3 million sold even before single game tickets go on sale.
Obviously we aren’t talking about the Mets.
The Yankees announced this week that they have already sold about 35,000 full-season ticket equivalents (combining half-season and partial plans).
At the same time, Team Marketing Report just issued their annual Fan Cost Index, which as the name implies, measures how much it costs a fan to attend a game – from ticket prices, to parking, to concessions. While the report itself is not free (it costs $490), Darren Rovell over at CNBC has the top 15 priciest teams to see in North America. Coming in at #15 with the most expensive MLB ticket were the Yankees (at $72.97 avg. per).
Meanwhile the Mets lower their ticket prices, email and call old plan members, extend the plan deadline multiple times, send out a bazillion pre-sale invitations (with reminders), and do a mass direct mail campaign to who knows how many – and yet all reports indicate that ticket sales are still way off.
What does all of this tell us? And more importantly what should this tell Fred and Jeff?
If you build it, they will come doesn’t work anymore.
If you win it, they will come will work.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying I want the Mets to be the Yankees. But the truth is, people like winners, and winners can get away with a lot more than…let’s say non-winners.
