MLB and Washington Nationals officials fret over slow sales
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JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
In the D.C. area there is concern that there's (in the words of the TV reporters that just mentioned it) a bit of a sophomore slump for the Washington Nationals when it comes to sales -- sales of tickets and sales of merchandise as well.
In the last week, I've heard ads multiple times during Nats broadcasts telling listeners that there are plenty of tickets left for the Nats home opener tomorrow (April 11, 2006). As it turns out, I got tickets for the game some time back (the day they went on sale for non-season plan buyers), but one thing I was aware of as I made the purchase of those tickets is that the fine people that own and run the Nats had opted to put a premium on ticket prices for several of the games this season, including, but not limited to, Opening Day, the series against the Orioles, the Yankees, the Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs -- all games that were expected to be relatively easy sell outs, but instead are proving to be a bit sluggish for sales.
There is a bit of a slump for sure, as the novelty of having a team has worn out quickly. Now that the city council has finally gotten a deal that guarantees a stadium will be built, people are quickly getting past the novelty of the team and see it as something more permanent. With that in mind, some fans, like me, are a bit irritated at the idea of being charged extra for tickets for some games over others.
When it comes time to buy team paraphenelia, there's also the problem for the team in that most fans bought their hats, jerseys, shirts, stickers, and other items last season. With a room full of trinkets, why would I need more?
Finally, there's the problem for the team, like all teams this season it would seem, that with gasoline prices again cresting the $3.00 / gallon mark, that disposable income isn't what it used to be for most people. Where last year I had $$ available for several games, this year things are tighter as I get read to help ship my eldest off to his choice of institutions of higher learning, and as I work on paying for enough petroleum products to keep my vehicle ready to get me to and from work.
Given the amount of money that MLB rakes in, and the amount that I know they took in last season just from the Washington Nationals franchise (which was split between all owners), I'm much less worried about showing my support via ticket purchases than I am in just getting by. I still love my Nats, and I'll enjoy them as much as possible on the TV (thankfully I get MASN, as I'm a DirecTV customer and not a victim of Comcast and their fight vs. MASN and the hated Peter Angelos) and for as many games as I can buy spot tickets for, but it's gonna be a tight season for me money wise, and Nats tickets and merchandise are at the lower end of the list unless someone gives me a winning lottery ticket (I don't buy them, but I'll gladly take one if someone wants to give me a winner
)
In the last week, I've heard ads multiple times during Nats broadcasts telling listeners that there are plenty of tickets left for the Nats home opener tomorrow (April 11, 2006). As it turns out, I got tickets for the game some time back (the day they went on sale for non-season plan buyers), but one thing I was aware of as I made the purchase of those tickets is that the fine people that own and run the Nats had opted to put a premium on ticket prices for several of the games this season, including, but not limited to, Opening Day, the series against the Orioles, the Yankees, the Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs -- all games that were expected to be relatively easy sell outs, but instead are proving to be a bit sluggish for sales.
There is a bit of a slump for sure, as the novelty of having a team has worn out quickly. Now that the city council has finally gotten a deal that guarantees a stadium will be built, people are quickly getting past the novelty of the team and see it as something more permanent. With that in mind, some fans, like me, are a bit irritated at the idea of being charged extra for tickets for some games over others.
When it comes time to buy team paraphenelia, there's also the problem for the team in that most fans bought their hats, jerseys, shirts, stickers, and other items last season. With a room full of trinkets, why would I need more?
Finally, there's the problem for the team, like all teams this season it would seem, that with gasoline prices again cresting the $3.00 / gallon mark, that disposable income isn't what it used to be for most people. Where last year I had $$ available for several games, this year things are tighter as I get read to help ship my eldest off to his choice of institutions of higher learning, and as I work on paying for enough petroleum products to keep my vehicle ready to get me to and from work.
Given the amount of money that MLB rakes in, and the amount that I know they took in last season just from the Washington Nationals franchise (which was split between all owners), I'm much less worried about showing my support via ticket purchases than I am in just getting by. I still love my Nats, and I'll enjoy them as much as possible on the TV (thankfully I get MASN, as I'm a DirecTV customer and not a victim of Comcast and their fight vs. MASN and the hated Peter Angelos) and for as many games as I can buy spot tickets for, but it's gonna be a tight season for me money wise, and Nats tickets and merchandise are at the lower end of the list unless someone gives me a winning lottery ticket (I don't buy them, but I'll gladly take one if someone wants to give me a winner
)
