Alienating Season-Ticket Holders
- Thread starter cbcwpg
- Start date
Unfortunately, I can see the teams' problems. Since season tickets are sold well ahead of the season's start (before you know how your team will fare), a price has to be set before you might get the feedback on demand for that year. Factor in that in most markets, that as much as 60% of the STH base is corporate accounts, so you're dealing with two types of price elasticities--- corporate and Joe Fan.
When individual game sales start lagging, teams adopt the flexible pricing and other promotional offers to fill the building. Furthermore, teams now offer STH's the ability to re-sell their own tickets, but if the ticket sales aren't moving, you have to make a price cut in order to sell these off.
One additional point that may or may not be relevant, is that fans often will buy the less desirable seats, having been priced out of the prime seats a long time ago. If the better seats go on sale at a discounted rate, the single game buyer will probably opt for those over the face value of Joe Fan's tickets.
Honestly, outside of markets like Toronto and Montreal where demand far outstrips supply, at pretty much any price level (within reason), season tickets aren't really a good idea for regular [non-corporate] fans.
This is key too:
When individual game sales start lagging, teams adopt the flexible pricing and other promotional offers to fill the building. Furthermore, teams now offer STH's the ability to re-sell their own tickets, but if the ticket sales aren't moving, you have to make a price cut in order to sell these off.
One additional point that may or may not be relevant, is that fans often will buy the less desirable seats, having been priced out of the prime seats a long time ago. If the better seats go on sale at a discounted rate, the single game buyer will probably opt for those over the face value of Joe Fan's tickets.
Honestly, outside of markets like Toronto and Montreal where demand far outstrips supply, at pretty much any price level (within reason), season tickets aren't really a good idea for regular [non-corporate] fans.
This is key too:
The team averaged 16,500 through seven seasons of ineptitude. Loyal fans finally saw light at the end of the expansion-team tunnel with a playoff appearance in Season Eight (with a resultant uptick in STH). Only to be rewarded with seeing the team return to its customary finish at the bottom of the conference the following season. STH renewals drop twenty-five percent.
I understand the gist of the article deals with trying to draw single-game purchasers while not offending what STH base remains. But as a former STH (one who also didn't renew this past off-season), I'd point out that I never had a problem with "perks" being offered to attract casual ticket buyers. My problem was with a franchise mired in a culture of losing.
Never should have reached this point.
I understand the gist of the article deals with trying to draw single-game purchasers while not offending what STH base remains. But as a former STH (one who also didn't renew this past off-season), I'd point out that I never had a problem with "perks" being offered to attract casual ticket buyers. My problem was with a franchise mired in a culture of losing.
Never should have reached this point.
Do you go to individual games then? When you did own season tickets, were you able to attend the majority of the games--- or easily sell the tix if you couldn't use them?
In a market like Edmonton, there is still value being a STH. Although you can get cheaper tickts on game day and through secondary markets; almost all games do sell out. A STH has a guaranteed seat every night and, they can sell their seats for games they cannot attend.
Peronsally, I buy one off tickets and secondary market seats and would likely never buy seasons. But, for those that have seasons, they do have advantages - like priority on playoff seats etc.
In a softer market, being a STH may very well make no sense at all.
Peronsally, I buy one off tickets and secondary market seats and would likely never buy seasons. But, for those that have seasons, they do have advantages - like priority on playoff seats etc.
In a softer market, being a STH may very well make no sense at all.
I attended twenty-some games the first season; bought PSLs for two seats for the second season, renewing throguh last season. I did not renew due to an unexpected (temporary, as it turns out) out-of-state work transfer. Back home for good (hopefully), I intend to purchase season tickets next season (if allowed to do so without buying more PSLs - doubtful, at best).
I have not been to a game this season.
I did find myself missing weeknight games with increasing regularity as the team slumped last season. Typically, I gave the tickets to friends/co-workers if I knew ahead of time that I wasn't going. My seats were in the cheapies; I found the hassle of trying to locate a buyer not worth the effort (I have no idea whether it would have been difficult to find a buyer - just didn't seem worth the aggravation).
TaketheCannoli
RIP
When you're in Edmonton, Columbus or a few other places that only reach the playoffs once per generation, the promise of priority playoff tickets is laughable.
Blasto
Registered User
Provided a team isn't run by complete morons, the playoffs are something that should be attained on average - every 2nd season.
