Like most NHL Clubs, make that most major sports clubs, the Minnesota Wild have introduced “premium pricing” for some of their home games, 12 to be exact.
“Premium pricing” is just a way to sugar- coat saying, “We’re going to charge you more,” as much as $20 more.
According to sportswriter Michael Russo’s blog, “Single-game ticket prices will range from $24.00 to $98.00 and premium game ticket prices will range from $29.00 to $118.00 (Facility fee and Ticketmaster charges not included).” Why all this? The Minnesota Wild organization is already the most profitable in the NHL, and I’m no financial mind, but I know the Wild walk a fine line here.
The Wild play a very high stakes poker game, with their fans’ money. Its easy economics, really. Drive ticket prices up, and therefore less people who are able to afford to go. I’ll use myself as an example. I’ve been to about 20 Wild games last year, and I sit in $80 club level seats most of the time. (I don’t pay that, my dad gets them through his job.)
If I had paid for all those, that’s $1600 just for me. Say, tickets to “premium games” are $820, and 12 games are “premium,” that’s $9,840 for just those twelve games. As you see in my example, $9,840 is a chunk of change.
If the “New NHL” is all about branching out to the “casual fan,” you can’t tell me the majority of “casual” fans can afford that. Heck, the majority of diehard hockey fans aren’t able to afford to see games at those prices.
The Wild Want More Money Out Of Their Fans
Today's Must Reads
Track this Article on My B/R
Share This Article
About the Author Matt Ellenberger (scribe)
- 33 articles written
- 95 comments posted
- 8 fans
Want to write for Bleacher Report
We are a community of fans who write about sports. And we're growing.
3 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
james auston 10 months ago
All sports do this...the NHL is just catching up. How do you think they will pay for Gaborik (and eventually Harding)? Increased sales of keychains? I agree, it sucks, but you can't change what a team will do. The Caps (closest local team for me) started doing this too....I prefer to get Club Level or Lower Bowl (to get away from the $10 seat riff-raff), but some people will pay, and others won't. Personally, I plan to watch a lot more games this year on my Center Ice...but when the Wings at Caps game goes on sale, I'll be the first one (well first one thousand) in line paying premium prices :)
Could be worse, check out what Devils fans have to pay to sit anyplace in the lower bowl...THAT is ridiculous.
Edit Comment Cancel
Matt Ellenberger 10 months ago
I know, I just don't get the thought process. The Wild generate more revenue than any other NHL club, and they have for the last seven years (I believe.) I don't know why you'd play with that. Its the old saying of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"
Edit Comment Cancel
Alan Bass 10 months ago
Agreed. The NHL is just trying to make money, and it is indeed working. However, my family can barely afford to go to two Flyers' games per year, because the tickets are so expensive.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.