Ducks Figure They Deserve a Raise

The Mighty Ducks are still too new to have many traditions, but one has already taken hold: annual ticket-price increases.

Duck tickets will go up an average of 7.9% next season--on the heels of a 10.6% increase last year. That’s two seasons, two price hikes, and there are already plans on the drawing board for another increase next season.

After 49 consecutive sellouts at The Pond, including all 24 home games during the lockout-shortened NHL season, Duck fans are falling victim to their own enthusiasm--and to typically aggressive Walt Disney Co. pricing.

This, after management’s lockout cut 36 games from the season and the Ducks went 16-27-5, finishing with the third-worst record in the NHL.

“That’s the way it is in this money-making world we live in,” said Bob Mytkowicz, a longtime hockey fan who lives in Yorba Linda but grew up in Chicago. Mytkowicz’s season tickets will go up $2.50 a game to $55, which seems mild after a $15-a-game increase this season that Mytkowicz called “a shock”--just before he forked over the money.

“I’m surprised, if they feel they’re trying to win back fan support [after the lockout],” he said. “But I don’t think that’s a problem for the Ducks because they sold out so many games. They control the ball right now--or the puck--and unfortunately, we’re the ones who get stung.”

The only tickets that won’t cost more are the 194 seats on the glass that already sell for $75 and $125. The average ticket will cost $34.51--which is still less than the Kings’ $37 average. The $14 seat is still a good deal, but only 500 are available. Overall, increases will range from $1 a ticket to a whopping $15 a game on about 500 lower-level corner seats that will jump from $40 to $55.

Last year, the team’s justification for price increases was the cost of signing rookies Paul Kariya and Oleg Tverdovsky to multimillion-dollar contracts. Since then, NHL owners have won an entry-level salary cap and free agency concessions through the new collective-bargaining agreement.

Nevertheless, the Ducks cited player payroll costs again--and rejected the idea that they are trying to make up losses from the work stoppage. Ultimately, the team points to the trend of rising ticket prices around the NHL, as well as supply and demand.

“We aren’t out there to try to gouge our fans. We think we have the best fans in the league,” said Andy Roundtree, the Ducks’ vice president for finance and administration. Roundtree says the steep increase on some tickets is part of long-term plan to make the 5,000 seats in the lower level all one price, and that prices will still be around the middle of the pack among NHL teams--though statistical comparisons are somewhat flawed because of currency and tax differences between U.S. and Canadian teams.

Fans are likely to be more rankled if they know the Walt Disney Co. team made about $9 million in its first season, and its value was recently estimated by Financial World magazine at $108 million--more than two times the $50 million expansion fee. Closer to home, the team is located in the middle of Orange County, still reeling from bankruptcy.

“Believe it or not, we are sensitive to our price increases, period,” Roundtree said. “Those are valid concerns, and they’ve been thought about. If someone thinks we haven’t, so be it. It’s not an exact science.”

Neither is hockey.

“It would have been easier to swallow if we made the playoffs,” said Victoria Caruso, a season-ticket holder from Huntington Beach. “I know we have to pay for new players, higher-salaried players. But I think they should wait until we make the playoffs. We’ll still keep our tickets--and they know that. I’ll still be there.”

Duck Notes

The Ducks formally announced a new minor league affiliation with Baltimore, an American Hockey League expansion team. The Ducks previously were affiliated with the San Diego Gulls of the International League, who are moving to Los Angeles next season and will be nicknamed the Ice Dogs. Walt Kyle, who coached the Gulls last season, will remain with the Duck organization as coach of the Baltimore franchise. Pierre Gauthier, Duck assistant general manager, will take on additional duties as Baltimore general manager.

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Taking Off Again

Most Mighty Ducks season ticket prices will increase again next season. Plaza Glass and Plaza Rear Glass seating, $125 and $75, respectively, will stay the same as this season. Portions of two sections will get new designations as well as price increases.

Plaza Main: 512 seats formerly Plaza Rear; went from $40 to $55

Terrace Corner: 664 seats formerly Terrace Rear; went from $18 to $21

Ticket Price History

Location 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 Plaza Main $50.00 $52.50 $55.00 Plaza Rear 32.00 40.00 45.00 Plaza Disabled 28.77 32.00 35.00 Terrace Lower 25.00 28.00 30.00 Terrace Main 22.00 23.00 24.50 Terrace Corner 19.00 20.00 21.00 Terrace Rear 16.00 18.00 20.00 Terrace Single Game 13.00 13.00 14.00

Source: The Mighty Ducks