Something that bothered me in the Sun's Bisciotti interview

[RavensDomination]

It was a decent interview, but I have a problem with the owners assessment of the ticket price increase. He is quoted as saying (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-ravens0322,0,5200384.story?page=2) "....your confidence is bolstered by the fact that tickets in the secondary market are being sold at two to three times the price of the ticket."

Steve, that was 2-3 years ago. The economy wasn't as bad and the team was very good last year. The economy has gone from bad to worse, ask the people sitting in the upper level end zone if they are selling at 3 times face value. If the team hits a rough patch it will be tough to sell them for profit, very tough. I know it probably isn't a great comparison, but Bengals fans were riding a wave of mini-success a few years back, raised their ticket and PSL prices, and now they are struggling to sell tickets. Baltimore is a blue collar city, a lot of hard working people are either unemployed or have had their hours drastically reduced. I don't think people will ever struggle to sell tickets like in Cincy, but it certainly won't be for 2-3 times face value.

Furthermore, assuming you could make a little profit selling a few games, as a season ticket holder your profit is lessened by having to buy two worthless preseason tickets. It's hardly impossible to sell those games unless you put them on ebay and someone is dumb enough to buy them forgetting it's preseason. If your tickets are $60 a piece face value, that's $240 bucks you're out.

And finally, PSL's. The PSL market has dropped faster than the housing market. I saw two PSL's with a face value of $5,000 being sold for $3,500. That is unbelievable compared to three years ago when those PSL's would have went for probably around $10,000 - $12,000. Quite frankly, a PSL is a bad investment right now, with ticket prices going up you can't turn a profit anymore like you used to, the uncertain future of the CBA, and the possibility that the Ravens hit a rough patch making your tickets fancy pieces of purple paper that are hard to sell to break even.

[awalt]

What he didn't say is that the Ravens have a very long wait list of people who will buy any season tickets and PSLs that come available.

He knows he has more demand than supply, and it is important to make sure the cash is there to sign players. The Ravens made about $5.4MM from ticket receipts per game (77.20 average price), so an effective 5% increase this year brings $2MM more in cash to the team for 8 regular season home games. That's cash up front by the way, when it is needed to sign players to bonuses.

It's a business, and when you level supply and demand out where formerly you had an excess of demand, some people are going to walk away. That's what makes supply equal demand.

[ManfredHanover]

SB is a goof. He said the same thing a couple of years ago. He knows he has people in a bind. Buy the tickets are lose the PSL. He said two years ago that if fans were in a financial bind that they should "scalpe their tickets on e-bay to the Pittsburgh, Indy, NE or other desirable games and pay for the tickets that way." MORON. What self respecting Ravens fan would want to sell his Ravens v Steelers tickets to a bunch of drunks from Pittsburgh.

He keeps comparing the Ravens to "danny boy" down I-95 and that is the wrong comparison. I sent an e-mail to Jameison and asked that he compare season ticket increases of the Ravens to those of Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Cinncy. That is really the comparison not Washington.

SB is a goof, moron, and should keep his mouth shut. Every time he does an interview he says something stupid. Some day this will come back and bite the team. In the long run he is going to be worst that Angelos.

[Sgt CouchPotato]

as a laid off union worker, the ticket price raise was a slap in my face... im still pissed about having to have to walk 1/4 around the stadium just to smoke one of my taxed out the ass cigerettes...now i have to pay an extra $10 so the ravens can stay competative? whatever, sounds like nfl owners no longer want blue collar fans attending games....if you don't make 75k+ a year, we don't want ya!

[sdeclue]

I think the ticket price increase had to happen. I thought his one line about how people who are suffering wouldn't buy the tickets anyway made a lot of sense. People who are suffering won't have the money for the Ravens tickets whether they are 50 or 60 bucks a game. It sucks that they are more expensive and might cause some to sell their tickets to someone else for a game or two a season, but it will keep us competitive.

[Bez513]

"....your confidence is bolstered by the fact that tickets in the secondary market are being sold at two to three times the price of the ticket."

