MHSM: Flirting with Disaster

[Hercules Rockefeller]

The Broncos are just the latest team that to risk biting the hand that feeds them
by James Merillatt

My family has had Broncos season tickets since 1968, five years before I was born. Thanks to this foresight, I’ve been fortunate enough to attend almost every home game since I was six years old. Broncos games are a family tradition, creating a colorful collection of cherished memories with my grandpas, grandmas, mom, dad, brother, cousins and friends. As a family, we plan our fall social calendar around the home schedule.

That’s why yesterday’s conversation was all the more distressing. Facing a 10 percent increase in our ticket prices, my brother, dad and I actually talked about not renewing our season tickets. We debated whether we wanted to spend more than $1,500 each to extend a family tradition into its 40th season.

Like a lot of fans, our family is getting priced out of the stadium. Our tickets have increased 67 percent since the Broncos moved into INVESCO Field at Mile High, jumping from $46 in 2000 to $77 in 2007.

I hate to categorize this increase as “gouging the customer,” but to put this rate of increase into perspective, compare it to the one industry that most consumers universally believe is pillaging America’s collective pocketbook. The week the Broncos hosted the San Francisco 49ers in the final game at Mile High Stadium, the average price for a gallon of gasoline in the U.S. was $1.60. This week, it’s $2.38. That’s a 49 percent increase, a relative bargain compared to the spike in Broncos tickets.

It’s easy to blame team owner Pat Bowlen for this jump in prices. The knee-jerk reaction is to always deem the rich guy as “greedy.” But to be fair, the man is running a business. The whole idea is to generate as much revenue as possible. So if people are willing to pay 67 percent more for your product than they did seven years ago, for the pleasure of watching the Broncos go 4-4 at home, economists would suggest that only a fool would not capitalize on that situation.

But a pragmatist would make a different argument. In the quest for a short-term boost in income, the Broncos (and other sports teams) are driving away the fan base that helps them generate millions of dollars in annual revenue.

More and more, pro football games are becoming nothing more than a corporate event. Yesterday’s Super Bowl was the prime example, as tickets with a face value of $600 (going for thousands on the open market) have made it cost-prohibitive for anyone not sporting a platinum Amex to afford a couple ducats.

The same thing has been happening at INVESCO Field. Critics of the new stadium blame it for the loss of Mile High Magic. In reality, the change in atmosphere has more to do with the fact that long-time fans, the diehards, have been priced out of the building.

That is why the stadium is filled with 10,000 people – or more, when a popular team is in town – wearing the visiting colors every Sunday. That is why there are thousands of no-shows when the weather is bad. That is why the stadium is one-third empty for the first six minutes of the third quarter. The fans that will show up ran or shine, no matter the opponent, can no longer afford to do so.

The long-term impact of this goes well beyond the atmosphere in the stadium. By pricing their product at a level that makes it affordable only to a more affluent audience, the Broncos are forcing their most passionate fans to watch from home.

And the situation is only going to get worse. In years past, fans have found a way to justify the money for tickets, myself included. But as the in-stadium experience decreases (30-minute bathroom lines in a brand new facility), while watching from home gets better and better (high-definition TV), this is going to be more and more difficult to do.

As a result, most games are going to begin looking a lot like the Super Bowl. Instead of the folks who bleed their team’s colors sitting in the stands, it will be guys like Jared from Subway. And that’s dangerous for the league. The people who the sport was built upon, the fans who provide the fabric to every great NFL Films show, will be watching from home, while a disinterested bunch of corporate bigwigs apathetically sit in the stands. You, me and your neighbor are gone, replaced by Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey and David Letterman.

So as the Broncos raise ticket prices yet again, I don’t bemoan the move for being greedy. It’s their right to make as much money as possible. But if they wake up one day and realize that they’ve run off all of their true supporters, they can’t say I didn’t warn them.

The bolded stuff I flat out don't agree with, and strikes me as nostalgia for Mile High where the same things were present.

I don't ever recall seeing approx. 10k opposing fans in Invesco, and my seats are in the nose bleeds where those people are put. It's pretty much a few thousand, the same as it was in Mile High. The only game I thought was abnormally high was the AFCC last year, and even then there were not 10k Steelers fans. There were tons of no-shows at Mile High in adverse weather conditions, and the stadium was pretty damn full this year when the weather sucked for that time of year for pretty much every home game.

1/3 of Mile High was empty for the first few minutes after halftime, just like it is in probably every NFL stadium and was in the 4 other NFL stadiums I've been to in the past few years.

I'd also love to know where his seats are if there are 30-minute lines for the bathroom. I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes at halftime, and am almost always able to make it to the bathroom and back during a TV timeout and not miss a play.

