NBA Tickets Most Expensive

Spurred by a 60.2% raise in Laker ticket prices, the NBA for the first time has the top average ticket price--$48.37--of the four major sports, according to a survey released Thursday by the Team Marketing Report.

The New York Knicks continue to have the highest average ticket price in the league, at $86.82, but the Lakers’ move to Staples Center this season coincided with an increase in average price from $51.11 to $81.89, the report said, moving the Lakers to No. 2 in the NBA.

Laker spokesman John Black said that the team was unaware of the report and would not confirm or comment on any of the statistics quoted.

The Lakers’ increase, however, was not the highest, according to the survey. The Toronto Raptors, playing their first full season in the new Air Canada Centre, raised prices an average of 63.4%.

The Charlotte Hornets have the lowest prices in the league, with an average of $32.08.

According to the report, the league-wide ticket increase was 13.8%, though NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said league figures indicated a 9% increase.

The NHL is listed as having the second-highest sport-wide total, at an average of $45.70; the NFL is third at $45.63; and major league baseball is fourth at $14.91.

Since 1990-91, the report says, NBA ticket prices have increased 108.1%.