Raiders Season Tickets Get More Expensive
Raider Fan Mark
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Oakland Tribune Online
Raiders season tickets get more expensive
March 22, 2002
By Robert Gammon
STAFF WRITER
OAKLAND -- In an attempt to offset the ever-rising public cost of
maintaining Network Associates Coliseum, East Bay officials Thursday voted
to increase fees on Oakland Raiders' season ticket holders.
The move by the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority came despite
assertions from the director of Raiders ticket sales that the $10 increase
on the annual $60 "maintenance fee" likely would anger fans and hinder the
sales of Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs).
As a result, the increase could be washed out by lost sales, or possibly
even generate more costs for taxpayers, argued Michael Re, director of the
Oakland Football Marketing Association, which handles PSL and season ticket
sales.
PSLs are the high-priced fees Raiders fans pay for the right to buy season
tickets. On top of PSLs and season tickets, PSL holders now must also pay a
$70-a-year maintenance fee.
Revenues from PSLs -- and to a lesser extent, the maintenance fee -- help
pay off the growing public debt owed on the Coliseum complex as part of the
deal that brought the Raiders back from Los Angeles in 1995.
That ill-fated deal, which included a costly expansion of the Coliseum, has
contributed heavily to a public subsidy expected to reach $130 million by
June 30.
"In 1998, 850 people forfeited PSLs," said Re, referring to the last -- and
only -- time the Coliseum authority raised the maintenance fee. It went from
$50 to $60
"I am concerned that the potential revenue from a seat maintenance fee
increase would be more than offset by the lost revenues from those
forfeitures," Re added in a letter to the authority's chief executive.
But Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente (Fruitvale-San
Antonio), who is vice-chair of the authority, downplayed Re's argument,
saying PSL sales depend more on the Raiders' performance than on fee
increases that amount to a little more than $1 per game, per ticket.
"The reason why so many people canceled their PSLs in 1998 is because the
team was lousy," De La Fuente said after the authority meeting. "And we've
sold more PSLs in the last few years because the team is so much better."
Re told the authority that the number of PSL holders stands at just above
29,000, an increase of about 1,500 since the beginning of the 2000 season.
After a long drought, the Raiders made the playoffs in each of the past two
years.
The maintenance-fee increase could turn into a double hit for Raiders fans
because the team is thinking about raising ticket prices for the first time
since 1995. Back then, Raiders tickets were among the most expensive in the
National Football League, but that's no longer the case.
Raiders Executive Assistant Al LoCasale said Thursday afternoon that the
team had not yet finalized its decision on ticket prices. Re said he expects
to hear from the Raiders on the issue by today.
Some Raiders PSL holders, meanwhile, are perturbed about the higher
maintenance fees, noting that the money they've spent on PSLs -- which have
ranged from $150 to $4,000, depending on the location of the season ticket
in the Coliseum -- has financed much of the Coliseum expansion, which was
necessary to bring the Raiders home to Oakland.
"The bottom line is, I think we've paid enough," San Ramon resident Jim
Zelinksi said in a phone interview. Zelinski estimated he has spent more
than $20,000 on PSLs, tickets and fees since 1995.
"I think it's a huge mistake," added James Perrin of Oakland, saying he
believes PSL holders will be less likely to renew their PSLs when they
expire in 2006.
The debate over maintenance fees came during a nearly three-hour authority
meeting. Much of the more heated discussions centered on ways to lessen the
financial impact on public coffers while not alienating Raiders fans.
For example, members of the authority -- an eight-person, joint city-county
panel -- were upset to learn that taxpayers are paying $400,000 to $500,000
a year in fees banks charge on PSLs and Raiders tickets purchased by credit
card.
"I'm not interested in having someone who lives in Livermore, who never
attended a Raiders game -- subsidizing Raiders games," said Scott Haggerty,
president of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and chair of the
authority.
Authority Chief Administrative Officer Thaxter Trafton recommended the city
and county pay the credit card fees on PSL sales, but not tickets. County
Auditor/Controller Pat O'Connell pointed out that the city and county
receive all PSL revenue, but the Raiders and the NFL share all ticket-sale
revenue.
Raymond Chester, a former Raiders player and member of the Oakland Football
Marketing Association (OFMA) board of directors, said the contract between
the Coliseum and the Raiders does not allow the city and county to pass
along credit card fees to the team.
The OFMA can't bear to pay those fees either because it has no income,
getting its funds from the city and county.
De La Fuente suggested the fees be paid by Raiders fans. But Re said such a
move is prohibited by banks, which require that people who use credit cards
pay no more than those who use checks or cash.