You may be too young to have seen it but, the Oilers do have 5 Stanley Cups to their credit.
In general, season tickets are a bad deal for the purchaser. Even worse if you do it over an extended period of time (generally speaking of course). There will always be exceptions, but I am considering the ups and downs of most teams in most sports. On average, you will probably be better off economically by not locking in those tickets in advance year after year.
leoleo3535
Registered User
The exception being if you are in a good hockey market.
If you don't have season tickets your opportunity to get to a game is remote and your costs are thru the roof.
But how many are in those markets compared to those outside of them? I am also considering more than just hockey, with a look at the entire concept of "season tickets."
LadyStanley
Registered User
TaketheCannoli
RIP
Yes and as expensive as that can be season tickets cost more.
The huge value to teams is the commitment to less attractive games. Even in Toronto or Montreal.
And yes I'm well aware of the Oilers Cups. They were a generation ago.
leoleo3535
Registered User
I don't know how they cost more?
In many markets you get a reduced price on season tickets and includes parking and other misc.
leoleo3535
Registered User
With a team that plays well on the ice.
That certainly helps but again if you are in a good hockey market season tickets sell out win or lose....ie NYR, EDM, TOR etc.
Jeremy Hronek
Registered User
Buck Aki Berg
Done with this place
I'm sure that if a lot of STH's did the math, they'd realize that they aren't being undercut by the cheap-seat deals (with some exceptions, like those mentioned in the OP's article). I think what it comes down to is that they see the owners basically offering the shirt off their back to get people in the door - offering free food, merch, lockerroom tours to people who may or may not come back, meanwhile the person who has committed 41 nights of his winter - and an according amount of money - to the team gets a seat for the game and that's it. It reminds me of the time a few years ago when my bank was offering free iPods to people who opened a new account - well I've had a chequing account with them for 15 years, and they got thousands of dollars off of me in interest for my student line of credit - where's my damn iPod?
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
I don't know about every organization, but you usually get a LOT more than just a seat at the game as an STH.
For example, I have two seats in a 12-game package in the cheap seats at Hurricanes games. Pretty much the least-expensive way to still be able to call yourself a season-ticket holder. Aside from the purchased tickets, I also get a total of 4 free ticket vouchers, a 10% discount at the team store, a 10% discount at the arena restaurant, priority on playoff tickets, priority on the ASG (which was why I signed up in the first place), a gift from the team (in my case, an Ipod cover, though they get a lot better for higher-end package$), the option to buy tickets before they go on sale to the public, advance pricing on any other tickets I decide to buy, and the value-added experience of being able to call the front office and get immediate attention from my account manager. Add that all up, and it makes me feel pretty good about being an STH above and beyond the market value of my tickets.
I assume this is the case for all teams, to varying degrees. And again, I'm just barely an STH; the full-season holders and people in the lower level get much more exclusive perks.
KevFist
is best pony
Sometimes, yes. I think what leek was trying to saying was that most STH's don't attend all 41 games. Let's say they attend only 20 games per year. They have paid the team for 41, minus any money they can get for selling the tickets they don't use.
If you only plan on only attending 15-20 games, bought at the going market rate (some higher, others lower than what you pay for the full pack), your net spending will be far less.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Isn't that where mini plans come in? In pretty much all markets, excepting those with crushing demand where STs are at a premium, you can just grab a mini plan and swap the tickets around to fit your liking.
Guardian17
Strong & Free
I am giving up my Flames season tickets at the end of the season.
I came to this decision because I'm sick of seeing discounted tickets and concessions in Phoenix & Atlanta.
I'm sick of watching the same teams over and over. Why was it okay for Gretzky And the Oilers to travel to all the eastern conference every season but Crosby and the Penguins can only come every other season.
The NHL is a front for billionaire owners to make money through real estate and they use season ticket holders money to make the deals.
Good for them, I've got better things to do with my money.
I came to this decision because I'm sick of seeing discounted tickets and concessions in Phoenix & Atlanta.
I'm sick of watching the same teams over and over. Why was it okay for Gretzky And the Oilers to travel to all the eastern conference every season but Crosby and the Penguins can only come every other season.
The NHL is a front for billionaire owners to make money through real estate and they use season ticket holders money to make the deals.
Good for them, I've got better things to do with my money.
Shawa666
Registered User
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
You can do what you like, but honestly that is a very silly reason to drop your tickets.