Secondary market = scalpers? I'm so sick and tired of going to every game and get nothing but harassed by scalpers. Need tickets...selling tickets. They are everywhere. I wish the Ravens would put more heat on getting rid of these scumbags and let people who want seasons tickets a chance to buy them. No wonder you can't get a ticket without paying 2X the price.

[HoustonRaven]

1. We knew this was coming years ago, no matter the state of the economy. It's been their policy to raise prices every other year for almost 8 years now.

2. As a PSL holder who uses the "secondary market" from time to time, Sb was right on the money. Typically, I get 2-3 times what I pay for my seats. I already have offers on the table for $3,500 for my two seats next season.

3. If people are pissed that a business has to run a business, then I suggest moving to some other lovely locals --- Korea, China, Russia, etc. -- where it's the "in thing" to NOT make a profit and NOT stay competitive. I guess it's ok for some to be a football team of the calibre of Detroit. For people like me, I like to see us in the same league as the Pats, Steelers, etc. That costs money.

[HoustonRaven]

"....your confidence is bolstered by the fact that tickets in the secondary market are being sold at two to three times the price of the ticket."

Secondary market = scalpers? I'm so sick and tired of going to every game and get nothing but harassed by scalpers. Need tickets...selling tickets. They are everywhere. I wish the Ravens would put more heat on getting rid of these scumbags and let people who want seasons tickets a chance to buy them. No wonder you can't get a ticket without paying 2X the price.

I believe he was referring to ebay and stub hub.

[RavensDomination]

I think the ticket price increase had to happen. I thought his one line about how people who are suffering wouldn't buy the tickets anyway made a lot of sense. People who are suffering won't have the money for the Ravens tickets whether they are 50 or 60 bucks a game.

I think that comment was short sighted when you consider a lot of people have seen their tickets increase substantially over the years. Yea it's only 10 bucks this year, which doesn't sound like a lot, but think about the overall raises they've done. In 2000 the average Ravens ticket price was $42.75 (http://teammarketing.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/Fan%20Cost%20Index/NFL/NFL00.pdf). Last year, BEFORE the price increase, it was $77.20 (http://teammarketing.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/Fan%20Cost%20Index/NFL/NFL08.pdf).

It's worth pointing out that in 2000 we were in the bottom 6 teams in ticket prices. Now we are in the top 10. Maybe it's time to slow down the ticket price increases all things considered. Bisciotti points out that PSL's were a great investment, and they were, but those days are long gone. If you bought a PSL 2-3 years ago it's worth probably a third of what you paid right now.

[baltimore_hokie]

http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2009/03/09/daily43.html


SB is at 601 on Forbe's billionaire list. Interestingly, he is 100 spots ahead of the Foreskins owner, daniel snyder. i don't think we will have anything to worry about if a new CBA is not reached by this time next year (as SB reiterated at the end of that interview). and come on people, it's ten freakin bucks. going to ravens games is a luxury, so if you don't have a job then you won't get to go to games for a little while. it's life, relax.

[TheExtraPoint]

If you bought a PSL 2-3 years ago it's worth probably a third of what you paid right now.

Then like any investment, don't sell it "right now".

It's not rocket surgery. The health of any American-supported investment is going to depend on the overall health of the American economy. If you bought almost ANYTHING three years ago, it's likely worth a fraction of what it was then. That's obvious.

Yes, selling your PSL now might - MIGHT - not allow you to capitalize on your in initial investment in the way that it would have a few years ago. But talk about short-sighted:

You shouldn't sell off ANY investment when it's at it's low point. Econ 101 there.

This is the worst the economy has been in close to 100 years. Naturally there won't be quite as feverish a clamoring for your PSL's when people are struggling to pay their own mortgages.

But if you view PSL's as an investment, consider the potential future prosperity of the league, and trust that decision makers in the NFL and Union offices can stay out of their own way long enough to generate labor peace, the future of those PSL's is pretty damn bright.

ESPECIALLY when you consider the competitiveness, emotionally and financially, of our owner.

