Saturday, June 21, 2008

Woodling

Woodling: Tickets increase with title

By Chuck Woodling

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Well, you knew it was coming, didn't you?

When Kansas University captured the NCAA men's basketball championship last April in San Antonio, you knew a boost in next season's ticket prices was as inevitable as death, taxes and asphalt.

You knew it was coming, but you may have been surprised by the $10 jolt. Tickets that cost $45 during the NCAA championship season will go for $55 in 2008-09. That's a notable 22 percent increase.

Not that the bulk of you will enjoy the opportunity of buying a ticket, not with qualification for purchase based on a healthy donation to the Williams Fund.

Kansas Athletic Inc. officials say they jacked up the cost of the pasteboards in order to fund capital improvements - like Allen Fieldhouse enhancements, a new practice facility and improved living conditions for the most recognizable student-athletes on campus.

Not that they really needed tangible reasons. Price hikes in the wake of championships are byproducts of a market economy.

The last time KU elevated ticket prices was two years ago - an adjustment from $40 to $45.

That decision was made after the Jayhawks had dropped back-to-back first-round games in the NCAA Tournament and, in retrospect, may have taken more chutzpah than the current $10 upshot.

With a 21-game home schedule - 20 in Allen Fieldhouse and one in the K.C. Sprint Center - the cost of a KU season ticket has climbed into four figures for the first time at $1,155. Since most people buy at least two tickets, that doubles the nut to $2,310.

Throw in a parking pass for each AFH game - up from $15 to $17.30 - and that adds another $346 to the bill. Total cost: $2,656.

Whew. That's a hefty price to pay in this day and age of $4 per gallon gasoline, steadily increasing grocery prices and the fact the Jayhawks, nearly bereft of the '08 title team members, will be in a rebuilding mode.

Does the state of the economy and the uncertainty surrounding next year's KU team mean the fieldhouse won't be sold out for the umpteenth straight year?

Not likely. Not with the Residual Effect Factor in play. Sports teams traditionally set attendance records following championship seasons so I'll be surprised if the SRO sign isn't hanging with the "Beware of the Phog" banner again.

At the same time, however, any slippage in the program's elite status could lead to more and more tickets appearing on those innumerable high-priced resale Web sites.

Curiously, on the same day KU officials revealed the price hike, the Knight Commission - aka the Voice in the Wilderness - staged a get-together in Washington, D.C., with the emphasis on college basketball.

One of the topics at this session featuring coaches, administrators and university presidents was the length of the basketball season. After discussion, they reached the consensus that the season runs much too long, that it causes too many missed classes and leads to too much stress on the players.

Not that any KU fan would agree with those findings. Around here, folks think the season is too short. Way too short.

Comments

WilburNether (anonymous) says...

It's called "Supply and Demand." Duh.

June 21, 2008 at 6:36 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkfan20 (anonymous) says...

It only takes a minimum $100 donation to get tickets. Granted, you're not sitting courtside, but most years, that's good enough to get you in the building.

June 21, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

DEDO (anonymous) says...

I think they are missing an opportunity of a lifetime. With the Residual Effect Factor in play why not $15 more, heck why not $20.
Vendors at AFH, this is your clue also get more this next year.
Convenience stores raise their prices on gas for the holidays, why not on games days.
Let's all get rich!

June 21, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

tis4tim (anonymous) says...

Here's an idea: why don't we suck for a few seasons to make ticket prices more reasonable?

Raising ticket prices is a fact of life. If there is any justification, I'd have to say winning a NC is it.

June 21, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

davidsmom (anonymous) says...

Anyone can buy single-game tickets without that donation to the Williams Fund. Just watch for availability through KUAthletics.com. I got lucky and got two tickets to the Baylor game during a window of about 24 hours when they were available. We also got two tickets to a non-conference game. I checked with other schools as to how much they charge for tickets. Cincinnati, for example, charges $25, but they aren't Kansas. I didn't mind paying the $45 and I'll pay the $55 this year every chance I get because it's worth it to experience a game in Allen Fieldhouse!

June 21, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Warren (anonymous) says...

What? No mention of the $75 "Handling fee" because the KUAD has to spend so much on credit card fees? This fee is $0 if you do their bank draft payment plan, or is reduced by $25 if you order your tickets online. That fee and the fact that I can't request my same seats from the year before upset me more than the per game ticket price increase.

June 21, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

rohdek (Kyle Rohde) says...

This silly belief that only huge donors to the Williams Fund get tickets needs to stop. Seriously, there are less than 7,000 members in that fund and I'm in the top 2/3 of the priority rankings, having donated a total of $400. I also get points for being a grad, an Alumni Assc member and for buying football tickets but that's it. I'm only 25 so its not that hard to move up the rankings. Get over it.

June 21, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

fabio (anonymous) says...

Dick Vitale said that basketball season shouldnt start until after Thanksgiving Weekend because November is the meat of the regular season during college football and the general population is uninterested in basketball. This is one case where I agree with Vitale. Basketball season shouldnt start until December. Also, the November games dont play much of a factor in the selection in March.
Also, basketball will never be able to compete with football in this country, from high school to pro.

June 22, 2008 at 12:22 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

fabio agreeing with Dickie V, am I seeing things?!

I'll agree with the basketball and football comparison with one caveat ...

once the football program *really* gets rolling at KU, it will become a major revenue generator, until then hoops still holds an edge.

June 24, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )