The Blue Jays have started informing season-ticket holders that prices will rise by up to 17% in '18, the "fourth straight year their fans will face an increase," according to Shi Davidi of SPORTSNET.ca. Subscribers to the Premium Dugout and 500 Level Lower categories will get "dinged the most" at 17%. Seats in 200 Level Bases "face the smallest increase" at 7%. The Blue Jays headed into Friday's game against the Angels leading the AL with an "average crowd of 39,867 through 50 home dates" despite being under .500. They were "tops in the AL and third in the majors" in '16 (SPORTSNET.ca, 7/28). In Toronto, Steve Simmons wrote the decision to raise prices "smacks of arrogance, ignorance and a management group tone deaf to the history of the market." All Blue Jays President & CEO Mark Shapiro has "known in Toronto since inheriting a playoff team is the best attendance" in the AL. He has "yet to experience a disinterested and detached Toronto." The decision to raise ticket prices after a season such as this will "certainly test the veracity of the ticket-buying public at a time when the Blue Jays have already experienced a significant rise of Canadian dollar." The "incredible Blue Jays turnaround in both attendance and television ratings was sparked by the excitement of the final 60 games" of '15, and the carryover has "been extreme." Simmons: "Will that enthusiasm remain for an old, slow, unathletic team or will management’s presumption that this is the new market ring true?" (TORONTO SUN, 7/30).
