So I run across a story the other day and I am physically moved to bending over in my chair and laughing to the point my boss has to ask me if I am ok.  A funny joke you ask – No!  An amazing new YouTube video that is making the rounds – try again!  A story about an NHL team in the bottom 1/3rd of the league last year trying to raise ticket prices - *DING* *DING* We have a winner!!!

Evidently the Florida Panthers are looking to increase revenues by attracting more fans and bringing more people in to fill the 19,250 seats at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida.  How will they do that you ask?  Well, by setting aside 5 of the seasons first 16 games as designated *Now Get This* “Premium Games!”  You heard it right folks – you wont pay to see your Florida Panthers play … but you will damn sure pay to see the Red Wings, Rangers, Canadiens, Devils and the Lightning play against them!

I guess what they (they being the management at the Florida Panthers) are thinking is that since we have given away a large portion of our talent and have squandered this Free Agency period with golf games and massage appointments WE probably wont draw that many fans this next season.  I would have loved to be in the conference room when the ever so brilliant desk jockey said “Yea – but everyone loves the Red Wings, Rangers and Canadiens – why don’t we just charge the fans more to see them play?”  *silence fell across the room* - each manager holding the stare of the other manager until someone said “You know, that might not be a bad idea” *Queue the ceremonious orchestra, with the choir singing HAAAAALELUEAH!!!!*

Michael Yormark (Panthers Chief Operating Officer) announced this brilliant scheme – scratch that – IDEA on June 9th (yes – you heard that right … over 6 weeks ago!!!)  Here is his quote in the media regarding the “feedback” he has received after this announcement.

“The only feedback I’ve heard so far on the premium games has come from the season seat-holders, and they’ve said, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you,’ ” Yormark said. “They’ve felt it’s really enhanced the value of being a season seat-holder.” 

Excuse me???  Evidently the plan is to set aside certain games that will carry a $25 surcharge on every single-ticket game.  Season tickets and ticket packages will be exempt from this surcharge.  Now – next season – normally a ticket that cost $17 will now cost $42!!!  Just to drive this point home a bit further – did you see the list of teams for these “Premium Games” … did you notice the Tampa Bay Lightning on that list?  YES – the team that had the WORST record last year qualifies for a “premium” surcharge this next season!  Did the Panthers use a stoned monkey pulling names out of a hat to choose these games?

But wait – there is MORE!  That’s right ladies and gentlemen, Yormark and the Cats (as they like to call themselves) are doing this 5 of 16 “premium” pricing as a test … according to Yormark, he expects that 12 to 15 games will ultimately get the “premium designation.”  The remainder will be announced at a later date.  Yea … there is another conference room I wanna be in.

Board : Yormark, the Panthers are not meeting revenue goals, attendance is down and the owners want to know what you are going to do!
Yormark : Funny you mention that, I was just looking at the standings and we are playing the top teams in their divisions over the next 2 weeks – lets designate them “premium games” and after the game I’ll meet you back here in the conference room and we can rub each other with all the cash we rake in!!!
Board : Brilliant idea … make sure you have plenty of $100 dollar bills because most of us break out in a rash if we touch anything less than a $20!
Yormark : Wait till you see my “mid-season extravaganza” … we are tagging a $15 dollar surcharge on “premium pizza” … get this … it is handed to you in a BOX!!!
Board & Yormark : HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA *sigh*

The icing on the cake came towards the end of the article and shows what type of mentality we are dealing with here … the home opener against Atlanta is on Friday, Oct. 10th and just like most NHL franchises the home opener typically draws a sellout crowd, however, Mr Yormark was sooooo kind to offer regular pricing for that game.  “That’s a night we want our hard-core fans to come out,” Yormark said. “We didn’t think it appropriate to put a premium on it.”

Every other “premium pricing night” … we want to screw the visiting teams “hard core fans!!!”  Right Michael Yormark???

Tags: Florida Panthers, Premium, Ticket Pricing