NBA Price Analysis

Cost analysis: The Celtics have the third-highest average ticket price in the league at $68.55, behind the Lakers ($93.25) and Knicks ($70.51), according to the Team Marketing Report. The Celtics’ average ticket is up 4.8 percent, but they do sell seats for as low as $10. The Fan Cost Index, which adds the cost of four average tickets, two small beers, four hot dogs, parking for one car, two programs, and two caps, is up 8.5 percent to $389.20 for Boston. The league average for a ticket is $49.47, up 2.8 percent.

Cheap seats
For the least expensive single-game tickets in the NBA, head to Texas. A look at the top – or bottom – three:
$2 Dallas Mavericks
$5 Memphis Grizzlies
$6.50 Utah Jazz

Should the NBA take a more proactive role in price afford ability for its fans? Charles Barkley recently asked NBA owners to freeze prices for two years until the domestic economic picture stabilizes. Do you think they will? Probably not. Sports caters to the wealthy & well connected.

What does it suggest when over 75% of players in the league are African-American, yet probably only 5-10% of this demographic are actual patrons? Is it fair that the ‘little guy’ is priced out of most arenas? Many arenas have included cheap seats for all fans to be apart of the NBA experience. However, due to the distance & poor sighting of the courts, players, dancers etc. many in this ‘class’ would just rather watch the game at a sports bar or on a cable network at home.

Is it unfair to expect owners to take an egalitarian approach to the fan base to allow all segments of society to take part of excitement that is the NBA? I can tell you from having gone to a Miami Heat & Orlando Magic game its addictive, and once you’ve gone once you can’t wait to get back again-IF you can AFFORD it!

With the rising prices for food, fuel & every day living expenses going to an NBA game is a luxury most Americans can’t afford. Unless, maybe you’re in D. Wade’s fave five… Hmm, maybe I’ can swing that when I get the $$$ to turn my cell phone back on. Anybody got a contact number for D. Wade or Dwight Howard?

T-MAC & K.G. Make Political Statements

The Houston Rockets & Boston Celtics face off on Tuesday. Both teams are expected to challenge other teams in their respective conferences for a NBA Finals berth. Boston is the defending champions.

Since, Tuesday is the day of the Presidential general election both players have decided to make a statement on the court with their shoe design in lieu of this historic election.

According to adidas, “The words were chosen by both KG & Tracy and reflect their political views. This is not about partisanship. Rather, this is vehicle to encourage people to get out and vote.”

McGrady, however, chose “Change is Needed” for his shoes and said he is happy that his message is so close to the Barack Obama campaign slogan, “Change We Need.”

When asked if his shoe statement was an official endorsement? Tracy McGrady said, “Absolutely. “I’m Obama all day, every day,” McGrady said. “I endorse him. I actually met him this summer, me and my wife. When he was down here, he wanted to meet and I went to his hotel to meet him. A very nice gentleman. I believe in what he believes in.”

Finally, we have some athletes with the intestinal fortitude to stand for something other than themselves. It’s a huge statement from two of the biggest stars in NBA. Moreover,  their  desire to remind  sports fans  what’s really important  is self-deprecating.

When was the last time you heard an athlete speak about an issue  relevant to everyday people? Remember Michael Jordan said “he wouldn’t take a political stand because Republicans buy shoes too!” Incredulous. Though I won’t fault the man for his opinion, however I never bought another pair of Jordan’s, and I still won’t to this day.

Charles Barkley is one of the few athletes in any major sport to take a political stance without fear of retribution from his job as a TNT sports analyst for the NBA. In fact, Charles has appeared on CNN’s Larry King Live discussing his views. In addition, he appeared on TV ONE ( an African-American cable network) during their live coverage of the DNC convention in Denver.

His views offer a fresh perspective from a demographic the general public rarely gets a chance to witness. Just think how much weight these men carry to influence the hearts & minds of their adoring fans.

So, Why haven’t more made stands?