Yes, there are still people that purchase season tickets for the Sixers. One of them is our own staff writer, Curt Jenkins. People still believe in this team and will throw their money to the box office for a seasons worth of games. If I had the money and wouldn’t have an hour drive on top of the ridiculous bridge toll to get in Philadelphia, I would probably join these crazy folk. Why? Because we love our team, that’s why.
One thing I can’t get on board with is the Sixers raising ticket prices because of the promise of future stars. Hold that off until these future stars actually start playing. I’ve been critical of the marketing of the Sixers before, because there are other teams in the NBA that have much lower price range for tickets and have really good giveaways for tickets that don’t cost that much money.
Just take a gander at the Milwaukee Bucks ticket promotion page. The Bucks are the sixth seed in the East, a freaking playoff team. Even though they were the worst team in the NBA last season, the Bucks have rebounded yet still offer ticket packages that are better than the Sixers. Things like $10 student tickets from the Bucks are better than what the Sixers offer (the Sixers just started a student rush that has $25 tickets for lower level and $15 for upper level). Milwaukee even offers free tickets to a game if you buy tickets to a “marquee” game against a squad like Golden State, Cleveland, etc. I might reconsider buying expensive tickets to see the Warriors, but if I get free tickets? Sign me up. Remember, the Bucks are a playoff team.
Sure, I understand the Sixers are in a larger market than Milwaukee, but no one is coming to the games if the Sixers aren’t good. Look at the Wells Fargo Center on any given night and you’ll see about 10 people in the stands.
/rantover
Anyways, back to the original point. With the Sixers current “plan” not being fully unveiled for the next three years or so, the Sixers have emailed season ticket holders to let them know they will not raise ticket prices for season ticket holders if they purchase another season ticket package by April 15, 2015.
The full e-mail can be read below, with the important part in bold (via CBS Philly):
"“As we continue down that path, the growth of our players, the culture we’re establishing and the progress we’ve made this year is tangible and real, providing us with a glimpse of what is yet to come.“During the past two NBA Drafts, we’ve seen Sam Hinkie’s eye for talent start to materialize through his four first-round selections. The league’s coaches recognized reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel as being among the best young players in the NBA when they were selected to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend. Joel Embiid – the consensus top prospect in the 2014 NBA Draft – continues to progress with our coaching staff in preparation for his NBA debut, showing them he is everything and more than the hype that had the basketball world in a pre-draft frenzy. And then there is 19 year-old point forward, Dario Saric, who was named the FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year, the second consecutive season he has earned the award. He was also named the Euroleague Player of the Month in November, becoming the youngest player to ever earn that honor. And, of course, the two first-round picks in the 2015 NBA Draft have us even more excited and encouraged as the draft class is starting to get real attention. The plan is working.“Everyone in our organization – from co-Managing Owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer to our interns – lives, embodies and believes in this plan and appreciates your commitment to being a part of this. We want to recognize and reward your dedication and support with two years of loyalty pricing as a thank you for this past year and the growing pains that come with a tear down and building of a foundation.“Quite simply, the price of your 2014-15 season tickets will remain unchanged for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons if you renew by April 15, 2015._____, you will be receiving your renewal information the week of February 16th and Junior Moyo is here to guide you through every step of the process. In the meantime, if you have any questions please reach out to them at (215) 558-2765 or juniormoyo@sixers.com.“The future of Sixers basketball starts now and we’re excited you will be a part of it.”"
This is smart, because if the plan works out how it should, ticket prices will most likely be jacked starting in the 2016-17 season. Season ticket holders, the choice is yours.
(h/t Crossing Broad)