MLSE Holding Maple Leafs Ticket Prices, Raising Raptors 6%

MLSE To Hold Line On Maple Leafs Ticket Prices For Next Season

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) President & CEO Richard Peddie said that Maple Leafs ticket prices for the '08-09 season will remain at the current level and will "actually drop a smidgen with the 1% reduction in the federal" Goods and Services Tax, according to Lance Hornby of the TORONTO SUN. The Maple Leafs are seven points out of the eighth playoff spot in the NHL's Eastern Conference, and Peddie said, "We haven't missed the playoffs yet, but the year has not been acceptable and [raising ticket prices is] just not the right thing to do at the moment." Peddie added Maple Leafs revenue "is up, but the salary cap is going up next season and while the (American) dollar is down, we face increasing costs for energy as it affects our travel and our building. We have to pay more for insurance, we've been investing more in coaching, scouting and the [AHL] Toronto Marlies." Meanwhile, MLSE will raise Raptors ticket prices for the '08-09 NBA season by an average of 6% "across the board." MLSE Senior VP/Communications & Community Development John Lashway said that Raptors ticket prices "had increased in the range of 6% during the previous four years combined." Lashway: "There aren't many successful businesses operating that haven't increased their prices by a far greater margin in that span of time. In that time we have invested tens of millions of dollars back into the Air Canada Centre, enhancing the game experience for our fans" (TORONTO SUN, 3/12).