The Great Maximum Leader
Linked a sports story
Great One fears hockey lockout

In the article Mike linked, Hockey officials attempt to explain why fans aren‚ÄövÑv¥t coming to the games. They have all kinds of suggestions, but seem to miss the real economic reason.

Basic supply and demand should set prices. If the price of a family outing to a sporting event is so high that demand increases, the real answer to hockey‚ÄövÑv¥s woes should be to reduce ticket prices.

If owners are losing money under the current price structure, it seems to me that they should try to sell more tickets. Even if the tickets cost less, the owners might make more money if more sold, resulting in more concession sales as well. It seems to me that the overhead for the rink will be the same whether it is packed or half-full.

Not being a real hockey fan, I propose a simple math problem for the Air Marshal and/or Maximum Leader:

Reduce the average annual salary of players from 1.79 million to the mere pittance of $790,000. Multiply by the number of players on an NHL team roster. This would be the annual savings. Instead of putting that money in the owner‚ÄövÑv¥s pocket, divide the savings over the number of home game seats in a season. What is the total possible reduction of ticket prices?

While I dislike Snyder‚ÄövÑv¥s incessant price-gouging ever since he took over the Redskins franchise, at least one can argue that Snyder is simply allowing supply and demand to set the prices. If the stadium still fills when people are paying hundreds of dollars to go to a losing ball club‚ÄövÑv¥s games, then the fans get what they deserve. The NHL can‚ÄövÑv¥t even argue that they are selling all their seats. Ego, they are overpriced.

For once I would like to see a sports franchise owner admit that his team is screwing the fans by overcharging for a weak product. Or a player admit that he can no longer justify his multi-million dollar contract on the grounds that the people are paying to see him play.