Many Fans Upset As Jazz Raise Ticket Prices For Next Season
Jan 2, 2019, 4:10 PM | Updated: 8:01 pm
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz is introduced during pre-game ceremonies before the start of their game against the Philadelphia at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City , Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Many Utah Jazz season ticket holders were surprised to learn the team was raising the price of some tickets for next season by up to 150 percent of this year’s tickets.
Current season ticket holders received the news via email, which was sent out Wednesday describing the increase in price and asking fans whether or not they wished to renew.
The upper bowl of Vivint SmartHome Arena had the biggest increase in ticket prices. To sit on the top row of the arena cost just $6 per game this season. Next year, it will cost nearly $15 a game to sit in the nosebleeds. The $6 per game price was made available to season-ticket holders only. A single game ticket in that area costs $14.
Steve Starks continued on potential PR problems from Utah Jazz season ticket increases for next season: “We are always sensitive to price increases and having Jazz games remain affordable and accessible for our fans.”
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) January 2, 2019
Jazz executives said that the price increase is intended to help fans from being subjected to increased ticket prices on the secondary market.
“Part of this process is to simplify the pricing in the upper bowl and to really make sure that we are protecting our fans from price gouging,” senior vice president of ticketing Chris Barney told Eric Woodyard of the Deseret News.
According to barrystickets.com, Jazz tickets during the 2016-17 season were going for an average of $61 on the secondary market, which was the eighth-lowest mark for all NBA teams.
Fans React
Many Jazz fans were upset at the hike in prices and took to social media to voice their displeasure.
Who knew that #TakeNote was a reference to the Jazz reaching into the wallets of season ticket holders?
— Kris (@5kl) January 2, 2019
Needless to say, the Utah Jazz’s season ticket price hike is trying to #TakeEverything.
— SLC Dunk (@slcdunk) January 2, 2019
@utahjazz @UtahJazzPR Our season tickets (upperbowl) and more than DOUBLING in cost next year. Why the sudden and massive increase? This will price out a family of loyal, diehard Jazz fans who look forward to every game. Very disappointing…
— Mitch Nall (@mitchnall) January 2, 2019
I’m pretty bummed by the Jazz ticket increase as well.
Few years ago the wife and I would go to lower bowl games all the time, granted the Jazz sucked.
But even 2 years ago we would go to multiple games.
This year we haven’t been to one yet…
— Mark M (@Mmueller88) January 2, 2019
My season ticket price for 2 seats this year: $1,056.
To renew my seats for the 19-20 season: $2,640.
— /r/UtahJazz (@Reddit_Jazz) January 2, 2019
I’m one of the unlucky ones whose tickets are increasing from $12 to $30. A 250% increase. From best in the section to the worst seats in the new sections. Plus they are forcing us to renew by January 31. Jazz’s new hashtag #greedoverloyalty
— @daren_larsen (@larsen_daren) January 2, 2019
We’ll how the demand is if the Jazz miss the playoffs this year. No playoffs + doubling prices is not a good scenario for season ticket purchases
— Nate Slack (@nateslack5) January 2, 2019
