Baseball commissioner Bud Selig says the New York Yankees and Mets will be discussing whether to adjust their ticket prices after seeing premium seats remain empty at their new ballparks.Well, if they're both smart, and/or care what regular people think, they'll lower the prices, if not, well they'll continue to act like they have for years.
Speaking Thursday to the Associated Press Sports Editors, Selig said it was an issue for the teams to decide, not Major League Baseball, and that he wouldn't make any recommendation.
The Yankees are charging $500-$2,625 for Legends Suite tickets in 25 sections at the new Yankee Stadium in the first nine rows around the infield, an area that contains 1,895 seats.
The Mets are charging an average of $175-$495 for 1,567 seats in the Delta Club, which includes 20 rows between the dugouts.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Yanks, Mets To Talk About Ticket Prices
Here's a report from the AP via ESPN:
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13 Comments:
While in DC today, one of our senior executives asked me about the empty seats at the stadium. he also told me there was a story in USA Today about th problem and Levine was quoted as saying something to the effect "I'm tired of talking about empty seats, I'm not talking about that anymore".
Well done Randy!
As I've said before, the walled off section needs be reduced from on deck circle to on deck circle and the remaining seats discounted to allow the small business owners and fans who were shut out of those seats in the relocation process.
This problem has become a national story and the Yankees have become the face of greed in sports.
Wow, only $175 to $495 for good seats at Citi. That's literally 1,000 dollars less than the same exact seats at Yankee Stadium.
That's pretty incredible, isn't it?
Yes but the yankees are the gold standard of sports. They must charge more than the Mutts.
The ticket pricing is a disgrace, they have really screwed the fans. I am a season ticket holder, had seats in M13 behind first base and it was $70 a seat. These seats are now $350 a seat. I am now in left field second level for $70. The seats are child like small in this new stadium, with about 1 inch more leg room. It is a disgrace and I will not be renewing next year. I also asked for a refund for this year, but was told to I had no options. The stadium will be completely empty next year. It is a sad day in NY sports.
This is truly sad indeed. The Yankees must lower prices and get fans back in the seat--the real fans who aren't millionaires.
Last weekend I came up to the City to see two of the games (the ones they won), and after Sunday's game I was walking through Manhattan on my way to have a few drinks at one of my favorite watering holes. I thought I'd call a friend who lives in The Bronx right near the Throgs Neck bridge. He's a passionate Yankee fan who must have hundreds of Yankee shirts. When he goes to a game he has a ritual for putting on his nearly complete Yankee uniform!! When I have an extra ticket I always give him one. Well, when I spoke with him on the phone I told him that I only managed to get one seat for the game that day, but that I'd be sure to get him a seat to a few games this summer. I was shocked when he told me that he would have politely turned down a seat for Sunday's game and he will turn down any seats for games this summer, too. He's no longer a Yankees fan after what they did to "real fans" by raising ticket prices to almost mind-boggling levels. This once die-hard Yankees fan is no longer a fan, and he won't even consider going to a game when he's offered a FREE ticket!
What the Yankees have done is so sad. They have become, indeed, the face of greed in sports. I pray they see the evil of their ways.
Mike
That's drastic. I would just stop attending games & watch on TV. The top dogs in Yankeeland will understand an empty ballpark.
I so wish this wasn't happening. You can be greedy and still put on a good face to your fans. The Yankees are really screwing up. I agree that 2009 is a year of adjustment for everyone. the real test comes during the offseason when ticketholders either do or don't renew. Not everyone is unhappy though, so perhaps this will all sort out for the Yankees. I get the sense that the Yankees are deliberately trying to change their fanbase from the 'regular guy', to the 'guy with a big wallet'. The economy got in the way of that-- like I said, we'll see by this time next year how it works out.
I gotta agree with Steve here, that's pretty extreme to give up the sport all together. And I also agree that they Yankees messed this one up big time, but I'm sure you all knew that already.
I wanted to take this time to thank the person who created this blog. It’s already become one of my favorite sites to visit. I’ve recommended this site to a ton of people (and fellow Yankee fans) and they all found it a joy to visit. Nice job to you all!