Complaining about ticket prices is an every-other-year right of passage for any fan of any team. But you know who leads the league in ticket prices as of today?

Robert Kraft's New England Patriots - how's that workin' out for them?

It's become globally trendy for people to complain nowadays. Hopefully we all take a minute to realize how well we have it!

[HoustonRaven]

If you bought a PSL 2-3 years ago it's worth probably a third of what you paid right now.

Not even close.

I get offers all the time from friends who think just because I live out of town, I am looking to sell my PSL's

I paid $10k for 2 PSL's back in 2004. I get offers for $13.5k - $15k on a regular basis.

35-50% increase on my investment is damn good and it will only get better as time goes on.

[HoustonRaven]

It's become globally trendy for people to complain nowadays. Hopefully we all take a minute to realize how well we have it!

+1

Well said!

[srobert96]

as a laid off union worker, the ticket price raise was a slap in my face... im still pissed about having to have to walk 1/4 around the stadium just to smoke one of my taxed out the ass cigerettes...now i have to pay an extra $10 so the ravens can stay competative? whatever, sounds like nfl owners no longer want blue collar fans attending games....if you don't make 75k+ a year, we don't want ya!

If you quit smoking that would more than make up for the ticket price hike and you would be healthier. Just saying.

[Rochardrik]

[QUOTE=ManfredHanover;137898]SB is a goof. He said the same thing a couple of years ago. He knows he has people in a bind. Buy the tickets are lose the PSL. He said two years ago that if fans were in a financial bind that they should "scalpe their tickets on e-bay to the Pittsburgh, Indy, NE or other desirable games and pay for the tickets that way." MORON. What self respecting Ravens fan would want to sell his Ravens v Steelers tickets to a bunch of drunks from Pittsburgh.

He keeps comparing the Ravens to "danny boy" down I-95 and that is the wrong comparison. I sent an e-mail to Jameison and asked that he compare season ticket increases of the Ravens to those of Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Cinncy. That is really the comparison not Washington.

SB is a goof, moron, and should keep his mouth shut. Every time he does an interview he says something stupid. Some day this will come back and bite the team. In the long run he is going to be worst that Angelos.[/QUOTE
Yeah, that moron... that millionaire moron... who does he think he is?

[highwater]

Yeah, that moron... that millionaire moron... who does he think he is?

I am NOT saying that Bisciotti is a moron, but if you are under the impression that millionaires can't be morons, there are a lot of owners I'd like to introduce to you.

[Rochardrik]

If you quit smoking that would more than make up for the ticket price hike and you would be healthier. Just saying.
Yes, with the price of cigarrettes today, I could pay for my club level seat just by quitting that disgusting, vile, does me no good, is killing me in 15 different ways, filthy habit.

[Rochardrik]

I am NOT saying that Bisciotti is a moron, but if you are under the impression that millionaires can't be morons, there are a lot of owners I'd like to introduce to you.
Sorry, I meant to say Billionaire... and you are surely right... But SBis NOT one of them...IMO

[ravenmaniac]

It was a decent interview, but I have a problem with the owners assessment of the ticket price increase. He is quoted as saying (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-ravens0322,0,5200384.story?page=2) "....your confidence is bolstered by the fact that tickets in the secondary market are being sold at two to three times the price of the ticket."

Steve, that was 2-3 years ago. The economy wasn't as bad and the team was very good last year. The economy has gone from bad to worse, ask the people sitting in the upper level end zone if they are selling at 3 times face value. If the team hits a rough patch it will be tough to sell them for profit, very tough. I know it probably isn't a great comparison, but Bengals fans were riding a wave of mini-success a few years back, raised their ticket and PSL prices, and now they are struggling to sell tickets. Baltimore is a blue collar city, a lot of hard working people are either unemployed or have had their hours drastically reduced. I don't think people will ever struggle to sell tickets like in Cincy, but it certainly won't be for 2-3 times face value.