I also never like the insinuation that those who can afford price increases are somehow not true fans.

[shakenbake]

Tell him not to re-new, and I will just move that much further up the waiting list.

[shakenbake]

As long as people are waiting to get tickets you will see prices go up. Thats just the way it works.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

I also never like the insinuation that those who can afford price increases are somehow not true fans.He's saying the game is being viewed by corporate America now when it used to be Joe and Bill down the street... and he's right.

[RhymesayersDU]

10K? Jesus, what an overstatement. Granted, I can count my trips to Invesco on 2 hands, so I'm not that experienced, but I have never seen anything even remotely close to "10,000 rival fans" in Invesco.

[Tredici]

Not even the women's bathrooms have those kind of waiting lines at the new facility.

Now the tamale stands.....

[ZachKC]

I remember being shocked at the amount of Chiefs fans when I made the trip to Denver but 10k? I would be surprised.

[Rohirrim]

He's spoiled. When I lived in L.A., I would sometimes go to the L.A. Colisseum to catch a Broncos/Raiders game. Fans would generally trickle in sometime during the first quarter. Every team logo of every sport in the U.S. was in evidence. There was no such thing as home field advantage for the Faders. You could be sitting in front of a row of Chicago Bears fans and behind a row of Niners fans. Regardless of what was happening on the field, the wave might break out. It could be a momentum changing third down conversion and here comes the wave. Then, sometime in the fourth quarter, regardless of what was going on down on the field, people would start for the exits. Broncos fans got it good. Believe me.

[Bronx33]

Sounds like they are searching for an excuse to drop their season tickets and manufacturing excuses on top of that, when you start doing that shyt (just let em go)

[SureShot]

I hope he doesn't renew his tickets.

[ak1971]

they just need to get rid of the individual urinals in the mens bathrooms and bring back the old school group toilets, and everything would be fine.

[dumpy]

The men's bathroom in the 500 level is ridiculous. The lines are huge at halftime (I guess I have tickets in a section with a bunch of drunks). they started putting a security guard at the exit of the men's bathroom during halftime so people wouldn't sneak through the exit door. Urnials instead of troughs was a stupid idea. Just get me in and get me out. They need to go to the Air Force Academy stadium and design the bathrooms like that.

[400HZ]

I wish Qualcomm had the same "problems" as Invesco.

[Bronx33]

Or we could do like they do in oakland and pee at your seats.

[ak1971]

Or we could do like they do in oakland and pee at your seats.

I think I have seen you do just that ROFL!

[TheDave]

As long as people are waiting to get tickets you will see prices go up. Thats just the way it works.

Lock the thread... Discussion over :strong:

[dumpy]

This could be an answer to our problems

http://www.stadiumpal.com/what-makes-it-work.htm

[SureShot]

18541

[Kaylore]

Tell him not to re-new, and I will just move that much further up the waiting list.

Yeah. The team has a 13 year waiting list, so I don't think Bowlen is worried about finding buyers.

And all that other stuff they said is crap. The stadium is finally getting near how loud it was at Mile High and coaches are on record saying that that is loader than places like Arrowhead. I have NEVER had to wait more than seven minutes to use the restroom at Invesco. And every game we played this year, with the exception of the Rams game, went down to the wire so no one was ever leaving in the third quarter. Last year we were undefeated at home, so I don't know what this guy is talking about really.

[Kaylore]

This could be an answer to our problems

http://www.stadiumpal.com/what-makes-it-work.htm

I'd be tempted to use that all day, every day. :~ohyah!:

[cabronco]

I wish Qualcomm had the same "problems" as Invesco.

Ya thats for sure, the women were coming out of the restrooms high fiving each other because they had minimal wait time compared to the mens that took 1/2 quarter.

[watermock]

His comments are perfectly valid and echo what I have said.

some people actually see what is happening...other morons say it's the "Stadium's Fault" That isn't the problem. Joe 6 pack is priced out.

Inflation of prices shouldn't be keyed to the NFLPA contract or media costs.

Watching prices rise 10x the rate of inflation is absurd...Denver paid for most of that stadium, and other cities have paid all.

Not only are they raping taxpayers, but ticketholders, and it's all fine with the NFL. ..If they want to run even double the inflation rate, fine...the fact is, they are running quadruple the inflation rate. And people are so ignorant to know that it's a whine and cheese crowd as the reason the stadium is quiet, not the loss of people that cheered their guts out.

I can't believe how some things can be right in front of people's eyes and not get it.

Do we really need 140 million dollar contracts and 8 dollar beers, strip searches at the entrance?

Meanwhile, NFRL Network is like a tick of the consumer...Meck 77 alwready swor off his tailgating spot...that takes alot. The NFL is so out of control it's insane...120 million next year in cap? I remember when Canseco turned heads for 3 million over several years....how a washed up Barroid signs for 15 mill per after being a wuss and everything is find here?

