Shama: Ticket Price Increase Coming for U Football? UPDATED 3/7: Prices Increased

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dpodoll68 said:
I'm curious what would compel someone to come on here and announce that they're going to drop their season tickets due to cost. Do you think any of us care? Why would we? Keep your tickets, dump your tickets, who gives a sh1t? It's not exactly breaking news that it's a lot cheaper to buy tickets on a per-game basis. Those of us who buy season tickets sure as hell ain't in it for the cost savings. If you're willing to pony up $275 per seat, but suddenly $275 + x (wherein x is negligible) is "too much"...you're just making excuses.
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There's no such thing as a tipping point? DPO, this is a thread about season tickets and pricing. I don't think it's out-of-line for someone to discuss what they might do if there is an increase. By the way, I agree that a negligible increase should be a non-factor. But at some point, you get there. I was strongly considering being "there" this year for b-ball, but then they fired Tubby.
 

dpodoll68 said:
I'm curious what would compel someone to come on here and announce that they're going to drop their season tickets due to cost. Do you think any of us care? Why would we? Keep your tickets, dump your tickets, who gives a sh1t? It's not exactly breaking news that it's a lot cheaper to buy tickets on a per-game basis. Those of us who buy season tickets sure as hell ain't in it for the cost savings. If you're willing to pony up $275 per seat, but suddenly $275 + x (wherein x is negligible) is "too much"...you're just making excuses.
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At some point there has to be a threshold. Would you say that it would be reasonable for somebody to say they would buy tickets at $275 but not at $1000? If so, how about somebody who would buy at $276 but not at $999? If we assume I could afford tickets at $275 but not at $1000, we could work our way in, and at some point, there has to be a dollar level where I would buy that is $1 below where I wouldn't.
 

Gopherdrummer said:
In talking with Gophersports about purchasing season tickets for next year, I asked about a potential price increase.

A rep told me that it looks like bench seats will start at $310 and chair backs will be $330 next year. Nothing would be official until after upgrades are processed.

I understand that operating costs increase every year. But if you can't fill all the seats consistently, I don't think raising prices is always the answer. Granted, I am always in favor of affordable sporting events. No one should be prevented from attending games because they can't afford the tickets (e.g., the NFL).
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It's all about comparing the number of seats you sell at the high price vs the number of seats you sell at the low price. Trying to figure out that tipping point/magic number is the key. Besides the ticket sales they must figure in concession sales and game day atmosphere. All the while trying to keep up in the arms race....not an easy job.
 

Gopherdrummer said:
In talking with Gophersports about purchasing season tickets for next year, I asked about a potential price increase.

A rep told me that it looks like bench seats will start at $310 and chair backs will be $330 next year. Nothing would be official until after upgrades are processed.

I understand that operating costs increase every year. But if you can't fill all the seats consistently, I don't think raising prices is always the answer. Granted, I am always in favor of affordable sporting events. No one should be prevented from attending games because they can't afford the tickets (e.g., the NFL).
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Do you mean that the tickets would go up for 2015 or 2014? They would have a hard revising the price after people upgrade their seats unless you were referring to the stadium upgrades the Vikings are doing but those would still be completed this year.

In any case, I hope they get out in front of it and don't notify people when the attempt to renew.
 

Tim Riggins said:
Do you mean that the tickets would go up for 2015 or 2014? They would have a hard revising the price after people upgrade their seats unless you were referring to the stadium upgrades the Vikings are doing but those would still be completed this year.

In any case, I hope they get out in front of it and don't notify people when the attempt to renew.
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I asked if ticket prices would remain at $275 for the upcoming season. I was told that it looks like ticket prices would start at $310 for a bench seat for the 2014 season.

When you dive into it, that is an increase of about $5 per game. The total cost per seat is about $26 per month of the year. So in comparison to all the other sports options in the country, still not a bad price. The increase is still annoying for the end consumer. I am buying tickets anyway.
 


HouseOfHagen said:
It could very well make some season ticket holders think twice about renewing, like myself and my 6 tickets. I will still go to the games but at a fraction of the cost.
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Tell us the truth, you really don't want to go anyway.
 

