When it comes to the economics of the NFL, a supply of seats in a new stadium results in a demand for higher ticket prices.
With the last three new venues resulting reportedly in an average increase of 26 percent, the 49ers will be driving that number a lot higher when they christen their new building in two-plus years.
According to Mike Rosenberg of the San Jose Mercury News, many of the 50,000 seats at the team’s new stadium will cost twice as much as similar seats at Candlestick Park.
Every chair in the Santa Clara structure will have a Personal Seat License attached to it, starting at $2,000 and peaking at $12,000. Tickets then range from $85 to $200 per game.
(It’s unknown whether there’s an extra fee for electricity during night games.)
Previously, the Niners sold 18,500 premium seats, with PSLs ranging from $20,000 to $85,000, with tickets ranging from $325 to $375 per game.
“That’s absurd,” said Greg Colburn, who currently has season tickets in the upper reaches of Candlestick. “Just as a fan, I’m tired of being priced out of where I’m sitting. Oh, well. The best place is on my couch in front of a brand-new TV.”
Rosenberg points out that Raiders game can be attended without payment of a fee for the privilege to sit in the seat, and with seasons tickets that range from $26 to $96 per game, and club seats that range from $126 to $151 per game.
Although the Niners had a significant resurgence in 2011 (which they may or may not maintain), the Raiders look to be the much better bargain.
Then again, the best bargain of all may indeed by taking what it would cost to take the family to a single game and buying a giant TV on which all of them can be enjoyed.