Here is the stone cold fact...they will keep on raising prices till the stadiums dont fill...at the end,,,it will be all whine and cheese. Watch.

[BABronco]

His comments are perfectly valid and echo what I have said.

some people actually see what is happening...other morons say it's the "Stadium's Fault" That isn't the problem. Joe 6 pack is priced out.

Inflation of prices shouldn't be keyed to the NFLPA contract or media costs.

Watching prices rise 10x the rate of inflation is absurd...Denver paid for most of that stadium, and other cities have paid all.

Not only are they raping taxpayers, but ticketholders, and it's all fine with the NFL. ..If they want to run even double the inflation rate, fine...the fact is, they are running quadruple the inflation rate. And people are so ignorant to know that it's a whine and cheese crowd as the reason the stadium is quiet, not the loss of people that cheered their guts out.

I can't believe how some things can be right in front of people's eyes and not get it.

Do we really need 140 million dollar contracts and 8 dollar beers, strip searches at the entrance?

Meanwhile, NFRL Network is like a tick of the consumer...Meck 77 alwready swor off his tailgating spot...that takes alot. The NFL is so out of control it's insane...120 million next year in cap? I remember when Canseco turned heads for 3 million over several years....how a washed up Barroid signs for 15 mill per after being a wuss and everything is find here?

Here is the stone cold fact...they will keep on raising prices till the stadiums dont fill...at the end,,,it will be all whine and cheese. Watch.

Apparently mock isnt drunk yet. I actually agree with what you said.

[CSU Husker]

The men's bathroom in the 500 level is ridiculous. The lines are huge at halftime (I guess I have tickets in a section with a bunch of drunks). they started putting a security guard at the exit of the men's bathroom during halftime so people wouldn't sneak through the exit door. Urnials instead of troughs was a stupid idea. Just get me in and get me out. They need to go to the Air Force Academy stadium and design the bathrooms like that.

They totally over compensated for women on the fifth level. Nothing like standing in a line of 30 people to get in to the mens bathroom while there is no line at the womens bathroom next door.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Damn. I must be near the only 500-level men's room with no line, that or my seats are so close to the section exit that I can beat everyone down there.

[Meck77]

Meanwhile The Duke is cashing in with his Colorado Crush team. I know plenty of folks here have knocked arena football without ever going to a game but you would be suprised how many EX Broncos fans there are at those games. I've been to a couple dozen crush games and tailgated at many of them. There are alot of Broncos fans who have turned their back due to the pricing and other factors. There is always a new generation of Broncos fans but it's the heart and soul of the crowd like the family above that are being pushed away.

That same family could easily afford the best parking/50 yard line seats/all the beer/food/gear for kids they could want just 1/2 mile away at Pepsi center.

Got to hand it to Elway he is a solid businessman. Not to say Bowlen isn't. There is the demand at his stadium also and a huge waiting list to get in.

Like someone said earlier. Demand far outweighs the supply. That is the bottom line.

Until the waiting list goes away or the Broncos put a couple of poor seasons together I'd expect tix prices to continue to climb and more and more die hard fans who can't afford tix turn to alternative entertaiment.

Well I guess that is the beauty of Direct TV/or tailgating. You can always chill at home or watch the game in the parking lot. I see the parking lot viewing becoming more and more popular in the future at the current trend.

[Mountain Bronco]

His comments were right on. Also, last years AFC championship they estimated that over 20k Steelers fans attended. I was there and fully believe that number (if anything it was low it looked like a thrid of the stadium was Black and Gold).

Then you have club level, which is a joke if you want to actually watch the game. People are there to socialize in club level and half of the time they spend inside. Do that in a swanky bar, not at the game. The ownership has to make money that is why its called a bisiness, but it dilutes the true football experience. Doesn't mean it will ever change though. We are all slaves to the allmighty dollar.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

He's saying the game is being viewed by corporate America now when it used to be Joe and Bill down the street... and he's right.

No, he's wrong. Maybe in the club seats it's more corporate than at Mile High, but it's not in the rest of the stadium. Don't really see many suits coming into the stadium, or people dressed like they are there for a social event.

And yes, there is the insinuation that the people who go now are not real fans like the ones in the past. It is always there in any article about how the MHM is gone or the atmosphere has changed.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

His comments were right on. Also, last years AFC championship they estimated that over 20k Steelers fans attended. I was there and fully believe that number (if anything it was low it looked like a thrid of the stadium was Black and Gold).


So was I, and there was no where close to 1/3 of the stadium being black and gold.

http://sportsline.com/nfl/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20060122_PIT@DEN

An estimated 8,000 came to Denver and they stayed well after the game, waving their Terrible Towels in the corner of Denver's Invesco Field until security finally had to ask them to leave.