Haggerty and other authority members suggested that either:
All ticket sales be handed over to Tickets.com, which absorbs the cost of
credit card fees by sharing them equally among all ticket buyers regardless
of how they pay;
Or, the OFMA should stop taking credit cards.
Re warned that either move could hurt ticket sales, while banning credit
cards could be devastating to PSL sales. The authority decided to put off
the credit card issue until its next meeting in late April.
Before adjourning, however, the authority decided to penalize the OFMA for
not moving into the Coliseum complex after new offices there were completed
at taxpayers' expense.
The authority, which gets its funds equally from the city and county,
provides the OFMA with about $1 million annually. At the recommendation of
De La Fuente, the authority will now deduct from the $1 million the
difference between the amount the OFMA pays for renting space offsite and
the amount it would have cost the OFMA to operate inside the Coliseum
complex.
P. G.
you badly mistaken.
pg
Nick Christopoulos
oakland tries to burn the fans, and then wonder why they do not show up,
everyone is getting new stadiums, but what do we get< not jack, they screw
with the parking, now trying to charge us even more on tickets, all this is
going to do is force the raiders to move to someplace where the fans will
show up, If Al moves the team again, i would not be surprised. the people
running oakland is screwed up....
"Raider Fan Mark" <raider....@raiderfans.net> wrote in message
news:cdPm8.816$se.7...@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
Cuchulain Libby
"Nick Christopoulos" <picki...@prodigy.net> wrote
If Al moves the team again, i would not be surprised. the people
> running oakland is screwed up....
San Antonio has a 'decent' *paid for* stadium.
--
-Hound
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P. G.
stadiums. The "Con-dome" was not an NFL caliber stadium the day it was
completed. Think modern enemities. Think season ticket holders and income
of the local populace. Think corporate sponsorship. Think elsewhere.
They can't (or won't) get the Super Bowl in that building. The Spurs are
leaving that building. Red McCombs lives in San Antonio and he wouldn't
move his team (the Vikings) into that building. The reason? No corporate
backing in that city. When the only thing you have there is the
military/government complex and a few mom and pops, that does not lend well
to season ticket holders. It it the least prepared city in the US for the
Digital Age. There is little legal Big Money in San Antonio (although it is
one of the largest money laundering centers in the United States), not even
as much as there is in the split Bay Area.
Now if you were talking about Austin, then you would be on to something.
Alas, they don't have a stadium there either.
pg
"Cuchulain Libby" <cuchul...@satx.rr.com> wrote in message
news:pBmn8.68863$Vl.24...@typhoon.austin.rr.com...
Izzy
>You're kidding, of course. I think they're talking about "NFL caliber"
>stadiums. The "Con-dome" was not an NFL caliber stadium the day it was
>completed. Think modern enemities. Think season ticket holders and income
>of the local populace. Think corporate sponsorship. Think elsewhere.
>They can't (or won't) get the Super Bowl in that building. The Spurs are
>leaving that building. Red McCombs lives in San Antonio and he wouldn't
>move his team (the Vikings) into that building. The reason? No corporate
>backing in that city. When the only thing you have there is the
>military/government complex and a few mom and pops, that does not lend well
>to season ticket holders. It it the least prepared city in the US for the
>Digital Age. There is little legal Big Money in San Antonio (although it is
>one of the largest money laundering centers in the United States), not even
>as much as there is in the split Bay Area.
Great info PG.
>Now if you were talking about Austin, then you would be on to something.
>Alas, they don't have a stadium there either.
Austin rocks! A serious kick ass party town. NFL could do a stadium
deal with Unversity of Texas for a franchise and the Lonhorns.
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Raider Jeff
<<why does it seem that most cities do things to keep their team,
while oakland tries to burn the fans, and then wonder why they do not
show up, everyone is getting new stadiums, but what do we get< not jack,
they screw with the parking, now trying to charge us even more on
tickets, all this is going to do is force the raiders to move to
someplace where the fans will show up, If Al moves the team again, i
would not be surprised. the people running oakland is screwed up....>>
What do expect from Jerry Brown?
Raider Jeff
Izzy
Oakland sounds right, but the town ain't right. That truly sucks.
Nick Christopoulos
came back and jerry hasn't been here that long...
"Raider Jeff" <Madd...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:28376-3C9...@storefull-2273.public.lawson.webtv.net...
P. G.
"Izzy" <myha...@starstream.net> wrote in message
news:m4ms9u4velc92607h...@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 24 Mar 2002 16:46:06 GMT, "P. G." <p...@nospam.com> wrote:
>
> Great info PG.
