One Step Closer to PSLs
Jane McManus, of the The Journal News, agreed to simulcast a post this week as I was out, on this blog, as well as her Jets blog. I wish she bore better news, as you’ll see in the team’s answer below. Apparently according to Jane, Cash Rules Everything Around Meadowlands…
The Giants will be charging season ticket holders a one-time fee of at least $1,000 to keep those tickets once the team moves to the new stadium, currently being constructed in East Rutherford, N.J. for the 2010 season. It’s called a Personal Seat License, and it’s becoming a popular way for NFL teams to finance new buildings.
So what does this mean for Jets season ticket holders? The Jets are splitting construction costs with the Giants 50/50, and they don’t have any magical way to finance the debt for the $1.6 billion stadium any better.
So Jets fans, get out the checkbooks.
“We are currently studying the use of PSLs as a financing option for the new stadium,” Jets spokesperson Bruce Speight read from a prepared statement today. “We recently sent a survey to our season-ticket holders to explore a range of seating options, pricing structures payment terms and amenities.”
So the results are mostly in, and the Jets plan to study them and then release a payment structure.
One thing is certain; those prices will rise. Currently the cheapest seat is $750 for the Jets, $800 for the Giants. Stadium expert Neil deMause, author of “Field of Schemes” said that new stadiums always mean more money, although given the recent success of the Giants they’ll be able to charge more.
“I imagine (the Jets) will have to use some kind of PSL but probably not the same,” deMause said. “They don’t have the 130,000 on the waiting list or the Super Bowl championship.”
In fact, the Jets had 10,500 people on the waiting list coming into this season. Those numbers mean that if a PSL is instituted, it may just be imposed on the better seats in the new 82,500-seat stadium. But given the costs and the debt, the Jets will have to ask fans to bear the costs of a shiny new seat.
One fan who got the survey was shocked by the prices being thrown around, “It’s tough to think about that when shelling out $5,000 for something that’s not tangible at the time.”
If not, there’s always the flat screen and DirecTV.
“There hasn’t been a stadium built in the last 20 years where the average ticket price didn’t go up,” deMause said.
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Two teams, one stadium, the PSL should be half the price!
Many years ago when I was a Knicks season ticket holder there were people outside of rMadison Square Garden protesting on behalf of fans against the ridiculous salaries and ticket prices as well as the concession rip offs. Nobody got it then and nobody gets it now. Complaining doesn’t do anything if you are a small group there can only be change from a unified front.
It is the fans fault and will always be the fans fault.
If you subsidize robbery you can only expect to be robbed.
The Jets have handled this whole thing so badly. Stupid questionnaire, refunding (which is yet to arrive) wait list fees, etc.. I was/am on the list for about 15 years and I just got a letter extending me a season ticket offer. Yeah, sure, I’m gonna pay $2,000+ grand plus ticket costs for upper level end zone of a new stadium we didn’t need. Yip, ok. Guess I’ll never be a season ticket holder now. I hope the stadium is half empty the day it opens.
Well enjoy guys, because you won’t be seeing me at the new KY Jelly Stadium, aka the new Meadowlands. I like going to games, but it’s not the greatest thing ever. Certainly it is not worth more then $250 a ticket to see this sorry franchise. For the type of money the Jets want for tickets at the new stadium I can throw my own party complete with good food/beer and use the rest of the money I would have given to the Jets to have the Flight Crew castoffs up close and personal in my own “luxury suite”.
We as diehard, loyal fans must come to grips with the realization that to zillionaires like Mara’, Tisch , Johnson and all, football is important to them because its a business first and a toy that gets their name in the media second. We as loyal fans that live and die with every play must know that their loyalty to us exists only if, and I repeat ONLY IF we provide what they consider adequate support to their business. I saw and felt their “loyalty” in 1983 when Leon Hess moved the team because the Shea bathrooms weren’t clean enough. At that point I felt the cold reality that the love affair with my team was that of only a FAN and that my football family never included the ownership. At that moment I made the heart wrenching decision to call the Jets FO and cancell my season tickets (loge 45 yd line, pass to the charcoal room and reserve parking infront of the private entrance to the elevators) It felt as though I was divorcing my wife and breaking up my family. However I haven’t regreted the move and boycotted Hess gas for over 25 years and now seeing this BS about PSL I feel great that I did.
I would have felt WAY better about a PSL if the Jets had their own stadium. I can’t believe that the Jets will still have to share a stadium with the Giants. It’s a travesty.
Plus, 2 teams in one stadium and they can’t even spring for a retractable dome??? At least make the winter games more comfortable and open the possibility of hosting a Super Bowl. Like I really want to spend $100+ per ticket to sit out in the freezing rain to watch the Jets play.
I’m a huge fan, but there are limits. Besides, the Jets are simply not a franchise that rewards its fans with consecutive winning campaigns.
