Mixed news on Bucs tickets

The Bucs released the details of their 2008 general ticket offerings today, and there's a mix of good and bad news.

The bad, though expected, news is that prices are on the rise -- again. Increases appear to have been made on every general-seating ticket. Last year's high of $76 will pale against this season's priciest general-seating ticket, which will sell for $99. That's an astonishing 30 percent increase. Most seats will cost between $5 and $10 more, according to a news release outlining the plans. This is the sixth consecutive season prices will increase.

The good news, however, will be welcomed by longtime season-ticket holders. Original season-ticket holders whose 10-year agreements expired with the 2007 season will not be required to put down an additional deposit. The remainder of their deposits -- first required in 1998 and equal to the price of the seat -- will continue to be refunded in increments of 5 percent per year. Also, the team is only requiring a three-year contract for those whose contracts have expired.

Regarding the prices, the cheapest general-seating ticket in 2007 was $31.50. In 2008, you can't get in the door for under $42 -- an increase of 33 percent.

Comments

[Glazier's = Thieves]

This family is a bunch of thieves to our town. They got away with building a new stadium with all of our money and they are, year by year, pricing more and more tax payers out of going to games. I know a Bucs ticket isn't the highest priced ticket in the NFL but I believe it is top 5 or 6, if my memory serves me. It has caused my company to cancel our 4 club level tickets which were priced at $250/piece whether pre-season or regular season. What a bunch of greedy bums those people are. Pro sports is out of control. The owners and players have lost their minds.

[John Klopfer]

If we the public continue to support the teams and players prices will continue to rise. If the fans would start boycotting games and merchandise, the prices will fall. It is basic economics: supply vs. demand. Not to get political it is the same with gasoline. If we stop driving... the prices will drop. When you think Exxon made record profits last year...yet they claim there is a shortage of oil. Same as football, owners are screaming they aren't making enough money...yet the profit sheets dictate otherwise.

I have not been to a Bucs game since they moved into the new stadium and with tickets costing more I'll bet more people will stop going. Tickets, parking, concessions, who can afford to go to a game. With the economy the way it is they should have lowered prices. Are you not rich enough Glazier Family.

[Bobbert]

The Buccaneer organization is slime. They are asking the fans to pay more in order to worship and cheer on r@pists like Jerramy Stevens. Are you kidding me? From top to bottom, the company is just pure raw sewage. The Bucs have always dealt from the bottom of the deck.

[George]

In economic times like this, i see the number of season-ticket cancellations going up. Get an HDTV and you'll get a much better return on investment !

[Ernie]

42 bucks to get in big deal just don't raise the damn beer prices anymore

[Biff]

It is much wiser, In my opinion, to take the $200 or so that a couple would have to spend on overpriced tickets, parking and concessions....

And have a weekly football party get-together organized at someones house or at a sports grill......

That way the money REALLY goes back into the community, and not ointo the pockets of those neanderthal looking gree-meisters......

Ernie, the $42 seats are for season ticket holders, in 4 sections, up top in the corners of the stadium. My tickets just jumped 30 percent. I am now paying more than twice what I was paying just 5 years ago. A report in Sept shows that the Bucs are 8th highest in ticket prices across the NFL, but are not in a top 8 market. This increase is even larger than after the SB win. It makes no sense.

[Marc]

I got season tickets in section 302 when the new stadium first opened. Back then, they were $30 per seat per game. Now they are $75 per seat per game. Sadly usually 2 or 3 games I don't go and the tickets go to waste. This coming season, One Buck place can stuff my season tickets up their rump. I will buy them on stubhub, where often times you can get the seats below the listed price on the ticket! With this bad economy I have better thing to spend my money on!

[Bottom Line: Glaziers=Greed]

I am officially done buying anything to do with the Bucs. I have 2 shirts and 2 hats and that's all I will have. The bad part in all of this is, the Glazier's are doing this because those season ticket contracts are up for renewal and I believe a lot of people are walking away...actually, I don't believe it, I know it. First hand accounts of people telling me they are walking away seem to be the norm.

The city of Tampa needs to send a message to this team by showing a worse turn out next year.

