Broncos' ticket prices going up
Team official says they're 'in line' with marketplace
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published February 2, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.
Citing rising costs and the need to remain competitive both on and off the field in the NFL, the Broncos have raised ticket prices for the seventh time since winning Super Bowl XXXIII to close out the 1998 season.
The increases are from 3 percent to 10 percent, depending on the location of the seats. Letters were mailed to season-ticket holders Friday, notifying them of the increase.
"I never met a fan who enjoys a ticket price increase, we know that and are always cognizant of that," Broncos executive vice president of business operations Joe Ellis said. "But we do think our prices, competitively, are in line with the sports-entertainment marketplace, as well as the value that we've been able to deliver."
With the increase, the Broncos, according to figures they and other teams have compiled, are above the league's average ticket in the lower bowl of Invesco Field at Mile High, about on the average in the middle level and below the league's average in the stadium's upper level.
The Broncos finished 7-9 in 2007, only the second losing season of coach Mike Shanahan's tenure. Last month, owner Pat Bowlen said, "I can't remember a year when I was more disappointed, I suppose, in the team than this year."
Bowlen also promised, "I expect us to have a good offseason. I will be very surprised if we don't."
The seats in the corners of the upper bowl of Invesco Field had the lowest increase, going from $56 per seat per game to $58.
Seats on the sideline in the lower bowl will go from $100 to $110 per game, a 10 percent increase, while seats in the lower bowl/plaza in the end zone also increased 10 percent, going from $70 to $77 per game.
The club-level seats in the north end of the stadium were the only seats that did not have an increase in price.
ALREADY WORKING: After taking two weeks off following the season, quarterback Jay Cutler, wide receiver Brandon Marshall and tight end Tony Scheffler gathered in Atlanta for workouts on their own.
At season's end, Cutler had promised that the three, and perhaps others with the team, would get to work quickly in 2008.
"I think it will help us get a good start, get some momentum," Cutler has said.
STILL LOOKING: Longtime personnel executive Mike Lombardi, who spent this past season as a Broncos personnel assistant, said this week he has talked to several teams about joining their front office in the upcoming season.
"I've met with some people, and we'll go from there," Lombardi said. "I enjoyed my time there."
Lombardi, who worked without a contract in Denver, was told at season's end he would not be retained in Denver. Lombardi, an experienced set of eyes in scouting and pro personnel, spent eight years with the Oakland Raiders, as well as nine years with the Cleveland Browns, having joined the team as a scout and eventually being named director of player personnel.
Broncos' ticket increases
The Broncos have raised ticket prices for the seventh time since winning Super Bowl XXXIII. The rundown:
Tickets 2007 2008
Lower bowl, sideline $100 $110
Lower bowl, corners $89 $95
Lower bowl plaza/end zone $70 $77
Upper bowl, sideline $58 $63
Upper bowl, corners $56 $58
Upper bowl, end zone $39 $42
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November 23, 2007
11:30 a.m.
jzavist writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
December 16, 2007
4:45 p.m.
thannimash writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
February 1, 2008
4:12 p.m.
LOUIE writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
February 1, 2008
4:18 p.m.
LOUIE writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
February 1, 2008
4:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
Deborah357 writes:
I think you should spearhead the creation of a memorial for the Broncos. Just don't use any materials containing asbestos.
February 1, 2008
4:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
DougH writes:
Louie, I am with you on this. We are lost in space.
Aint it grand that the Broncos got the citizens of Denver and surrounding counties to pony up for their cash box stadium and then continue to fleece the ticket buyers every chance they get.
Once you have shelled out, you better really like the games, including the preseason practice games, because you cannot resell your tickets anyplace but the Tickmaster web site, and they collect 10 % for the trouble.
What is really cool, is that tickets are so high priced only businesses that can deduct them from their taxes can afford to buy. So, the rest of us will get to help pay for those with our tax money.
The Broncos lost their community standing when they campaigned for George Bush and shoved Rush Limbaugh in our noses. The Bronco management is a disgrace, they have betrayed the community and no longer deserve our support. This is from a 31 year season ticket holder,who is no longer.
February 1, 2008
4:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
kdt writes:
I'm not sure if it was the posters' fault for these off-topic comments. (They were from November & December of last year.) At least I'm now registered and can "flag" those messages, as if it will do any good.
As for ticket price increases, and in combination with the 'no reselling', I think the Broncos organization will see quite a few season ticket cancellations by the 'loyal' fans, only to see them get picked up by corporate buyers instead.
February 1, 2008
4:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
aRe writes:
Ugh - I wish I could tell my boss that due to the rising costs of everything I'm raising my salary somewhere between six and ten percent.
February 1, 2008
4:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
aRe, you might actually be able to do just that if you can show increased production benificial to the company. I've did it for years. Show the man you can pull it in and tell him what it's going to cost. The crux of your demand is your ability to produce greater results then the man has yet to realize.
February 1, 2008
4:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
rj1967 writes:
I wouldn't even buy a ticket if they gave pay cuts to thugs like Travis Henry.
February 1, 2008
6:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
titancain writes:
Louie,
What have to Broncos done to deserve an increase ticket prices
February 1, 2008
7:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
GJrodburner writes:
There once was a time in Denver when this team deserved the fanatical support of the Bronco Nation. It didn't matter if you were from Montana, Wyoming, Eastern Kansas, Nebraska, Utah, or Mars. The team represented itself and the Bronco Nation quite well; until the SuperBowls were won. Its been 10-years and counting since the last one was won. So, my question is this: if you stink it up like this years team and last years team have out on the field, and knowing that the return on investment has always been the way to determine a pay increase, then how can the Broncos team, management, and ownership be taken serious when they hit their fans in the mouth with a ticket increase given the decrease of wins and play-off wins over the last 10-years? I don't know if I could seriously look myself in the mirror if I failed a company on critical weldments that were of x-ray quality, and then come back to work the next day and had the chuptzpah to ask them for a raise?! This is arrogance at its most heightened quality; Bowlen must be laughing uncontrollably at the entire Bronco Nation. Maybe Pat thinks that the lambs (the Bronco Nation) can go to hell, because the tickets that the Nation refuses to buy or renew will move on to the corporate boners. As lifeless and as sterile as the new stadium is, and it is absolutely dead as far as having any type of soul, why would anyone want to pay to see a once proud team play in a dead zone? There is no way that the new palace has the same karma as the old house once did. Some how I was delusional enough to think this new home would still be packed by die-hards from the Bronco Nation; even though the majority of us really can't afford to show up. It's difficult to give to the Broncos emotionally anymore, especially when Pat Bowlen has demonstrated with this ticket price increase that he'd rather have more tickets for his shirt and tie set! Most of us working stiffs really can't afford a ticket anymore. Paying Pat Bowlen more big bucks to get into a dead house and support a proven failure is not a sound money move. Listening to the business puddin' for Pat cry about the need to stay competitive by jacking up the cost to watch a losing product is a stupid and lousy business tactic too. How many companies would be willing to buy these tickets when the economy shifts to full scale recession? I wonder what Pat will think when the place is less than full and he has to black-out the game? That's probably the time when the ticket prices will be raised by Pat again, and will hit $250.00 just for the corners!
February 1, 2008
8:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
SteveC writes:
OK I don't know what the big deal is. We go to one game a year and it will cost each of us a whole 2 dollars more than last year. Big Deal! As far as GJrodburner comments about the new stadium being dead......huh? Some of the loudest and funnest games I've been to in the last 30 years have been at Investco. If you don't like the price of tickets, last I checked you can still watch it for free on TV, because me and 77,000 of my new best friends will be there in person.
February 1, 2008
11:48 p.m.
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dano writes:
Pat Bowlen is a poor man just trying to get along. Also one who is not welcome here anymore. How can he go out in the community without disgrace? Everyone should harass the piece of garbage to no end. Just yell what you want, he has no respect for us. I'd like to take his fur coat and put it where the sun doesn't shine. He needs to sell the team to someone who has the financial ability to run the team to win, not make money.
February 2, 2008
6:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
sharkcub writes:
Oh, quit your whining people. The Broncos are a business like any other. They exist to make money from their customers - not to repay their loyalty. They don't "owe" their fans anything. And, because on the whole the Denver economy is better off with them than without them, it's easy to argue that the taxpayer incentives for the stadium were an excellent investment long-term. I agree with SteveC - it's still free on TV. I'm a huge fan and that's what I'll be doing.
February 2, 2008
7:22 a.m.
Suggest removal
GeeTee writes:
The team gets worse. The ticket prices increase. Hmmmm. It is free to watch the Broncos -- or not -- on TV. Maybe the Patriots are on the other channel!
February 2, 2008
7:34 a.m.
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Pigskin writes:
Remaining competitive might be easier if Bowlen simply hired some people who know how to put a team together.
How many millions is he trying to recover because Shamahan and Dumbquist keep throwing piles of money at people who fail to produce?
February 2, 2008
8:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
queenjacyln writes:
I don't like the ticket increase either, and especially after a year that left us with little to cheer for. But come on, get a grip people. Ever heard of the 25,000 people on the waiting list? Those people would be more than happy to take your seats and pay for the ticket increase.
I agree about the corporate types who can well afford to buy the tickets, but thats why they invented club level. I promise you in my section 30 rows up there are no corporate people.
DougH, its a shame that after 31 years you are going to quit being a Broncos fan over a few dollars. But thats fine with me, the more people who quit means my seat location gets better. So lets line up the quitters and maybe I'll get to the lower level this season.
February 2, 2008
9:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
mmurphypci writes:
One wonders how long we fans will enable Shannahan to mis-spend money on free agents that don't produce?
February 2, 2008
9:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
TruthHurts writes:
Pat Bowlen said, "I can't remember a year when I was more disappointed, I suppose, in the team than this year."
Maybe... just maybe he should not have extended Mike Shannahan's contract as easily as he did...
Bowlen is the one over paying his mediocre Head Coach... he is the one who should be eating that cost... not the fans.
Put a better product on the field... then charge the fans for it. We are tired of the Mastermind not being quite so masterful.
February 2, 2008
10:17 a.m.
Suggest removal
GJrodburner writes:
To QueenJacyln, SteveC, and Sharkcub:
You maybe the "new-blood" and by all estimates from your comments, you are. Life will go on, as it always will, so for you...hooray.
For those of us that have invested a "full" lifetime to this team, you guys are devoid of any thing but your present frame of mind. In that regards, more power to you. For those of us that have the ability to remember when the old stadium went into not one, but two major renovations, was home to more than just the jerseys on the field, and provided a true romantic canvas to the historic strtuggle to respectability, our present perspective isn't devoid of cognizant thought...just the baggage of knowing what it took to climb the mountain and how much Pat Bowlen is choaking the financial life from the older fans. Your youth and exuberience aside, how happy are you as respective consumers to keep paying for a lousy job? At the end of the day even entertainment is a 9-5, albeit, with a lot more perks than my 12-16 hour days. How much do you really like being taken for granted, especially in a relationship? Take away the financial base you may or may not possess and ask yourself about this team, and I'll bet it is a true relationship. We all have a committment to it every Sunday of the season, and even more so in the off-season due to the draft and damn fiduciary responsibilities we make in order to have those season tickets. Mike "the dope" is a bonafide liar. He had no sense of reality this season yet went on to spin, "we are not in a rebuilding mode". All any man or woman wants in a relationship is the truth. The question is, do we have the emotional maturity to handle the truth in a relationship? I'd say the older fans of this team have always had that. As you view our complaints as just geezers bitchin' remember this my pretty's, one day this team will screw you just like it has us. You can argue that this is nothing more than a business doing business as usuall. To that I say "why pay for an inferior job done with a rate increase?" This current owner needs your lack of knowledge, your hubris about the future, and your naivete to get away with this type of bs.
February 2, 2008
11:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
dirkle writes:
I never go to the games anyway. Our family used to have 2 season tickets in a great lower section back when they were affordable,
but imo anyone who wants to pay $77 / seat these days to sit in the cold end zone and look up at the jumbotron while surrounded by loud, swearing, vomiting jerks ... well, better them than me. Good for them & to each his own.
I enjoy the games more at home. 2 people pay $77 ($154) + Parking ($20) plus 2 beers each ($25) plus some food ($20)
Total approx $220 / week for two people, plus all the hassle of going, traffic, parking, etc.
it ain't worth it to me (especially the way they're playing these days).
February 2, 2008
3:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
queenjacyln writes:
GJ, I see what you are saying and I agree with it. I am not happy about the increase myself. And sure its ok to complain about it. Maybe if Bowlen and management receives enough backlash they will think twice about raising prices in the future.
My point was not to go to the extremes about it and to keep reality in mind. The Broncos do not care about who cancels their season tickets, there is a line more than a mile long of people who would jump at the chance to buy tickets at face value. Sure if the stadium stopped selling out then the Broncos might care about an eroding season ticket base. But until that happens, and until there is not one name on the waiting list, you can threaten all you want about canceling your season ticket account all day and night but its not going to mean a darn thing. The Broncos hold all the cards in this relationship.
And about it being too much of a hassle to go to the game, I know how the costs add up and how its so much easier to watch the game on your living room couch. But to me thats not the point. There is so much magic and passion in going to the games live, its a shame when there are people there who don't feel the same way.
Sure I may be a "new" season ticket holder but that doesn't mean I'm naive or not worth anything. I still remember what it was like waiting for years and years and then getting the call that day the tickets were offered to me. I know its a privilege to have season tickets and know how special it is to go to all the games when so many other people can't have the same opportunity. Maybe the older season ticket holders are taking things for granted a little and and letting their feelings leave them jaded. And thats ok to be upset with the team and frustrated with management, I am too. But I'll always support the Broncos because the are the team I love. Thats not going to change over $4.
February 2, 2008
3:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
SteveC writes:
Since I've been going to games for over 30 years, I fail to see how I can be categorized as "new blood". That being said, I have invested a lifetime of support for this team. I remember 7-7 being considered a very good year. Going to the playoffs? For years I didn't think that would ever happen, neither did hardly anybody else. I have suffered through losing seasons and numerous painful Super Bowl losses, yet I am still a fan and always will be. If you want to give up on them, fine, but please don't act like I'm some stupid little kid who is only on the bandwagon because I don't know any better. The fact is, I am not on the bandwagon, I will cheer for the Broncos no matter what there record is or how much they aggravate me. I have been a fan long enough to have have seen Floyd Little, Charlie Johnson and all the other greats form years ago, play live in Mile High Stadium. Four rows up, in the south stands, in the snow, rain, sun and cold. I have been a fan long enough to know that a true fan sticks with their team regardless of what their record was or who the coach or owner is. The Broncos were here before Bowlen and Shanahan, so was I. They will be here long after Bowlen and Shanahan. So will I. Will you?
February 2, 2008
5:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
Broncos4Life writes:
Raising the prices to remain competitive on the field? How can the Broncos honestly say that with a straight face??? You continue to take our money, when do we get the competitive team???
February 3, 2008
7:56 a.m.
Suggest removal
GJrodburner writes:
Blind love is never good SteveC, ever. Can't say I'm a bandwagon fan of the team, just not a sycophant. By admitting this I'm now no longer a true fan? I won't take my brain and put it into a night-stand jar just for the love of this team...not any more. Regardless of the waiting lists, or the devotion needed to be a true blue fan of the Broncos, making a sound money decision is always a paramount notion in my mind. Having good sense to smell the manure before I step into or onto it, without seeing it or tasting it, is another good common sense trait. So if being a true Broncos fan means I've got to eat their Mile-High pile of dung, please count me out.
No, I can't admit to wanting to stay with a lying organization any longer, problem is...I have never had a second favorite team. It's a problem, but not a huge one. Finding the resolve to pay extra for a team that is well below average, even if it is an extra $4.00 dollars is beyond aggrevation, it is insulting. I'm not sure what it is that finally snapped and made me more angry at this team than I have ever been, but the ability to look beyond what is current, and fog my mind with the idea that ownership comes and goes and so do the coaches just doesn't cut through the blatent disrespect this team has towards its fan base; young or old. Whether you are old enough to remember when this team wore a stupid lookin' horse on the side of its original "orange" helmet, or you can remember the older players actually playing at the University of Denver, or the Phipps Brothers, Kaiser, Malavasi, Sabin, Ralston, Miller...so what? Being a true fan is not putting your head in the sand when the organization is screwing you. But like QJ said, "...it is only $4.00..." why ruin a good blind love over that mere fact. So, confess your undying loyalty to getting screwed over and let me know if you are in dying need of this type of devotion in the rest of your life...say for auto insurance, plumbing, home remodeling, finding a good lawyer...you know, the type of things that take money. I would like very much to know your needs to those items and why it's o.k. for the Broncos to do this to you without even a wimper, but I'll bet you'd be screamin' to high heaven if one of these shyster types took you to the cleaners. Then again, maybe not.