Texans, Lions Both Announce Ticket Price Increases Following Postseason Berths

The Texans Friday announced that the team's "general ticket price will increase" by 8.5% for the '12 season, according to Joseph Duarte of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Nearly all seats at Reliant Stadium "will have a price increase between $3 and $10." The only location "not affected will be the Gridiron Terrace, the lowest-priced tickets located in the upper end zone that will remain $30." The Texans made the playoffs for the first time in '11 after winning the AFC South. Texans VP/Ticketing & Event Services John Schriever said that price increase "is necessary for the team to generate revenues that 'keep pace with our competition.'" Duarte noted that team "anticipates being in the bottom half of the 32 NFL teams in ticket prices when those figures are released" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 2/4).

LIONS ALSO RAISING PRICES: In Detroit, Chris McCosky reported the Lions Friday announced they will be “raising season ticket prices for the first time since after the 2007 season.” Season-ticket prices will increase “on average 7.9 percent for the 2012 season” to $72.04, but some 30,000 seats “will increase only 4 to 5 percent.” Premium seats “are not affected by the increase.” The Lions, who are coming off their first postseason appearance since '99, had “the 28th-lowest average ticket price last season.” With the increase, they “expect to remain well below the average -- 23rd or 24th.” Lions President Tom Lewand said, “In order to stay competitive, we have to be able to invest back into the product. And that's exactly where these dollars go, right back into re-signing our players and keeping the team together.” McCosky noted the price increase "will create more operating revenue for the team, but it won't greatly impact their ability to re-sign all of their free agents." Lewand said, "The cap governs where you are. ... Ticket prices are part of the player budget, but the camp is the main thing" (DETROIT NEWS, 2/4). Lewand said that the price for “80-85% of Ford Field’s seats will increase” in ’12. Lewand: “Our goal is to keep it at or below league average. But we also know that the realities of the economics of the NFL is that this is something that we have to do to stay competitive” (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/4).

RAVENS FREEZE TICKETS AGAIN: In Baltimore, Jeff Zrebiec reported the Ravens have decided “not to raise ticket prices at M&T Bank Stadium for the third straight season.” Ravens President Dick Cass said, “We know that our fans are stretching financially to buy our season tickets. The economy is getting better but it’s still not strong.” The team from ‘01-09 “raised ticket prices every other year.” However, the Ravens ticket prices will “remain in the upper half of the NFL” (Baltimore SUN.com, 2/4). Cass said that another factor in the price freeze is because the team “wants its ticket prices to remain competitive when compared with other NFL teams.” Cass: “We have to be mindful of what other teams are charging” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/3).