Of course there are tons of people that love football (and live football), myself included, but I will be buying myself a fancy TV and enjoying time with friends on Sundays rather than paying the ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS prices that the Bucs ask.

Let's have some respect for ourselves Tampa.

[nancy]

Want to see a great football game for cheap? Get USF Bulls season tickets.

[Fed Up]

30% increase in a recession when you cant sell the $76 tickets on game day for more than $20. This should be fun to watch.

[TS]

I'm done after 15 years of having season tickets. I will be collecting the remainder of my original seat deposit from the Bucs and watch the games at home (if they aren't blacked-out). I think a lot of season ticket holders will take the money and run as well. It is now time for the Bucs to show their 100,000 person waiting list for season tickets.

Professional Sports are nothing but show business. Pro football has more acrobats than athletes. Let's hope that someday we regain our sanity and re-establish community based amateur sports. can it work? Google Irish football.

[Jeff]

I love the Bucs- I will be loving them from my couch rather then my sweaty seat in the south endzone next season. Send me my 50% deposit and championship game refund asap also. That waiting list will evaporate at these prices.

[JohhnyG]

Hello wait list, eat up my seats, I am not renewing.

We will have some blacked out games this year, becasuse the BS wait list won't keep up with the non-renewals.

[R.B. Mcgarrah]

I will watch the replays on ESPN. Love you Buc's but the price is out of control.

[CHAD RIVERS]

THIS IS WAY TO FUNNY, I HAVE BEEN A NFL FAN SINCE 1976. AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO A LIVE GAME TO DATE. AND YOU KNOW WHAT, WHAT AM I REALLY MISSING ??????????????TRAFFIC,PARKING,INCREASING TICKET PRICES,FOOD PRICES,BEER PRICES,PROGRAMS,BUCS GEAR, THE HEAT,COLD,RAIN.
BUT I DO CARE WHAT THEY DO WITH THE PRICES. SEE I LOOK AT IT THIS WAY IF YOU DUMMIES THAT BUY SEASON TICKETS CONTINUE TO BUY TICKETS I GET TO WATCH THE GAME FOR FREE LIKE I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE NFL FOR OVER 30 YEARS. I CAN MEET MY FRIENDS AT LOCAL BARS, OR EVEN THROW BBQ/NFL PARTIES AT MY HOME IN BRANDON. THE SAME MONEY YOU LAY DOWN EACH YEAR I SAVED AND BOUGHT THE BIG TV,THE BIG JENN AIR GRILLE,AND THE MY FAVORITE THE KEGORATOR. AND WHEN THE SEASON IS OVER AND YOU GOT TICKET STUBBS TO SHOW FOR YOUR INVESTMENT I STILL GOT MY TOYS SO MANY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU IDIOTS THAT BUY TICKETS AND ALL THE OTHER JUNK PLEASE CONTINUE TO BUY THEM AND IF YOU NEED TO GET A SECOND JOB TO HELP PAY FOR THEM DO THAT WITH OUT DELAY. AND IF THEY DO BLACK OUT THE GAME AND EVERY NFL GAME AGAIN SO WHAT.... I HAVE SOME EARLY MODEL 70'S TRANS AMS THAT NEED MORE OF MY TIME ANYWAYS.

Hey Chad Rivers, keep your condescending, moronic views to yourself. Or better yet, get in one of your 70's Trans Ams with no air bag & hit a brick wall at 90 mph. The world will be a better place.

[Matt]

What goes around comes around. You spend 80% of the Salary Cap on players, the fans will leave the stadium 80% full this season.

[TJ]

Chad's Respondent:

Don't be so hard on Chad, looks like he's got it together and has the right attitude to go with it.

[Scott]

I like Nancy's idea, the heck with the Bucs, go to a USF game instead...

...except when the Bulls play in the taxpayer funded stadium the Glazers still get most of the money. If you really want to boycott the Glazers you can't set foot in Ray Jay because they make money on every event there.

[CHAD RIVERS]

HOWDY YALL well this goes back to the idiot that wrote this line

keep your condescending, moronic views to yourself. Or better yet, get in one of your 70's Trans Ams with no air bag & hit a brick wall at 90 mph. The world will be a better place.

