PROBIE4PREZ 58 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 here's a article about how Trashville exploits its fan's and Detroit with their "premmium tickets" Predators unlikely to sell out Detroit game thanks in part to 'variable pricing' Posted by George James Malik December 10, 2007 10:41AM The Nashville Predators have been having trouble filling their arena to an NHL revenue-sharing-qualifying 13,125 paid tickets per game. They'll continue to struggle to fill the Sommet Center vs. the Detroit Red Wings, despite the Wings' tremendous drawing power as the Predators' biggest "rival," because Nashville charges its non-season ticket-holding fans a significant premium to attend what they call a "premium-plus" game: December 10, Tennessean: When the Predators hit the Sommet Center ice tonight against the archrival Detroit Red Wings, they're unlikely to do so in front of a sellout crowd. But the game may still wind up being one of the team's top moneymakers of the season thanks to a system that puts higher prices on tickets to the best, most popular games. Although the Predators hope variable pricing helps increase ticket revenue, it may wind up hurting attendance by turning off some fans at a critical point in the team's history. This is the second season the franchise has utilized variable pricing, which divides home games into three categories based on perceived demand. There are 20 non-premium games (lowest prices), 16 premium games and five premium-plus games (highest prices). ... The concept has been hotly debated among Predators fans, some of whom don't like paying more for more popular games, especially when the team is trying to reach an average of 14,000 paid fans per game to keep its current lease with the city intact. For instance, the overall attendance at the previous Detroit home game this season -- the first premium-plus game of the season -- was 14,346 (13,608 paid). That's a noticeable dip from most past home games against the Wings, which were usually either sold out or close to it in 17,113-seat Sommet Center. "I understand what the concept is supposed to be, that it's supposed to drive people toward buying ticket full or partial season ticket packages. But overall, I give it a thumbs down," said Dennis Pepperack, a former season ticket holder who now goes to about 10 or 12 games per season. So why cant Detroit charge less for tickets when Trashville comes up here? lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 You know, I'm not sure I have a big problem with charging more for more popular teams. I think you charge what the market will pay. I think they are making a mistake in charging too much though. If I can sell out a building against Team A for $50 a ticket, but not $60 a ticket and I can sell out a game against Team B for $90 a ticket, but not $100 a ticket, you better believe I would want to be charging $50 a ticket for games against team A and $90 for games against team B. Of course, you'd have to consider opportunity cost in not selling out by raising ticket prices (you may be able to still make more money, but not sell out) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 I believe (but could be wrong) Phoenix was the first to do this against DET a couple of years ago. They got tired of their home games feeling like away games with more DET fans that PHO fans. It has also been thought about in MLB whenever the Sox or Yanks are visiting. I think that is a slippery slope to travel on, because what is to stop a team like DET from saying well if you draw more when we are there, and charge more when we are there, we are obviously the draw and the reason people are coming we want our cut. OR They could say well when crappy teams are in DET we are going to offer cheaper tickets because no one wants to see you play. I think ticket prices should be across the board the same price. IF you want to give season ticket holders a break than do so, but on all tickets not one team. My tix to see the B's/Wings games don't qualify for any discount, even the TDBanknorth one my mom should have received when she order my tickets. That was the point of having her do it, I am 31 and can buy tickets on my own, but if I can get a 20-30 % discount, why in the hell would I pay full price. But because it is the Red Wings no deals, the only game on the season that you cannot get a discount on. TDBanknorth owns the building they are in, how in the hell can they not get their discount? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PROBIE4PREZ 58 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 You know, I'm not sure I have a big problem with charging more for more popular teams. I think you charge what the market will pay. I think they are making a mistake in charging too much though. If I can sell out a building against Team A for $50 a ticket, but not $60 a ticket and I can sell out a game against Team B for $90 a ticket, but not $100 a ticket, you better believe I would want to be charging $50 a ticket for games against team A and $90 for games against team B. Of course, you'd have to consider opportunity cost in not selling out by raising ticket prices (you may be able to still make more money, but not sell out) yaeh in business talk it makes sense but come on now .. your team has no big star players to draw in people and the one chance you get those big names on the ice you charge more? that would piss me the hell off .. their franchise is already in turmoil with the ownership crap going on and you expect people to pay more when the cool kids come to town Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 (edited) I would love for the Predators to miss the minimum attendance average needed for them to get their welfare check from the league. If they can't average 