hoogs 8 Report post Posted April 16, 2007 Illitch needs to get his head out of his ass and lower ticket prices. I distinctly remember him saying that Detroit had higher ticket prices because we had a higher payroll then most teams in the league before the salary cap. Now this I could understand when the Wings were spending 60-70 million a seaon to put all star lineups on the ice. But now in the era of a hard cap there is just no excuse. Illitch is being greedy and it is showing, 2 non sellouts of playoffs games is unheard of in Detroit. Sure the economy is bad and that it playing a huge part as well, but either way the ticket prices are way overpriced, hopefully Illitch wakes up and realizes this for next season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted April 16, 2007 (edited) But then he found the joy of people willing to pay those still high amounts. Much like many companies and corporations... Once they take way perks... very rarely do they put them back. In this case I mean Perks to stand for lower ticket prices. Even with the lack of people in attendance ALL the ticket prices are doubled in first round so basicially unless only 10,000 people show up (I doubt that would ever happen) Mr. Is still grossing the same, if not more Revenue from each Non-sellout playoff game than he did at any given sold out regular season game. Obviously, saying the huge payroll was a just a way of justifing the Revenue increase and NOT the actual reality of just wanting more money to come though his business. No one really beleives the Gas companies reasons for raising the price at the pumps the way they do.... do they? Illitch is a Business man and as mad as I am about ticket prices going up, there really isn't that much we can do about it. There is no way you can get 10,000 plus people to just say, "ah hell, lets not go to the game" Look at those fruitless efforts to have gasouts... It's just not going to happen. Edited April 16, 2007 by OsGOD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlakChamber 8 Report post Posted April 16, 2007 It's supply and demand. According to the box score, Sunday's game was 98.4% full. Even with the salary cap, the demand is still there for tickets at playoff prices. Until there's blocks and blocks of unsold tickets at the joe, ticket prices aren't going down. And remember, there's (most likely) going to be a new arena in the works. Gotta pay for that somehow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted April 16, 2007 How expensive are our tickets in comparison to other team's prices? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KronwallCRUNCH 5 Report post Posted April 16, 2007 Well, 2500 season ticket holders opted out of playoffs this season. The season ticket waiting list has gone from nearly 10 years to 3-5 years...Without season ticketholders, Illitch will get the point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted April 16, 2007 You would think that would be the case. But here we are languishing in ridiculously high playoff ticket prices and not even selling out. And then don't even get started on the overpriced programs, parking, food, beer, etc. etc. etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IceMunkee 15 Report post Posted April 16, 2007 I think that programs and food and things are the same just about everywhere. The ticket prices are a cruch. I don't think they will ever change though. A good owner that cares about his city would see it suffering and drop prices a little. Great team. Lousy owner. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KronwallCRUNCH 5 Report post Posted April 16, 2007 I think that programs and food and things are the same just about everywhere. The ticket prices are a cruch. I don't think they will ever change though. A good owner that cares about his city would see it suffering and drop prices a little. Great team. Lousy owner. I would strongly disagree with you there. Illitch is a great owner and has done a lot of great things for this city. However, in the new NHL, and the terrible economic state of Detroit (and Michigan as a whole), prices should be adjusted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredbarnman 13 Report post Posted April 16, 2007 When Ilitch was elected to the Hall of Fame, he said "We have to lower ticket prices." As was already stated, supply and demand. Also remember that all playoff money is kept by the owners. The players get paid with regular season money, so there's no way he's dropping prices as long as the arena keeps being filled. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lfd250 1 Report post Posted April 16, 2007 I am one of those season ticket holders to decline. As the boss said (wife) you want to go to the playoffs or watch the whole next year. My playoff tix would have cost me more then next year. I also don't think it's fair that I have to buy the first two round to get the third and all three to get the cup. Am I a fair playoff friend? Probably, but why buy tickets to games I may or may not be able to get to since they don't release the playoff schedule right away. And I can get closer seats by buying one game at a time if I can go. But double the price by the second round is to much! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 It's supply and demand. According to the box score, Sunday's game was 98.4% full. Even with the salary cap, the demand is still there for tickets at playoff prices. Until there's blocks and blocks of unsold tickets at the joe, ticket prices aren't going down. And remember, there's (most likely) going to be a new arena in the works. Gotta pay for that somehow. Right, couldn't have said it better myself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnyoski 0 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 Actually playoff tickets are 10% cheaper than they were pre-lockout. That said I still think Rounds 1 and 2 are a bit too pricey. As for comparisons to other teams it depends. LA Kings games regular season games are way higher than Wings tickets but last season you could go to a Tampa Bay Lightning 1st round game for $22. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoogs 8 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 I just hope the nonsellouts this year send a message to Illitch that playoff tickets are overpriced. Even a $5-10 difference per ticket would be huge, a $63 standing room only ticket would be $53 which would be more reasonable IMO. And really I am talking about rounds 1 and 2, after that jack the prices up all you want, that is understandable. But doubling prices in the first round is just insane. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 (edited) I think that programs and food and things are the same just about everywhere. The ticket prices are a cruch. I don't think they will ever change though. A good owner that cares about his city would see it suffering and drop prices a little. Great team. Lousy owner. I know for a fact that the Columbus, Isles and Blues all have free programs. I remember I was afraid to take one (much like those guys with the american flags in the streets after a game) because I didn't want to have to pay extras.... The people looked weird at me and said, "they are free, take one!" Actually playoff tickets are 10% cheaper than they were pre-lockout. That said I still think Rounds 1 and 2 are a bit too pricey. Are you sure about that? I don't remember ever paying more than $70 for an upper (like R20-R25) Ticket and I have been to Rounds 1 and 2 in 2001 as well as a few other times. From the detroit news (about the 2005-06 ticket prices) http://www.detnews.com/2005/wings/0508/10/A01-276536.htm The Wings are freezing ticket prices at the 2003-04 level. Tickets will range from $22 to $85, and average $57.11. The new NHL salary structure caps the team's payroll at $39 million. The Wings spent $78 million during the 2003-04 season. I know that is only regular season, but I don't see them freezing regular season and Lowering playoff tickets. Edited April 17, 2007 by OsGOD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kp-Wings 3 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 One thing that really angers me is the price of parking now. I went to see a game this year back in November vs. Nashville and the parking was like $15! That is wayyyyyyyy to expensive. I hate bashing Mike Illitch, because of what all he has done for this team, but if he doesn't even consider lowering the prices of some of this stuff then I don't know what to do. The tickets, parking, programs, food, drinks, beer, merchandise. It's all way overpriced, and he's nuts if he thinks people will continue to pay all this money with the economic state Michigan is in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LIDDYGIBBY5 1 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 (edited) For all of those who are unhappy with the price of tickets. Don't piss and moan about it on this site. Take it to Illitch. contactus@ilitchholdings.com I know first hand that they love feedback, positive or negative. The more people that let them know, the more likely change will happen. Edited April 17, 2007 by LIDDYGIBBY5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingsfan40 0 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 It's supply and demand. According to the box score, Sunday's game was 98.4% full. Even with the salary cap, the demand is still there for tickets at playoff prices. Until there's blocks and blocks of unsold tickets at the joe, ticket prices aren't going down. And remember, there's (most likely) going to be a new arena in the works. Gotta pay for that somehow. Exactly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlakChamber 8 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 I think that programs and food and things are the same just about everywhere. The ticket prices are a cruch. I don't think they will ever change though. A good owner that cares about his city would see it suffering and drop prices a little. Great team. Lousy owner. First off, whenever people complain about prices, they need to remember that running a professional sports team is not a philanthropic endevor. The Red Wings are not some non-profit charity organization. First and foremost, the Red Wings are a business. And just like any other business, the goal of the Red Wings is to make money. I don't see how anyone can call Ilitch a bad owner with a straight face. Yes, prices are high and a lot of times it does seem the Wings don't care about their fans. But at the same time, Ilitch has shown repeatedly that he is committed to not just building a profitable team, but a winning team at well. Sometimes at the expense of profit. I remember reading a while back, in the pre-cap days that many times the Wings organization wouldn't even start to make money until the playoffs. We WIngs fans should be glad we have an owner that wants to win, instead of one that just wants to bleed the team for every cent. Look at the Blackhawks. That being said, would it kill him to lower prices just a bit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 Ilitch is a brilliant business man... for sure. Just wish he wouldn't try to be come the Exxon of the hockey world. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swedishseven 9 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 it's not so much supply and demand,but what the market will bear.if your'e not willing to pay the high price someone else will.but until they price out their ticket buyers they wont lower it..matter of fact i saw detroit twice in vancouver last year and those tickets cost more than any other game that year.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnyoski 0 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 Are you sure about that? I don't remember ever paying more than $70 for an upper (like R20-R25) Ticket and I have been to Rounds 1 and 2 in 2001 as well as a few other times. The letter I got in the mail with my playoff tickets last season said they were 10% cheaper than 2003-04. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 (edited) The letter I got in the mail with my playoff tickets last season said they were 10% cheaper than 2003-04. Yeah I got that letter too, but I didn't see a cheaper cost when I actually figured out the prices. Just like the letter we got this season saying how ticket prices would remain the same from last season... Yet they took away our Joe Bucks and thus increased our prices, all they while hanging onto the Frozen ticket price mentality. Edited April 17, 2007 by Offsides Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vansmack-CP 0 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 (edited) in calgary, the waiting list for tickets is 10000 people long. The flames also charge $100 per person to keep your name on the list. also here is the rank of the top 16 teams in terms of average ticket price: Team Avg Price % change VANCOUVER $58.96 3.9 MONTREAL $56.82 5.6 BOSTON $56.44 6.4 PHILADELPHIA $55.66 5.5 NEW JERSEY $54.67 0.0 EDMONTON $51.76 12.4 MINNESOTA $51.37 2.5 TORONTO $49.23 -0.80 CALGARY $47.35 9.2 LOS ANGELES $45.98 4.9 OTTAWA $45.95 5.1 NEW YORK RANGERS $45.83 2.7 FLORIDA $44.28 29.0 TAMPA BAY $44.27 0.0 ATLANTA $43.54 4.5 DETROIT $43.13 0.0 Sourec: Team Marketing Report - National Hockey League 2006-2007 There are some really curious numbers on the list, and they are only regular season prices, but hopefully this answers some of your questionds. Edited April 17, 2007 by Vansmack-CP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wingsfan924 0 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 Well, 2500 season ticket holders opted out of playoffs this season. The season ticket waiting list has gone from nearly 10 years to 3-5 years...Without season ticketholders, Illitch will get the point. Well, I let mine go last year and I don't miss it a bit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 (edited) You also have to look through the amount of ticket price options each teams have. I mean there are several teams who offer ticket prices below the wings lowest ($22) price but having outrageous ice level seat prices... Making their average higher, but their ticket overall more affordable. while other offer bench side seating for up near $400 per game in the regular season. Edited April 17, 2007 by OsGOD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
