Crazy Ticket Prices

The New York Yankees are the most popular franchise in sports. But, does this mean that the ticket prices for games should be beyond belief? During last year's 2007 season, the average ticket price for a Yankee game was $47. The average price for a ticket in the new Yankee Stadium, opening in 2009, is believed to be around $100. Also, box seats for a Yankee game went for around $150 last year, but that price has increased to $250 for this final season in Yankee Stadium.

The new Yankee Stadium will cost 1.3 billion dollars. With the average ticket costing $100 in 2009, the Yankees would pull in $5.3 million a game. At the end of the season, this would translate to $429 million. I can understand why ticket prices are so much. For one thing, this year is the last year in historic Yankee Stadium. In the new stadium, there will be a couple thousand less seats, with around 53,000.

The business of sports is complicated in that a stadium change can cause ticket prices to go through the roof and beyond. I usually go to a couple of Yankee games each year, but it will be almost impossible to go this year, due to it being the last year in the stadium. Perhaps I will go to games in the new stadium, even with the ridiculous price of tickets. I guess that's what you get when you are a fan of the greatest team in sports history.