The Buccaneers for the "first time in eight years" are "raising season ticket prices at Raymond James Stadium, with an average increase" of about 24% for next season, according to Greg Auman of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. The team "had the second-most expensive average ticket in the NFL" in '08 after their last change, but were "second lowest" in '15 with an average price of $62.35. The average next season "will increase to $77.30, still in the bottom third of the NFL." Prices of club-level tickets and half of the end-zone seats "will remain unchanged." But the cheapest season tickets -- $30 a game this season -- "will start at $40." Raymond James Stadium had 6 1/2 sections "at the lowest price point" for '15. Next season "it will have two, which amounts to 5,200 seats." The Bucs' ticket increase comes even as they've gone 3-13 at home in the past two seasons, improving from 2-14 overall in '14 to 6-10 last season with rookie QB Jameis Winston. Since '08, the team's average general ticket price had dropped by 25.6% while the NFL average had risen 19.6%. With excitement around Winston and a better record this season, home attendance "rose for the third year in a row." The Bucs are "still offering tickets at half price for children 16 and younger, and being a season-ticket holder includes membership to exclusive events such as draft parties and access to preseason practices and more" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 2/4).
ALL APOLOGIES: The AP's Teresa Walker noted Titans Controlling Owner Amy Adams Strunk is "promising season-ticket holders she will do 'everything in her power' to return the franchise to the success" that it enjoyed 15 years ago. Strunk in a letter to some season-ticket holders wrote that the team is "not raising ticket prices" for '16. Strunk wrote, "I realize we have not met your expectations, and our recent on-field performance is unacceptable. My goal is simple: to return the Titans to the consistent playoff contender we were during our first several years in Nashville.” Walker noted the sales pitch asking season-ticket holders to renew includes a "variety of offers, including a $50 voucher for concessions and an attendance rewards program giving a gift to fans attending seven or more home games" (AP, 2/3).
