Bruins, after queries, won’t collect December season ticket payments

[Fenway]

Bruins finally blink after media pressure from the Boston Globe


Bruins, after queries, won’t collect December season ticket payments - The Boston Globe
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Early Friday evening, the Bruins sent a message to season ticket holders on monthly payment plans, saying they were canceling the upcoming December installment.

“We realize there is uncertainty regarding whether fans will be allowed to attend all home games, what the return to play will be like for TD Garden and how these changes may impact your 2020-21 Season Tickets and payments, including total cost,” the e-mail read in part.

“While we await further details from the NHL regarding the 2020-21 Season, the Bruins have made the decision to cancel any scheduled payments for our Season Ticket Holders. This means that you will not be charged in December.”

As soon as the 2020-21 schedule is settled, the e-mail read, the club will relay options for season ticket holders regarding refunds, “as well options for Season Ticket Holders to accrue interest on money which they leave in their account,” and any options for fans should games be impacted by local or NHL restrictions that limit attendance due to COVID-19.

In an e-mail response Friday afternoon, Bruins chief revenue officer Glen Thornborough said the team would not be charging for December.

“Payments continued as we hoped to have plans for the season announced,” he wrote, “but we recognize with the uncertainty we cannot continue with the December payment.”

Bob Foote, a 25-year season ticket-holder from Rowley, committed in February to buying 2020 playoff tickets under the “pay as we play” option. To get that installment plan, he had to purchase season tickets for 2020-21 (with a 5 percent hike, following the 2019 run to the Stanley Cup Final).

“They have nothing yet to sell me for the money collected,” Foote wrote in an e-mail to the Globe last week, noting that “a large amount of interest-free money” had been flowing into the Delaware North coffers.

Jaci Donahe of Cambridge, a Loge 19 denizen since 2009, said a lack of transparency from the club during the pause “left a bad taste.” Even fan-exclusive Zoom calls with players and management were communicated on short notice.

“If and when the season does start, we haven’t been given any options about where our money goes and if we will get anything back,” she said. “Seems like a lot of money to have tied up with no promises of a product, or even any real benefits to them keeping our money.”

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[Vikke]

Laughable that they've been collecting at all since March. No way I'd pay a single dollar if I was a ticket holder.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Just got a similar message from the Canes, though they are using language like “pause” and “defer” rather than “cancel”.

Laughable that they've been collecting at all since March. No way I'd pay a single dollar if I was a ticket holder.

There’s a cost to that position as well. The individual quoted in that article has 25 years of account seniority. Cancelling now means losing all the non-trivial perks that go along with account seniority and, once things start up again, going to the back of the wait list (which in a big market means waiting a generation or more to even have another chance).

Both the team and the ticket holders are in a tough spot. It’s evident that both groups are trying to walk a tightrope of not throwing money away, but also not spoiling a long term commitment over a 1-2 year issue.

 

[Fenway]

Today's email

Thank you for your continued support of the Boston Bruins as a Season Ticket Holder. While we anticipate receiving further information regarding the 2020-21 NHL season soon, we are pleased to offer you the below options relating to your Season Tickets for the coming season at this time.

Please review the options below and select one by Friday, January 15 at 5 p.m. ET.

Option 1 - Join the Loyalty Program for 2020-21 Season and Lock In Your Season Tickets for 2021-22 season

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

• EARN MONTHLY LOYALTY CREDIT: Earn 5% APR loyalty credit on monthly account total beginning January 2021 through the start of the 2021-22 season.
• EXTEND YOUR STH PACKAGE: Renew your Season Tickets with guaranteed same pricing and same seat location for the 2021-22 season.
• USE 2020-21 GAME CREDIT LATER: Use the existing funds on your account as a ticket bank to pay for any tickets during the 2020-21 season and roll any remaining funds forward to 2021-22.
• GET PREMIERE ACCESS TO TICKETS: Be among the first to receive access and have the ability to use the funds on your account to purchase 2020-21 game tickets when fans are allowed to attend games.
• LOCK IN PLAYOFF PRICING: Receive a price freeze for the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs (same as your 2020 strip pricing).

Please note: To be eligible for Option 1, you must be compliant on your 2020-21 payment plan.

Option 2 – May Want to Attend Games in 2020-21, But Not Ready to Commit to 2021-22

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

• USE 2020-21 GAME CREDIT LATER: Use the existing funds on your account as a ticket bank to pay for any tickets during the 2020-21 season and roll any remaining funds forward to 2021-22.
• GET PREMIERE ACCESS TO TICKETS: Be among the first to receive access and have the ability to use the funds on your account to purchase 2020-21 game tickets when fans are allowed to attend games.

You may otherwise elect to receive a full refund for all payments made toward your 2020-21 Season Ticket package by contacting your Account Executive directly by no later than Friday, January 15 at 5 p.m. ET. All refunds will be processed to the original point of sale. Credit card refunds will take 3-4 weeks and checks will take 8-10 weeks after the January 15 deadline.

As soon as we have more information regarding the Bruins schedule for this upcoming season, we will communicate with you. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly with any questions or concerns.

Thank you and Happy Holidays!

 

[FirstRowUpperDeck]

Got the same pause today from the Dallas Stars.