Do you know fans who refuse to go to Prime and Premier games?

[tony1972]

Looking at the 33,000 for the Cubs - Sox last night..I'm reminded of how many people I know who are Sox fans who have never bought tickets for a Prime or Premier game.

Myself included...I haven't been to a weekend game for 3 years now as I only go to Regular games or Half Price games.

Are the Sox realizing these games are destroying Sox attendance?

[GoGoCrede]

I don't refuse, but if I know the Sox are playing the Cubs, Red Sox, or Yankees, I usually don't bother looking for tickets because they are often way out of my price range. Also I hate the atmosphere at Cubs-Sox games. I'll never go to one again.

[guillensdisciple]

Sox Yankees is the only series I would go to for two reasons.

1. My girlfriend is a die hard Yankees fan.

2. I've had a love hate relationship with the Yankees. Hate because of their money spending ways. Love because they had el duque when he was the shiz.

Every other series bears little meaning to me.

[comiskey2000]

I was no fan of Hawk commenting on the Dodgers attendances. "Another big crowd here today, and why not? They are a first place team."

It has all been said before but there is now evidence that lowering prices will increase attendance ($5 tickets). Why would Hawk, Kenny, and who knows who else, blame the fans for low attendance?

[amsteel]

Other than Opening Days and Game 163 in 2008 I haven't paid full box office price (either via secondary marketplaces or discount codes) since '08.

The box office cost isn't what determines my decision to go to a game, the secondary market (which is somewhat influenced by the box office prices) is what determines my decision.

I'd say I go to about 15-20 games a year.

[jdm2662]

The Red Sox and Yankees bore me to death, and I hate 3.5-4 hr games. So, I don't attend those games.

The Cubs are even more pricey, and too many assphats go to those games.

My next two games is Saturday because I'm hosting a tailgate party and July 4th where I scored $11 seats. I have introduced myself to the secondary and promo codes.

[kittle42]

Other than Opening Days and Game 163 in 2008 I haven't paid full box office price (either via secondary marketplaces or discount codes) since '08.

The box office cost isn't what determines my decision to go to a game, the secondary market (which is somewhat influenced by the box office prices) is what determines my decision.

I'd say I go to about 15-20 games a year.

Bingo. This and promo codes. Really doesn't matter as much what the face value of a ticket is.

[34rancher]

Looking at the 33,000 for the Cubs - Sox last night..I'm reminded of how many people I know who are Sox fans who have never bought tickets for a Prime or Premier game.

Myself included...I haven't been to a weekend game for 3 years now as I only go to Regular games or Half Price games.

Are the Sox realizing these games are destroying Sox attendance?

I pretty much stopped going to all games as a result of this policy. It's garbage and belittling the idea of the major leagues.

That being said, I think that the untold effect of the pricing of MLB games is the attendance 10-15 years from now. Without a younger experience that "hooks" kids into following and going to games, they won't as adults either. The last 10 years with kids days, competing, and winning in 05 have made the sox more popular, but with the economy and ridiculous pricing procedures, this team could be in some long term trouble.

[tony1972]

I pretty much stopped going to all games as a result of this policy. It's garbage and belittling the idea of the major leagues.

That being said, I think that the untold effect of the pricing of MLB games is the attendance 10-15 years from now. Without a younger experience that "hooks" kids into following and going to games, they won't as adults either. The last 10 years with kids days, competing, and winning in 05 have made the sox more popular, but with the economy and ridiculous pricing procedures, this team could be in some long term trouble.

Yeah..I've definitely stopped going to weekend games b/c of the inflated prices..it's ironic that attendance for Royals weekday series are now almost as high as a weekend game vs. the Red Sox or Yankees...

[DumpJerry]

Myself included...I haven't been to a weekend game for 3 years now as I only go to Regular games or Half Price games.

