MLS Ticket Prices

This to me is the fair comparison to MLS. I am not ripping MLS as I watch as many games on TV as I can and I am actually going to a match this weekend as I came across some free tickets.

What I am saying is that prices for tickets should be comparable to minor league franchises. Maybe a bit more expensive, but as I said at the beginning of this thread, if a stadium is half full and legitimate Fire fans such as myself are at home doing nothing, why is more not being done to get me to the stadium?

Ultimately it is my decision to go or not, but I think the marketing and promotions being done by the Fire are not visible to me. I started this same thread in BigSoccer.com's Fire forum and got some interesting responses. Some with me in favor of lowering prices and some against my idea.

I often think many people feel that because they are die-hard supporters that everyone should be going and that if you don't you are not a real fan. People like me should be the target demographic for MLS. They do not have to sell me on the game of soccer, I already enjoy it. But, they need to sell me on the price and getting value for my money. They have not done that quite yet. I am hoping the 2007 seasoon brings about some changes.

HatterDon is right though, this is not a rip MLS thread. It is a thread about a problem I see with the league and why I have not gone to any matches this season.

 

But Tom.. I've been making the case that it already IS priced at the minor league level..

I sit in the Club seats 12th row, behind the bench, $38. Bet Fire is under $50

 

$38 is way too expensive if you ask me. I guarantee I can go to a Chicago Wolves hockey game or a Kane County Cougars minor league baseball game for much cheaper than that and sit in the same spot. I completely disagree that MLS is pricing the tickets like a minor league organization. I think MLS's problem is that they think they are a bigger and better League than they really are.

 

Petty-

Are you trying to squelch my dissent and prevent discourse on this issue? All sides can be presented without anyone taking it personally. I represent just as much a legitimate view as you on this issue. In fact, as Tom points out, we are the faction that can make the MSL more popular than ever. To me, that is a better measurement of success than comparisons to European Footy.

 

I'm not trying anything of the kind...
I find your 'Middle School League" snark fully descriptive of your attitude. I find that any further explanation or comment on your part only continues the same.

You think MLS sux... what else is there to say.

 

Not true. Re-read my posts. I think the MSL needs help. Until they come to grips with reality, they are just a wannabe league that needs to grow up and realize calling itself competitive does not necessarily make it so. So Middle School League is perhaps a bit snarky, but it also quite descriptive.

 

Wolves - Rosemont

LOWER LEVEL
US $16.00 - US $32.00

UPPER LEVEL
US $9.00 - US $23.00

THIRTY HOME GAMES?!!!

- - - -
Dayton Dragons Class A (couldnt find Cougar prices)
Premier Seating, $12.75; Box Seats, $10.75; Field Seating, $9.75; Law Seating, $7.

SIXTY FIVE HOME GAMES?!!!!!!

Note that Cols Clippers, AAA, prices are about the same.. those prices are the floor of what they can be.
- - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Columbus Crew or pick one... SIXTEEN Home Games.

If you dont get my point... take the season ticket price in any of those and divide it by SIXTEEN!!!

Finally, if the prices were that outrageous, there would not be the great number of no-shows that are in evidence.... even considering the great number of corporate seats sold in season packages

 

Jaysus! ..realize calling itself competitive does not necessarily make it so.

I have never heard any serious soccer writer or announcer, pro or anti MLS make that claim.

I have never heard Don Garber make that claim, i HAVE heard him say that is the goal. Or is it your case that MLS is not competive with say England First Division.. whether they call it Championship or whatever.

You inferring that from some announcer's hyperbole doesnt make it FACT!
An Announcer's job IS to make hyperbole and sell the product. Our job as fans is to interpret that as '... oh, yeah... sure.' That's what I do... suggest you try it.

And JUST WHAT would you have them, MLS.. like Hunt and Anschutz.. do?

NO ONE ON HERE addressed my point, that MLS is determined to NOT have another NASL!

HOW WOULD YOU SUGGEST THEY LOWER TICKET PRICES AND GET BETTER TALENT?

 

You can't do both things at the same time. It is that simple. It is my belief that before you get better talent you have to make going to the matches more affordable in the first place.

Other than international friendlies coupled with an MLS match, there are never, ever sold out matches. In fact, when I watch matches on TV, most stadiums are hardly half-full. That to me does not indicate anyone is making money.

In other words, you have to build a base of supporters, not just die-hard supporters like you, that are willing to shell out money to see LIVE soccer. Whether it be lowering ticket prices, parking, having more unique, special giveaway days, etc, MLS and its respective teams need to do something to bring in the average Joe fan like FFCinPCB and myself. Perhaps if teams can get people like us in the door, we will see the light and want to go to more and more matches and get into the league more than we presently are. Instead, we do not feel the prices are fair compared to that of other sports.

Once MLS gets people in the door, they can slowly start to raise the prices of the tickets. My point of contention is that the prices are already way too high. You need people to come to a match to make money. When an average Joe can go see the defending World Series Champion Chicago White Sox for cheaper than the Chicago Fire, there is a problem.

 

To borrow a term, "Bingo!"

Again, think smaller (at least for the forseeable future), and focus on what is done right and continue to do it to the best of their ability. Focus on the town the club is in, and do NOT focus on the people who already go to the matches. The MSL has overexposed itself to soccer fans here in the U.S. and underexposed itself to sports fans. Make prices affordable for locals, and nurture the idea of going to matches in a uniquely built and beautiful kept stadium on a warm summers night, whether with buds, dates, the wife and/or the kids. Make connections with the community, especially the players getting involved as ambassadors. Do promotional campaigns with schools, colleges, radio stations, sports bars, the list goes on.

In a way, MSL should be promoted a bit like the MLB. Make it communal, make it affordable, make it synonymous with being a citizen of that city.

 

I agree with whoever brought up the tradition fact of European Leagues and how they have taken a long time to become what they have. The MLS will not become a major professional League without building some tradition. Therefore, they need to make attending games affordable in an effort to increase fanbase. Rivalries developed between teams can only help as well. No one knows, but there is a rivalry between RSL and Colorado called the Rocky Mountain Cup. If anyone (by this I mean no one and therefore I'm telling you) has watched any of these matches, they have become very heated and has helped RSL have big turnouts for the Colorado matches. Someone else mentioned European competition such as the Champions League. MLS is looking to possibly be included in some of the Cup Competitions of South and Central America, including one with the Mexican League. That is something that would be important in helping the league achieve a higher status then it has, but it'something that takes time. For the time being, MLS needs to make pricing affordable for fans to attend.

 

There is news that teams will be allowed to get shirt sponsors and all money that is generated from it will be added to the team. Not that it will decrease ticket prices, but hopefully it should at least help the teams out with some money so they can make improvements to the teams.

 

"news"?

 

http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/marc/2006/09/bring-on-ads.html

Dumass! How about 'Wendy's', or Qwest, or Honda* or Nationwide

Actually, I dont like the idea, aesthetically.. think "Chang"... but I'll learn to live with it.

* Always pissed me off that Honda's operations are mostly within 2 hour drive of Columbus but teams like San Jose wore the back-patch.

 

:?
How about 'Walmart' or worse 'Sams Club'... but I note I shop at both and like 'em.

And my phone is a Samsung.

 

Here you go, I found some tickets for you. $10.00 a ticket and you get to see half of the home games.

Chicago Fire
10-Game Season Ticket Plan:
Section 8 $120

 

Actually since that's 'Section 8' you get to see about half of each of those half of the home games you attend.

Filling up the behind-goal supporter section. Fire fans always party-hearty, though!