NHL Teams Offering Discount Deals, Giveaways To Lure Fans

Islanders, Thrashers Among 17 NHL Teams Offering Discount Deals On Tickets, Amenities

At least 17 of the NHL's 30 franchises are "offering significant discounts and giveaways, notably in the non-traditional markets," with the "deepest discounts" offered by the Thrashers, Panthers and Islanders, according to David Shoalts of the GLOBE & MAIL. The Islanders for their December 31 game against the Panthers are offering a $99 family fun pack that "includes four tickets regularly priced at $80 each," as well as "four hot dogs and soft drinks, two children's watches, a $40 Dave & Busters voucher and a coupon for 10[%] off at a children's-wear store." Meanwhile, the Panthers are "similarly generous, offering a regularly priced $42 ticket for $17," with fans also receiving "free parking, a combo meal and a $5 gasoline card." Thrashers fans can buy a "family pack of four tickets and four chicken-sandwich combo meals at various prices." The "most expensive package is $149, which breaks down to $37.45 a ticket, and that's if the meal is not counted," while the "regular price on those seats is $300, making for a discount" of 87.5%. But Goldklang Group President Mike Veeck said of the discounts and giveaways, "If people are cutting prices, then maybe something is wrong with their original pricing structure. Fans get used to paying your discount in about 12 seconds. Then that becomes the norm and you have to pay tremendously to get them back." Shoalts notes the only team to "add the extras into the price" is the Flyers, who have a promotion that charges $125 for two $46 seats, but fans also get a voucher for "two tickets to their team's farm games, a $10 credit on each ticket at the concession or merchandise stands, a team calendar, and autographed puck and a gift bag" (GLOBE & MAIL, 12/19).