20-25% Increase on ticket prices?

[swordsman]

We may bitch and moan about ticket prices, but the secondary market is proof that prices haven't reached a point where people will not go to the ballpark.

 

If people are willing to get on ebay, stubhub, or whatever and pay double the face value of a ticket, why shouldn't teams recognize that and raise the price to meet the demand?

 

I know we all hate the fact that we'll have to spend more to do something we enjoy. For some, the increase may price us out of going. That sucks. But the market for tickets shows that right now, there is a greater demand and people are willing to pay.

 

I cannot back this up with real stats right now but I'll bet the tickets that are selling for the prices you stipulate are either really great seats or are for coveted games. I'll bet you that there are plenty of seats in sec 404 in early May that go unsold.

 

Just a guess, though.

 

yeah, maybe for a handful of bad weather games that's true. But most of the stadium sells for way over face value on the secondary market, maybe not always double, but quite often far more than double. The fact is the team could easily make more money by raising prices, the problem is the PR backlash from people screaming. Demand clearly supports the higher prices.

 

I would think that if that were true, ticket brokers would be clamoring for my section 404 season tickets whenever I contact them to see if they want to buy them. Trust me, they ain't.

[daske17]

As a fan, I find it galling that Selig can there and say how this is a great time for baseball fans with all the revenue the sport is generating, while at the same time teams raise ticket prices every year.

 

How is this galling?

 

Because every time Selig talks what great health the sport is in, he doesn't mention that it costs an average of $200 for a family of four to go a game. Sure, we in Chicago see sellouts every year because of the way Wrigley is marketed.

 

Gate receipts are up because parks continue to charge more. Not necessarily because more people are coming to the game. I've been to five different parks this summer: St. Louis, Wrigley, US Cellular, AT&T and Safeco. The only parks that were packed were St. Louis and Wrigley.

 

Again, where is the galling part? Attendance is up, revenue is up. Parks don't have to be packed to be healthy. Percentage of seats filled is up. Going off ESPN's attendance info, 7 million more people went to games in 2007 compared to 2001, and parks went from 64.7% to 72.4% of capacity. Can it be expensive? Sure. But I still don't see the galling part.

 

The definition of galling is irritating. If you're not irritated by the fact that Selig calls this a golden era of baseball because revenue is up, okay, we have a difference of opinion. Either way, I don't like hearing that because I like going to baseball games, I constantly have to pay more. At a certain point, there will come a time where the common fan is completely blocked out of going to more than one game a year because it's cost-prohibitive. That's galling.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Back in the days when Ernie played shortstop...... a bleacher ticket cost $1.00, and the minimum wage was $1.00/hour. So, the folks on the lower end of the economic scale had to work an hour to attend a CUBS game. Today, the same kind of folks have to work 5-6 hours to attend a CUBS game, and it continues to rise. Baseball revenues and salaries are rising at a pace that greatly exceeds the rise in the cost of living. This is not news. It cannot continue forever, but it will continue as long as it can; i.e. until baseball hits that magic point of diminishing return.

[CuseCubFan69]

Does anyone know how many of these seats are corporate seats? IMO the Cubs could charge a lot of money due to these being tax deductible and I'm curious on how far they could push this....maybe even the bleachers someday?

[Fred Hornkohl]

Does anyone know how many of these seats are corporate seats? IMO the Cubs could charge a lot of money due to these being tax deductible and I'm curious on how far they could push this....maybe even the bleachers someday?

 

I don't believe tickets to sporting events are deductible anymore.

[CuseCubFan69]

Does anyone know how many of these seats are corporate seats? IMO the Cubs could charge a lot of money due to these being tax deductible and I'm curious on how far they could push this....maybe even the bleachers someday?

 

I don't believe tickets to sporting events are deductible anymore.

 

It's no longer a business expense? When did that change?

[Fred Hornkohl]

Does anyone know how many of these seats are corporate seats? IMO the Cubs could charge a lot of money due to these being tax deductible and I'm curious on how far they could push this....maybe even the bleachers someday?

 

I don't believe tickets to sporting events are deductible anymore.

 

It's no longer a business expense? When did that change?

 

Don't remember exactly. I think they've been phasing out "entertainment" expenses for quite a while now. As I think about it, it may be that sporting events and the like are partially deductible.

