The NHL expansion Blue Jackets will have an average
ticket price of $47.50 when they begin play in 2000-2001,
according to Craig Merz of the COLUMBUS DISPATCH. In all,
the team will have 17 different seating venues at Nationwide
Arena, ranging from $15 for '97-98 ECHL Columbus Chill
season-ticket holders to $125 for center ice lounge
"premium" seats. In order to qualify for the $15 seats,
Chill season-ticket holders must purchase a PSL for $500 and
pay $645 for a 43-game package (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 5/11).
In Columbus, Mike Pramik reported that as many as 15,500
seats at the 18,500-seat arena will be held by PSLs owners,
and the PSLs will range from $500 to $4,000, with 64% of
them costing less than $2,000. So far, more than 11,000
ticket requests have been made (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 5/10).
SUITE DEAL: The Blue Jackets also revealed prices and
other details of their 36 executive suites and 22 loges.
The suites are priced at $118,500, $128,500 and $138,500 and
average about $130,000. The loges are priced at $58,500 and
$68,500 and average $64,000. Income from the suites and
loges goes to the team, and if they are fully leased, the
Blue Jackets will receive $5.5M in the first year. Income
from PSLs and 16 Founders suites goes to Nationwide
Insurance Enterprise to pay for arena costs. Founders suites
cost a one-time fee of $2.5M. Founders suites and PSLs "are
expected" to raise $40-60M (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 5/12).
THRASHERS: The NHL expansion Thrashers announced ticket
prices ranging from $10 to $70 for their inaugural '99-2000
season. Price levels for season tickets are $10, $24, $35,
$40, $45, $50, $55, $65 and $70. The average season-ticket
price is expected to be $45 (Thrashers). In Atlanta, Steve
Hummer: "Just as feared, the numbers were high, reflective
of the fact that hockey players are as overpaid as any other
professional athlete" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 5/12).
