Tickets to the Final Four "are never cheap," but this year's tickets are even more expensive as host site Indianapolis is an "easy drive for fans of three of the four teams ... which will make it easier and cheaper for those who want to see the game without buying plane tickets," according to Meg Jones of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. There also are "fewer seats this year" at Lucas Oil Stadium compared to AT&T Stadium last year. As of last night, the "cheapest tickets for three games ... were selling for $650" through broker Ticket King. But those seats "are very far from the court." Seats in the lower level -- but "still not close to the court -- were going for $1,250 to $1,300." What is "hindering the resale market is the fact that most Final Four tickets are electronic and require the purchaser to swipe the credit card used to purchase them at the stadium" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 3/31). In Michigan, Kyle Feldscher noted data from PrimeSport, which is the NCAA's official ticket and hospitality provider, shows tickets are "available for all of Saturday's games and the April 6 national championship game, the cheapest at $360 each." But for those "looking for just Saturday's games, the cheapest ticket to get in the building will cost $540" as of yesterday morning. The unofficial secondary market is "already starting to get extremely pricey." On StubHub yesterday morning, the "cheapest ticket" for both Final Four games and national championship was $865.20, while the "get-in-the-door price" just for the Final Four was $724.80 (MLIVE.com, 3/30).
TROUBLING TREND? In Oklahoma City, Jenni Carlson notes the "only downer" about women's NCAA Tournament games last weekend at Chesapeake Energy Arena "was the attendance." The "next couple basketball regionals that Oklahoma City hosts ... need to have much better crowds." But the regional round for the women "can be a tough draw regardless." Oklahoma City "may need to figure out an alternate plan to pump up attendance" (OKLAHOMAN, 3/31). Also in Oklahoma City, Berry Tramel writes under the header, "NCAA Tournament Makes Us Forget That College Basketball Is A Sport In Trouble." The tourney "makes us take our eye off the ball" and it "makes us forget what we’re really seeing." College basketball attendance was "down for the seventh straight regular season" (OKLAHOMAN, 3/31).
