Lmao. Hopefully this starts a trend. Paul Allen could afford to excitement with lower prices for a year. Lower prices=Happier fans+More profit=Better business
A one-year thing doesn't cut it. In 2006, the Blazers had suffered through one of the worst attendance years in their history. They were actually drawing as much as the Sonics (RIP) before they had to move b/c attendance. So the Blazers, desperate for season ticket holders, opened up an entire section for "Blazermaniacs." The seats were pretty cheap for that view, and even though we lived in South Seattle, I bought in b/c I would be able to go see ~20-25 games a year on weekends, early days off work, etc. Then we won the lotto. Then Oden got drafted. Then we went on a 13-game winning streak. Etc. Then the Blazers doubled the prices of those seats. Now, maybe that was about the price of the seats before they went on ridiculous discount, and after 1 year were rebounding them back up. But it was a huge slap in the face to the STHs that had bought in when not many others would, gave the team guaranteed money, and then got hosed. The "trend" is that you can't trust the team to care about the fan vs. the shareholder. I'm ok with that, but they don't get my $ anymore
Maybe a bottle of filtered water is now $3.00? Nonetheless, just getting to the arena, paying the parking fees and lastly feeding a horde of children within reasonable costs is the true value of a pro sports ticket. I remember when the Lakers were "Showtime" and those at court tickets were outrageous. People are tired of paying too much and frankly, many of them only watch an NBA game for the 4th quarter. I once was an avid NBA fan who would always go to NY, NJ or Philly to see the Blazers. Back in the 80's, costs were more palatable for a fan. I got to see Dr. J and his entourage many times because I could afford it and I liked Mr. Erving..