The DETROIT NEWS' Becky Yerak examines the Tigers'
profit potential at $295M Comerica Park next season and
writes that to understand why the team wants a new ballpark,
"one need look only at the luxury suite situation in the old
and new stadiums." Tiger Stadium only has four luxury
suites that are sold on a game-by-game basis for up to
$2,000, earning the team around $650,000 a season. But
Comerica Park will have 108 suites, 90 of which will be sold
on a long-term basis for as much as $100,000 per year, that
will generate more than $9M a year in revenues for the team.
So far, 80 of the 90 suites available to the public have
been sold with leases of four or seven years. Companies
that have bought suites include ANR Pipeline and Pabst
Brewing. The 108 suites also include eight "party" suites
that will be sold on an individual game basis, though
pricing has yet to be determined (DETROIT NEWS, 8/24).
SUITE DIGS: Among the amenities offered by the suites
at Comerica Park will be a closeup view of the Detroit
skyline. Also included will be a wet bar, couches, a
private bathroom, refrigerator, tickets for 12-14 seats
outside the box, access to a private lounge and the Ballpark
Club restaurant and parking passes for three spots in the
garage next to the stadium (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 8/24).
EXPENSIVE DEN: Seats in the 1,400-seat Tiger Den at
Comerica Park will cost $75 next season, up from $25 for the
ones at Tiger Stadium. The team said that the price
increase is due to the additional amenities that will be
offered at the new ballpark (DETROIT NEWS, 8/24).
