Washington Capitals Owner Ted Leonsis raised ticket prices significantly for the 2009-10 NHL season (Courtesy Photo)It's August and already the Washington Capitals are making headlines. With season tickets locked up the Caps are now focusing on "mini-plans" to help keep the money rolling in. They also have decided to make a pricing level depending on the significance of the game: Red, White or Blue.
Goodbye are the days you could buy tickets for a family of 4 for $10 each in the Eagle's Nest and get a great night of hockey and food for under $100. Now, the lowest price for those Eagle's Nest tickets will be $45 and go up as high as $85 per ticket during specific games like Pittsburgh, San Jose, etc. In the midst of a recession and economic turmoil, that is going to alienate the regular joes and families from coming to even one game per season. Sure there are people out there who can afford to pay for this and since that is the case, Ted probably doesn't care as long as the team makes $$$.
I know the payroll is out of this world thanks to Ovechkin, Backstrom and company and that money needs to be made to pay them (also see the Caps Convention for $40 a ticket in Sept.) But I think this is an extreme increase in ticket prices. I thought it was bad when the Eagle's Nest went up to $25-$35 last year. Now to be over $45 a ticket? Also, the 6-pack game plan from last year at $175 is now a 5-game plan and costs $225, an increase of $50 over last season! For one less game? How can you justify that Ted?
Here is a comparison to last season with this season:
Single-Game Tickets
2008-09: Tickets ranged from $25 to $200
2009-10: Tickets will now range from $45 to $280
Ticket Plans
2008-09: 6-game plans - starting at $175 on up
2009-10: 5-game plans - starting at $225 on up
Thank goodness for HDTV because that's where I will be for most of the season. Hopefully the Caps will not get rid of the Bar Crawl or other special discounts to where going to a game is bearable.
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