Gopherdrummer said:
I asked if ticket prices would remain at $275 for the upcoming season. I was told that it looks like ticket prices would start at $310 for a bench seat for the 2014 season. When you dive into it, that is an increase of about $5 per game. The total cost per seat is about $26 per month of the year. So in comparison to all the other sports options in the country, still not a bad price. The increase is still annoying for the end consumer. I am buying tickets anyway.
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It won't affect whether I renew or not, I was just curious. 6 tickets and a parking pass add up quickly. Thanks for the info.
 

Tim Riggins said:
It won't affect whether I renew or not, I was just curious. 6 tickets and a parking pass add up quickly. Thanks for the info.
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I am in the same situation. 6 tickets and a parking pass will add up fast. But, I will still be purchasing regardless of the price increase this year, whatever that turns out to be. It is something I look forward to all year. The football season, that is.
 

e.bigelow said:
I am in the same situation. 6 tickets and a parking pass will add up fast. But, I will still be purchasing regardless of the price increase this year, whatever that turns out to be. It is something I look forward to all year. The football season, that is.
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Oh, thanks for clarifying. I thought you meant ticket price increases.
 




Just got my ticket renewal email. 20% increase for chairback seats. First increase since 2009.

A couple thoughts for the AD,
- Raise ticket prices by a smaller amount every other year. 20% is too much of a hike in prices.
- Raise them in the year that you play Wisconsin, Iowa, & Nebraska. Too many people will drop their seats this year now.
 

Goodbye 6 season tickets. Hello scalpers and $10 tickets + free hot dog. Can someone please explain to me again how this will increase revenue?
 

badgergopher said:
Just got my ticket renewal email. 20% increase for chairback seats. First increase since 2009.

A couple thoughts for the AD,
- Raise ticket prices by a smaller amount every other year. 20% is too much of a hike in prices.
- Raise them in the year that you play Wisconsin, Iowa, & Nebraska. Too many people will drop their seats this year now.
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I agree : 20% is too big of a hike - the Gophers didn't go to the Rose Bowl, after all.
 





The 800k we paid to get out of the UNC home/home is equal to about the amount of revenue they'd hope this raises in 2014. Just saying.
 

HouseOfHagen said:
Goodbye 6 season tickets. Hello scalpers and $10 tickets + free hot dog. Can someone please explain to me again how this will increase revenue?
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You increase revenue by increasing the price if the units sold don't change. That is how this increases revenue. If you are talking about profit, then this increases profit because presumably their operating costs have increased each year. They are trying to increase their margins and keep hosting football games viable.

Looking at this cost on a per game basis - they are raising prices by $5 per game for bench seats without a donation compared to the prices last year. Not that big of a jump when you breakdown the numbers. The bigger question - do they raise student ticket prices too?
 

Am I happy that prices are going up? No. But do I understand it? Yes. If I tried to come up with a list of all the items I can purchase in 2014 for the same price I did in 2009, it would be a pretty small list. The only other sporting event I buy tickets for every year is the Indy 500 and I believe our seats have increased in price the past 2 years and have gone up much more often than once every 5 years.

But the biggest thing for me is that I love my seats. 1st row in the second deck is a unique, fun place to watch the games and I would have to work pretty hard to get the same experience from a scalper each weekend. The time and effort saved is worth it (for me). Plus I only have 2 tickets. If I had a block of 10 in a less unique location, perhaps I would feel differently.
 


We have discussed the difference in price of season tickets vs. the price we can get for tickets of we buy single game tickets for every game, especially the games that end up having the big discounts. I know some people have argued that you can definitely pay less going the single game route, but that as a season ticket holder you are paying a premium to lock in the same seats, sit next to the same other fans, and possibly just make a donation to the U. My understanding of sports ticket pricing (while admittedly limited) is that that is not a common practice. I thought that season ticket holders were supposed to be getting a discount relative to what they could get buying single game tickets for every game in exchange for (1) volume and (2) committing to buying all of the games up front (and not skipping the games against weak opponents, at inconvenient times, or the end of the season in the event the team tanks). Is it common practice in B1G football schools that someone could get a cheaper deal by buying the single game tickets for every game rather than season tickets?

Also, I agree with Bleed. 20% in a year with a not-great home schedule and not coming off of a great (good for us, but still only .500 in conference) season is too much. Regardless of the reasonableness of it in light of how long it has been since the last increase, psychologically it is going to feel like a lot to many holders. Either do an annual inflation adjustment or save the big hikes for when there is either an awesome home schedule or we are coming off of a year when we finished the season ranked top-25.
 

