Fans have been forking over at least that much to see the Big Game for years, but that was due to scalpers taking advantage of demand hugely outweighing supply.
Now, however, 25 percent of the 2008 Super Bowl tickets will go for a grand. If that sounds like a lot of money during these very difficult economic times it is. For some perspective, consider this: you can attend eight Steelers home games for less than $650.
I know, I know, it's the Super Bowl; the experience alone is worth that much, blah blah blah stories to tell your grandkids. That's fine, I suppose. Plus, the NFL also announced that it will drop the price of 1,000 tickets by $200 to $500 -- the first time the league has cut prices for a Super Bowl.
Whatever, FOXSports.com's Alex Marvez asked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about the pricing strategy.
FOXSports.com: Saying that, there's been a lot of talk about the new $1,000 Super Bowl ticket the league has unveiled. When you first became commissioner, you talked about trying to keep ticket prices viable for the average fan who wants to attend.I honestly don't have a problem with the league deciding to raise some prices, and I can fully appreciate the problem in trying to identify those fans who really want to see the game and aren't looking to make a quick 500 percent return on investment.
Goodell: "It's a limited number of tickets for $1,000, first off. Second, those tickets are trading on secondary markets for more than 4½ times that price. To say [$1,000] is overpriced, I would disagree with anybody.
We have an $800 ticket and we're taking 1,000 tickets that are going to be offered at $500. The real trick, though, is getting them into the hands of fans who aren't going to re-sell them. They buy them at a decreased price because we want them to have the opportunity to come to the game but they then get offered four, five, 10 times the value. That's not what we're trying to create. We're trying to be sure they get to those who want to go to the game and experience a Super Bowl."
Quick history lesson: ticket prices for the first Super Bowl 43 years ago? Six, 10 and 12 bucks. Tickets cleared the $100 mark back in 1988. That's a 733 percent increase from '67 to '88, and a 9,000 percent increase from '88 to '08. Which means, if my math is correct, nobody will be able to afford to go to the game by the end of the decade.
Latest NFL Photos
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, left, speaks at Springs Fabrication while former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway looks on in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider, Pool)
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Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, accompanied by former Denver Broncos safety John Lynch, center, and former Denver Broncos hall-of-fame quarterback John Elway, leave Conway's Red Top restaurant in Colorado Springs, Colo., Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., center, flanked by his wife Cindy, left, and former Denver Broncos hall-of-fame quarterback John Elway talks at a table during a stop at Conway's Red Top restaurant in Colorado Springs, Colo., Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway, left, his fiancee Paige Green, center, and former Broncos safety John Lynch, applaud Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. at a rally in Denver, Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
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Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a rally in Denver, Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. Joining him from left are, his wife Cindy, daughter Meghan, former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway, his fiancee Paige Green, and former Broncos safety John Lynch. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
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Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. gestures as he addresses supporters during a campaign rally in Denver, Colo., Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. Former Denver Broncos safety John Lynch looks on at left. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
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Former Denver Broncos football player John Elway speaks on behalf of Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., during a rally at the The National Western Arena in Denver, Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider, Pool)
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Former Denver Broncos hall-of-fame quarterback John Elway and his fiancee Paige Green applaud at a rally for Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in Denver, Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
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Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway, speaks about Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, at a rally in Denver, Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. From left are McCain, McCain's wife Cindy, Elway, and McCain's daughter Meghan. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
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Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. reacts to the crowd as he speaks at rally at the The National Western Arena in Denver, Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. At right is Denver Broncos hall of fame quarterback John Elway (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-25-2008 @ 7:16PM
AMart7 said...
Is it me, but is Roger Goodell a weasel? Every decision he has made has shown a double standard. He seems to demonstrate a total disregard for the fans and the players. He seems to be totally and completely in the owner's pockets. This guy SUCKS!!!
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10-25-2008 @ 7:16PM
Rick said...
I have some real concerns about the overall state of the game under Goodell's watch Amart. Totally agree with you.
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10-25-2008 @ 7:17PM
grassr00ts said...
I think a good way to stop those who are buying the reduced price tickets from reselling would be to attach a name to a ticket.
By having the person who purchased the tickets have to be present when entering would be a deterrent from scalpers. I know the system wouldn't be perfect, but it would be a step in the right direction
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10-25-2008 @ 8:25PM
s beane said...
Goodell is an idiot. $1000.00 is ridiculous!!! When will people stop paying these prima donna prices!!!!
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10-26-2008 @ 11:40AM
kelly esman said...
I love the fall, and prefer the NFL over all other sports, but come on...Here's an idea, raise the price even more so it becomes a real celebrity and sponsors event....Then let the celebs and sponsor's watch the game, and there overpriced commercials. What the NFL should really do, is the deserved appreciation of the real fans that make the NFL what they are, and give the tickets away in a lottery instead of being the money hungry pigs they really are!
10-25-2008 @ 10:13PM
DS said...
The days of taking your kids to the games and having a good time are gone. I can't afford to take my kids, and I make $70K/year. $100 tickets, $20 programs, $10 beers, $20 parking, all add up.
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10-26-2008 @ 12:19PM
lee said...
