Predators Considering Ticket Tax Hike As Part Of Arena Lease Talks

The Predators “might seek to raise the ticket tax for hockey games and other events at Bridgestone Arena as part of upcoming lease renegotiations,” according to Michael Cass of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. Predators President & COO Sean Henry said that the organization “has talked the idea over after seeing how the Titans plan to use the ticket tax charged for most events at LP Field to pay for major capital improvements there.” He said that the Predators “haven’t discussed how much they might need to raise the tax, also known as a seat user fee.” The tax is now “5 percent of the ticket price up to $1.75 for hockey games and 5 percent up to $2 for other arena events.” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean’s administration and the Predators’ leadership “have been talking informally about renegotiating some of the terms of the Predators’ lease of the arena because the city has the option to end the hockey team’s current incentive package on June 30.” Dean on Thursday said that “formal negotiations will start soon, with a goal of reducing the $7.8 million annual subsidy the city pays the Predators and their sister company, Powers Management.” Henry said that the Predators “have some of the lowest ticket prices in the NHL, starting at $10, and are on track to sell out 25 of 41 games this year.” Cass notes the existing arena lease “requires them to keep ticket prices below the league average” (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 12/6).