HopHead said:
Am I happy that prices are going up? No. But do I understand it? Yes. If I tried to come up with a list of all the items I can purchase in 2014 for the same price I did in 2009, it would be a pretty small list. The only other sporting event I buy tickets for every year is the Indy 500 and I believe our seats have increased in price the past 2 years and have gone up much more often than once every 5 years.

But the biggest thing for me is that I love my seats. 1st row in the second deck is a unique, fun place to watch the games and I would have to work pretty hard to get the same experience from a scalper each weekend. The time and effort saved is worth it (for me). Plus I only have 2 tickets. If I had a block of 10 in a less unique location, perhaps I would feel differently.
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Solid choice for "other sporting event I buy tickets for"
 

HopHead said:
Am I happy that prices are going up? No. But do I understand it? Yes. If I tried to come up with a list of all the items I can purchase in 2014 for the same price I did in 2009, it would be a pretty small list. The only other sporting event I buy tickets for every year is the Indy 500 and I believe our seats have increased in price the past 2 years and have gone up much more often than once every 5 years.

But the biggest thing for me is that I love my seats. 1st row in the second deck is a unique, fun place to watch the games and I would have to work pretty hard to get the same experience from a scalper each weekend. The time and effort saved is worth it (for me). Plus I only have 2 tickets. If I had a block of 10 in a less unique location, perhaps I would feel differently.
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Having specific (unique or fun) seats would make a big difference for me. We spend half the games sitting elsewhere as our seats are in the nosebleeds (although, they are chair backs). But as it is, I'll scalp for a year and see how it goes. Maybe use that extra money to take a second road trip to watch another away game. Plus, I like free hot dogs.
 

I was unaware that scalpers gave free hot dogs with a purchase of a scalped ticket. Do they make the hot dogs right there on the corner? Or do they bring you to their van to get the hot dog. Does it include a pop from the scalper?
 

The mistake was waiting five years to raise prices. You never want to put yourself in a situation where you have to raise prices 20% all at one time.
 

DLguy said:
I was unaware that scalpers gave free hot dogs with a purchase of a scalped ticket. Do they make the hot dogs right there on the corner? Or do they bring you to their van to get the hot dog. Does it include a pop from the scalper?
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I've heard that some scalpers give away even more than that. You will need to try scalping for yourself to see what they will give you.
 

Does anybody know the answer to this question: If you drop your season tickets do you go back to the ground level in priority if you wanted to get some again in the future. I would assume that would have to be calculated in at least a little bit when trying to decide if you will renew or not. You don't want to be on the outside looking in when, not if, the Gophers are the hottest ticket in town (he said optimistically).
 

HopHead said:
Does anybody know the answer to this question: If you drop your season tickets do you go back to the ground level in priority if you wanted to get some again in the future. I would assume that would have to be calculated in at least a little bit when trying to decide if you will renew or not. You don't want to be on the outside looking in when, not if, the Gophers are the hottest ticket in town (he said optimistically).
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I recall reading that you only keep your Gopher Points so long as you keep buying tickets or donating. Translation: If you drop your tickets for a year, you lose your points and priority (I think that part is dumb)
 

station19 said:
The mistake was waiting five years to raise prices. You never want to put yourself in a situation where you have to raise prices 20% all at one time.
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Hard to justify raising prices when the team stinks and attendance is dropping. Attendance went up this year (barely) for the first time since the stadium opened.
 

Gopherprof said:
Hard to justify raising prices when the team stinks and attendance is dropping. Attendance went up this year (barely) for the first time since the stadium opened.
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Its also hard to justify a 20% increase in cost over one year when we lose Iowa and Wisconsin on our schedule. The comparison people will make will be between last year and this year, so the question will be "is a Gopher ticket 20% more valuable in 2014 than it was in 2013?" Not many people outside of this board is going to say, "well, they haven't had an increase in five years, so I guess its reasoanble".
 

1. This Shama guy knows his sports.
2. House of Hagen, I have frequented your store over the years. I urge you to reconsider. You might save a little dough, but it would be great to see this season ticket base continue to grow. Unless you are one of those grumpy gopher fans that yell at people who stand up during the game then I take it back!
 

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