Season-Ticket Renewals Increase to 97%

The Lakers have taken a victory without even playing a game this season.

Season-ticket holders renewed at a 97% rate for the upcoming season, an increase of five percentage points from last season, halting a two-year slide in season-ticket sales.

Buoyed by last season’s playoff appearance as well as the scoring power of Kobe Bryant, more Lakers’ season-ticket holders dipped into their bank accounts despite an increase in ticket prices of almost 5% across the board.

Courtside seats were increased from $2,100 to $2,200 a game, and seats in six lower-level sections between the baskets were raised from $210 to $220 a game.

But the fans have anted up, adding value to a franchise that was worth an estimated $529 million last year, second in the NBA only to the New York Knicks, according to Forbes magazine.

“Winning, making the playoffs and 81-point games from Kobe always makes our life easier when it comes to renewal,” said Tim Harris, senior vice president of business operations and chief marketing officer for the Lakers.

The season-ticket sector, which includes approximately 13,000 seats, had not been so kind to the Lakers in recent seasons.

The team enjoyed a 98% renewal rate before the 2003-04 season, but slipped to 97% for 2004-05 and fell to 92% last season. The remaining percentage of season-ticket seats will be available to those on a waiting list.

As such, the team has taken steps to woo season-ticket holders, offering an open practice later this month at Staples Center and conducting town-hall meetings with Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak the last two seasons.

“I think the fans recognize that we’re reaching out to them more,” Harris said.

“We still need to continue to do more than we’re already doing. It’s an ongoing process and one that we’re completely committed to.”

The renewal average throughout the league was about 84% last season.

*

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com