But, there is one thing that has me very disturbed. And, you know, I have to tell it to you straight, I’m a little embarrassed that I’m hearing all of this griping from my fellow Bomber fans regarding the prices of the tickets. Granted, they ARE stupidly outrageous.
But right now, as we all very well know, folks are doing two things: watching their wallets, and hoping they are not the next one joining the growing legions of the unemployed. Nobody is going to shell out that kind of dough for those seats. That’s the bottom line.
My boss (who’s a die-hard from back in the day – the original stadium before the facelift), has had season tickets behind the home dugout for 39 years. That streak came to abrupt halt when they offered the same seats for 6 times what he paid for. He did what normal people do when they feel they are getting hijacked, he tore the application to shreds. “Not worth it, not at these prices, just who are they think they kidding? I would have to lay off half my staff just to afford these seats.”
To be honest, from the minute they announced that they were building the new palace, you ALL should’ve seen this coming.
Reading that some of you now suddenly acting shocked, surprised and appalled that they raised the prices and thus segregating the “real fans” from choice seats are getting a little annoying. Really.
This team has the largest and most passionate fan base in sports for a REASON. If folks like you just simply stop going to the games, and rows upon rows of empty seats starts showing as a result, Yankee management will be forced to listen. The last thing they ever want to do is screw with the very people that contributed to their success.
In short, if you are as outrageously disappointed with the prices as I am, then simply DON’T GO! Trust me; they are going to get the message. We probably needed a new stadium, but one that folks can actually afford to go.
Sooner or later, those folks in charge are either going to come to their senses, or be embarrassed every time a camera views a gaping row of empty seats. Regardless if the team is winning or not.
If anyone has a better suggestion, I welcome your replies.
As for me, I see the Yanks on the road. Been doing that for five years. Besides, you have no idea how fun it is to see our fellow fans take over their house once in a while. Especially in Baltimore.
Anon,
First of all, thank you for the kind words about the blog. I'm very happy to know people are enjoying it.
As for the shock people are showing over the tickets, I don't think it's just that they're expensive, but how amazingly expensive they are. Yes we all saw this coming, but I don't think we realized how high the prices would be. The prices as Citi Field are high, the prices at the new Yankee Stadium are as you put it "stupidly outrageous."
But I think you're absolutely right, the best way to show you're pissed is to not good, or at least not sit in the expensive sections.
First of all, I don't look at my wallet, I get too depressed.
Second- I agree about this site. Greg, I don't know what you do with the rest of your life, but you know what I do with a part of mine, and it takes hours out of my busy week to do it, and I only do a small amount compared to you. I cannot imagine how you have the time to make this site what it is. I come back here because the forum is similar-- 'fun' and has some knowledgeable commenters too. That's one reason why I can't handle Pete's blog for long- his stuff is excellent, but those comments.....
Oh, and because Greg lets me swipe an occasional pic or two sometimes. ;-)
I don't think the Yankees are shocked by what is happening at all. I think this has been their plan all along about the people who come to the ballpark-- Switch from the 'average Joe' to the 'guy with expendable cash'. But the economy got in the way. I'm not sure Levine & Trost truly realize what great fans the Yankees have.
I still don't see how those two restaurants (Hard Rock & Mohegan Sun) are going to be profitable all year long. "Hey everyone let's drive into the Bronx for a nice dinner!" I just don't see it happening. And there's no business crowd for them either. "Hey whaddya say we take the (#4 or D-train or cab or car) to the Hard Rock for lunch today". Ain't happening.
Steve,
Thanks a lot dude. I try to put as much into the site as I can. Luckily for me I work with my father and have a good amount of time to put into the blog. During baseball season I pretty much have a one track mind anyway, which does help.
With that said, I could use some help because it's starting to wear me down. So anyone out there who knows a lot about the minor leagues and wants to help out please let me know.
I should also add that I really enjoy the fine folks who regularly post comments on this blog. Very smart fans, even those that disagree with me. And I'm very thankfully that you are all here. Keep it up!
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