Jets Exec VP/Business Operations Matt Higgins revealed that the team is "raising ticket prices for the 2011 season" by an average of 2.3%, according to Mark Cannizzaro of the N.Y. POST. Tickets requiring PSLs "are being raised $5 across the board and there also are increases for the luxury suite seats." The only seats "not affected by an increase are those in the upper bowl of New Meadowlands Stadium." In addition, the price of "parking in the outer orange lots will be reduced from $25 to $15 for existing season-ticket holders and fans with seats in the upper bowl also will have the option, on a first-come, first-served basis, to upgrade to vacant spots in the closer yellow lots, costing $25." The Jets also will "implement a contingency plan to account for the possibility of a lockout." Instead of fans "being required to pay for their season tickets in full by April 1, which is the normal policy, fans can pay 50 percent by that April 1." They would "not be responsible for the rest until a new CBA is reached and the league announces when training camp will begin." If any games are cancelled as the result of a lockout, season-ticket prices "would be prorated accordingly and fans will get refunds for the football they miss" (N.Y. POST, 2/23). In Newark, Jenny Vrentas reported the "upper bowl prices are remaining flat because of fan feedback on improvements that needed to be made." The Jets, Giants and New Meadowlands Stadium will "team to add additional shelter to the upper bowl concourses in the end zone as well as 40 percent more capacity to the men's restrooms in the upper bowl, reconfiguring and adding urinals to relieve long lines." Higgins said, "We think there are some significant steps we can take to improve the experience, and until we do that, we've decided to hold those prices flat" (NJ.com, 2/22). Jets Owner Woody Johnson "toured the upper level concourse in the rain toward the end of the regular season before determining that more shelter from the inclement weather was needed" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/23).
