Average $$$ Spent On A Professional Game.

[John Corn]

Will sporting events adventually outprice themselves?

Average ticket prices for each of the "big four" U.S. sports (as of 2002):

NFL - $50.02
NBA - $43.65
NHL - $41.56
MLB - $18.30

Source: Team Marketing Report (http://www.teammarketing.com/article_details.cfm?article_id=68)

The same site gives the Fan Cost Index (FCI), defined as "the price of two (2) adult average-price tickets, two (2) child average-price tickets, two (2) small draft beers, four (4) small soft drinks, four (4) regular-size hot dogs, parking for one (1) car, two (2) game programs and two (2) least-expensive, adult-size caps", for each league:

NFL - $290.41
NBA - $254.86
NHL - $240.43
MLB - $145.26

You can also find the average ticket prices for individual teams in each league (See here (http://www.teammarketing.com/fci.cfm) ).


I don't think sports will ever out price themselves, unless the owners fail to recongize what the demand for their tickets are. Just because I don't have $100 for a ticket to a football game doesn't mean somebody else doesn't. But I'm not so sure that the annual increase in ticket prices is going to continue. During the 90s big business was booming under the bull economy. Now that the economy is slowing down I don't think there will be as many people who will be willing to fork out $100 for a football ticket.

[DCSholtis]

Personally I have 2 technical problems with that report.....First being....I have never heard of a small draft beer..also there is no such thing...(least I dont think there is)...as a "least expensive adult sized cap".....theyre all expensive..IMHO....Other than those 2 things I agree with the report and yes sports may in time outprice themselves......Which is really too bad...

[Karl Foster]

I went to a Utah Jazz game last night against the New Jersey Nets. Here's what I paid for myself and my daughter:

seats - $101.00 ($50.50 each for really good seats)
pizza and drink for kid - $7.75
burger and fries for me - $8.25
popcorn and drinks for second half - $8.00
train fare (not part of game, but an expense) - $5.00

total - $130.00

Although I spent a lot, the game went into overtime and the home team won. I only spend that much maybe twice each season. There is something special about being there vs. watching the game on KJZZ. We go to lots of AAA baseball games where tickets are only $7, and we can get souveniers at Wal-Mart much cheaper than at the Delta Center.

tickets - $101
pizza - $7
watching Jason Kidd have 10 turnovers and get schooled by a 41-year-old point guard - priceless :)

[DCSholtis]

Karl I watched that game on TV and I agree it was priceless....Both Stockon and Malone are amazing this season..

[Steve Mehs]

No doubt they're expensive. The place I work at also has a big tailgate party for the Bills season opener. Tickets this year were $40 each, plus an additional $10 for parking. We didn't go last year. That's with no food or anything, but in past years we just snuck the food in. That greedy b*stard Ralph Wilson (Bills owner) is rich enough for one lifetime. While I would have enjoyed seeing the Jets run back those two kick off returns for TDs, I'd rather watch it on TV, where I don't have to give Wilson a dime!

No way would I ever buy appeal from a sporting event. It's all over priced. I'd rather buy it from Champs Sports in the mall. Hats were only $10 during they're Christmas sale, I picked two Titans hats up for myself. Jerseys were also half price.

[djlong]

This is why I haven't been to Fenway Park in several years. However, I *have* been to Homan Stadium to see the Nashua (NH) Pride of the Atlantic League (baseball, independant) several times a year since '99 and have taken in a couple of Manchester (NH) Monarchs (AHL affiliate of the LA Kings) since their debut last year.

I can take my entire family out for the price of ONE ticket to the Sox or Bruins.

[DCSholtis]

I agree Minor League baseball is great......at least there you dont have to put up with watching a bunch of overpaid primadonnas....and most times the baseball is BETTER....