Rising Professional Sport Ticket Prices free essay sample

Rising Professional Sport Ticket Prices COMM/105 Rising Professional Sport Ticket Prices The rise of ticket prices for sporting events in America has spiraled out of control into a nosedive that may prove to be impossible to recover from. Dedicated fans of most economic status are becoming more inclined to watch sporting events on television than ever before, turning many families into perpetual couch potatoes. This is a direct result of the current greed of professional sports as a whole and continued rising ticket costs.With price increases ruthlessly applied over the years, the impact of increased ticket prices on middle class, and even professional sports â€Å"sticking it† to their season ticket holders, the effects have become devastating for sports fans. The costs of sporting events in America have soared to an incredible high over the decades. Baseball, basketball, football, and hockey have become important in our society for escape and entertainment for all ages over the history of the United States. When professional sports gained nationwide popularity in the 1950s, ticket prices were tailored to fit the average American’s budget.A major league Baseball ticket averaged a mere $1. 54 in 1950. (Haupert, 2007) In the 1950s, a child of preteen age could afford to attend a professional baseball game on allowance money afforded to him by his parents. In 2009, the average ticket price for a Major League baseball game is a steep $25. 40. (Press, 2008) Those days of â€Å"fun for all† have been put to a violent halt by the owners and proprietors of professional sports. As expected, ticket prices have increased with inflation as with any other consumer product, but the greediness of the owners and those associated has taken over in professional sports.Because of the popularity increasing, owners have felt the need to drastically increase profits at the fans expense. This incredible increase is not applied in Major League baseball exclusively. All professional sports have become greedy for profit by increasing ticket prices to absurd heights; thus leaving the dedicated fans scratching their heads in wonder. With the price increases out of control, the average middle class fan has been shunned out of the opportunity to enjoy a unique experience. The experience to walk through the tunnel of concrete for the first time and witness the monumental structure of a tadium. To smell the hot dogs, popcorn, and various sport required tools like rosin, pine tar, or freshly-cut grass is a memory that would last a lifetime. To be a part of a game that will be set in the record books, and to be able to tell grandchildren, â€Å"I was there when it happened,† is priceless. To have the access to watch a sports idol at a public venue is an incredible experience many children dream about. This dream is being shattered by ticket prices to these venues being too high for the lower and middle class to be able to attend.The National Football League’s Super Bowl, being the biggest American sports event of each year, now has become unreachable for the average consumer. The cost for a Super Bowl ticket in 1969 was a very comfortable and fair $12. In 2008, a Super Bowl ticket was a whopping $700! (MacMillan Lehman, 2008) This price increase is totally uncalled for, but the stadiums are continuing to fill to capacity. Unfortunately, a large portion of the fans that fill stadiums are wealthy, or have saved for years to attend a single event. Fans have complained for years that rising ticket prices- and new stadiums that emphasize boosting revenues through luxury suites and club seats- have been driving the middle class out of the stadiums. † (McCarthy, 2008) With stadiums and arena’s now catering exclusively to the wealthy, middle and lower class are left bitter and shackled to a television for their sports memories and experiences. With the middle class firmly out of the picture, it was time for the owners of sports franchises to focus their greed on season ticket holders.Loyalty is usually rewarded when it comes to dedication to those in power. Unfortunately, those in power in this case are the owners of sports franchises. Owners have decided to award loyal season ticket holders with drastic season ticket increases to pay for the sky-high player salaries and lush new stadium ammenities. For example, in 1993, a New York Mets Major League Baseball season ticket holder paid $5,837 to enjoy a season of Professional Baseball†¦In 2009; it will now cost him $56,700 for the same tickets! Mushnick, 2008) This incredible and scary statistic points out a truth that proponents against price increases don’t enjoy hearing: The aforementioned season ticket holder agreed to continue with the purchase of these tickets! With so many wealthy Americans agreeing to pay ridiculous prices, and the problem continuing to be swept under the rug, it can only get worse. To complain that the prices are too high and continue to pay to attend sporting events is the most frustrating part of the whole issue. The old saying, â€Å"the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer†, is ringing true now in sports. If the sports legends of yesterday could see the state of which professional sports owners greediness have reached, they would be sorely dissapointed. The fact that the players are able to ask and receive more and more money is only hurting the issue and sealing the average sport fans fate. To be a middle or lower class sports fan in America in the 21st century means that you have to be willing to spend hours sitting on the couch with your children to enjoy professional sports. The experience that fills the senses at a professional sports venue is becoming something that only adults can afford to partake in.The cause for the increase in sport ticket prices is not the important item to be addressed, but what the owners, players, and fans can do to bring the price back under reigns for the american consumer of any financial status to enjoy. References Haupert, M. (2007, December 3). The Economic History of Major League Baseball. Retrieved September 27, 2009, from eh. net encyclopedia: http://eh. net/encyclopedia/article/haupert. mlb MacMillan, D. , Lehman, P. (2008). Business Week. Retrieved September 27, 2009, from images. businessweek. com: ttp://images. businessweek. com/ss/08/01/0128_superbowl_tickets/index_01. htm McCarthy, M. (2008, October 17). USA Today. Retrieved September 27, 2009, from usatoday. com: http://www. usatoday. com/sports/2008-10-17-sports-economy_N. htm Mushnick, P. (2008, July 11). New York Post. Retrieved September 27, 2009, from newyorkpost. com: http://www. nypost. com/p/sports/mets/citi_slickers_stBx3xhx392vpvD0rssPWM Press, A. (2008, March 28). espn. Retrieved September 27, 2009, from espn. com: http://sports. espn. go. com/espn/wire? section=mlbid=3317969