NHL Franchise Notes: Sharks Post Strong Season-Ticket Renewals

Sharks Have Nearly Equaled Their Season-Ticket Renewal Rate Of Last Year

FALLING PRICES: In Ft. Lauderdale, Sarah Talalay reported the Panthers are "reducing season-ticket prices on thousands of seats" for the '09-10 season and offering single-game tickets for as low as $7 in the upper bowl and $35 in the lower bowl. The team "had promised to freeze season-ticket prices," but now is reducing prices in 11 of 14 seating categories at BankAtlantic Center. Panthers President & COO Michael Yormark said the move is the "most aggressive price reduction we've had in the history of this franchise" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 7/7). The Panthers said that concession prices also will "remain the same as last year" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 7/7).

HOME AWAY FROM HOME: In St. Petersburg, Damian Cristodero notes only one of the Lightning's seven preseason games, the September 18 contest against the Thrashers, will be held at the St. Pete Times Forum. Lightning Exec VP & GM Brian Lawton said that playing preseason games away from home was "calculated, in part, to save fans some money." Lawton: "What we'd like to do is reduce the overall amount that our fans are spending. We recognize times are tough ... so we thought it made sense to lighten the overall amount." Cristodero notes "franchising 'home' games makes just as much sense for the financially struggling team." Lawton said that he "did not need NHL permission for such scheduling but must bring enough players ... so none plays more than two consecutive nights, per" the CBA (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 7/8).

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