I for one wont be going to the superbowl. it cost less to buy a plasma tv and watch it at home along with some popcorns, hamburgers, hot dogs, soda, nachos, pizza etc.
10-25-2008 @ 10:48PM
Dolphins Fan said...
I don't like Goodells's approach as NFL comish.
The networks are starting to lose ad revenue and the NFL will have tough days as hard working Americans continue to struggle.
Maybe then goodell will change his elitist ways.
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10-25-2008 @ 11:08PM
markistiredofthis2 said...
I guess this is his version of "spreading the wealth" ......
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10-25-2008 @ 11:54PM
Jim said...
Roger Goodell is an azzhole and should be shot!!!
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10-26-2008 @ 12:09AM
Paul said...
$1,000 is a rip off and the reasoning behind it is very lame. He's assumming people are going to pay it anyway from buying from a scalper. Maybe if most of the tickets went to the teams that are actually playing in the superbowl, you wouldn't have as much scalping, brecause the "actual" fans of the teams will be able to go. Yes, the 2 teams playing get the least amount of tickets to be handed out to season ticket holders and manangement. Oh, and management gets most of "them". They only allow a very small portion of tickets to be given out to the season ticket holder. As with the Giants last year, 2,500 superbowl seats were given to them. About 500 (or less) were given out to the season ticket holder by lottery. The rest went to management and players. Isn't that nice. Always thinking of the fan. Why do teams (who aren't in the superbowl) get more tickets than the teams playing in the game??? Like I said before, scalping wouldn't be that big of an issue if most of the tickets went to the 2 teams involved.
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10-26-2008 @ 9:49AM
Bear1 said...
Paul is absolutely correct here. Every single player in the NFL gets tickest to the Superbowl. EVERY single player from every single team gets aprrox 10 tix, and the coaches. Then the 2 teams playing get the 2500 as he descirbed, so the long standing, high price paying season ticket holders (like myself for the Bears) have to hold our breath for a stupid lottery and "hope" we get a ticket to the Superbowl at the face value price, which in 2006 was $800 for a lousy seat. I didn't get a lottery seat and my only option was a $2500 lousy seat from a scalper. Maybe Godell should concentrate his efforts less on appeasing these players and more on the fans who pay these thugs their salaries. Figure out a better sytem and get the tix in the hands of the Fans you dummy! Bands are finding ways to do it, why cant the NFL?
10-26-2008 @ 12:17AM
jerry mcdonald said...
goodell can kiss my assets!
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10-26-2008 @ 12:44AM
One who will never see a SB at those prices said...
All the comments are falling on blind eyes. Do you honestly think Mr. NFL Commissioner is reading any of these comments. Like he cares. Yea, right. He does not have to worry about money - Mr. Commish gets in free. Caring about the fans? Excuse me, but that sounds like campaign rhetoric.
You know the adage: The rich get richer...
Soon, it will be like the aristocracy of old - it will become available only to the wealthy.
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10-26-2008 @ 12:59AM
Spoonman said...
This is crazy. They are acting like they don't make any money off the Bowl. $2 million for 30 seconds isn't enough? Just make people bring an ID, and match it up to their name on the ticket. Or charge $1,000 if you only care about the money.
Haven't been thrilled with Goodell, seems like a double standard applies between good players and bad players, or players on good teams and players on trash teams. This doesn't help it. The idea of spending $1,000 on a single ticket, plus plenty of other costs, yet again eliminates the real fans.
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10-26-2008 @ 1:06AM
Jim Stewart said...
The Superbowl is not for the season ticket holder anymore. Simply it is for corporate executives and other NFL sponsors. The NFL treats its fan base unrealistically regarding post season play.
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10-26-2008 @ 1:26AM
Rick Johnson said...
The Super Bowl & World Series are both big business...........I bet fans in both Tampa & Philadelphia who have season tickets got put out in no where land so some celebrities who never see a game can get a better seat. Both baseball & the NFL are catering to their needs, no one elses.
The one thing I will give the NFL some credit for is they do know how to market their product. The halftme show itself is worth watching.
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10-26-2008 @ 5:30AM
giant fan since 57 said...
If the NFL really knew how to market their product they wouldn't get into ridiculous and embarrassing situations like last year when the Giant's /Patriots regular season game ended up being simulcast by NBC and CBS along with the "satellite only" NFL channel. If they hadn't done that eleventh hour turnaround all hell would have broken loose after that game.
I'm not making a judgement about who is more at fault between the cable companies and the NFL. But it is the NFL's job to see to it that every viewer has an opportunity to see the games. So in that respect they are a failure.
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10-26-2008 @ 7:59AM
KEITH WILSON said...
What is all the crying about because if you can afford to take time off work (The superbowl experience is nothing without the galas that go on for almost a week before),travel to the city where it is being held, stay in a hotel for 3 or 4 days (at an hefty premium on rooms) you can afford the $1000.00 for the ticket
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10-26-2008 @ 8:41AM
Michael said...
Well here we are at the place where the working Man can not take his kids to watch any sports, unless he is wealthy. The greedy leagues have placed such a premium on sports that this is just more of the huge gap between the haves and have nots. Just like Rome, it is only a matter of time, the fuse is burning.
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