Furthermore, assuming you could make a little profit selling a few games, as a season ticket holder your profit is lessened by having to buy two worthless preseason tickets. It's hardly impossible to sell those games unless you put them on ebay and someone is dumb enough to buy them forgetting it's preseason. If your tickets are $60 a piece face value, that's $240 bucks you're out.

And finally, PSL's. The PSL market has dropped faster than the housing market. I saw two PSL's with a face value of $5,000 being sold for $3,500. That is unbelievable compared to three years ago when those PSL's would have went for probably around $10,000 - $12,000. Quite frankly, a PSL is a bad investment right now, with ticket prices going up you can't turn a profit anymore like you used to, the uncertain future of the CBA, and the possibility that the Ravens hit a rough patch making your tickets fancy pieces of purple paper that are hard to sell to break even.

Who buys Raven's tickets to sell for profit and who paid for a PSL with the idea that it was some kind of financial investment?

[HoustonRaven]

Who buys Raven's tickets to sell for profit and who paid for a PSL with the idea that it was some kind of financial investment?

It's not an investment in the sense of 401k or real estate.

But when you shell out that kind of money, you want to know that the money you put in will come back out should you ever need to sell the PSL's.

It's also a god indicator of the value of those PSL's

[Brtnder81]

the thing that gets me is not the ticket price increase for the regular season its its how much we have to pay for playoff tickets when there is even an outside chance at making it. we have to put out hundreds of dollars to get the tickets if there is a game. if there isnt a home game the money sits in the ravens account and they get interest from it and it get credited to our next years season tickets. with the economy as bad as it is who can afford to just throw the money out there if its not a game. other teams in the NFL are alot more understanding. i know the dolphins for playoff tickets would take a credit card number and if the game was definatly going to happen than they would charge the card and the price was only $4 more than the regular season tickets. and since they didnt host a 2nd playoff game they never charged the card for the 2nd game. i dont understand why the ravens cant do it that way

[Brtnder81]

when i first bought PSL's i bought 2 than after 2 years i bought the people of sat next to me PSL's to make 4 total and every game i would sell 2 tickets to people for a profit but not 2-3 times face value maybe $10-$30 over face value depending on the game, than last year i bought another PSL from someone that sat behind me so i now have a total of 5 seats and i sell 3 for a profit each game. sure i could sell them for more on ebay or ticketsnow.com but than i dont know the people that are going and if they do something stupid and get kicked out thats a strike on my PSL not theres. so its not worth the risk to sell them for top dollar

[HoustonRaven]

Welcome to the boards, Brtnder.

I would recommend posting your tix for sale on this site. I have and got anice profit for games I was unable to attend.

[RAVENOUS52]

Let me make one thing perfectly clear: I am not going to purchase any of you poachers' tickets for anything above face value. :mad:

But for those who are finding the current hard economic times placing too great of a strain on your wallets, there's always the option of selling your PSLs to ME!

Holla!!:happyanim

[ravenwoman]

The bottom line is that going to Ravens games are a luxury, not a necessity. It may seem like a necessity, but it isn't food, water and a roof over your head. If you can't afford the tickets, then just don't go. If you don't want to sell the PSL for fear of a loss, then, buy the tickets and sell the whole year to someone at face value and sit home that year. It won't kill you.

[Brtnder81]

I will never sell my PSL's no matter how expensive they get I'd rather fall a little behind on some other bills than miss a Ravens game. my last job i told them i couldnt work on Sundays during football season because im not gonna miss a game and my boos told me i should have my priorities in order and i told her i do and the ravens are way above this job and she didnt have anything to say.

[Brtnder81]

Welcome to the boards, Brtnder.

I would recommend posting your tix for sale on this site. I have and got anice profit for games I was unable to attend.

Thanks, its good to find a site with people that actually know football. i used to post things on facebook in the ravens group on there but 80% of the people on there posting dont really have a clue as to whats goig on.




I dont usually have any problems selling my extra tickets because i dont sell them for an arm and a leg and i would rather go with people i know personally.