>
I know this because I am going there tommorow. I am going to have to leave
the Bay Area for San Antonio on a permanent basis in 3 months, and I am
going there for a week to check the place out.
Actually, San Antonio is a very nice city. The people are friendly, for a
large city, it is larger than any city in the Bay Area. The cost of living
is far less expensive than the Bay Area, and there is something there for
everyone. The only misgivings I have about it is the lack of a electronic
infrastructure (and therefore, jobs) and the ^&#@ weather, it is hotter than
hell in the summer and frigid in the winter.
> >Now if you were talking about Austin, then you would be on to something.
> >Alas, they don't have a stadium there either.
>
> Austin rocks! A serious kick ass party town. NFL could do a stadium
> deal with Unversity of Texas for a franchise and the Lonhorns.
>
Austin does rule, the NFL could do worse.
pg
Andy Richardson
hot as the thermometer says. Must be that "dry heat" thing. On top of
that, I don't recall seeing a single bug -- no flies, ants, roaches,
nothing. And the Riverwalk area is a bit contrived, but still a fun place
to party. I give your move my blessing....
Andy
"P. G." <p...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:HDun8.107287$af7.58280@rwcrnsc53...
P. G.
"Andy Richardson" <aric...@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message
news:flvn8.286083$TV4.39...@typhoon.tampabay.rr.com...
> Been to San An during the summer, and I can tell you that it doesn't feel
as
> hot as the thermometer says. Must be that "dry heat" thing. On top of
> that, I don't recall seeing a single bug -- no flies, ants, roaches,
> nothing. And the Riverwalk area is a bit contrived, but still a fun place
> to party. I give your move my blessing....
>
> Andy
>
couple of times. It was 105 degrees, and the sun was melting it was so hot.
The humidity was astronomical, and that's more the exception than the rule.
By the time I left, a hurricane had struck and it was in the 40 degree
range. I lose my Raiders season tickets, which really makes it suck. Upon
leaving the Bay Area, at least I can see two professional basketball teams
on the court again.
Finally, I have a friend who wants to get WNBA season tickets, and I am
trying to find a way to get out of that one. Wow, that reaches beyond
horrible, I'd rather be blindfolded and have my eyeballs gouged out with a
hot fireplace poker than to have to watch that at all.
pg
Andy Richardson
talking heads on TV always say that the women's B-Ball game is better
because they are better passers, shooters, and team players. Bullshit!
When I watch women's basketball, I see nonstop shoving and elbowing. It's a
hell of a lot more based on physical dominance than the men's game. It just
sucks. And there's precious little cheescake factor, to boot.
Andy
"P. G." <p...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:Oewn8.105836$ZR2....@rwcrnsc52.ops.asp.att.net...
Gary DeWaay
> Ooh, WNBA.... That's pretty bad! Don't get me started on that one --
> talking heads on TV always say that the women's B-Ball game is better
> because they are better passers, shooters, and team players. Bullshit!
> When I watch women's basketball, I see nonstop shoving and elbowing. It's a
> hell of a lot more based on physical dominance than the men's game. It just
> sucks. And there's precious little cheescake factor, to boot.
>
It is amazing watching the major media(s) trying to shove womens
basketball down everyone's throat. Nobody watched the NBA when it
was slow people shooting set shots and layups, why do they think
anyone wants to watch it now 40 years later? Its hideous.
If they put one half the same effort and funds into promoting womens
volleyball, they might actually accomplish something (the ratings
would still be dismal, but better than womens basketball). To an
average fan, it looks indistinguishable from the mens game. You
can't tell the net is actually 8 inches lower on TV.
Mucho CHEESECAKE also!
Gary
P. G.
up for their fundamental skills with a lack of talent. We could get our own
ASFPOR b-ball team together and get taught the fundamentals. Then we could
play the Lakers and get our asses kicked (with or without Phil Jackson ).
NBA to the WNBA is like, well, Chivas to...Prestone.
Like Prestone, WNBA can make you go blind.
pg
"Andy Richardson" <aric...@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message
news:WAwn8.286319$TV4.39...@typhoon.tampabay.rr.com...
> Ooh, WNBA.... That's pretty bad! Don't get me started on that one --
> talking heads on TV always say that the women's B-Ball game is better
> because they are better passers, shooters, and team players. Bullshit!
> When I watch women's basketball, I see nonstop shoving and elbowing. It's
a
> hell of a lot more based on physical dominance than the men's game. It
just
> sucks. And there's precious little cheescake factor, to boot.
