The Ravens for '18 are reducing the price of 21 concession items at M&T Bank Stadium, and team President Dick Cass said that the cuts will result in a decline of $1.5M for the team's "annual gameday revenue," according to Ryan Sharrow of the BALTIMORE BUSINESS JOURNAL. A soft pretzel "will drop" 53% from $4.25 to $2, while the "cost of French Fries is declining" 50% to $3. Four non-alcoholic beverages "will drop" by an average of 39%, and five alcoholic drinks are "being reduced" by an average of 16%. Thirteen of the 21 menu items "will decline" by 30% or more. While Aramark operates M&T Bank Stadium's concessions, Cass said that the team "will fully absorb the hit." Cass added that the Ravens "survey fans after each game and one of the biggest criticisms are the prices." Cass said Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti was "'very much a part" of the cost reductions (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/17). Cass said that M&T Bank Stadium will also "introduce a 12-ounce domestic beer for $5 -- a first for the stadium." In Baltimore, Brittany Britto notes the move follows the Falcons’ decision to "drop their concession prices" by 50% when they moved into Mercedes-Benz Stadium in '17. The Ravens "missed the playoffs for a third consecutive year" in '17, and the number of empty seats "became a major storyline, as did the fan response to roughly a dozen players who knelt during the national anthem before the team’s game in London" (BALTIMORE SUN, 5/18).
