Bucs raise prices on all tickets
By RICK STROUD
Published February 17, 2006
TAMPA - It is a streak fans probably wish the Bucs would break.
The team announced ticket prices will increase for the fourth consecutive season and sixth time in eight seasons. The new prices represent an increase of between $1 and $6 per ticket, depending on seat location.
Tickets will now cost $74, $69, $65, $56, $55, $41, $40 and $30. In announcing the increase Thursday, the Bucs said their $30 general seat ticket is still among the lowest in the league and 21 teams had tickets that exceeded $74.
Club seat prices will be adjusted to reflect the terms of those contracts.
"We want our fans to continue to be able to experience the very best product in the NFL," said Eric Land, the Bucs' chief operating officer.
"And to do that, we work hard at trying to control expenses. But the ebb and flow of the economy affects football the way it does every business. Our business is like any other in that it is inflation sensitive."
Increased ticket prices have become almost an accepted rite of spring for Bucs fans, who will receive their season-ticket invoices in the mail this week.
After winning the Super Bowl in January 2003, Bucs tickets rose about $5 to an average of $49.78. In 2004, on the heels of a 7-9 season, ticket prices climbed about $10 to an average of $59.38. After a 5-11 record, the team spiked prices $2 to $5 per ticket.
This increase comes after an 11-5 record, division title and playoff appearance.
If Bucs fans were frustrated, they weren't expressing it. Jeffrey Neil Fox, publisher of the Pewter Report and owner of Authentic Team Merchandise, also known as Buccaneer Heaven, said he had not heard any complaints.
"I don't think anybody likes things going up in price," he said.
"But with the success of the Bucs last season, that softens the blow big time. Nobody likes the high price of gas, either. But football is America's pastime."
One more possible reason for the increase is demand. The team says it has a season-ticket waiting list of more than 116,000.
Since Raymond James Stadium opened in 1998, all 67 regular-season and postseason games there have been sold out.
The Bucs host four playoff teams next season: Seattle, Carolina, Cincinnati and Washington.