the Buffalo Bisons, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets.

But there’s a lot more that goes into a team’s success than just warm hot dogs and cold beer. A winning team must also have the backing of a winning support team.

“Hire good, high-character quality people. There is no substitute for hard work. Hire people who have a commitment to excellence,” said Finley.

The team currently employs about 40 full time employees and 350 seasonal/part time employees.

What drives the park’s success is not only this constant struggle for excellence, it is also the owners’ longtime commitment to providing quality entertainment.

“Think long term,” Finley advised, “We are all consumers and customers of various things and entertainment in our individual lives. Think in terms of what you would want as a fan and consumer at the ballpark.”

As evidence of their longtime pledge to the Valley, the IronPigs signed a 30-year lease agreement with Lehigh County, the entity that owns the team’s home base, Coca-Cola Park in Allentown.

The $50 million stadium seats 8,100 comfortably but can expand to a capacity of 10,000. The stadium was one of the primary reasons for the team’s relocation, Finley said.

“We had negotiated to acquire the franchise for several years from the previous owner and signed an Asset Purchase Agreement when it became clear that Lehigh County would build a ballpark,” he explained.

Other basics that keep the IronPigs successful are providing an affordable, fun experience and maintaining a high level of family entertainment. Finley said fans are also stoked to attend games played at a clean ballpark.

Prior to becoming the IronPigs, the team was known as the Ottawa Lynx, the Triple-A affiliate of the Montreal Expos. And before that, the franchise was an affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

Now they’re affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies and will be until at least 2016.

Finley is a lifelong Phillies fan so, for him, the affiliation couldn’t be sweeter.

“Craig and I feel being affiliated with the Phillies has been a real benefit to the IronPigs. The Phillies have a great brand, a very likable team on and off the field and a first class front office. We couldn’t be happier with the Phillies,” said Finley.

Finley and Stein also own the Lakewood (New Jersey) BlueClaws minor league franchise, the Reading Phillies and Trenton Thunder.,

They also share a fondness for baseball that goes back to both their childhood.

“I think I can speak for both of us when I say that we have many fond memories from our childhood. Baseball is the national pastime and we both grew up loving and playing the game along with countless other kids throughout the ages,” said Finley.

They hope to create great memories for their fans, too.

“We can’t guarantee a win for the fans every time they come out to the ballpark, but we can guarantee that the fans will leave with a smile on their face and a memory in their hearts,” he said.

The future is bright for the IronPigs and their many fans.

“We’re not sure what the future will bring but we can tell you that we remain committed to our fans and corporate partners to provide the most affordable, most entertaining, cleanest and most dynamic entertainment experience in the entire LV for many years to come,” Finley said.