Yeah..I've definitely stopped going to weekend games b/c of the inflated prices..it's ironic that attendance for Royals weekday series are now almost as high as a weekend game vs. the Red Sox or Yankees...
Not all weekend games this year are Prime or Premier.

Who is this "u" you speak of in the thread title?:scratch:

[kittle42]

Not all weekend games this year are Prime or Premier.

Who is this "u" you speak of in the thread title?:scratch:

Those two keystrokes saved him boatloads of time!

[TommyGavinFloyd]

I pretty much stopped going to all games as a result of this policy. It's garbage and belittling the idea of the major leagues.

That being said, I think that the untold effect of the pricing of MLB games is the attendance 10-15 years from now. Without a younger experience that "hooks" kids into following and going to games, they won't as adults either. The last 10 years with kids days, competing, and winning in 05 have made the sox more popular, but with the economy and ridiculous pricing procedures, this team could be in some long term trouble.

You know there is something wrong with what you are doing when league wide, attendance is up 7 percent. Brooks Boyer should be fired immediately.

[Harry Potter]

Brooks Boyer should be fired immediately.

This.

[LITTLE NELL]

If I moved back up to Chicago count me as one who would refuse to pay the higher prices. When we lived up there we would go to one game a homestand, now it would be one game a year. Parking has a lot to do with it also, where the hell do they get off charging 25 bucks for parking.
2005 was 7 years ago and I'm starting to despise JR again, he should write a book " My 31 Years Of Alienating White Sox Fans".

[beasly213]

Not all weekend games this year are Prime or Premier.

Who is this "u" you speak of in the thread title?:scratch:

Besides the first series in April.. Yes they are.

[doublem23]

Yeah..I've definitely stopped going to weekend games b/c of the inflated prices..it's ironic that attendance for Royals weekday series are now almost as high as a weekend game vs. the Red Sox or Yankees...

The Red Sox series took a dive in attendance because the Sawx were in Chicago playing at Wrigley this year, as well. There was 7 Red Sox games in Chicago this season as opposed to the usual 3-4 at the Cell. That's got to spread all the folks from Bahstan a little thin.

[LITTLE NELL]

You know there is something wrong with what you are doing when league wide, attendance is up 7 percent. Brooks Boyer should be fired immediately.

This past Sunday MLB broke the Fathers Day attendance record averaging over 39,000 for the 15 games. The White Sox won't see 39,000 for a home game for the rest of the year.

[Madvora]

I won't go to Cubs, Yankees or Red Sox games anymore. The people there have ruined it for me. I really prefer watching all games on TV now. I don't get a lot out of going to games. The price and crowds turn me away, so that definitely goes for the prime and premier games.

[Jerko]

The only games I refuse to go to are the ones that started yesterday and end tomorrow.

[doublem23]

You know there is something wrong with what you are doing when league wide, attendance is up 7 percent. Brooks Boyer should be fired immediately.

If you're only looking at # of people in stands, you're missing most of what teams care about attendance, I would guess.

[ChiSoxFann]

I usually pay Premier cost for opening day, but that's it. With the Ticketmaster codes, StubHub and the Smart Circle buy one get one free coupon books out again it really doesn't matter what pricing tier the game is. If I can get a ticket for the right price I will try to go.

I'm shocked one of the home games vs. the Yankees actually has a Ticketmaster code. You never see that. Deals are out there if you're willing to look for them. I go to 15-20 games per year, more if they're winning so I try to save every dollar I can.

[downstairs]

I don't go to Sox games any more because the 900 mile commute is a bit much... but when I did, no... I saw no reason to go see the Yankees, Red Sox or whatever. I always liked in-division games more, since they meant more in the standings so to speak.

I went to one Sox-Cubs game. It was fun (Sox won in the 9th). But that was back before the novelty wore off (for me, at least).

Also, while I root for the Sox to fill the stands every game... I hate crowds. I'd personally rather go to a low-attendance game. No lines for beer and the bathroom, get to roam around the stadium without pushing through crowds.

