Put It On Ice: Maple Leafs Hold The Line On Season Tickets

Expecting To Drop Player Costs, Maple Leafs Hold The Line On Tickets

The Maple Leafs will not alter the '03-04 ticket prices for next season. MLSE Exec VP & COO Tom Anselmi: "Each year we strive to minimize the impact that the increased costs of doing business has on ticket prices. While we don't know what the outcome will be of the NHL [CBA] process, we anticipate an improved financial system" (Maple Leafs). While sources said that the Leafs are "gambling there won't be a season and they don't want the [PR] scar of raising prices while the labour situation is so uncertain," Anselmi said, "It's not a PR move at all." Anselmi added that the move was made "because the team is confident it will drastically lower its player costs next season." Anselmi: "We know our ticket prices are high and that's a pure reflection of the cost of doing business in Toronto. We're anticipating a new agreement that will make for a better set of economics and ... we don't need the price increase" (Ken Campbell, TORONTO STAR, 6/1). Also in Toronto, Terry Koshan wrote, "A cynic might say it's because no one, the Leafs included, expect NHL hockey to be played after the present [CBA] ends on Sept. 15" (TORONTO SUN, 6/1).