The NHL Kings next season will institute "a sweeping price rescaling at Staples Center," and a club spokesperson said that some seats will "decrease by $5.50 to $12 and others will increase by as little as 50 cents to as much as $13 per game," according to Helene Elliott of the L.A. TIMES. The "'blended' increase will be 9% for those who renew by the March 24 deadline and 11% for those who renew afterward or are new buyers." Team Marketing Report indicated that the "average Kings ticket this season costs $51.92," which is "below the NHL average of $57.10." Kings COO Chris McGowan said, "We expect our pricing to continue to be below the average NHL ticket price and are confident that we will continue to offer affordable pricing for everyone, in particular with the creation of one of the lowest-priced season ticket plans in the lower bowl in the NHL." The Kings are "close to the salary cap limit but rank last in the NHL in scoring and seventh in the Western Conference standings." Kings season-ticket holder Roy Nwaisser said of the price increase, "I'm absolutely livid. At this point I cannot see renewing my season tickets considering the way the Kings have played this season. Even if they had won a Stanley Cup, a 23% price increase wouldn't be justified." Season-ticket holder Heidi Hansen also was "angry over the smaller increases imposed in the lower level than for her upper-level seats." She said, "To be honest they haven't been real fun to watch this year" (L.A. TIMES, 2/15).
