Tom Benjamin has a great post I have listed at right, but it bears further attention.
For those unaware, the Nashville Predators have raised ticket prices for the upcoming season a whopping 25%. On it's face, that makes no sense for a Franchise ostensibly looking to increase demand in a dwindling market. Particularly one that recently sold off it's higher priced pieces and massively reduced it's costs in the off-season.
Of course, as Tom points out, there are other motivations to consider:
The whopping ticket price increase is, to me, another indicator that a deal to relocate the team to the Anschutz Empire in Kansas City is signed, sealed and delivered [...] The explanation offered by the Predators is drawn from the same economics textbook Bettman used when he promised the lockout would lead to lower ticket prices. On the other hand, if the objective is to ensure that the lease is broken, the team would ice an inferior product at much higher prices.
This is all basically a mugs game being played at the loyal Pred's fans expense. This all smacks of seedy, back-door dealings and exploits those aspects of fanship most precious to professional sports leagues: passion and loyalty.
In the meantime, Predator fans - and there are real fans in the area - have to pay a lot more to see a team that will be a lot less competitive. Many of them will pony up because they believe that if they do, they can save their team.
Eye-opening stuff. Make sure to check it out.
