Monday, September 08, 2008

Bucs fans say "No Mas"

The Buccaneers are having trouble selling out next Sunday's home game.

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers raised ticket prices back in February for the sixth year in a row, fans had to wonder whether there would be any end to the increases, especially with the economy putting so many on the injured-reserve list. Judging by sluggish ticket sales for the 2008 season, fans might have reached their limit.

Sales of Bucs tickets appear to have slowed this year after increases of as much as 30 percent for some seats and the demand that season-ticket holders renew 10-year seat licenses that can cost thousands of dollars.

The first home game against Atlanta on Sept. 14 is having trouble selling out, which means the sellout streak that started when Raymond James Stadium opened in 1998 could be in jeopardy.
What happened to the thousands of people on the waiting list for season tickets? Perhaps they joined veteran season-ticket holders who were shocked to learn they would have to re-pay a seat-deposit fee, which is gradually refunded over 10 years.

Many said never mind.

I thought there were a gazillion folks on the season ticket waiting list.

Many teams justify the seat license because they are building new stadiums. But the Bucs have s sweet deal with a publicly-owned joint. Throw in the fact that the Bucs are way under the salary cap (asking for more from fans while not investing in the team) and this may be the first Buc home game not on local TV in ten years.

NFL, meet the supply and demand curve.

Ina semi-related matter, I turned on NBC's Sunday night pregame show and saw Keith Olbermann. I turned it off. I was getting ill.

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