Kings increase season-ticket prices for 2011-12
From Columbus, Ohio — The timing is coincidental, but Kings executives can hope the team’s recent improvement cushions the blow of season-ticket price hikes imposed for next season.
Increases vary depending on location, and range from $1 to $6 per game for those who renew by March 21 and from $1 to $9 for those who renew after March 21 or are new buyers.
Mike Altieri, the Kings’ vice president of communications and content, said the average increase is $3.80 for those who renew by March 21 and $6.87 for those who renew after that date or become new buyers. The Kings, who play the Blue Jackets on Thursday in Columbus, have points in nine consecutive games (7-0-2).
“Certainly the team’s play of late has been refreshing,” Altieri said Tuesday in a phone interview, “but this was mapped out a while ago. You can’t let it hinge on the team’s performance.”
According to Team Marketing Report, which tracks ticket costs for the four major North American sports leagues, the Kings’ average ticket price this season is $47.20 and the average cost for a premium ticket is $105.24. The average NHL ticket price is $51.27.
Greg Ripke of Westchester, a season-ticket holder for 36 years, was excited Monday to receive a Kings T-shirt from General Manager Dean Lombardi. Later in the day, however, he was stunned to see the two seats in Section 301 that cost him $2,122 this season priced at $2,516 next season.
“I am retired and split my season seats four ways to afford them,” he said via e-mail. “I simply no longer need the hassle of dividing up my tickets to my partners and [often] risking my own safety riding that Blue Line or fighting the 110 Freeway traffic getting to the games. Why should I put up with this when I can enjoy Bob [Miller] and Jim [Fox] calling the games on TV in HD at home?”
A Ducks spokesman said 54.1% of season-ticket prices in Anaheim will rise 50 cents to $6.50, with an average increase of $1.53. Prices for 39.5% of tickets will decline 50 cents to $27.50, for an average decrease of $6.68. Prices will be flat for 6.4% of season tickets.
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