[Golden Sox]

34rancher touched on a subject I find interesting. When the White Sox lowered the ticket prices for the Toronto series, the park was filled with thousands of young people. Those same young people were able to afford those tickets. Those same young people are not going to pay big money for Prime/Premier games. The White Sox should make the entire upper deck tickets cheaper on a permanent basis. Cheaper tickets bring more younger fans into the park and it points to a better chance of them coming back for future games.

[chisoxfanatic]

The Red Sox and Yankees bore me to death, and I hate 3.5-4 hr games. So, I don't attend those games.

The Cubs are even more pricey, and too many assphats go to those games.

My next two games is Saturday because I'm hosting a tailgate party and July 4th where I scored $11 seats. I have introduced myself to the secondary and promo codes.
The Sox have got to do something about their prices, because I know of people who do this too, which take sales away from the Sox.

I honestly can't believe the Sox didn't have a half price Monday last night, especially considering the lack of crowds they've been having. They might've actually come close to selling out. "Good seats" went unsold.

I've only bought 2 prime/premier games: The Blackout game in 2008 and Blackhawks Night in 2010. All other games of that type I've been to have been under a season ticket discount I had until I quit being a season ticket holder after 2009.

I haven't been to many games since cancelling my season tickets. I've actually been to only 6 games since the start of 2010. I have not been to any games yet this year, actually. Prices have been one of the reasons. I'm wanting to use my money other ways.

[kevingrt]

I have been to those games but I refuse to pay the ridiculous prices the Sox charge for them. I either get tickets from associates, Stubhub, or use halfprice codes if they are available for those games (like they were for the BoSox series earlier this season).

Well check that I do pay the ridiculous prices for Opening Day. At least I believe OD is a prime game. But minus that I refuse.

[kevingrt]

Best part is even if the Sox did make tickets half price in the Upper Deck for this Cubs series a fan would still be paying $30 a ticket to get in the park.

[DumpJerry]

The Red Sox series took a dive in attendance because the Sawx were in Chicago playing at Wrigley this year, as well. There was 7 Red Sox games in Chicago this season as opposed to the usual 3-4 at the Cell. That's got to spread all the folks from Bahstan a little thin.
The temps were in the mid to lower 30's with rain during the Red Sox series this year. I sold the Saturday and Sunday games on StubHub in Feb, but ate both tickets for the Friday game-it was too damn cold and I spent the Thursday game in the Bullpen Sports Bar because it was too damn cold in the seats.

Also, WEEI or whatever the radio station is in Boston had a promotion to the series at the Urinal instead of Comiskey this year.

In most recent years, the Red Sox invaded us in August when it was slightly warmer......

[LongLiveFisk]

So the people are saying the ticket prices (and parking) are too high. Isn't there a way they can just knock these prices down and make up any financial shortfall with more ads? And keep some $5-$10 seats in the UD?

(Note: This is hardly my area of expertise; just throwing that out there to ponder.)

[gregoriop]

Isn't there a way they can just knock these prices down and make up any financial shortfall with more ads?


Corporations have to be willing to pay for those ads.

[guillensdisciple]

Best part is even if the Sox did make tickets half price in the Upper Deck for this Cubs series a fan would still be paying $30 a ticket to get in the park.

That's ****ing ridiculous.

[HomeFish]

I know myself, yes.

[DSpivack]

I know myself, yes.

I'm not sure if I do.

[soxfanreggie]

I'll see more Sox games this year on the road than at the Cell. Unless I can find a great deal on the secondary markets for some tickets (or get free ones), I'll pay less for each of those road games versus what I would pay to see the Sox at home.

I would love to go to more games, but my location - being a few hours away - makes it difficult, when I can watch the game on the TV or listen on the radio. I would love to be at the Cell, but with work busy, even getting the time off is hard.

[BainesHOF]

The organization needs to take a long look in the mirror. If a crowd isn't laughing at a comic, it's not the crowd. Same sort of thing applies here.

