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Sounders Season-Ticket Holders Will See
A 3% Per Game Price Increase Next Year |
Renewal invoices for MLS Sounders FC season-ticket packages "have been met with mixed emotions," according to Joshua Mayers of the SEATTLE TIMES. Some fans "were angered by the three-percent, price-per-game increase," while others "were confused about the billing breakdown." Some fans "weren't expecting a price hike, especially after ownership promised a one-game rebate next season after an embarrassing 4-0 home loss" to the Galaxy in May. The steeper prices are "mainly due to" an "expensive premium for a big international friendly." Sounders investor & GM Adrian Hanauer said the friendly will be against a "top-five team in the world." Hanauer said that the club "listened to fans' wishes while considering the new season-ticket package," and as a result, there will be "just one friendly instead of three, as well as 17 regular-season matches." Hanauer added that the Sounders are "working with the expansion Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps and the MLS to determine an appropriate ticket allocation for visiting fans for games between the Northwest teams" (SEATTLE TIMES, 10/27). Hanauer: "We all along intended to raise our tickets prices 3 percent in this third year for original season-ticket holders. I do think there was some confusion about that. ... I'm sure we're partly to blame. I have seen articles online and message board information about us not raising ticket prices 3 percent, but I haven't seen anything from our club that actually said that." Hanauer added that the surcharge "reflects the expense of bringing any of the top clubs in the world to Qwest Field" (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 10/27).