Every year my father and i get atleast 1 large group trip together going to a road game (we have been to Miami, Jacksonville, Cincinnati, and Tampa). this year we will be going to San Diego or Oakland depending on when the games are these trips usually run around $500 for flight, hotel friday-monday, game ticket, and transportation to and from the game. if anyone is interested send me a message with your email address and when i get the trip together and know prices ill send you the info.

[jonboy79]

The bottom line is that going to Ravens games are a luxury, not a necessity. It may seem like a necessity, but it isn't food, water and a roof over your head. If you can't afford the tickets, then just don't go. If you don't want to sell the PSL for fear of a loss, then, buy the tickets and sell the whole year to someone at face value and sit home that year. It won't kill you.


I know , right? "working class people" complaining about the ticket increase on their season ttickets? I can't imagine placing that high a percentage of a my net annual income on tickets to a football game you can watch on TV for free.
Normal people aren't supposed to be able to afford to go every week.

[HoustonRaven]

I know , right? "working class people" complaining about the ticket increase on their season ttickets? I can't imagine placing that high a percentage of a my net annual income on tickets to a football game you can watch on TV for free.
Normal people aren't supposed to be able to afford to go every week.

+1

That kind of reasoned logic and common sense will get you in trouble. ;)

[RavensDomination]

Not even close.

I get offers all the time from friends who think just because I live out of town, I am looking to sell my PSL's

I paid $10k for 2 PSL's back in 2004. I get offers for $13.5k - $15k on a regular basis.

35-50% increase on my investment is damn good and it will only get better as time goes on.

<sigh>

You get offers on a regular basis? The B.S. flag is waiving high on that one. If that's true those people must have more money than brains, you can go on the Ravens website and find PSL's for face value all day. Like I said, they are even selling for BELOW face value now. That was unheard of 3 years ago.

The old saying is the buy low/sell high, well you were one of those buyers referenced in the latter part of that statement.

[braven98]

Stevie Synder also said in the past sell some games to get your money.So this season I will sell some games to the highest bidder...No hometeam discount thanks for the advice stevie

[HoustonRaven]

<sigh>

You get offers on a regular basis? The B.S. flag is waiving high on that one. If that's true those people must have more money than brains, you can go on the Ravens website and find PSL's for face value all day. Like I said, they are even selling for BELOW face value now. That was unheard of 3 years ago.

The old saying is the buy low/sell high, well you were one of those buyers referenced in the latter part of that statement.

Your smarmy comments aside, a simple search of ebay shows 21 indidisual auctions for selling PSL's with only 5 or 6 of them at or below face value. And we wont know what they end up selling for since they are the beginning price, not the final auction price.

Not to mention, you fail to take into account what THEY paid for them when they first purchased the PSL.

I never claimed it was absolute. And there have been times PSL's have gone for below face value on the Ravens Marketplace even before this economic mess so your point is moot.

I hope you do not own stock. The concept of holding on to something during a downturn seems foreign to you.

[braven98]

the thing that gets me is not the ticket price increase for the regular season its its how much we have to pay for playoff tickets when there is even an outside chance at making it. we have to put out hundreds of dollars to get the tickets if there is a game. if there isnt a home game the money sits in the ravens account and they get interest from it and it get credited to our next years season tickets. with the economy as bad as it is who can afford to just throw the money out there if its not a game. other teams in the NFL are alot more understanding. i know the dolphins for playoff tickets would take a credit card number and if the game was definatly going to happen than they would charge the card and the price was only $4 more than the regular season tickets. and since they didnt host a 2nd playoff game they never charged the card for the 2nd game. i dont understand why the ravens cant do it that way
the playoff tickets are control by the league not the team.

