Grizzlies Lowering Some Season-Ticket Prices In Attempt To Boost Attendance

The Grizzlies Friday "sent out incentive-laden renewal forms to their season-ticket holders," and they indicated that "for the sixth straight year, season-ticket prices will not increase," according to Marlon Morgan of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. Prices for "nearly 2,000 seats in the lower bowl have been reduced in an effort to get more fans close to the court." The Grizzlies "now have about 1,200 seats in the lower bowl priced at $25 per game for season-ticket holders to purchase, the most they've offered since FedExForum opened" in '04. Season-ticket holders who "pay in full by March 11 will receive a 10 percent discount on their tickets," and renewing early "also makes ticket holders eligible for the reward lottery." The Grizzlies "will kick off their campaign for new season-ticket holders later this month." Morgan noted the team is "expecting to see a continued increase in attendance." The Grizzlies averaged 14,185 fans through their first 22 home games this season, and while that "ranks 26th among the 30 teams in the NBA, it is up over the 13,486 the team averaged last season." This season's average also is the highest since the '06-07 season. Grizzlies VP/Tickets Sales & Service Dennis O'Connor said team officials feel the season-ticket renewal effort will "help us better achieve our goal of getting back to a sellout in the lower bowl on a season-ticket basis" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 2/6).

MAGIC TRICK: In Orlando, Josh Robbins reported the Magic are "incentivizing their current season ticket holders to renew their seats for the upcoming 2011-12 season by offering discounts to people who pay in full by March 4." Current season-ticket holders "who pay their entire bill in cash by the renewal deadline will receive six percent off their total price and also will not be charged with increased prices for 2011 first- and second-round playoff tickets." Magic President Alex Martins: "We're trying to reward loyalty and we're trying to get everyone to renew early, to renew on time and to renew in full." Robbins noted the team "will continue to sell single-game tickets for next season using its current variable pricing model" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/5).