Ticket price increase coming

UPDATED: 4:15 P.M.

Bucs fans can expect to pay more for tickets next season, general manager Bruce Allen confirmed Friday. Speaking at Super Bowl XLII in Phoenix, Ariz., Allen said details of the new ticket plan would be released soon but provided no details.

Also included in the announcement, which could come next week, will be information regarding renewal for charter seat deposits.

"We'll have something on it later,'' Allen said. "There was a lot of thought that went into it and discussion and planning. When you look at our situation, we'll be in the middle of the league with an increase (in terms of ticket prices) and if you study what the other teams have done over the last 10 years, you'll see it when they release the information.''

-- RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer

----------

We're expecting some news on ticket prices for 2008 this afternoon, though we don't have any specifics just yet.

We should hear from general manager Bruce Allen as well, which is a pretty good indication there will be an increase in price. It's possible Allen is agreeing to do interviews to put the club's spin on the possible news of an increase, something that never goes over well with fans.

We're hoping for some explanation of the procedures for those of you who have reached the end of your 10-year commitments. Fans bought season tickets when Raymond James Stadium opened paid a 10-year seat deposit, 50 percent of which remains in escrow with the team. The 10-year period is now up, but there's been no word on whether the money will be refunded or rolled over toward future tickets.

We'll let you know as soon as we hear some details.

Comments

[Bucs SCUM]

Who cares? The team has lost ALL credibility with me since it emerged that they employed a ra*pist, Jerramy Stevens. Bruce, you didn't know about this? Yeah right. The Bucs organization is wretched for such an unforgivable act. Absolutely putrid. And they haven't even issued a statement condemning the brutal ra*pe. Shame on them. What scum.

[ed]

i dont beleave for a second that bruce allen or john gruden knew about the allagations against mr jeramy stevens as he was never even convicted bucs scum so go away cuz we dont need people like you!! again allagations and never convicted of the act so stop throwing stones against the bucs who had no idea of this mans past allagations!

The NFL is becoming unaffordable for the average family.

[TS]

Congrats Bucs Brass - you have finally priced your loyal long term fan base out of the game. I will now join the ranks of "former season ticket holder" after 15 loyal years. Bad enough prices are going up but also another seat deposit. SEAT DEPOSIT? SEAT DEPOSIT? For what? Ray Jay was/is being paid for by the tax payers. The Bucs will now have to show their cards - can't wait to see their 100,000 person waiting list for season tickets. I think seaon ticket holder revolt is coming. Funny thing is we had a problem selling out a playoff game.

[bob ryan]

Don't EVEN compare yourself to what is happening around the league Bruce. Other teams don't have a problem selling out a playoff game...pay attention! Season ticket holders were selling their own tickets to the playoff game. My $70 tix were now $100 for round 1, and double for a potential NFC championship game, and you are going to raise ticket prices again? Get ready for a blackout...

[John]

Enough is enough for me. I have been attending Bucs games since 1976. I have had season tickets for 15 of those years. My first invoice for 4 seats at the new stadium was $859.00. Now it is almost $3,000.00. $30.00 parking $8.00 beer. I will be staying home and watching my big screen this year. If a game is blacked out I will listen to it on the radio while fishing.I also want my balance of the seat deposit back. I AM DONE.

[Baaaaad Buc]

they are out of their friggin' minds with another increase in ticket costs ... like others, I am DONE with these guys ... will watch them on TV and not have to waste 1/2 the day getting to and from the game and being bent over to pay $8+ for a crappy Bud/Miller product
It's bad enough that they have to charge full price for pre-season games but then when you can't make it to a game you're barely able to get 30 cents on the dollar for tickets --- ridiculous ... when I want to go, I'll buy better seats for cheaper than what I'm stuck with now

[JB]

What happened to the promise of a seat deposit refund after 10 years? Didn't we sign a contract for a one time seat deposit? Oh,never mind, the Bucs took it to pay for an extended seat deposit. Can you say class action lawsuit?

[Bob]

We were priced right out of the game we pay all season to watch...the playoffs. Been season ticket holders for 20 years and never missed a game. $600 right off the bat...with 2 kids in college...are you kidding?