The Carolina Panthers will have the second highest average
ticket price in the NFL, with only the Cowboys charging more,
according to this morning's CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Panthers Dir of
Sales Phil Youtsey says fans can expect to pay "approximately
$40" for each game in the team's inaugural season, with prices
ranging from $19-$65 a ticket. The figure will not include the
cost of personal seat licenses, which will not be required until
the team moves to its permanent home in Charlotte in '96. Team
officials say the high price is necessary due to high start-up
costs, the franchise entry fee and the lack of full revenue-
sharing over the next three years. The figures are based on a
"confidential survey" recently completed by an unnamed NFL team.
The league average for next season, according to the survey, is
expected to be just over $32 a ticket. Next season's top four
ticket prices: Dallas ($42.50); Carolina ($40); San Francisco
($39.75) and Jacksonville ($37) (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/24).
DOLPHINS RAISE PRICES: The Dolphins will raise their ticket
prices for '95 to an average of $32.57/seat. Prices will
increase $2-$5 across the board except for about 3,300 seats that
will drop from $20 to $17. This is the second consecutive year
the team has raised prices. The team currently is 10th in the
league in average ticket prices (Armando Salguero, MIAMI HERALD,
2/24).
