Comments on: In a town like Toronto…

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:32:29 +0000

Good reply PL. It really comes down to what other choices are available in the area and how the product (the team) is viewed by the market. In Winnipeg the Moose are the cream of the crop so they can demand a higher ticket price. In Toronto the Marlies are totally an after thought (more Leafs fans would consider a trip to Buffalo, especially to watch the Leafs, than going to a Marlies game for any price).

Ryan, along with the old supply and demand factor, there is the atmosphere as well. At Toronto Marlies games there is ZERO atmosphere because the arena is half empty (and I don’t know if lower ticket prices would help this, but it wouldn’t hurt trying). I’d rather go to a good Junior game with high intensity and kids fighting to prove themselves as potential NHL’ers with a good vocal crowd (in a smaller arena) then a rink that is half full.

With that said, I saw a Junior game in Edmonton a few months back at Rexall Place and because it was a TINY TINY crowd in a large rink the atmosphere was horrible and the game reflected it. There, similar to Toronto they are not the cream of the crop, but they are a hockey market and they are trying to sell their tickets at a premium price (not to mention $10 parking outside the rink).

It all comes down to the market, the competition as well as the product on the ice. (except the Leafs, crappy product yet they sell out every game).

By: Psycho Lady

Psycho Lady — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:34:34 +0000

…and I say that as someone who had season tickets for the Leafs, Marlies, and Majors all at the same time! :S

By: Psycho Lady

Psycho Lady — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:18:16 +0000

Why wouldn’t I make that comparison? Buffalo is an hour from us. Most people who couldn’t get Leafs tickets went that route instead of spending money on a lower level of hockey like the AHL. You pay that in Winnipeg because there is no competition. As Chris said, there are four hockey teams in the GTA, I’m not sure why we’d be expected to shell out money for all four teams just so we can “prove” we are “real” fans.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:12:08 +0000

Chris – Here in Winnipeg the AHL tix range in price from 22.50-42.50 and the team consistently draws 6,000-7,000 and was even up as high as 12,000 during last year’s playoff run. So the answer to your question of “who wants to spend that” is “alot of people” it just depends on your perspective.

PL – Holding up Buffalo’s pricing scheme as a comparison is a bit of a stretch, compare to comparable hockey markets like Chicago, Minnesota, Denver etc.

I don’t know enough about “true Toronto hockey fans” to wade into this debate, just wanted to make those two points.

By: Psycho Lady

Psycho Lady — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:00:20 +0000

Oh i KNOW! They used to make that argument that a “REAL” fan would pay the $57 they were originally charging (front row in Buffalo is $62 for SSHs). I said, “No, a real fan will pay $12 and go see the Majors.” Them, “That’s a different style of hockey.” Me, “OK, then they’ll travel 25 minutes down the 403 and pay $20 to see the Bulldogs.” Checkmate. I don’t think that it’s that the fans don’t care, it’s just, like you said, a total rip off!

And, GWMJ, the picture is a couple seasons old – i used to be blonde!