[comiskey2000]

The organization needs to take a long look in the mirror. If a crowd isn't laughing at a comic, it's not the crowd. Same sort of thing applies here.

Tell Hawk that. He seems to think it's our fault for not supporting a first place team.

[TommyGavinFloyd]

Tell Hawk that. He seems to think it's our fault for not supporting a first place team.

As if he could say anything else? Hawk is doing what Hawk does; loving the Sox and wanting others to join him. He doesn't have a damn thing to do with any of this. I'm surprised he can even keep a straight face when he is reading the dynamic ticket deal they have typed up for him.

[Parrothead]

Tell Hawk that. He seems to think it's our fault for not supporting a first place team.

The Hawk is an asshat.

[Dan H]

Tell Hawk that. He seems to think it's our fault for not supporting a first place team.

First place in June means nothing. As far as these games, I refuse to go. I am not paying extra to see the Yankees or Red Sox, will not go to a Cubs game under any circumstances and certainly paying a higher price to see the lowlife Brewers.

[amsteel]

Tell Hawk that. He seems to think it's our fault for not supporting a first place team.

I'm sure if you asked Hawk how much tickets actually cost, he would have no idea.

[Jerko]

Tell Hawk that. He seems to think it's our fault for not supporting a first place team.

I miss the old days when the same seats cost the same price for every game. Those days are gone as we all know. I MIGHT see charging a tad more for a "famous" team, ie, the Yankees, but I think it's silly to raise prices just because the games are on the weekend. The Hawks are famous for this too; somehow the Blue Jackets always seem to sneak into the UC on a Friday or Saturday, thus becoming a premiere game even though they're the worst team in the league.

[Quentin08]

I certainly won't be paying anything over $10 to see the Sox play anybody but the Yankees.. on any day that isn't between 82 and 85 degrees.. and sunny.. and certainly not in June, July, or August when first place means nothing. The only time I'd see the Sox play is if they're 10 games ahead in first place on a sunny day, between 82 and 85 degrees, after the first week in September. Oh yeah, and it has to be a promotion give away night, preferably a green Sox hat.. hear that, Brooks?

[Jerko]

I certainly won't be paying anything over $10 to see the Sox play anybody but the Yankees.. on any day that isn't between 82 and 85 degrees.. and sunny.. and certainly not in June, July, or August when first place means nothing. The only time I'd see the Sox play is if they're 10 games ahead in first place on a sunny day, between 82 and 85 degrees, after the first week in September. Oh yeah, and it has to be a promotion give away night, preferably a green Sox hat.. hear that, Brooks?

LOL you can probably "unteal" that for a lot of people

[russ99]

So the people are saying the ticket prices (and parking) are too high. Isn't there a way they can just knock these prices down and make up any financial shortfall with more ads? And keep some $5-$10 seats in the UD?

(Note: This is hardly my area of expertise; just throwing that out there to ponder.)

The Sox cut payroll from $127M last opening day to $97M this opening day.

The expansion of the the Prime/Premium dates last year were supposedly a way to "get creative" in Kenny speak to add Dunn and bring back PK and A.J..

Yes, the Sox lowered prices this offseason marginally, but the product on the field (at least payroll wise) and the ticket prices no longer mesh.

Any financial shortfall is one they've brought on themselves.

[Fisk Fan]

The Hawk is an asshat.

I couldn't agree more....

[tony1972]

I couldn't agree more....

not sure if it's a coincidence..but the Sox bad play started around the time Hawk cried about the umps call?

Does Hawks petty grudges come before the benefit of the team? could his rant have put a bias against the Sox among umps?

[PatK]

So the people are saying the ticket prices (and parking) are too high. Isn't there a way they can just knock these prices down and make up any financial shortfall with more ads? And keep some $5-$10 seats in the UD?

(Note: This is hardly my area of expertise; just throwing that out there to ponder.)


Well a cheaper priced ticket that's actually sold brings in more money than an unsold ticket of any price.

