Mark Murphy contrasts the current ownership group with Thanksdad Gaston.
In comparison, current Celtics ownership has gone on a spree. As a result of Tuesday’s trade for Kevin Garnett and the three-year extension that will pay the 10-time All-Star $60 million after he earns $46 million over the next two seasons, the Celtics will pay at least $6 million in luxury taxes on a payroll that currently stands at $69,446,087 - fourth highest in the NBA
Believe it or not, there are no plans for a ticket price increase (yet):
For the moment, anyway, management doesn’t intend to make its brimming base of season ticket-holders help float Garnett’s deal in the form of a price increase.
"Ticket demand is through the roof, which is one thing that will help. And then there are the playoffs, and more revenue comes that way. But this was a basketball decision."
Though it would be a stretch to say that Garnett could almost pay for himself by virtue of greater ticket sales, playoff revenue and increased merchandising, there is more of a financially secure feeling on Causeway Street these days.
I saw it reported elsewhere that the C's sold $2M in tickets before the trade even was made official. (Do I get a commission on that for sorta-breaking the story early?)
Glad to see the ownership willing to open the wallet. If you want, you can go buy a jersey or two to keep them motivated to do it more.