The price increase at O-State
Published: 1/30/2007 4:16 PM
Last Modified: 1/30/2007 4:16 PM
This did not surprise me:
Oklahoma State has announced a price increase on its season football ticket. The same ticket that went for $231 in 2005 and $295 in 2006 now is priced at $359.
And this did not surprise me:
Angry responses from Cowboy fans.
A few comments from e-mail correspondents:
``They are trying to price the average family out of the game. … They obviously do not care if a family of four can afford to attend a home game. … It is truly sad it has come to this.''
``I have been a faithful season-ticket holder, but this year I will not be renewing my four seats. …I guess I'll stay home in Tulsa on Saturdays and go watch TU. At least it is affordable.''
``Will I renew? Probably. But the attitude of OSU is very disappointing for us Cowboy fans. Most of us are regular, hardworking people that make a BIG commitment to purchase the season tickets. Mr. Holder lost between 3,000 and 4,000 of these fans last season. I wonder if his goal is to have a half-full stadium for every game. Remember, even the OU game was not a sellout!''
I hear this frequently: ``If Boone Pickens donates $165 million, why must OSU raise ticket prices?'' Revenue from ticket sales is funneled into the athletic department's athletic budget. The Pickens and Sherman Smith donations are spent on facility development.
Ticket prices are a major issue at Oklahoma State. For most middle-class families, the purchase of four $359 football tickets is a significant expense. Another major OSU issue is Mike Gundy's search for a defensive coordinator. In 2007, the Cowboy offense has the potential to be phenomenal. If fans sense during the spring that the defense is making progress, the ticket sales may not lag.
-- Bill Haisten
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
