Scott Timpano
Fresh off a record setting season where they spent 194 million dollars to put a baseball team on the field, the Yankees will raise premium ticket prices this season by almost 300%. The highest priced game day ticket at Yankee Stadium will now carry a face value of $400. Seats in the lower boxes will now cost between $280 and $400. Last year those seats went for an average price of a little over $100.
This move, however, does not appear to be the latest Steinbrenner impulse, but rather a reasonable way to protect the prices of inexpensive seats. In dramatically raising the prices of premium tickets, the Yankees are able to maintain the prices of bleacher and upper tier seats for the third consecutive year. Steinbrenner may have thought Randy Johnson’s 43-year old back was worth $16 million this year but he’s smart enough not to make the true fans suffer for it.
In fact, 44% of all the seats in the house will not change price at all. The price changes were also made for every single game, as opposed to teams like the Mets, who adjust ticket prices for certain opponents. Tickets will be the same price for the lowly Kansas City Royals as well as AL East rival Boston Red Sox. Getting a close look at the action is the only thing that will cost more.
You can still take the family to a game, but unless you want to shill out $1200 for 4 seats to get a close look at Alex Rodriguez then you and the family are bleacher bound. In a recent press release, the Yankees had the following to say:
“We are very grateful for the loyal fans that have supported us and we want to make sure that a family visit to Yankee Stadium remains a viable and distinctly unique entertainment experience,” said Yankees’ Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost. “We believe that by increasing the prices for the most expensive seats, it enables us to hold the prices on almost half of the Stadium and continue to offer attractive discounted ticket opportunities, including the fan-favorite ‘five-dollar games.'”
The Yankees have also helped protect ticket prices with promotional events scattered throughout the season. In addition to holding the price on forty-four percent of Yankee Stadium seats, the Yankees-in 2007-will renew at least nine individual-game discount programs:
• “Verizon Wireless Family Games” – Tier-Reserved tickets will be discounted to $16.00 on designated games Monday through Thursday in April, May and September.
• “Fujifilm $5.00 Games” – All Tier-Box tickets, Tier-Reserved tickets and Bleachers tickets will be discounted to only $5.00 on selected games throughout the season.
• “Coca-Cola Value Pack Games” – Four Tier-Box tickets, four Tier-Reserved tickets or four Bleachers tickets-as well as four hot dogs, four Coke products and one official Yankees item (to be determined)-will be available at discounted package prices (to be determined).
• “MasterCard Grand Slam Pack” – Four Tier-Box tickets, four Tier-Reserved tickets or four Bleachers tickets-as well as four hot dogs, four non-alcoholic beverages and one official Yankees item (to be determined)-will be available at discounted package prices (to be determined).
• “Poland Spring Youth Games” – All tickets can be purchased for half price by fans 14 and under-when accompanied by an adult-on all Saturday games (excluding Premium Games) in the following locations: Main Box, Loge Box, Main Reserved, Tier Box MVP, Tier Box, Tier Reserved and Bleachers). Available only on the day of the game at Yankee Stadium and subject to availability.
• “Senior Citizen Games” – A limited number of seats are available for $5.00 for Senior Citizens (60 and over) to seven games throughout the season. Available two hours prior to game time at the Yankee Stadium Advance Ticket Windows only.
• All Tier-Reserved tickets to any Wednesday game (except premium games) can be purchased for $10.00 by students presenting a valid student ID. Available only on the day of the game at Yankee Stadium and subject to availability.
• All Tier-Reserved tickets will be discounted to $16.00 for all Tuesday night games (except premium games).
– The term “Premium Games” is defined as the Opening Day game, the Old Timers Day game and all games played against the following teams: Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the New York Mets.