13,125 people per game, they don't deserve the 10 to 15 million dollars they get through revenue sharing. At some point this team has to prove it will be financially viable and not just a drain on the league. If I understand revenue sharing correctly in the new CBA, to get welfare a team has to have at least 75% of league average attendance (13,125) AND generate a year to year growth rate in revenue that is greater than the league's growth rate. So if the NHL continues to grow and attendance figures improve, the bar keeps getting raised for what the Preds have to achieve to qualify for welfare. It'll just be harder for them each season, assuming the league improves, and they'll receive less money from the rest of the league. Edited December 10, 2007 by haroldsnepsts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lfd250 1 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 You know, I'm not sure I have a big problem with charging more for more popular teams. I think you charge what the market will pay. I think they are making a mistake in charging too much though. If I can sell out a building against Team A for $50 a ticket, but not $60 a ticket and I can sell out a game against Team B for $90 a ticket, but not $100 a ticket, you better believe I would want to be charging $50 a ticket for games against team A and $90 for games against team B. Of course, you'd have to consider opportunity cost in not selling out by raising ticket prices (you may be able to still make more money, but not sell out) Uh, no one is buying the tickets, so what does that tell you about the market? And if Detroiter A has has to pay for GAS, HOTEL, and tickets why would I go? But if Detroiter B can pay the lower price (which would pay for GAS down there) then I might make the drive. But I sure as heck not going to do it on a MONDAY. Where one to take work off to pay extra. I might pay extra on the weekend just to make it a mini vacation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shockwave180 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 There's nothing wrong with this in a free-market economy, but I agree that it isn't smart for a franchise struggling to establish itself and bring in fans. It's just not good PR, and PR is often more valuable in the long term perspective than the short term gain in revenue for one game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 I'm still trying to figure out why two of our most recent wins (one dominating the other an exciting finish) at home appeared to have fewer people in the seats than I've EVER seen. I'm in Buffalo, and am SERIOUSLY considering making the drive again to catch a couple more games this year because I feel like people are missing a GREAT product on the ice this season. Mind-boggling... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lfd250 1 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 The joe last night was the fullest I've seen this year. LOTS of kids. OF course $1 hot dogs don't hurt either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jwo 7 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 (edited) Ken Daniels on Nashville radio station 104.5 somewhere around 4:25 P.M. http://www.1045thezone.com/ Edited December 10, 2007 by Jwo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jwo 7 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 Ken hates the revenue sharing (welfare) and thinks if teams can't survive on their own they should not exist. Also said Hockey is a regional sport in the U.S. and you can't put teams in regions that just don't care about hockey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Donaldjr2448 43 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 Well Folks, I live down here and I love the Redwings, but I'm not going to attend any Predator game sthis year just for the simple fact they raised the price of tickets when the Wings are hear! I usually go to 2 or 3 games a year, but not this year, I say @#$k em! HOPE YOU MOVE TO HAMILTON, A@#HOLES! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 (edited) I'm still trying to figure out why two of our most recent wins (one dominating the other an exciting finish) at home appeared to have fewer people in the seats than I've EVER seen. Well how exactly would people buying tickets know how the games are going to end? Like other people said its has to do with the teams they played. (Minnesota and Carolina) Not exactly known to draw big crowds. Hindsight is great and all.... edit: spelling Edited December 10, 2007 by Son of a Wing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kylee 727 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 HOPE YOU MOVE TO HAMILTON, i thought i heard the last time the Preds and Wings played Ken say that they will be staying in Nashville for at least five more years? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Donaldjr2448 43 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 i thought i heard the last time the Preds and Wings played Ken say that they will be staying in Nashville for at least five more years? They are staying here for at least 5 years, but I just know that in 5 years they will be moving, unless they win a Championship that would draw an interest, but it will be extremly tough to sign free agents when your not sure how long you will be there, who knows the team may go belly up in 2 years with out the NHL welfare checks!