Lakers Fans Buy Too Much Stuff

by Jeff Clark on Nov 7, 2007 7:48 AM EST in NBA Articles

The Associated Press came out with a story that says that a family of four attending a Lakers game pays $453.95. Outrageous right? We should now all wring our hands and lament the fate of blue collar fans everywhere. But wait a second, lets read the fine print:

The Fan Cost Index is based on four average-price tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four regular-size hot dogs, parking for one car, two game programs and two least-expensive, adult-size adjustable caps.

When is the last time someone bought all that stuff at a game? Am I the only one that thinks that's a little over the top? Maybe I'm cheap, but I always like to eat out before the game, never buy the programs, and if I were to buy a couple of hats I'd never think of doing so at the venue itself. Personally, I think the cost index should stick to average ticket prices.

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yikes! I think this pricing must be geared towards people who only afford to go to one game a year. It’s an average of $89.24/ticket, so that works out to $357.72 for the tickets alone, which is still pretty expensive.

by FrieCod on Nov 23, 2007 6:24 PM EST reply actions

I don’t object to the inclusion of other products beyond the tickets in the Fan Cost Index. To base the analysis solely on ticket prices is, in my opinion, faulty logic for two reasons. First, who is to say that a team’s owners won’t charge slightly less for tickets knowing that they can make the price back on concessions and parking? It’s not a terrible idea, since most people write those things off as non-important costs in the greater scheme of things. Second, and perhaps more importantly, it’s unrealistic to suggest that the average person/family who goes to an NBA game is going to pay for the tickets and nothing else. Mind you, I have the same mindset as you do, Jeff, but most people just don’t think of this that way, especially those who bring small children to games.

Nevertheless, I agree with you argument that the Index includes too much stuff. If I wanted to be more accurate, I’d probably break it down as four average-price tickets, two small draft beers, TWO small soft drinks, four hot dogs, parking for one car, and ONE program. That presumes that each person in that family has one ticket, one drink, and one piece of food, and that they share a car and a program. That, in my opinion, is a more reasonable approximation of what the average person is going to spend at a game.

by BUTerrier on Dec 6, 2007 3:49 PM EST reply actions