In Charlotte, Richard Rubin reports the Bobcats have “scuttled a proposed $2 ticket surcharge for events” in the team’s new $265M uptown arena opening this fall. Bobcats Exec VP/Marketing & Communications Chris Weiller said that the club “re-evaluated the plan after hearing from fans, local businesses and civic leaders.” Weiller: “We need to open the doors to the new arena and we decided that the best way to [do that] for as many fans (and) future eventgoers as possible was to limit the facility surcharge.” Rubin notes the fee would “have been used to pay the team’s obligation for maintenance, security and cleaning in the city-owned arena” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/15).
WHAT’S UP? The Pistons have increased the price of playoff tickets from last season, with the highest-priced seat costing $250 should the team return to the NBA Finals. The most-expensive seat last year cost $175. The cheapest Finals ticket will be $18 (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/15).
GO FOR BROKE: In Minneapolis, Patrick Reusse reports T’Wolves Owner Glen Taylor and his minority partners lost $17M last season “after paying that much in luxury tax.” Taylor could “avoid a luxury tax this season because of new NBA revenue figures,” but he indicated that the T’Wolves “will again lose money without a respectable playoff run” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/12).