YOU MUST BE ONE OF THE IDIOTS THAT PAY FOR MY FREE FOOTBALL GAMES. MY VIEWS WOULD ONLY SEEM MORONIC TO ONLY A MORON. THINK ABOUT IT YOU MAKE CONSIDERLY LESS THAN THE GLAZERS BUT THEY TAKE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY AND BUY ALL THE THINGS YOU CANT AFFORD NOW TELL ME WHO IS MORONIC, TELL ME WHAT IS MORONIC, AND WHO IS THE MORON. WHAT WAS YOUR SEAT NUMBER ?????? NOW AS FAR AS ME RUNNING MY COLLECTOR CARS INTO WALLS AT 90 MPH WITH NO AIR BAGS.THAT WILL NEVER HAPPIN THAT WOULD BE A MORONIC THING TO DO. MUSCLE CAR TRANS AM'S ARE NOW BIG DOLLAR INVESTMENT CARS.AND THE TRUTH IS AIR BAGS WERE DEVELOPED TO REDUCE BODILY INJURY DUE TO MORONIC DRIVERS.JUST MAKE SURE YOU DONT TURN YOURS OFF I NEED YOU AROUND TO BUY SOME MORE TICKETS SO I DONT HAVE TOO... I HAVE BETTER PLACES TO INVEST MY MONEY THAN IN MALCOM GLAZER AND HIS SONS

[JF]

Chad,

I have been to EVERY home game from the time I was 8 with my father since the new stadium opened. Spending money for season tickets is about creating memories, entertainment, and spending time with my dad watching the game I love. You spending your money on Trans Ams is a form of entertainment for you. I don't point out how worthless your car is. You could drive a Pinto from A to B and it still does its job. Keep watching the game on TV because we don't want people like you at the stadium anyways.

By the way, typing in all caps must make you feel like a big guy huh?

Don't be so ignorant.

[John]

Could we maybe sell the Florida school system to the Glazers. They will make a profit. The seat prices will be rasied nearly every year. Perhaps the Teachers will be paid better and get more respect. And we can always say wait till next year to "get it right."

[CHAD RIVERS]

HOWDY JF,FOR THE RECORDS SPENDING MY MONEY ON MUSCLECARS IS NOT ENTERTAINMENT ITS CALLED INVESTMENT.GOING TO SWAP MEETS AND BUYING PARTS FOR CHEAP AND RESELLING FOR BIG BUCKS ON EBAY NOW THATS ENTERTAINMENT. THERE IS NOTHING ENTERTAINING REBUILDING ENGINES AND REPLACING SHEET METAL. BUT WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED THEY PAY REAL WELL. KNOW AS FAR AS YOU TRYING TO POINT OUT HOW WORTHLESS MY INVESTMENTS ARE DO YOUR HOME WORK ROOKIE NO PUN INTENDED.SO PLEASE BY ALL MEANS FATTEN THE GLAZERS POCKETS WHILE YOU ARE BUSY DOING THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO FATTEN MINE. AS FAR AS TYPING IN CAPS ITS JUST SOMETHING I PREFER NO BIG MAN COMPLEX HERE BUT YOU HAVE ME WONDERING YOU MUST THINK SO LITTLE OF YOURSELF TO SAY SUCH A STUPID THING.

[CHAD RIVERS]

OH YA JF ALSO A ignorant PERSON TAKES THERE HARD EARNED MONEY AND GIVES IT TO SOME ONE ELSE MAKING THAT PERSON RICH A SMART PERSON INVESTS THERE MONEY IN THEMSELF TO MAKE THEMSELF RICH.THATS THE DIFFERANCE BETWEEN A OWNER AND A FAN YOU DONT SEE THE GLAZERS SITTING IN THE OPEN AIR DO YA,SO TELL ME HOW DUMB DO YOU FEEL KNOWING YOUR MONEY PUTS FUEL IN HIS JET, HIS MANSION,AND VACATION HOMES ABROAD. REMEMBER 1+1=2 EVEN IN FLORIDAH

[frank c. costanza]

the salary cap for players goes up
the price of tickets go up
that's the economics of it

now, the glazers could decide to take a little less profit, as a goodwill gesture in a year when the Super Bowl's coming back to Tampa, but they're ruthless businessmen and that is not their nature

the same thing's happenin' in Manchester

[Mike]

I'm typing from arizona and I plan to come out for a game this year. Is the best way to get good tix by buying tix from a scalper? Thanks, Mike

BTW, I've heard that when a person types in all caps, it's like that person is yelling. That's why I don't think it's very nice to read all caps. Feel free, Mr. Rivers, to con't typing loudly, cuz I won't be reading anything else you have to say.