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2probert4 8 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 Well Folks, I live down here and I love the Redwings, but I'm not going to attend any Predator game sthis year just for the simple fact they raised the price of tickets when the Wings are hear! I usually go to 2 or 3 games a year, but not this year, I say @#$k em! HOPE YOU MOVE TO HAMILTON, A@#HOLES! Keep that kind of talk up, and you'll end up being referred to as a a$$hole on the Predators board like I am. They had close to 3000 seats left over when the Wings were in last time; and I'll have to say it may not be sold out tonight. I think its hilarious that Ken Daniels says that teams shouldn't get revenue sharing, even more so in the market that has taken the most over the past few seasons. Way to go Ken. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jwo 7 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 Well Folks, I live down here and I love the Redwings, but I'm not going to attend any Predator game sthis year just for the simple fact they raised the price of tickets when the Wings are hear! I usually go to 2 or 3 games a year, but not this year, I say @#$k em! HOPE YOU MOVE TO HAMILTON, A@#HOLES! From what I heard even with the prices hiked up, they are still the lowest in the average. Coming out of the mouth Geroge Plaster (Predator fans love him because he is a fan) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auxlepli 17 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 (edited) The novelty of attending games down there has worn off for me. I won't attend a game there again unless I receive a comp ticket. So the Predators can raise ticket prices. I don't care. Edited December 10, 2007 by auxlepli Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Donaldjr2448 43 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 Keep that kind of talk up, and you'll end up being referred to as a a$$hole on the Predators board like I am. They had close to 3000 seats left over when the Wings were in last time; and I'll have to say it may not be sold out tonight. I think its hilarious that Ken Daniels says that teams shouldn't get revenue sharing, even more so in the market that has taken the most over the past few seasons. Way to go Ken. That would just ruin my holidays to be hated by a bunch of nobodies!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betterREDthandead 58 Report post Posted December 10, 2007 We had this discussion when Phoenix did the same thing. And I have to ask: Why exactly is the Nashville organization a bunch of assholes for doing that? It's the highest form of compliment is what it is. A Wings game is more valuable than any other team in the league. If you take it as an insult, you're actively looking for disrespect. Now, that's not to say that this isn't also colossally stupid. If they're trying to meet a threshold of average attendance, artificially lowering it for their biggest draw of the year is dumb, dumb, dumb. Unless they're actively trying to sabotage the lease. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Legionnaire11 0 Report post Posted December 11, 2007 the new ownership did not set the prices for this season. apparantly Lierpold didn't either, when asked about it earlier this year he said "I wasn't aware of the price increases this year, it was just a scheduled increase"... yeah right craig. the guy has to be among the worst businessmen in the history of the world. if it weren't for his wife, he'd be living under an overpass in downtown milwaukee From what I heard even with the prices hiked up, they are still the lowest in the average. Coming out of the mouth Geroge Plaster (Predator fans love him because he is a fan) according to This Website they are not the lowest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grittzkey 1 Report post Posted December 11, 2007 illitch should just buy the predetors.. then give it away to me.. i then, will trade away all there players and reunite the folks from the slapshot movies, and there is a recipe for awesome.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest octopusdank Report post Posted December 11, 2007 i despise this idea. doesnt it make sense that it turns off alot of people?? they do it in phoenix too and we are forced to pay more for wings tickets ( which isnt a problem for me, but im sure people who dont watch much hockey hate it ).if they are trying to attract new fans this doesnt seem to be the way to do it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted December 11, 2007 We had this discussion when Phoenix did the same thing. And I have to ask: Why exactly is the Nashville organization a bunch of assholes for doing that? It's the highest form of compliment is what it is. A Wings game is more valuable than any other team in the league. If you take it as an insult, you're actively looking for disrespect. Now, that's not to say that this isn't also colossally stupid. If they're trying to meet a threshold of average attendance, artificially lowering it for their biggest draw of the year is dumb, dumb, dumb. Unless they're actively trying to sabotage the lease. I don't think it's an insult to Wings fans. I think it's mainly an insult to Preds fans. While I can understand the pricing strategy, I do think it is colossaly stupid for a struglling franchise. And I guess it's also an insult to those teams they don't charge the premium rates for. D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jwo 7 Report post Posted December 11, 2007 the new ownership did not set the prices for this season. apparantly Lierpold didn't either, when asked about it earlier this year he said "I wasn't aware of the price increases this year, it was just a scheduled increase"... yeah right craig. the guy has to be among the worst businessmen in the history of the world. if it weren't for his wife, he'd be living under an overpass in downtown milwaukee according to This Website they are not the lowest. I am just saying what I heard when listening to him on the radio. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