[Irrelevant Dude]

Back in the days when Ernie played shortstop...... a bleacher ticket cost $1.00, and the minimum wage was $1.00/hour. So, the folks on the lower end of the economic scale had to work an hour to attend a CUBS game. Today, the same kind of folks have to work 5-6 hours to attend a CUBS game, and it continues to rise.

As long as they don't have to park or pay for concessions. Then they better work a full day with some overtime.

[Derwood]

The definition of galling is irritating. If you're not irritated by the fact that Selig calls this a golden era of baseball because revenue is up, okay, we have a difference of opinion. Either way, I don't like hearing that because I like going to baseball games, I constantly have to pay more. At a certain point, there will come a time where the common fan is completely blocked out of going to more than one game a year because it's cost-prohibitive. That's galling.

 

they said the same thing about Broadway shows when they were going for $225/ticket, but those shows are still making money hand over fist

[DivineBovine]

Okay, now go spend the money on putting a better product on the field. Thankfully, after the Trib disappears, this seems more likely.

[Fro]

Cubs tickets are still cheap compared to a lot of sports... try going to a college FB game sometime... it's $50/ticket min. :evil:

[Soul]

Back in the days when Ernie played shortstop...... a bleacher ticket cost $1.00, and the minimum wage was $1.00/hour. So, the folks on the lower end of the economic scale had to work an hour to attend a CUBS game. Today, the same kind of folks have to work 5-6 hours to attend a CUBS game, and it continues to rise. Baseball revenues and salaries are rising at a pace that greatly exceeds the rise in the cost of living. This is not news. It cannot continue forever, but it will continue as long as it can; i.e. until baseball hits that magic point of diminishing return.

 

I'm not sure where that point is. Because brokers still buy up the face value tix by the hundreds of thousands, and then make a nice profit selling them again for much, much more.

[Derwood]

Cubs tickets are still cheap compared to a lot of sports... try going to a college FB game sometime... it's $50/ticket min. :evil:

 

cuz they have 8 home dates, not 81

[Garwilly]

Cubs tickets are still cheap compared to a lot of sports... try going to a college FB game sometime... it's $50/ticket min. :evil:

 

cuz they have 8 home dates, not 81

 

 

While your point still stands, they actually have 10 home dates in the NFL. They charge full price for preseason games.

[wvcbxl]

The fact is the team could easily make more money by raising prices, the problem is the PR backlash from people screaming. Demand clearly supports the higher prices.

 

I think it really is that simple: demand drives up the prices, the annual hikes are kept under control by the PR implications.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Cubs tickets are still cheap compared to a lot of sports... try going to a college FB game sometime... it's $50/ticket min. :evil:

 

cuz they have 8 home dates, not 81

 

 

While your point still stands, they actually have 10 home dates in the NFL. They charge full price for preseason games.

 

This is true.

 

And I'm not sure about other venues, but at least you can still get a seat at a baseball game for under twenty bucks. Hell, I know some teams that have $4 seats (albeit not good seats).

 

The cheapest ticket at Texas Stadium for a Cowboys game is $55. Good luck getting one at that price, too.

[BigbadB]

Cubs tickets are still cheap compared to a lot of sports... try going to a college FB game sometime... it's $50/ticket min. :evil:

 

cuz they have 8 home dates, not 81

 

 

While your point still stands, they actually have 10 home dates in the NFL. They charge full price for preseason games.

 

Heh. While your point still stands, you originally said "college FB" which doesn't play in the NFL. College teams only typically have 5 or 6 home games. :D

[swordsman]

Just got my Season Ticket Renewal E-mail.

 

It is in a PDF Form. Anyone have any ideas about how to post the data in a way that is easily readable on the board?

 

Here is the raw info if that helps:

 