[ravenmaniac]

the thing that gets me is not the ticket price increase for the regular season its its how much we have to pay for playoff tickets when there is even an outside chance at making it. we have to put out hundreds of dollars to get the tickets if there is a game. if there isnt a home game the money sits in the ravens account and they get interest from it and it get credited to our next years season tickets. with the economy as bad as it is who can afford to just throw the money out there if its not a game. other teams in the NFL are alot more understanding. i know the dolphins for playoff tickets would take a credit card number and if the game was definatly going to happen than they would charge the card and the price was only $4 more than the regular season tickets. and since they didnt host a 2nd playoff game they never charged the card for the 2nd game. i dont understand why the ravens cant do it that way

ummm, Bisciotti offered to refund the money to anyone who asked for it back this year. Call the Ravens.

[ravenmaniac]

Stevie Synder also said in the past sell some games to get your money.So this season I will sell some games to the highest bidder...No hometeam discount thanks for the advice stevie

Snyder and Bisciotti couldn't be more different but if you care to offer up some evidence, I'm listening.

[mdjeepman78]

I just wish I was a little older when the Ravens moved here in 1996. That was the year I graduated high school and I just didn't have the income back then to be able to get PSL's. My stepdad was a Steelers fan so he didn't really care to help me out. A few times since I started my career, I flirted with the notion of paying for PSL's at the current market rate, but they are just too high for me. I can't really justify spending all that money for PSL's. Therefore, I have been regulated to watching most of the games on TV and actually going to 1 or 2 games each year and to be honest, I am fine with that. If they ever do come down in price, I might think about it, but until then, Ill just stay put.

[Brtnder81]

the playoff tickets are control by the league not the team.

yes the price is controlled by the NFL but how the money is taken in or given back is up to the individual teams. the ravens didnt have to charge the credit cards unless the game was played and after the knew the game would not be played they could very easily refund the money back on the cards. but the ravens kept the money and credited it towards the next season tickets. and yes they did say if we wanted the money refunded back we could request in writting that the money be refunded but they would not start processing those request until all business for 2008 was complete which wouldnt be until atleast a week after the pro bowl. so at the earliest they would send checks out at the begining of March and thats just about when the first payment for season tickets are due. so as soon as you would get the money back you would be giving it right back to them

[Mista T]

ummm, Bisciotti offered to refund the money to anyone who asked for it back this year. Call the Ravens.

Right ... change in policy. I got my playoff money back almost promptly.

[jonboy79]

yes the price is controlled by the NFL but how the money is taken in or given back is up to the individual teams. the ravens didnt have to charge the credit cards unless the game was played and after the knew the game would not be played they could very easily refund the money back on the cards. but the ravens kept the money and credited it towards the next season tickets. and yes they did say if we wanted the money refunded back we could request in writting that the money be refunded but they would not start processing those request until all business for 2008 was complete which wouldnt be until atleast a week after the pro bowl. so at the earliest they would send checks out at the begining of March and thats just about when the first payment for season tickets are due. so as soon as you would get the money back you would be giving it right back to them

Not to excuse their practice, but once they charge all those cards, they don't want to have to refund it all. They would have to pay the CC processing fees BOTH ways. On that ammount of money, that would add up. Now, I'm not excusing the fact that they charged it at all, but once they did, I can see hwo they are making you go through a hoop to get it back.

[TheExtraPoint]

8. Ravens have a good owner

The most enjoyable conversation I had all day was with Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti. He really cares about the game, the fans and the league.

Bisciotti recognized that raising his team's ticket prices was tough to do, and he is concerned about the current economic times. But, as he pointed out, he will not raise ticket prices again next year. Bisciotti's research suggests that closer to 20 to 30 percent of his season-ticket holders go to all the games. He believes many Ravens fans receive a chance to see a game live.

Bisciotti is a down-to-earth guy with his finger on the pulse of the game. We need more guys like him owning teams

From NFL.com's Pat Kirwan, who's worked in an NFL front office and generally has some pretty valuable insight IMO.

Again - we should all be pretty grateful when it comes down to it!

[ravenmaniac]

First it was, "they take your money and keep it". Now its, "they don't return it fast enough". Some people are never happy. Next time, do what I did. Don't send in your money on time. I waited till they lost to Pitts late in the season guaranteeing no home playoff game and sent in nothing. THey aren't going to sell your single seat before you get a chance to pay.

