The Broncos mailed "new stadium relocation information"
to their 24,000 season-ticket holders on Friday explaining
that the average ticket price will "rise" from $42.50 this
season to $49.24 in 2001 when the team moves into its new
stadium, according to John Branch of the CO Springs GAZETTE.
A 12-page guide, a ten-minute video and a questionnaire were
included in the package. Branch wrote that the
questionnaire "must be returned" by July 20, or the team
"will assume the ticket holder does not want to renew"
season tickets for 2001. Among the ticket increases: seats
between the 20-yard-lines on the lower level will increase
$12 from $56-68; the "cheapest" seats in the upper level of
the north end zone will increase from $28-30; and tickets
will "double" from $25-50 in the South Stands. Broncos
VP/Business Operations Joe Ellis, on the increases: "We feel
our pricing is reflective of the marketplace as well as NFL
standards." Branch noted the team has a waiting list of
16,500 (CO Springs GAZETTE, 6/10). In Denver, Steve Caulk
noted that Mile High Stadium has 76,098 seats compared to
76,125 in the new stadium. Ellis adds of the ticket
increase and relocation, "You cannot make 24,000 people
happy. We expect calls and criticisms." Caulk wrote, "Much
of that criticism likely will result from club seating," as
the ten-game packages cost between $175-250 per game (ROCKY
MT NEWS, 6/10). Also in Denver, Carlos Illescas wrote that
some fans will "be able to upgrade" seats through the team
by purchasing club seats, but those "who don't upgrade might
find themselves a level higher in the stadium." Broncos
execs estimate they "will receive an extra" $10-15M annually
in ticket revenue from the new stadium (DENVER POST, 6/10).
