Under the plan, 64% of upper-level seats will cost less and no season-ticket price will go up by more than $122GETTY IMAGES
The Univ. of Kentucky introduced its season-ticket pricing plan for the '19-20 basketball season that is "tied to the installation of chair-back seats in much of Rupp Arena's upper level," and the plan "calls for a reduction in price for more than half of the seats in the upper level," according to Jerry Tipton of the LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER. The plan calls for "no season-ticket price to increase by more than $122." UK said that about 64% of seats in the upper level "will cost less." Fans buying season tickets in the upper level "will have to go through a seat selection process." Season-ticket holders will "have the chance to continue sitting next to or near the same people they did last season." But UK said that it "could not guarantee the same seat proximity for fans." Meanwhile, the chair-back seats are "planned for the sections behind each sideline." The installation will begin on June 14 and is "scheduled to be completed in time for Big Blue Madness in mid-October." The changes will "reduce Rupp Arena's capacity for basketball from 23,500 to about 20,500." Despite the reduction of seats, UK said that the budgeted revenue of $22M from season tickets "will remain unchanged" (LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER, 4/20). In Kentucky, Keith Taylor noted the seating selection process "won't affect the lower level season ticket holders." Student sections will also "remain intact in the lower arena" (GLASGOW DAILY TIMES, 4/20).
IN THE WORKS: Univ. of Kansas AD Jeff Long said that a proposed $20M renovation to Allen Fieldhouse would "likely consist of renovations to concession stands, restrooms and other fan experience projects in the fieldhouse." In Kansas, Dylan Lysen noted no official plans are "in motion yet." Long said that the athletics department would "still need to raise the funds from donations first." He added that the renovations "would not have any effect on the essence of Allen Fieldhouse" (LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD, 4/20).