[psuasskicker]

<sigh>

You get offers on a regular basis? The B.S. flag is waiving high on that one. If that's true those people must have more money than brains, you can go on the Ravens website and find PSL's for face value all day. Like I said, they are even selling for BELOW face value now. That was unheard of 3 years ago.

The old saying is the buy low/sell high, well you were one of those buyers referenced in the latter part of that statement.

Lower level mid-field PSLs have almost quadrupled since the stadium first opened. My family was offered the chance at those tickets for $2,500 each when the stadium began selling, and my dad turned them down cause he didn't want to shell out $5k for the simple right to buy two season tickets. He's said he regrets that decision quite a bit. Based on face value of those seats, that's an 11% return.

But instead, we actually paid a great deal more than that to buy those PSLs last year from the Ravens PSL Marketplace. Actual annual return on them would be more like 16%, which is market busting.

Those seats are still on the marketplace for about the same value as when we bought them after the '07 season. There may have been some depreciation, but not a whole lot. The depreciation seen is only on some of the stadium, and I still expect to be able to do what we did last year...sell five games to cover the cost of our season tickets, which essentially means we'll go to three games for free.

You're right...there are tickets that can be had for cheap, and occasionally PSLs that can be had for cheap. But there's a limitted supply of them, and it does NOT apply across the entire stadium. Premium seats have and likely will always sell at a premium. There's a difference between going to see a Ravens game in the corner end zone second to last row upper deck, and going to see a Ravens game on the 30 yard line 15th row lower deck behind the Ravens bench. The latter, my dad and I would go to every game if we could afford it (hopefully some day soon we can). The former, if that was my only option, I'd go at most once a year, and watch the rest on my HD 52" for free.

- C -

[ravenmaniac]

The face value on my endzone PSLs is now twice as much as I paid for them in 96. Correction, I paid $750 in 96 and they are now charging $2500 in the LL endzone.

[ravenmaniac]

Stevie Synder also said in the past sell some games to get your money.So this season I will sell some games to the highest bidder...No hometeam discount thanks for the advice stevie

STill no comment on "stevie snyder"? Come on, enquiring minds and all, where is the comparison?

[Brtnder81]

Lower level mid-field PSLs have almost quadrupled since the stadium first opened. My family was offered the chance at those tickets for $2,500 each when the stadium began selling, and my dad turned them down cause he didn't want to shell out $5k for the simple right to buy two season tickets. He's said he regrets that decision quite a bit. Based on face value of those seats, that's an 11% return.

But instead, we actually paid a great deal more than that to buy those PSLs last year from the Ravens PSL Marketplace. Actual annual return on them would be more like 16%, which is market busting.

Those seats are still on the marketplace for about the same value as when we bought them after the '07 season. There may have been some depreciation, but not a whole lot. The depreciation seen is only on some of the stadium, and I still expect to be able to do what we did last year...sell five games to cover the cost of our season tickets, which essentially means we'll go to three games for free.

You're right...there are tickets that can be had for cheap, and occasionally PSLs that can be had for cheap. But there's a limitted supply of them, and it does NOT apply across the entire stadium. Premium seats have and likely will always sell at a premium. There's a difference between going to see a Ravens game in the corner end zone second to last row upper deck, and going to see a Ravens game on the 30 yard line 15th row lower deck behind the Ravens bench. The latter, my dad and I would go to every game if we could afford it (hopefully some day soon we can). The former, if that was my only option, I'd go at most once a year, and watch the rest on my HD 52" for free.

