Commissioner's Fan Initiative unveiled. Designed to make fans aware of affordable ticket promotions
"Throughout its long and distinguished history, baseball has always served as a diversion for its fans in difficult times," Selig said. "These difficult times are no different, and Major League Baseball is stepping up its efforts to make the game more affordable and to demonstrate to its fans how important they are to us."
"Through a variety of ballpark promotions, fans will be able to stretch their entertainment dollar for an experience at the ballpark, ..."
Here are some key stats:
• 26 clubs (87 percent) will offer tickets that are $10 or less;
• 26 clubs (87 percent) will offer promotions geared towards families and/or kids;
• 20 clubs (67 percent) either maintained or reduced 2009 ticket prices in most areas of their ballparks;
• 16 clubs (53 percent) will offer tickets that are $5.50 or less on a regular basis.
MLB President Bob DuPuy said Wednesday on CNBC that the league believes it is "affordable family entertainment, and we're going to try to promote that. ... We are the cheapest major entertainment. Our average ticket price is about half of any other major sport. We are less than $25. Half of the teams have tickets for $10 or less. ...
linkThe Team Marketing Report released its annual survey Thursday and said ...The major league average (ticket price) of $26.64 was up 5 percent from $25.37, less than half last year’s 10.1 percent hike.
(The average includes)
Among premium seats, the Yankees topped the majors at $510.08, followed by the Cubs ($239.43), the Los Angeles Angels ($222.38), Washington ($192.89), Boston ($162.82) and the Mets ($149.54). Colorado was the major league low at $36.50, with Milwaukee at $38.65.
TMR’s fan cost index went up 3.2 percent to $196.89, ranging from $410.88 at Yankee Stadium and $326.45 at Fenway Park to $114.245 in Arizona.
....
(But the Yankees are trying to reach to the little guy)
Hal Steinbrenner pointed out that Yankee Stadium also has inexpensive seats ranging to as little as $5 for partial view bleachers.
“We understand that a lot of our fans are struggling. I mean, this is the worst recession in a most of our lifetimes,” he said. “But at the same time I think baseball has always been an escape for people, you know? And I think what we’re going to provide here is an unbelievable experience for thousands and thousands of our fans that, despite the troubles they’re going through right now, maybe they’ll be able to get away for two or three hours, get their minds off things. And we’re going to make that experience, you know, tremendous.”
LinkForget your troubles wit a, you know, tremendous view of dis here girder.
