Jeff Long adjusts ticket prices.

[The_Iceman]

http://www.wholehogsports.com/news/2015/oct/01/some-ua-basketball-ticket-prices-increase/

I just don't understand this move. We are going to be terrible next season and we need as many people as possible. We should have kept lower level seats at $25 for every game, and made upper deck seats $15.


EDIT: I renamed this thread "adjusts ticket prices" instead of "raises" because he does lower the prices for some games. However, I don't think he went far enough to get people into BWA.

[azhog10]

Bigger increase in upper bowl prices than lower bowl. Lower Bowl prices didn't increase all that much, and it's primarily an increase in just a couple games. The NBA does a very similar thing as far as raising prices based on who is in town. I beleive I read something about this a couple years ago. It's a "Market Adjustment" based on the fact people will re-sale their tickets for more money based on who is playing. This should also influence people to buy closer to the court which should provide a better environment in those games that aren't anywhere near a sell out.

[The_Iceman]

Bigger increase in upper bowl prices than lower bowl. Lower Bowl prices didn't increase all that much, and it's primarily an increase in just a couple games. The NBA does a very similar thing as far as raising prices based on who is in town. I beleive I read something about this a couple years ago. It's a "Market Adjustment" based on the fact people will re-sale their tickets for more money based on who is playing. This should also influence people to buy closer to the court which should provide a better environment in those games that aren't anywhere near a sell out.

The terrible non-conference games should be $20/$10 upper and lower. SEC should be $25/$25 upper and lower. The elite games like Kentucky or Florida or LSU, depending on their preseason projections, I wouldn't mind being $35/$25. But, we have to find ways to get more people into the stadium, especially in the bad non-conference games and the 8pm weekday starts in SEC.

[HawgAdvocate]

Thanks in-large to the increase in ESPN/SEC Network 6pm (too early) and 8pm (too late) tip offs, it will be interesting to see how actual attendance responds come January. There certainly isn't a non-conference home game that commands a 'must see live' audience.

[hawgon]

The last time I went to a basketball game a few years ago, a guy GAVE me three lower level tickets at the door.

[The_Iceman]

Thanks in-large to the increase in ESPN/SEC Network 6pm (too early) and 8pm (too late) tip offs, it will be interesting to see how actual attendance responds come January. There certainly isn't a non-conference home game that commands a 'must see live' audience.

If he such a "businessman" then he would see how to use that to his advantage. Lower the prices for those games to get people who normally can't go into the game. Then maybe, they will enjoy their time there and buy more tickets later on.

[azhog10]

Say what you want but this is on par with what is going on in the sports industry. The Market Adjusted Ticket prices is the norm now. People are always going to complain. Season Ticket prices didn't increase, only single game sales.

[greasy_corner]

If he such a "businessman" then he would see how to use that to his advantage. Lower the prices for those games to get people who normally can't go into the game. Then maybe, they will enjoy their time there and buy more tickets later on.

I agree with your thinking.  But maybe there is no "later on" for him, based upon his career aspirations?   

[HawgAdvocate]

If he such a "businessman" then he would see how to use that to his advantage. Lower the prices for those games to get people who normally can't go into the game. Then maybe, they will enjoy their time there and buy more tickets later on.

Honestly, even if he lowered prices by $5, would it really make a big difference in driving actual attendance this season? The NC home schedule already lacks appeal.

If someone truly wants to come see the Hogs play live via single-game tickets, unless you're a visitor coming to support an opponent as a one-off, you're going to pay $5+ extra. Discounting prices for a projected sub-par product doesn't move the needle, especially when they're televised.

[azhog10]

Honestly, even if he lowered prices by $5, would it really make a big difference in driving actual attendance this season? The NC home schedule already lacks appeal.

If someone truly wants to come see the Hogs play live via single-game tickets, unless you're a visitor coming to support an opponent as a one-off, you're going to pay $5+ extra. Discounting prices for a projected sub-par product doesn't move the needle, especially when they're televised.

And we are talking about $20-$30 dollars. Not $60-$80 NBA tickets.

[The_Iceman]

Honestly, even if he lowered prices by $5, would it really make a big difference in driving actual attendance this season? The NC home schedule already lacks appeal.

If someone truly wants to come see the Hogs play live via single-game tickets, unless you're a visitor coming to support an opponent as a one-off, you're going to pay $5+ extra. Discounting prices for a projected sub-par product doesn't move the needle, especially when they're televised.

Lets say a lower/middle income father wants to take his wife and two kids to see a game. Knowing the kids won't really care who the opponent is, he decides to pick a non-conference game because the Hogs will likely win and the tickets are cheaper. With upper deck seating being lowered to $10 for those games, he would be able to take his family for $40, instead of $100 like it is currently. The UofA either makes $0 from those unsold tickets, or you get $40 plus the opportunity to build a connection with a new family that can't afford to drop $100 on tickets.