Total Games Prime Regular Value 81 55 18

(Prime/Regular/Value Dates) 50 25 6 50/25/6 35/20/0 12/4/2

Club Box IF $ 80.00 $ 70.00 $ 50.00 $ 6,050 n/a n/a

Club Box OF $ 66.00 $ 58.00 $ 33.00 $ 4,948 n/a n/a

Field Box IF $ 66.00 $ 58.00 $ 33.00 $ 4,948 n/a n/a

Field Box OF $ 56.00 $ 50.00 $ 28.00 $ 4,218 n/a n/a

Terrace Box IF $ 52.00 $ 44.00 $ 26.00 $ 3,856 $ 2,700 $ 852

Terrace Box OF $ 46.00 $ 40.00 $ 23.00 $ 3,438 $ 2,410 $ 758

Upper Deck Box IF $ 52.00 $ 44.00 $ 26.00 $ 3,856 $ 2,700 $ 852

Upper Deck Box OF $ 46.00 $ 40.00 $ 23.00 $ 3,438 $ 2,410 $ 758

Terrace Reserved IF $ 36.00 $ 28.00 $ 16.00 $ 2,596 $ 1,820 $ 576

Terrace Reserved OF $ 32.00 $ 24.00 $ 16.00 $ 2,296 $ 1,600 $ 512

Upper Deck Reserved IF $ 22.00 $ 16.00 $ 11.00 $ 1,566 $ 1,090 $ 350

Upper Deck Reserved OF $ 20.00 $ 16.00 $ 10.00 $ 1,460 $ 1,020 $ 324

Bleacher (general admission) $ 45.00 $ 36.00 $ 22.00 $ 3,282 n/a n/a

[CuseCubFan69]

Just got my Season Ticket Renewal E-mail.

 

It is in a PDF Form. Anyone have any ideas about how to post the data in a way that is easily readable on the board?

 

Here is the raw info if that helps:

 

Total Games Prime Regular Value 81 55 18

(Prime/Regular/Value Dates) 50 25 6 50/25/6 35/20/0 12/4/2

Club Box IF $ 80.00 $ 70.00 $ 50.00 $ 6,050 n/a n/a

Club Box OF $ 66.00 $ 58.00 $ 33.00 $ 4,948 n/a n/a

Field Box IF $ 66.00 $ 58.00 $ 33.00 $ 4,948 n/a n/a

Field Box OF $ 56.00 $ 50.00 $ 28.00 $ 4,218 n/a n/a

Terrace Box IF $ 52.00 $ 44.00 $ 26.00 $ 3,856 $ 2,700 $ 852

Terrace Box OF $ 46.00 $ 40.00 $ 23.00 $ 3,438 $ 2,410 $ 758

Upper Deck Box IF $ 52.00 $ 44.00 $ 26.00 $ 3,856 $ 2,700 $ 852

Upper Deck Box OF $ 46.00 $ 40.00 $ 23.00 $ 3,438 $ 2,410 $ 758

Terrace Reserved IF $ 36.00 $ 28.00 $ 16.00 $ 2,596 $ 1,820 $ 576

Terrace Reserved OF $ 32.00 $ 24.00 $ 16.00 $ 2,296 $ 1,600 $ 512

Upper Deck Reserved IF $ 22.00 $ 16.00 $ 11.00 $ 1,566 $ 1,090 $ 350

Upper Deck Reserved OF $ 20.00 $ 16.00 $ 10.00 $ 1,460 $ 1,020 $ 324

Bleacher (general admission) $ 45.00 $ 36.00 $ 22.00 $ 3,282 n/a n/a

 

I knew raw was a player back in his day but I didn't think he could charge prices like that.

 

What percent of a jump is that?

[swordsman]

Just got my Season Ticket Renewal E-mail.

 

It is in a PDF Form. Anyone have any ideas about how to post the data in a way that is easily readable on the board?

 

Here is the raw info if that helps:

 

Total Games Prime Regular Value 81 55 18

(Prime/Regular/Value Dates) 50 25 6 50/25/6 35/20/0 12/4/2

Club Box IF $ 80.00 $ 70.00 $ 50.00 $ 6,050 n/a n/a

Club Box OF $ 66.00 $ 58.00 $ 33.00 $ 4,948 n/a n/a

Field Box IF $ 66.00 $ 58.00 $ 33.00 $ 4,948 n/a n/a

Field Box OF $ 56.00 $ 50.00 $ 28.00 $ 4,218 n/a n/a

Terrace Box IF $ 52.00 $ 44.00 $ 26.00 $ 3,856 $ 2,700 $ 852

Terrace Box OF $ 46.00 $ 40.00 $ 23.00 $ 3,438 $ 2,410 $ 758

Upper Deck Box IF $ 52.00 $ 44.00 $ 26.00 $ 3,856 $ 2,700 $ 852

Upper Deck Box OF $ 46.00 $ 40.00 $ 23.00 $ 3,438 $ 2,410 $ 758

Terrace Reserved IF $ 36.00 $ 28.00 $ 16.00 $ 2,596 $ 1,820 $ 576

Terrace Reserved OF $ 32.00 $ 24.00 $ 16.00 $ 2,296 $ 1,600 $ 512

Upper Deck Reserved IF $ 22.00 $ 16.00 $ 11.00 $ 1,566 $ 1,090 $ 350

Upper Deck Reserved OF $ 20.00 $ 16.00 $ 10.00 $ 1,460 $ 1,020 $ 324

Bleacher (general admission) $ 45.00 $ 36.00 $ 22.00 $ 3,282 n/a n/a

 

I knew raw was a player back in his day but I didn't think he could charge prices like that.