It’s way too tempting to purchase a beautiful HD television for that price and enjoy the many comforts of watching the game at home. Being there is awesome – but the commute to and from and the outrageous prices will push me away.
anybody w good with good seats (btween the 30 LOWER OR MIDDLE) that wantts to sell let me know and then well talk in private
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well i did expect this u can just build a new stadium and afford to have cheap ticket prices it doesnt work well i perfer 2 watch the jewts on tv i nvr went 2 a football game so i dont rly mind but if i am offered a free ticket im going but im not paying 80 dollars for a bad seat all the way on the higher levels i get a better t view on my tv
The old days in sports are gone forever.
I remember my season ticket cost $80 for 8 games, no preseason games required.
I’m still waiting for the survey inquiring about the feasibility of a bar-be-que tax! You know, the grab your ankles payoff ploy for every Hibachi that enters the parking lot on game day! LOL!
Yup, the Return On Investment will only take half a season then….
What a joke. At a time in our country where, the economy is in the crapper, the Euro and Canadian dollar have overtaken our US Dollar, and the Jets were 4-12 (an ugly 4-12) — the organization wants to rip our eyeballs out, to watch our football team. I agree with RK, if we allow them to keep robbing us, they will. I will be purchasing my tickets in the parking lot, for less than regular ticket price. I gave up my season pass in the past and, like Fonzie, I don’t regret it for a minute. I don’t pay their outrageous prices for their garbage food — I bring a great sandwich along with me.
It is not just Jet fans – the people of the US have to rebel, when we are getting robbed. The powers that be, see us being complacent and they, screw us at every turn. Don’t give in !!!!!
You are right it is not just Jets fans it is all working class Americans that are being robbed. But history shows it will get a lot worse before a meningful revolt will occur.
I am a Jets season ticketholder and havent got this survery yet… What is this thing all about?
It’s about two pages long, and as you read it, the only question is whether you want sand in your Vaseline?
The JETS are shooting themselves in the foot if they institute PSLs. Most of their fans are young and will be unwilling to fork out the outrageous sums they will want per seat. I am older and see this as a lousy investment. So I will pass on PSLs and watch the JETS on my new Samsung in the comfort of my own home. And if they play lousy, i can turn the game off and think about all the money I will be saving.
We still have the 2008 and 2009 seasons to let Woody know from the stands that PSLs “SUCK.”
BubbyBrister- i still havent gotten it so maybe i should feel lucky.. there is nothing important in there right? this whole situation is gonna be ridiculous.
Looks like I will be chanting… J E T S – Jets – Jets – Jets from my home with NEW 60″ HD TV that I will buy.
NO WAY am I paying $5,000 for a seat licensing fee and then $1,650+ per year per seat and god knows how much for parking, gas and a beer! Family financial priorities must come first!
How will the actual owners of these seats pay this per seat fee? Many seats are split among friends under one name. If you’re in this sharing situation don’t pay a fee unless your name becomes the official owner with the Jets for that seat.
I have been a season ticket holder in section 121 (5 seat group) since 1978.
TOO BAD the Jets will lose all the all their Loud Hard Core Fans at the games. Maybe our homes could be wired for sound during games and pumped into the stadium via internet. Without us that stadium will be dead quite!
I am going to miss being at the games it was a magical experience at times and I will remember all the great moments. Also, all the “here we go again moments”.
Two seasons remain for me and maybe they could bring home a Superbowl for their long-time fans before the Corporations get our seats.
Go Jets in 2008 and 2009!
The majority of current Jets fans will be priced out. The only way this is feasible is if corporate entities fill their shoes. Corporate entities don’t go to football games in November when the Jets are 3-7. Thus, when the Jets are competitive, tickets will not be available. When the Jets are out of it, tickets will be available for a song.
This is a copy of what I sent to the Jets. Just thought I would share.
Dear NY Jets:
I have been on the Jets Season ticket list for over 11 years, and I am finally in the position to recieve my season tickets, and now you are considering these PSLs, which will make it unaffordable for hard working people like myself who are the truest of Jet fans. The money numbers listed on your survey are outlandish, and I very much resent this as a true Jet fan. Football wasn’t meant to be a sport for only the wealthy to watch in person. If you are seriously considering doing this, I think you should also consider bringing down the cost considerably. Sincerely, John M. Fitzpatrick, an unhappy fan.
The JETS only have 10,500 on their wait list. The Giants 133,000. I think the JETS would be committing suicide by charging PSLs for all seats. They will be playing games to a half empty stadium. What I think they should do, is not charge PSLs for any seats. However, they will probably charge a PSL for seats between the 30 yard lines in the lower deck. Not ideal, but understandable.
You can yell at your flat screen until you’re blue in the face but it’s not going to help your defense one bit…
YOU FANS SHOULD PROTEST IT!!!
DON”T JUST SIT BY! THIS is highway robbery and a terrible way to reward years and years of fan loyalty.
Why not write letters, picket, do something??????
As a season ticket holder since the days of Shea Stadium I would like to thank the jets for the PSL’s. They made me realize after I was told my 4 tickets would cost $80,000 that driving to New Jersey just isn’t worth it anymore. The Stadium and the Jets should be in Queens and Woody you made your team corporate congratulations. I would like to ask you what you think a team that hasn’t won since 1969 should charge fans for the rights to buy tickets to a 500 team at best. If you say $20,000 per ticket I would advise everyone on earth to pull their money out of Johnson and Johnson.