Tickets Getting Out of Reach

I started attending sporting events around 1980.  As a sign of my increasing chronological existence I have fallen into the stereotypical pattern of referencing "the good ol' days."  One of my beefs has to do with the cost of tickets to professional sporting events.  My complaint is not that the ticket prices have gone, because that is to be expected but it is the disproportional increase in ticket prices that upsets me.  Rather than just rambling on about how much better the past was I present some numbers comparing the average income for fans, average baseball ticket and average salary for a professional baseball player.  I have chosen baseball as for a long time it took pride in offering an affordable family entertainment option (i.e. ample availability of "cheap seats" often less expensive than movie tickets).

1980:  average income $13500, average baseball ticket $4.50, average player salary $20000
2018:  average income $62175, average baseball ticket $72, average player salary $4.2 million
Increases:  average income 4.6X, average baseball ticket 16X, average player salary 210X

Numbers don't lie, sports ticket prices have increased at a rate disproportionally higher than inflation and the cost of living.  Old guy theory/complaint:  validated.  Player salary increases:  that's another rant.

Going to The Game

Going to a professional sporting event as a youngster was special, for me it was the CFL, NHL and MLB if I was travelling.  There were fewer teams.  We were not flooded with television coverage as all we had was the local channel's "game of the week."  Watching a game whether on TV or in person was a treat.

Going to a game meant following your favorite player and/or team.  Concession and souvenir options were limited and other than a fan shooting a puck through a hole in a sheet of plywood to win a medium pizza there were no forms of entertainment or distractions.  We went to the game because we loved the game, plain and simple.

Today the quality of the game is diluted because of the increased number of teams and subsequent demand for less talented players.  The myriad of sports programming on cable/satellite TV makes it easy for the viewer to yawn and move on because it is just another game.  Those in attendance at a game may not be fans and need noise and shiny things to keep their attention while true fans sit at home often unable to afford the egregious ticket prices.  Games are more about the sizzle than the steak.

On the flip side of the coin more teams and more television exposure gives greater opportunity to develop a new/expanding fan base.  More television options allow fans to follow their team if it is out of market.  If you are interested in international sports they are now more readily available to watch.  Haveing team ambassadors shoot t-shirts into the stands is more entertaining than watching the zamboni flood the ice.

Hats off to European soccer fans.  The big time European soccer experience is more on the old-school side.  Fans are in their seats while the game is on.  No popcorn/soda sales people walking up and down the isles.  No fans going to the bathroom during play.  Concessions and souvenirs are limited.  Fans are at the game to watch and cheer.  While the frills are limited the passion is high.