[Stephen Holder]

Seriously, Chad, chill out with the all caps. I'm getting a headache! :)

[mm]

Chad maybe you should take some of that money you are saving from not buying tickets and invest in Hooked on Phonics. Your grammar is terrible. Just a thought.

[mm]

Seriously though, my tickets went up $5. I am not that concerned with "making the man richer" as I am in seeing my team play football. You all act surprised that they raised the prices. Did you really think that was not going to happen? Anyways, I know I will be in 335 next year!

[CHAD RIVERS]

HOWDY MM, YEP I WILL BE THE FIRST TO ADMIT THAT SOMETIMES I DO NOT PROOF WHAT I WRITE ON LINE. BUT THATS O.K. WHEN IT COMES TO BUSINESS THATS WHY I HAVE OFFICE STAFF FOR. DO YOU NEED A JOB I HAVE ANOTHER POSTION FOR A WORKER BEE... OR ARE YOU STILL YTRYING TO GET ON WHEEL OF FURTUNE, I DONT HAVE TIME DURING THE WEEK FOR THE TRIVAL STUFF WHEN THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO LIKE MAKE MONEY AND DONT WORRY ONE THING IS FOR SURE I CAN COUNT WITH OUT A CALCULATOR.... SO I GUESS I AM LIKE THE GLAZERS IN A VERY SMALL WAY I COUNT ON PEOPLE LOKE YOU TO MAKE MY FORTUNE GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU I NEED SOME MORE TOYS

[James]

Boo f'k hoo-hoo. IF you cant afford to go then simply stay home and quit f'n crying about it. OR man up and get a better job. Buc fans make me sick. The average income here in the TB area is 33k....and you people couldn't even come up with the $20 or so I was buying tickets from scalpers for friends all year long last year. You HAVE NO room to talk about rising prices, most of you bums didn't even show up in 2007. Get the F off our wagon.

[Chris]

Chad, Chad, Chad...even the blog moderator seems irritated with your posts. Get over yourself, get off the Bucs blog, & stop posting about non Bucs topics. No one here but you cares about your cars. Enjoy the game for free, because it IS Bucs fans that make it possible, & for that, if you are a fan, you should be appreciative of those who go to the game. If you're not a fan, then you have no right to post here period & blast ANYONE who makes the decision to purchase tickets or complains that the price has increased.

[mm]

Howdy Chad! If you have to rely on your staff to learn how to spell and puncuate properly then maybe you should get back in night school. I actually have a job and no I am not "ytrying to get on wheel of furtune". Oh and that would be "what I have office staff for" not "WHY i have office staff for". And what is "TRIVAL STUFF"? You make me laugh!

[mm]

When I am sitting in my seats next year I will feel better knowing that I am getting burned while you are clockin dollas! Have fun riding out in that 1970 Trans Am with your mullet blowin in the wind while the t-tops are off blasting some Tesla!

[Aaron]

Once again, the ownership of the Buccaneers has shown it's incredible disregard for the loyal fans of the team. I read my season ticket invoice in astonishment to see that my tickets had increased in price approximately 38% from last season, from about 72 dollars to 100 dollars per seat. This price increase comes in a difficult economy in which most people have had little to no increase in their salaries. It now takes over $450 per game to take my family to a Bucs game. I phoned the Buccaneers ticket sales representative only to be told that the tickets have been below market value for a long time (what a lie…they are the 7th or 8th most expensive tickets in the NFL). The representative showed an amazing lack of interest in my concerns and indicated to me that the Bucs had 100,000 other fans ready to buy my seats (I seriously doubt it).

