Wizards Announce Hike In Ticket Prices For First Time Since '07-08 Season

The Wizards will raise most of their ticket costs for the '14-15 season, marking the team's "first price increase" since '07-08, according to Dan Steinberg of the WASHINGTON POST. The Wizards said that the "overall price increase" will be 11.2%. The biggest increases "are in the middle and back rows of some baseline 400 sections," with prices rising 68% from $9.50 to $16. The next "biggest increase after the 68 percenters comes in the 10 center-most sections of the 400 levels," where prices are rising 25% from $16 to $20. The Wizards said that if you "exclude the amenities-laden VIP seats -- many of which are seeing large increases in price" -- 76% of season seats sold are "seeing increases of $5 or less per game." Steinberg noted 8% of seats -- "mostly 100- and 400-level seats behind the baskets -- are not increasing in price." There are a "host of enticements for renewing Wizards customers," including playoff ticket priority, a renewal gift and "a 12-month interest free payment plan" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 2/18).