>
> Andy
>
Subic Sailor
> Been to San An during the summer, and I can tell you that it doesn't feel
as
> hot as the thermometer says. Must be that "dry heat" thing. On top of
> that, I don't recall seeing a single bug -- no flies, ants, roaches,
> nothing. And the Riverwalk area is a bit contrived, but still a fun place
> to party. I give your move my blessing....
The river walk BS is way touristy. OTOH, I don't know what the laws are,
but, I could see getting baked and checking it out with a lady friend. I
did. :)
I've still got the Planet Hollywood glasses to prove it, but only because
she wanted to.
The worst part is that you're in Texas. That's only a step up if you're
coming from some parts of the East Coast.
Our loss, their gain. :)
Gary DeWaay
> The only misgivings I have about it is the lack of a electronic
> infrastructure (and therefore, jobs) and the ^&#@ weather, it is hotter than
> hell in the summer and frigid in the winter.
>
Hey Red Frog and Nuk... he just said San Antonio is "frigid"... yuk
yuk.
Gary
Sup my bitches
Good luck Mark. You are going to need it.
Sup my bitches
Sup Ishmael? How's the mark the Pats left on your ass? Still stinging?
MArAuDeRrZ
Just like a Patriots fan to go right for the Ass...
MArAuDeRrZ
PS. Stop thinking about my Ass, FREAK !
Sup my bitches
news:20020328012102...@mb-bj.aol.com:
>>Sup Ishmael? How's the mark the Pats left on your ass? Still stinging?
>
> Just like a Patriots fan to go right for the Ass...
Where else do you put a branding iron? "Property of the Patriots" has a
ring to it, no?
DBLCUTAWAY
>
>PS. Stop thinking about my Ass, FREAK !
He's confused.....he thinks he's at alt.rec.buttsex
DBLCUTAWAY
Subic Sailor
"MArAuDeRrZ" <marau...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020328012102...@mb-bj.aol.com...
> >Sup Ishmael? How's the mark the Pats left on your ass? Still stinging?
>
> Just like a Patriots fan to go right for the Ass...
He wasn't expecting to get called on it. He was looking for Walt Coleman.
Subic Sailor
"Sup my bitches" <n...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:Xns91DEE5E4F...@66.75.162.196...
> marau...@aol.com (MArAuDeRrZ) wrote in
> news:20020328012102...@mb-bj.aol.com:
>
> >>Sup Ishmael? How's the mark the Pats left on your ass? Still stinging?
> >
> > Just like a Patriots fan to go right for the Ass...
>
> Where else do you put a branding iron?
The real question is where else did you put the branding iron? Why did it
smell like shit when you placed it in the coals?
"Property of the Patriots" has a
> ring to it, no?
Only one!
--
Subic Sailor
--
change '.nut' to '.net' to email me
The Truth
news:v3Eo8.7164$Va.4...@news2.west.cox.net:
>
> "Sup my bitches" <n...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns91DEE5E4F...@66.75.162.196...
>> marau...@aol.com (MArAuDeRrZ) wrote in
>> news:20020328012102...@mb-bj.aol.com:
>>
>> >>Sup Ishmael? How's the mark the Pats left on your ass? Still
>> >>stinging?
>> >
>> > Just like a Patriots fan to go right for the Ass...
>>
>> Where else do you put a branding iron?
>
> The real question is where else did you put the branding iron? Why did
> it smell like shit when you placed it in the coals?
Well, It might just be that you raider fans are still covered in crap from
the Pats game when you all collectively shit yourselves.
> "Property of the Patriots" has a
>> ring to it, no?
>
> Only one!
And a fresh one to boot!
The Truth
news:20020328015426...@mb-fk.aol.com:
> Boring
But true anyway.
Cuchulain Libby
sales tax hike and it was obsolete the day they turned the lights on.
TRUE STORY:
I was there for the Garth Brooks '7' concert, seated in the part where
luxo-boxers can meld with the masses. The acoustics were better in the
fucking bathroom. Really.
Went to a CFL game and sat high in the first level. It was like a bad
hockey game. Couldn't watch the arc of the kicked ball and no view of the
near sideline. For the Spurs? I sat 'ringside' in the end zone ie the long
baseline. 50 feet away from the sideline. The press had the floor stuff. For
you Foxnet watchers, this would be opposite the big blue curtain. There is
good news though; I'll have the privilege of paying to see a bunch of
no-names trying to make the Cowgirls next season.
But it's paid for <sigh>
--
-Hound
@satx.rr.com
"P. G." <p...@nospam.com> wrote in message
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