The Bucs' owners duped the citizens of Tampa into building them a stadium. They charged us 10 year seat licenses with the promise of getting 50% of our initial deposit back at maturity - only to be told now that that money is given back if we decline to renew our tickets. They have fought with the city regarding taxes on the stadium and their new training facility. In all, they show a blatant disregard for the fans that have stuck by them throughout 20+ years of failures and 10+ years of entertaining, but underachieving football (one superbowl appearance with the talent we have had is weak). The Bucs reward their inconsistent and stubborn coach with an increased salary and a contract extension but stick it to the fans who have been their consistently for them through the years. Unbelievable! This team has lost a season ticket holder (and I encourage others to do the same). I am going to take the money saved for my four tickets ($4000) and buy one huge HDTV and sit in comfort to watch the Bucs (and the rest of the NFL) in the luxury of my own home. No more drunk, cursing, beligerent and disrespectful fans standing for the entire game. Finally, my children will be able to safely watch the game. Maybe the Bucs have done us all a favor after all! I will still be sitting in Raymond James Stadium next season - it will just be on Saturdays watching the USF Bulls.

[CHAD RIVERS]

HEY MM, 1970 TRANS AMS DONT HAVE T TOPS THAT WAS NOT OFFERED TILL 1976 YOU ROOKIE,NOW AS FAR AS NIGHT SCHOOL I DONT NEED THAT BUT SINCE YOU HAVE A JOB MAYBE YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A BUSINESS SCHOOL ANY IDIOT CAN WORK FOR SOMEONE ELSE THOSE ARE CALLED FOLLOWERS BUT IT TAKES SAVVY PEOPLE TO OWN THERE OWN BUSINESS THOSE ARE CALLED LEADERS. NOW TO GET BACK ON POINT THE OWNERS OF THE BUCS, YOUR EMPLOYER, EVEN I COUNT ON WORKER BEES LIKE YOU TO MAKE MORE MONEY FOR US AND WHEN YOU FLY OUT OF FORMATION WE GET RID OF YOU. WE STILL GET PAID THE NEXT DAY WHILE YOU GO OUT AND TRY TO FIND ANOTHER JOB. NOW AFTER THAT HAS BEEN SAID THE THE BUCS OWNERS HAVE NO REAL LOVE FOR YOU ITS ALL ABOUT MAKING THAT DOLLAR PERIOD SO NOW KNOWING THAT IF YOU STILL WANT TO WORK YOUR BUTT OFF TO HAND OVER YOUR RICHIES TO THE BUCS CLUB SO THE GLAZERS AND ALL THE PLAYERS IN THERE ORGANIZATION CAN GET RICH AND I MEAN WAY RICHER THAN ME AND I AM SURE WAY WAY WAY RICHER THAN YOU THEN YOU ARE THE FOOL. BUT LIKE I SAID EARLIER I NEED PEOPLE WITH YOUR MIND SET . THATS HOW I CAN WATCH THE GAME FOR FREE. I JUST WISH I COULD STEER YOU IN A DIRECTION TO PAY FOR FUEL SO MY COMPANY COULD GET THAT FOR FREE TOO. SO LET THE GLAZERS DO WHAT THEY WANT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THEY ARE COUNTING ON ALL YOU IDIOTS TO PAY WHAT THEY ARE ASKING.THERE ARE A FEW THINGS WE CANNOT CONTROL PRICES FOR FUEL,HOME INSURANCE,AND TAXES ALL THE REST INCLUDING FOOTBALL WE CAN. HERE IS FOOD FOR THOUGHT TAKE THE MONEY SPENT ON A SEASON TICKET AND APPLY THAT MONEY TO YOUR MORTGAGE ON YOUR HOME THEN FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH MONEY YOU WILL REALLY BE SAVING IT WILL BE A SMALL FORTUNE OR GIVE IT ALL TO MALCOM AND HIS BOYZ SO THEY CAN BUY THE HOME YOU CAN ONLY DREAM ABOUT LIKE I SAID 1+1=2 EVEN IN FLORIDAH

[Humphrey]