Pricing is what keeps me from going to games.

When the Stroh's were in town, there were some decent tickets left before the Saturday game. We were thinking of going to the game until we figured out that between tickets, taxes, fees, and parking, we were looking at $100. For two upperdeck seats.

I'd be willing to bet the biggest reason people don't go is the cost of the tickets.

[Madvora]

not sure if it's a coincidence..but the Sox bad play started around the time Hawk cried about the umps call?

Does Hawks petty grudges come before the benefit of the team? could his rant have put a bias against the Sox among umps?
You solved it!

[Milw]

I don't "refuse" to go to highly priced games, as if part of some boycott or protest. I just don't go to games that are expensive unless it's some special event (a playoff game or Opening Day or a late-season pennant race game). A game against the Brewers in June doesn't qualify.

[Milw]

I certainly won't be paying anything over $10 to see the Sox play anybody but the Yankees.. on any day that isn't between 82 and 85 degrees.. and sunny.. and certainly not in June, July, or August when first place means nothing. The only time I'd see the Sox play is if they're 10 games ahead in first place on a sunny day, between 82 and 85 degrees, after the first week in September. Oh yeah, and it has to be a promotion give away night, preferably a green Sox hat.. hear that, Brooks?
It really is silly how people aren't willing to pay any amount of money the Sox demand for tickets, isn't it? I mean, if the Sox say that bleacher seats are worth $56 for a game against the Brewers, then that's what they're worth and people should pay it!

[Jason82807]

Some games should cost more than others, but there are other factors. A weekday series in April or September should never be a premier series just because we're playing Boston. That Cubs pricing might have worked if it was a weekend series, but someone needs to buy Brooks a calendar.

[soxnut1018]

Simple economics suggests that if people aren't buying a product, you either improve the quality of the product or make it cheaper. Blaming the fans has always seemed counterproductive. The Sox don't have enough fans that they can afford alienating them.

[palehozenychicty]

Simple economics suggests that if people aren't buying a product, you either improve the quality of the product or make it cheaper. Blaming the fans has always seemed counterproductive. The Sox don't have enough fans that they can afford alienating them.

Thank you.

[PaleHoser]

Count me amongst those who refuse to go to prime and premier games, and it's due to simple economics.

I quote Kenny Williams: “I can't spend a dollar if I only have 50 cents''.

[Wedema]

Count me amongst those who refuse to go to prime and premier games, and it's due to simple economics.

I quote Kenny Williams: “I can't spend a dollar if I only have 50 cents''.


When we have our season ticket draft, The Cub games always go first, followed by the Yankee and Red Sox games. But, then again, we are paying the season ticket holder price, which was $56 per Cub game for seats right behind home plate.

[Jason82807]

I will pay the premier price on certain occasions, but a couple years back they had a 4-game Boston series scheduled I think Mon-Thurs in September. Despite the fact that it was in September with crappy weather and the kids are back in school and it was a weeknight, the Sox felt it should be priced at the premier level. I waited for the forces of supply and demand to take effect and bought bleacher tickets for that series on stubhub for three dollars each plus fees.

[doublem23]

Simple economics suggests that if people aren't buying a product, you either improve the quality of the product or make it cheaper. Blaming the fans has always seemed counterproductive. The Sox don't have enough fans that they can afford alienating them.

What's funny about that, though, is that every year this argument gets hashed up, every year when I look back at the individual attendance numbers for games, the premier and prime dates almost always are the top draws during the season for the Sox (with 1/2 Price Mondays sprinkled in there). Demand for Friday and Saturday games in the middle of summer is higher than that for a Wednesday afternoon game in April. Generally speaking, the Sox are justified in raising ticket prices on certain dates, although, they have been guilty of overestimating demand at times (who can forget that ridiculous Sox/Dodgers series a few years ago, as if anyone still gives a **** the Sox and Dodgers played in the World Series a billion years ago)