- C -


I have season tickets in section 542 thats right above the smartvision boards and i sit in row 15 i have had my tickets for 10 years and i have sat in other places in the stadium including 5th row from the field on the 50 yard line and i will never sit anywhere else besides my seats again. no other seats compare. when down low you cant see the plays develop the fans down in the expensive seats suck they sit on their hands most of the game and dont make any noise. the real fans are the ones that can barley afford the tickets that sit in some of the cheapest seats in the stadium and never miss a game or leave before its over (including preseason)

[HoustonRaven]

I have season tickets in section 542 thats right above the smartvision boards and i sit in row 15 i have had my tickets for 10 years and i have sat in other places in the stadium including 5th row from the field on the 50 yard line and i will never sit anywhere else besides my seats again. no other seats compare. when down low you cant see the plays develop the fans down in the expensive seats suck they sit on their hands most of the game and dont make any noise. the real fans are the ones that can barley afford the tickets that sit in some of the cheapest seats in the stadium and never miss a game or leave before its over (including preseason)

Wonderful. The "real fans" debate once again.

I sit in section 123, can see the game develop just fine and with the exception of the old couple that sits behind me, the section is loud and proud all game. And yes, because I am a out of town PSL holder, I sometimes have to sell (shocking!) my seats from time to time.

I dont know you nor do I have a clue about your age so maybe you're the football fan equivalent of the 80 yr old man holding his menu out at arms length.

So instead of cannabalizing your fellow fans, how about just taking pride in the team? Is that so hard?

[RAVENOUS52]

Wonderful. The "real fans" debate once again.

I sit in section 123, can see the game develop just fine and with the exception of the old couple that sits behind me, the section is loud and proud all game. And yes, because I am a out of town PSL holder, I sometimes have to sell (shocking!) my seats from time to time.

I dont know you nor do I have a clue about your age so maybe you're the football fan equivalent of the 80 yr old man holding his menu out at arms length.

So instead of cannabalizing your fellow fans, how about just taking pride in the team? Is that so hard?

It's the way of the world and considering the fact that PSLs are luxury items, anyone who "goes broke" from maintaining theirs is a fool.

[HoustonRaven]

It's the way of the world and considering the fact that PSLs are luxury items, anyone who "goes broke" from maintaining theirs is a fool.

Well said.

He did say he could "barely afford" his. Wonder what part of his life is going without proper financial support.

[RAVENOUS52]

Well said.

He did say he could "barely afford" his. Wonder what part of his life is going without proper financial support.

Well, it's been said that cocaine is one Hell of a drug!
http://www.incompetentpictures.com/sitefiles/Rick%20James%203.jpg

[Sgt CouchPotato]

either way you cut it, with the state of our economy, the raise in ticket prices is a joke..

we were 1 of only 8 teams that raised ticket prices this offseason, and i highly doubt the 24 teams that did not will raise theirs next offseason..

[HoustonRaven]

I have no issue with businesses doing what needs to be done to ensure that their business is successful, not only now but in the future.

I know it's not a popular position to take. The Ravens have had a policy of raising prices every other year so it's not like we didnt know it was coming.

I build that increase into my savings. It's planned for, regardless of the condition of the economy.

[Sgt CouchPotato]

i can't think of too many other products that the prices go up every other year when the product remains the same...

say what ya want but i would bet my psl's that had the ravens gone 5-11 again last year and not turned things around their would not have been an increase in ticket prices..

[HoustonRaven]

say what ya want but i would bet my psl's that had the ravens gone 5-11 again last year and not turned things around their would not have been an increase in ticket prices..

I am not saying it -- it's the Ravens stated position and has been since 2001.

And yes, they raised prices after losing seasons in the past.

Why NOT do it? They have a waiting list a mile long.

[SoBoNut]

The bottom line is that going to Ravens games are a luxury, not a necessity. It may seem like a necessity, but it isn't food, water and a roof over your head. If you can't afford the tickets, then just don't go. If you don't want to sell the PSL for fear of a loss, then, buy the tickets and sell the whole year to someone at face value and sit home that year. It won't kill you.

You are right! I live close to the stadium. Sometimes I go o the bar, sometimes I watch at home. I do this because I know the money I would spend at the stadium is better spent elsewhere. Not becuase I'm not completely devoted to supporting the Ravens, but because spending that kind of cash on tickets, beer and grub would kill the family budget. Really.

Anyhow, the view is better on tv and the A-10s go right over my back yard!