What is the big deal- If you don't want to go- don't buy a ticket and watch on hdtv where you can view the plays better. If you like the excitement at the stadium then Pony up the dough. Until they stop selling out and a game get's blacked out on local TV this whole thing is a non issue.
Supply and Demand will decide if the Glazers went too far on the price hike.
It's no different than buying a concert ticket or broadway show- $100 is pretty standard for a good seat to a big event.
The Glazers have consistantly put a good product on the field and the team is well run, compare their decade or so of ownership to the he pathetic two decades of culverhouse- What if Culverhouse had the longevity of a Ralph Wilson and was still running the show-UGH! You may not like the Glazers (how many billionaires are that popular to begin with) but you can't argue with there committment to winning.- Humphrey

[Matt]

Not sure where the 100,000 fans on the waiting list were when they were selling playoff tickets this year. Its hard to imagine that if you couldn't get someone to pay $125 for a playoff game that you're going to get these supposed 100,000 people to pay $198 for two pre-season games.

[Scott]

Good point about the waiting list. I am on the list, I also had season tickets in the old stadium, and I am going to pass if I get offered seats. It's not just this year's increase it is the fact that the prices are going to rise every year coupled with the utter disdain the ownership shows the Tampa Bay area; they take money out of the mouth of the local college (yes the Bucs make more money on USF games than USF does) and then they try to weasel out of paying property taxes.

I'm glad they made the team competitive but I don't think the deal we made with the devil was worth it.

Trans-Am? Have you seen the new Camero, Challenger, Roush Stage 3? I hope some fans leave. That means cheaper beer prices, better parking, shorter lines and more beads. Will fill up the Denali again next year and head to my nose bleeds for a great time at Ray-Jay. Chad can listen to Gene on his AM radio!

Go Bucs!

[Pete]

Trans-Am? Have you seen the new Camero, Challenger, Roush Stage 3? I hope some fans leave. That means cheaper beer prices, better parking, shorter lines and more beads. Will fill up the Denali again next year and head to my nose bleeds for a great time at Ray-Jay. Chad can listen to Gene on his AM radio!

Go Bucs!

[Smokey]

Trans AM's??? yee haaa ...
Now that's a real piece of Americana!

Sincerely,

Trailer Trash

psst ... Dim Witted, Dangling Chad ... that is YOU!

[Wake Up Pete]

someone send "Pete" an Marketing 101 book

the Glazer will NOT be cutting the price of beer for the sheep such as yourself ... why would they?
they know that they'll have you crawling back into the stadium asking for more mistreatment and happily buying up shiddy beer at whatever price they want to charge

CHUMP

[Kevin]

I've been a season ticket holder for 10 years. I sit in section 119 and paid $76 per ticket last year. I have 3 tickets. Here are my issues:

1. My tickets increased to $99 per game per seat. So now it costs $300 per game plus parking, food/beverage, etc. My tickets were $36 each ten years ago. So, in the 10 years I've had the tickets, they have almost tripled in cost. I enjoy the games and the same group of people around me.

2. My first point is NOT my biggest issue. I know some people who sit in section 120, same row as me. They are literally right across the stairs from me. Guess what? Their ticket prices went DOWN by $3 this year. They went from $56 to $53 per seat.

Please explain to me how someone 15 feet from me pays almost half of what I pay. It's not like he's in the club section and I'm not. Heck, I'd gladly move 15 feet to save almost $50 per ticket per game.

3. I can get very good tickets for roughly half the price from scalpers. Last season I saw club level tickets regularly selling for $100, and tickets like mine selling for $30 to $50. Even without the scalpers, I can buy tickets at face value from the Tampa Bay Society of which I am a member. By doing this, I pick and choose the games I want and don't have to buy the crappy pre-season ("practice") games.

This also frees me up to support the Lightning, Rays, USF, etc.

4. For me the 30% price increase is about one thing - principle. I have the money and can easily afford to be a season ticket holder. That said, I don't appreciate the slap in the face for 10 years of continued support. I'll take my seat deposit and remaining playoff ticket money and put it to good use elsewhere.

Add my name to the list of dejected fans. I have not, nor will I, call the ticket office to complain. They've made their decision and I've made mine. Good luck to the people on the waiting list!

[Garry]

I'm 3 years into my season ticket contract and can't afford to renew my 4 club seats. My business has changed significantly, plus I'm out of state most of the time now. Bucs sent me a letter from a lawyer and over the phone have told me they might SUE ME for the entire contract. What's up with that? Sheeesh!