Rays ticket prices mostly unchanged, free parking limited to car poolers

The Rays announced Friday their 2008 ticket prices will stay mostly the same as the 2007 prices. But to encourage fans to buy their tickets in advance, they will add a $2 surcharge to all day-of-game tickets sold within five hours of first pitch.

Otherwise, all ticket prices are the same except outfield seats, which were reduced by $1 (from $22 to $21 for prime games and $17 to $16 for others), and upper deck seats, which were increased by $1 (from $13 to $14 and $8 to $9). As is now standard among teams, they charge more for "prime" games - the 18 against the Yankees and Red Sox and (this year) three against the Cubs.

The Rays had planned to end their two-year program of free parking, but instead went "green" and will offer it to carpoolers - vehicles with four or more passengers. For vehicles with less than four passengers, the parking fee will be $10, same as it was in 2005.

After the 2006 season, the Rays made what appeared a slight overall increase - raising the average price, by their calculations, less than a dollar, from $22.35 to $23.19. But prices in 14 of 18 seating categories went up, including all prime games.

The free parking was originally a one-year offering by new principal owner Stuart Sternberg, and then was extended to a second season.

Ticket prices:
                                                       Prime         Regular
                                                      Games (21) Games (60)

Upper Deck/*tbt Party Deck                 $14                 $9
Outfield                                             $21                 $16
Loge Box                                            $38                 $22
Baseline Box                                       $38                 $22
Press Level                                        $45                  $26
Lower Box                                          $55                 $40
Lower Infield Box                                $70                 $52
Fieldside Box                                     $115                $85
Whitney Bank Club                             $150              $110
Home Plate Club                                $270               $210

Comments

[Tampabaysportsfanatic]

Looks like I will be parking across the street again. No need to pay 10 when I can pay 5 and all I have to do is walk a little further.

[topkin's shrink]

Get free parking. Just pick up 3 panhandlers in downtown St Pete, give them each a can of Spam, and have them ride in with you.

[Derek]

I like Topkin's idea...

but I own a Truck so I called this discrimination as I only have 2 seats :-)

[SummerBird]

I agrre with Derek. 4 people won't fit on my motorcycle. It takes lees space than the cars, so I won't go to the game unless the parking is free! Rethink the plan.

[SummerBird]

I agrre with Derek. 4 people won't fit on my motorcycle. It takes lees space than the cars, so I won't go to the game unless the parking is free! Rethink the plan.

[tj]

Ha Ha!! They got you fools again. Adding a $2 surcharge for not purchasing tickets early? What is that. So basically you can't just decide to go to a game and walkup and pay same price? You have to pay $2 more then someone who bought their same ticket day before. Also now you have to have 4 or more people to get free parking? Wow these guys are getting greedy. Mr Naimoli doesn't look so bad now.

[Max]

Now if they would scrap those dull and boring Rays jerseys that they are going to use next year.

[Anthony]

Thank God the Rays TV announcers are great because I have free parking at home and if the cable company wants to up my bill by a few bucks I will still get my Rays fix. A monthly cable bill OR second mortgage to see a few Rays game. Tell Stu and his boys of blunder, there is no surcharges or parking fees or ticket increases for me when I decide to watch the best 5th place team in the East from the best seat in my house.

[Joe]

Good for the Rays going green (though it's kinda ironic that they're changing their colors to blue!!). Nothing wrong with car-pooling parking. There's will always be complainers - even if they paid you to park, you'd still whine that it wasn't enough.

Perhaps they also ought to charge based on the value of your car - that way I'd get in for free!!

For the poor folks who sit on the upper deck who'll have to shell out and extra buc, it'll mean a couple of fewer games.

[the shrink]

Joe,

I think there would be (and probably should be) an objection to just about anything when the product is so poor. The owner has already announced he will not upgrade. The $5 million more he said he will spend translates to zero because other teams will boost there spending by a lot more.

All that aside, the hole in the plan is so big Derek can drive his truck through it. And tj correctly points out they have shot themselves in the foot (again) by discouraging spontaneous purchases.

[Frank]

Poor Stu, that $120,000,000 of luxury tax money just isn't enough. But hey at least they are the best last place team in the league again.

[Joe]

“Free parking has become a symbol of the Rays fan-friendly operations,” said Team President Matt Silverman. “Our decision to extend free parking to encourage and reward carpooling confirms our commitment not only to our fans and area families but also to the continued greening of Tropicana Field and all Rays operations.” ...

Who does Matt Silverman think we are? What about the fans 18-35 who aren't in your "target" range? The way you word this, Mr. Silverman is insulting!

Its time Marc, the cat comes out of the bag. They can be only so cute and so smart for so long, and for me their time has ran out. I have no more patience for their tomfoolery and their insulting payroll increases that are already trumped by their "words" and spun in a way that seems more appealing than what it actually is!

[wiggy]

Just goes to show again how clueless and greedy Sternberg and his Wall Street henchmen are. The Rays are no longer an impulse buy, if not because of the $2, because of the principle. A family of four surely is not going to pay the extra dough. They'll see a movie or go to Baywalk or watch the sunset at the real beach. Fixed income seniors notice everry price increase regardless of amount.

If the league is going to have revenue sharing, they should require some of the amount be spent on improving the team and making it better for fans (facility upgrades). Just writing a check with no strings to this money-grubbing owner assures the status quo or worse.

[Joe]

Marc,

I hope you are reading this and realize the venom and vitriol there is in the common fan in regards to this. The Rays have LOST me! These men have officially thrown in the towel on the market and are trying to marginalize me as a personal consumer! I find this repulsive!

Here's one...Why not instead of marking up walkup tickets, why not mark it down and see how many fans want to buy it?! By doing this, you will get more fans and more of a gate instead of less people being squeezed.

You maintain the sanctity of the presale of the tickets, meaning first come first serve on all dibs on the seats, and you would DISCOURAGE 3rd market scalping and Stub Hub. Look how the Lightning deliberately holds back and sells 300 section tickets for day of game sale solely for those who simply want to get in and enjoy the experience. Now, you have encouraged the very type activity you say that you don't want!

Sorry folks, the Rays have lost me on this. Its been a comedy of errors for the last 2 weeks and its not going to let up. This was a stupid move, and although its $2, it opens the door for LARGER increases in the future, knowing the tendencies of the gate. I will not accept this as a "fan friendly" gesture, because it isn't. You tell everyone "free parking stays", when you know very well, that is DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING!!! They are operating with deceit, as they also have maintained their 20% increase, the "free parking" and the "walkup tax", all forms of deception!

[John]

Section prices on the 100 level have not changed, but they have be realigned from last year. Instead of 18 outfield section last year there are 12. 4 lower box are now baseline box. 10 sections have had price increases.

[agatha]

Interesting that this "Wall Street Mafia" doesn't understand the law of supply and demand.

[agatha]

Interesting that this "Wall Street Mafia" doesn't understand the law of supply and demand.