The Sabres Thursday announced that they will raise season-ticket prices by approximately 5% for the '11-12 campaign. Price increases will range from $1-4 depending on the price level of the seat (Sabres). In Buffalo, John Vogl notes this is the "second straight year" the Sabres have increased season-ticket prices by about 5%. Packages for next season "range from $92 to $23 per ticket," up from $88 to $22 last season and a "big bump from $84 to $21 in 2009-10." The club asserted that its average season-ticket price of $44.85 still is $16 below the NHL average and ranks 23rd in the 30-team league. Vogl notes the "growth of league-wide revenue prompted the increase." The NHL's CBA states clubs "must generate year-to-year revenue growth in excess of the league average in order to earn a full distribution of revenue sharing." Next year's season-ticket package "features 42 games instead of the standard 41." The Sabres will host 40 regular-season games at HSBC Arena, "one less than usual because they will open the season in Europe." The other two games in the package are preseason contests, "which had been excluded." Season-ticket holders "will continue to receive a 2.5 percent rebate, which will be added to their Sabrebucks card when paid in full" (BUFFALO NEWS, 5/13).