 

What percent of a jump is that?

 

here is last year's raw data from last year's fact sheet.

 

Total Games Prime Regular Value 81 54 18

(Prime/Regular/Value Dates) 46 27 8 46/27/8 30/24/0 11/3/4

Club Box IF $ 65.00 $ 54.00 $ 34.00 $ 4,720 n/a n/a

Club Box OF $ 54.00 $ 43.00 $ 22.00 $ 3,821 n/a n/a

Field Box IF $ 54.00 $ 43.00 $ 22.00 $ 3,821 n/a n/a

Field Box OF $ 50.00 $ 41.00 $ 20.00 $ 3,567 n/a n/a

Terrace Box IF $ 46.00 $ 38.00 $ 18.00 $ 3,286 $ 2,292 $ 692

Terrace Box OF $ 40.00 $ 34.00 $ 17.00 $ 2,894 $ 2,016 $ 610

Upper Deck Box IF $ 46.00 $ 38.00 $ 18.00 $ 3,286 $ 2,292 $ 692

Upper Deck Box OF $ 40.00 $ 34.00 $ 17.00 $ 2,894 $ 2,016 $ 610

Terrace Reserved IF $ 32.00 $ 22.00 $ 11.00 $ 2,154 $ 1,488 $ 462

Terrace Reserved OF $ 28.00 $ 20.00 $ 10.00 $ 1,908 $ 1,320 $ 408

Upper Deck Reserved IF $ 18.00 $ 14.00 $ 7.00 $ 1,262 $ 876 $ 268

Upper Deck Reserved OF $ 17.00 $ 14.00 $ 6.00 $ 1,208 $ 846 $ 253

Bleacher (General Admission) $ 40.00 $ 30.00 $ 15.00 $ 2,770 n/a n/a

[Jon]

Ouch.

[swordsman]

Sorry it's so hard to read.

 

Can anyone fix it easily? Or teach me how?

[woodchip2153]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2007/11/cubs-raise-tick.html

[hawkcub]

Those are some high increases for what we got on the field. Last year I made 7 games the year before that 8. This year it's looking like 5 games might be doable. At this rate of price increases in 3 years I'll be lucky to be able to afford 1 or 2.

[Guest]

Swords, how does this look?

 

                 Total Games Prime   Regular   Value     81     55     18
               (Prime/Regular/Value Dates) 50 25 6 50/25/6 35/20/0 12/4/2

Club Box IF                  $ 80.00 $ 70.00 $ 50.00 $ 6,050    n/a   n/a
Club Box OF                  $ 66.00 $ 58.00 $ 33.00 $ 4,948    n/a   n/a
Field Box IF                 $ 66.00 $ 58.00 $ 33.00 $ 4,948    n/a   n/a
Field Box OF                 $ 56.00 $ 50.00 $ 28.00 $ 4,218    n/a   n/a
Terrace Box IF               $ 52.00 $ 44.00 $ 26.00 $ 3,856 $ 2,700 $ 852
Terrace Box OF               $ 46.00 $ 40.00 $ 23.00 $ 3,438 $ 2,410 $ 758
Upper Deck Box IF            $ 52.00 $ 44.00 $ 26.00 $ 3,856 $ 2,700 $ 852
Upper Deck Box OF            $ 46.00 $ 40.00 $ 23.00 $ 3,438 $ 2,410 $ 758
Terrace Reserved IF          $ 36.00 $ 28.00 $ 16.00 $ 2,596 $ 1,820 $ 576
Terrace Reserved OF          $ 32.00 $ 24.00 $ 16.00 $ 2,296 $ 1,600 $ 512
Upper Deck Reserved IF       $ 22.00 $ 16.00 $ 11.00 $ 1,566 $ 1,090 $ 350
Upper Deck Reserved OF       $ 20.00 $ 16.00 $ 10.00 $ 1,460 $ 1,020 $ 324
Bleacher (general admission) $ 45.00 $ 36.00 $ 22.00 $ 3,282    n/a   n/a

 

Not sure exactly how I should format the first two lines.