[HawgAdvocate]

Lets say a lower/middle income father wants to take his wife and two kids to see a game. Knowing the kids won't really care who the opponent is, he decides to pick a non-conference game because the Hogs will likely win and the tickets are cheaper. With upper deck seating being lowered to $10 for those games, he would be able to take his family for $40, instead of $100 like it is currently. The UofA either makes $0 from those unsold tickets, or you get $40 plus the opportunity to build a connection with a new family that can't afford to drop $100 on tickets.

You're thinking 'micro' - they're thinking 'macro.' Set the prices now for years to come. Look at the schedule. No matter what the price is, should they expect large single-game ticket sales? Nope. Will there be a large demand this season? Nope. If there were a large demand, it would be unwise to increase prices. Only then would/could/should there be any real sort of backlash worth paying attention to.

But in the years to come, this marginal increase will be an afterthought, ESPECIALLY once they eventually become a team to come see live once again.

[Hog_Swanson]

At $15 a ticket, I might start attending more non-con games this year.  By half time, you can move down to the lower level seats anyway.  It doesn't take long to figure out where people are not sitting.

[Inhogswetrust]

If he such a "businessman" then he would see how to use that to his advantage. Lower the prices for those games to get people who normally can't go into the game. Then maybe, they will enjoy their time there and buy more tickets later on.

"yield" management doesn't always mean lowering prices even if not full....................or raising them too much when full. It is a balancing act.

[Inhogswetrust]

You're thinking 'micro' - they're thinking 'macro.' Set the prices now for years to come. Look at the schedule. No matter what the price is, should they expect large single-game ticket sales? Nope. Will there be a large demand this season? Nope. If there were a large demand, it would be unwise to increase prices. Only then would/could/should there be any real sort of backlash worth paying attention to.

But in the years to come, this marginal increase will be an afterthought, ESPECIALLY once they eventually become a team to come see live once again.

"yield" management uses both Micro and Macro factors................Based on what I read in that article they are using some classic airline and hotel yield management tactics but not all of them.

[3kgthog]

Trainor says they are trying to protect the season ticketholder, yet they are pricing some stinker games in the upper level at prices that are LESS than what the season ticketholder is required to pay. Nice try.

$10 discount for cupcakes x the huge number of cupcakes we play every year = a better deal for the single game ticket buyer than the season ticket holder.

[Cresthog]

Is it bad that I basically don't give a crap anymore?

[Marshfieldhog]

Brilliant!!!! Why anyone would pay full price is beyond me. You can get cheap tickets or even free right outside the door. This year is probably going to be brutal so this increase makes it even worse. If Anderson doesn't get any bigs in the recruiting class then year 6 isn't going to be much better.

[HF#1]

At what point does it stop?  I mean seriously...

[Hawg414]

http://www.wholehogsports.com/news/2015/oct/01/some-ua-basketball-ticket-prices-increase/

I just don't understand this move. We are going to be terrible next season and we need as many people as possible. We should have kept lower level seats at $25 for every game, and made upper deck seats $15.


EDIT: I renamed this thread "adjusts ticket prices" instead of "raises" because he does lower the prices for some games. However, I don't think he went far enough to get people into BWA.

youre one of the biggest proponents of moving the lone remaining LR game from WMS.  and your biggest argument is that we miss out on a few dollars.  yet when he raises a ticket that affects you by a few dollars, you complain??

[HAWG MAFIA]

I do not care, until we get better. then i'll complain

[hogsanity]

If he such a "businessman" then he would see how to use that to his advantage. Lower the prices for those games to get people who normally can't go into the game. Then maybe, they will enjoy their time there and buy more tickets later on.

For basketball, attending a single game is much leass about cost, i mean adjusting tickets 5 or 10 bucks is not a make or break deal, as it is about time. 6pm game is just too early for people outside the immediate area to make it up, 8pm puts people hoe too late, especially if you have smaller kids.

[HotlantaHog]

I think the goal is to encourage more people to buy season tickets instead of cherry pick games for a few games.... if that is what you are trying to accomplish, the raising of lower level ticket prices makes some sense... Not sure it will work in the absence of a really good team, though.

[pfrg999]

Stand Outside.. get them for Half Price.. or less... And for the Market Adjusted Games.. if ya can't afford em They will be on TV or Online and you can drink all the beer you want at home & Parking is free.. However, It all depends on the teams record... A 6-12 team will not be as heavily attended as a 14-4... One may sell out the other... half price tickets outside