This isn't new to anyone who goes to games, but for someone who gets in free for football games, I am not sure how people can get to these games anymore. Watching the UConn women tonight and seeing tons of empty seats (it looked like sections had 10 or 12 people in it) it got me thinking a bit.
Why so many empty seats? Opponent? Lack of interest? Weeknight game? Maybe some of that.
Curious, I went to ticketmaster to see if there were any men's tickets available. To my delight there were pair together for Saturday. This is Pittsburgh vs. UConn, the two best programs in the conference for the last 7 or 8 years. And there are tickets available!
So I start going through the process, $30 per ticket, $6 convenience fee, and then $2.50 to get the ticket emailed to me (this should be free, but they charge you for this). I go cheap and do Will Call, so I go through the motions and have two tickets for my wife and I.
So I lay in a phone call to the Mrs.
Me: You want to go to the UConn game Saturday?
Wife: Sure. If that's what you want to do. What time is it? 1 p.m.? Ok.
Me: Well, it's going to cost $76.60.
Wife: No way. That is ridiculous. We can go to a Celtics game for that. It's college basketball. You can watch on TV.
(hang up)
I didn't include parking, which is about $10 (hopefully not more). So, let me get this straight. For a college basketball game I am spending $88.60 before I even walk into the door at the arena? God forbid I get something to eat or drink.
How are you supposed to do this for 6 or 7 games a year? I am on the fence against Pittsburgh. Why would I spend this against Quinnipiac?
It's a simple value decision.
I don't mind paying for tickets, in fact, I if I do go to a game I will make sure I spend a little extra to get closer if possible and reasonable. I've been to two Celtics game this years. One ticket's face value was $38 (great seat too), the other was $68 (or maybe $75?). The $38 seat in Boston was better than my $33 UConn seat that I was going to buy this Saturday at the XL. And the Celtics payroll is $65 million. I think UConn is under the salary cap.
You should be able to get two people into any college hoops game in the country for about $50 face value. That's what I was looking to spend.$76 and other add ons are a bit rich. I think I paid $80 for season tickets as a student ($5 a game?).
No wonder they can't sell out these games like they used to. Simple economics 101. The single greatest way to curb demand of anything is price (which is why Europe taxes gas so heavily to create a disincentive to drive and use up the vital resource). Sure, when the event is hot you can charge any amount (Super Bowl face value is $700). But, when the seats are staying empty the first thing you have to ask is NOT is my product regressing and/or is it not a good time, place or location. Numero Uno people. Am I pricing it correctly?
UConn men's basketball should have nearly every game sold out. The fans are that crazy about the team. I don't think people have lost interest as others have pontificated.
I can't think of one other reason why UConn-Pitt on Saturday afternoon isn't sold out.
People love UConn. They love their money more however.
I am going to watch the game Saturday -- on my couch. If you want to see a UConn player live wait until they are in the NBA -- it's a better value.
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