[shakenbake]

First of all if your biggest complaint about going to a game is the long wait at the bathroom, then just stay home. Secondly, there are alot of so called "true-fans" who have been long time season ticket holders that are willing to sell thier tickets because of the price people are willing to pay. Some of these "true fans" don't care wether you are a Bronco fan or a rival fan, they are just looking to make a buck. Those are the people everyone should be pissed at, not Bowlen for looking at his 13 year waiting list and thinking he could bring a little more money. At least Bowlen is willing to spend the money he brings in. You will never see the Broncos at 40 million under the cap as long as he is in town. There are alot of people on that waiting list who are willing and ready to go to Broncos games and cheer thier guts out. You could make the arguement that the "older fans" are the ones that aren't cheering as loud. They may no longer have the stanima to stand up all game, and would prefer you sit down so they can watch.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

No, he's wrong. Maybe in the club seats it's more corporate than at Mile High, but it's not in the rest of the stadium. Don't really see many suits coming into the stadium, or people dressed like they are there for a social event.

And yes, there is the insinuation that the people who go now are not real fans like the ones in the past. It is always there in any article about how the MHM is gone or the atmosphere has changed.You might not see many "suits" in attendance but the suits are more and more, buying these tickets and giving them away as perks as people are getting strapped trying to hold onto their tickets.

[shakenbake]

You might not see many "suits" in attendance but the suits are more and more, buying these tickets and giving them away as perks as people are getting strapped trying to hold onto their tickets.

Maybe in the Club level, but no suit is sitting on the waitlist for 13 years to give thier clients a ticket. Those people who are "strapped" trying to hold on to thier tickets often times will turn around and sell the seats to the highest bidder. They don't care if its a rival fan or not, they are just looking to make some money off thier seats. Rarely, you will find one that will sell to a Broncos fan and charge less money. Most of the time they are willing to gouge whom ever is willing to pay the most.

[Natedogg]

I agree with the writer and Mock. I understand supply and demand. I'd be curious to see what Pittsburgh's ticket prices are like.

[Kaylore]

Meanwhile The Duke is cashing in with his Colorado Crush team. I know plenty of folks here have knocked arena football without ever going to a game

Yeah that really surprises me. But then there are people on this thread saying they agree with the original quote who have never gone to a game at Invesco. I think this guy is overstating things. He complains about it being too crowded and then complains that people are going to stop coming to games.

Until the waiting list goes away or the Broncos put a couple of poor seasons together I'd expect tix prices to continue to climb
That's what it's really about. The team has some playmakers and there is excitement over Cutler. If the demand is there, prices will increase until equilibrium is established.

Well I guess that is the beauty of Direct TV/or tailgating. You can always chill at home or watch the game in the parking lot. I see the parking lot viewing becoming more and more popular in the future at the current trend.

I will usually not go to a football game unless I can get lower bowl seats. The picture and commentary is actually better at home. You see close-ups and and always have a pretty good view of what's going on.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

I will usually not go to a football game unless I can get lower bowl seats. The picture and commentary is actually better at home. You see close-ups and and always have a pretty good view of what's going on.There it is, like i said, people (hard core fans, families, etc...) are getting priced out of the game. They put their tickets out their for sale and a lot of corporations buy up these season tickets and use them as perks for business deals, etc...

Paying premium prices for less than optimum seats doesn't work for more and more fans these days.

[broncosteven]

Yeah that really surprises me. But then there are people on this thread saying they agree with the original quote who have never gone to a game at Invesco. I think this guy is overstating things. He complains about it being too crowded and then complains that people are going to stop coming to games.

That's what it's really about. The team has some playmakers and there is excitement over Cutler. If the demand is there, prices will increase until equilibrium is established.



I will usually not go to a football game unless I can get lower bowl seats. The picture and commentary is actually better at home. You see close-ups and and always have a pretty good view of what's going on.


I sit in 500 at the 40 on north east side faceing west. You can see everything. They guy I get them from is very cool.

Sat in old MH with my dad on 50 about 25 rows back when they clinched Homefiled vs Seahags in 96. That was a nice seat.

Would like to try club level, I prefer to be higher. I had my CFO's Bear tickets on 50 30 rows back in Chi but had trouble seeing through TO's head when they played Egirls last year. This year I had Cadilac seats in club level & could see all action.

[Natedogg]

Just for the record I go to about two games a year. Last time I was in Mile High, my little bro and I sat in literally in the most distant seats on the feild (still paid a fortune for them) and love it.

Actually, come to think of it, two seasons ago we got visitor return half-price tickets. That was a treat!