February 27, 2009

Yanks to charge extra to stand

New York magazine answers a question I've had for some time about the new New York Yankees stadium: "Unlike at the old Yankee Stadium, bleacher creatures can move around the rest of the stadium." That makes sense, as the Yanks management will want them to have access to all the overpriced dining and souvenir options that will fill the new place. What makes less sense: Bleacher tickets cost $12, but team COO Lonn Trost told WFAN Wednesday that standing-room tickets will cost "around $20" — meaning there will be an $8 surcharge not to have a seat to sit in.

The reason, obviously, has to do with the fact the Yanks held bleacher ticket prices at $12 from last year for PR reasons, but have no problem with charging through the nose for standing room, since there were no standing-room seats at the old stadium to compare prices with. Take it as a sign that bleacher prices will likely rise fast to meet market levels in the next year or two — or, if the signs of plummeting sports ticket demand are true, maybe Yankee fans can hope to be allowed someday to stand for three hours without giving up a yuppie food stamp.