The Browns are “raising season-ticket prices for the first time in seven years” for the ’15 season, according to Nate Ulrich of the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL. Non-club level season-ticket packages “will range from $25-$110 a game.” Those packages ranged from $19-$85 last year, when the Browns “had the lowest average ticket price in the NFL in the category.” Prices decreased or stayed flat “for about 8,350 seats, including options at the 50-yard line in the upper level and near the new fan engagement decks installed last year.” The team increased prices in ‘08 “after it went 10-6,” but prices “were stagnant in each of the next six years following double-digit loss seasons.” The latest increase comes after a 7-9 record in '14 (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 1/30). Browns President Alec Scheiner said that after six consecutive years of "keeping prices flat, they had gotten 'out of whack' with the rest of the NFL." Scheiner: "We really spent a lot of time trying to figure the right pricing by section. We looked at the secondary market and other ticket prices around the league. We do a lot of research and want to make sure we have fair, affordable prices. We think that should be reflected here." Scheiner said the Browns analyzed other pricing structures, in addition to their “performance on and off the field.” He said the secondary market tells the team “a lot” about the accuracy of their pricing structure. He added that many seats "were selling for twice their face value on the secondary market" in '14. Scheiner: "That told us our pricing really had gotten off" (CRAINSCLEVELAND.com, 1/29).
HOCKEY TOWN? In Cleveland, Tom Reed reports the Browns “could make an announcement in the next month concerning the site of their 2015 training camp,” and it potentially could remain “at the Browns training facility in Berea -- at least for one more year.” Scheiner said that a decision “on the camp's longer-term home could be delayed.” At least seven cities or colleges are “bidding to become the Browns' summer home.” Meanwhile, Scheiner said that the team has been “inquiring about hosting an NHL outdoor game at FirstEnergy Stadium.” He said that the club “began floating the idea about 18 months ago, but admits it hasn't ‘gained much traction.’” Reed notes the NHL “obviously would prefer to put outdoor games in NHL cities” (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/30).
