Helmet of Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) in a game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions are going to try something new in an effort to make ticket prices more fair based on the projected quality of the game, as the Sports Business Journal’s Daniel Kaplan reports that the team will split their home games into premium and nonpremium categories and price each type of game accordingly. This ensure that fans won’t have to pay as much to see the Lions face a worse opponent, and this would also increase the interest among fans to attend these games. But the Lions will also benefit greatly from marquee matchups, such as their game against the New Orleans Saints next season, against top opponents by upticking the price proportionally.
It’s an ingenious idea, and I’m sure other teams will follow suit soon. Another important part of their tier-based ticket pricing plan is the fact that they will significantly decrease the price of their preseason games. Most teams price preseason games roughly as much as regular season games, so it’s great to see that the Lions are willing to allow fans to pay less for what is essentially an exhibition game that shouldn’t cost as much as even a regular season game against a weaker opponent. Per Kaplan, both home preseason games will cost 70% less than in past years.
A team spokesman told Kaplan that two of the games that the team will dub as “premium” contests are their Thanksgiving game and the big tilt against the Saints. I’m sure that their games against the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears will also be in consideration for that title.
The scaled pricing sounds great for fans as well- and it is to a certain extent, but it’s more of a shrewd move for the team when you look at it closer. Per the SBJ, Lions ticket prices will rise 8.2% overall, and they are sure to make more money by increasing prices for big games that fans will already be wiling to go to while also generating more interest in bad games. It’s an extremely smart business move for the Lions, and I am sure others will follow suit.