Season Ticket Pricing

[GORU2014]

If you are routinely paying >$200 per seat for 100 level seats off StubHub for anything other than big games, you are

I was going to post some comments about how StubHub provides guidance to sellers so they know if the price they set is high or low compared to what comparable tickets are selling for. And since I have listed tickets, I get the benefit of that guidance.

But then I thought, GoRU2014 is right. He is paying over $200 per seat in the 100 level. And next year demand is probably going to be higher. He should be prepared to spend $300 per seat. If I am unable to make a game next year, I'll price my seats for only $275 because I am a nice guy and I want to cut you a break. You're welcome.

You seem like a nice guy. You make bad assumptions and don’t understand economics, but definitely a nice guy.

I never said I’m paying $200 a game. I have season tickets elsewhere, but I check to see if there are ever reasonable games to upgrade. Outside of weeknight non-conference games, there haven’t been reasonable games to upgrade in at least the past 3 seasons with fans in the building.

If you were capable of looking at the actual listings instead of relying on a platform to do it for you, you’d probably know that.

 

[richthedentist]

There were many years where you couldn’t give the seats and parking tag away. It’s interesting, I must admit, to hear the pontificating of the Basketball Season Ticket Economists.

Agree with that as I can't tell you how many games I didn't go to and they were so bad but I stuck with my tickets for every year for 40 years and more if you count my time at Rutgers

 

[GORU2014]

So how much should 100 level seats be since you’re an expert?

You don’t need to be an expert to know basic economics and pricing strategy. It’s not an exact science, but it’s hard to argue the tickets aren’t underpriced.

At a basic/rough level, let’s just look at willingness to pay. If we assume (based on Scarlet Shack’s numbers earlier, which I think are conservative but reasonable) 6 games where sellers can get $50, 6 games where they can get $100, and 6 games where they can get $200, that’s $2,100 total. StubHub takes 15% from sellers, which would imply list prices totaling $2,470, and adds 10% for buyers, which implies a total purchase price for the season of around $2,720.

$2,720 is 113% higher than the cheapest 100 level seats were in 2022, and 78% higher than the most expensive 100 level seats. For 2023, if those prices hold up, they would be 84% and 53% higher, respectively.

Now, this is where it becomes more subjective. Raising prices to that level would create some decrease in demand. Donations could drop. The buyers on StubHub are likely different each game, and the school wants to ensure consistent revenue and a good atmosphere. If the team has a down year (or two, or five), demand would probably drop and they’d have to consider lowering prices. So, they’d want to discount prices from the pure StubHub buyer payments based on those factors.

What’s the right level to discount from the $2,720? It depends. But I certainly don’t think it’s close to 50%, with the rest of the market (sellers and platforms) getting 80-100%+ margins.

 

[GORU2014]

You're telling me. I've had them forever and by the way after the price per seat , the donor fee per seat and the points required they don't seem inexpensive to me. I'll leave them to my kids and grand children.

This is another thing that the school needs to address. Long-time donors and new graduates are going to be shut out based on parents and grandparents going to games 40-50 years prior

 

[JudgeSmails56]

This is another thing that the school needs to address. Long-time donors and new graduates are going to be shut out based on parents and grandparents going to games 40-50 years prior

Well expanding the RAC will open up some seats.

 

[ru66]

This is another thing that the school needs to address. Long-time donors and new graduates are going to be shut out based on parents and grandparents going to games 40-50 years prior

What's wrong with people being loyal to RU for generations and by the way never jumping on or off the bandwagon while continuing to support the school consistently for years? Don't you think they cherish that consistent flow of revenue,

 

[ru66]

I have 1 season ticket in 112. So does G$$. Sorry couldn't resist.

Sad no friends or relatives???

 

[GORU2014]

Well expanding the RAC will open up some seats.

It will, I just don’t think it’s great that I and others can donate for 10-20+ years and lose out on tickets to someone because their grandparents bought seats before we were alive, as an example.

 

[GORU2014]

What's wrong with people being loyal to RU for generations and by the way never jumping on or off the bandwagon while continuing to support the school consistently for years? Don't you think they cherish that consistent flow of revenue,

Loyalty =/= Being born into a family where an older relative bought tickets 50 years prior

 

[ru66]

It will, I just don’t think it’s great that I and others can donate for 10-20+ years and lose out on tickets to someone because their grandparents bought seats before we were alive, as an example.

But the grandchildren and children have to continually donate and by the way they're probably RU grads --mine are.

 

[GORU2014]

But the grandchildren and children have to continually donate and by the way they're probably RU grads --mine are.

And other people who may have donated more/longer than the children/grandchildren get shut out.

That’s the issue—if they donated more than others on the list, there would be no I need for them to be passed down. Instead, it’s a loophole and creates innefficiency.

 

[Fat-Tony]

Sad no friends or relatives???

G$$ is my uncle and has been in the seat next to me for 34 years. Thanks for your concern though.

 

[FastMJ]

I wish they’d put seat backs on the 300 level. I don’t mind the nosebleed view but those bleachers are a killer on an aging butt.

 

[rutgersfan1766]

And other people who may have donated more/longer than the children/grandchildren get shut out.

That’s the issue—if they donated more than others on the list, there would be no I need for them to be passed down. Instead, it’s a loophole and creates innefficiency.

I also graduated in 2014. I have seats in 206. I have 86pp. Looking to move into 100s this year. Feel pretty good about it too.

 

[RUBlackout]

I also graduated in 2014. I have seats in 206. I have 86pp. Looking to move into 100s this year. Feel pretty good about it too.

I am looking to move into 100s as well for two seats. I have 168pp so if you are feeling good I have to feel a bit better

 

[rutgersfan1766]

I am looking to move into 100s as well for two seats. I have 168pp so if you are feeling good I have to feel a bit better

Yeah I'd imagine you have a great chance assuming 100% don't renew (likely) and assuming nearly anyone ahead of you is already sitting down there.

 

[GORU2014]

I also graduated in 2014. I have seats in 206. I have 86pp. Looking to move into 100s this year. Feel pretty good about it too.

Interested to hear how it works out. It seems like a lot of the seats last season were singles

 

[bac2therac]

I think peeps need to keep the ticket price and donation to sit down there seperate when calculating the cost

The donation gives you the special privilege to sit down there. It should be expensive overall. The only reason why it was always a good deal was because the program was horrific for years. Now its not and RU is leaving some money in the table

Have to figure lower level seats at our Big 10 brethren require hefty donations

 

[ru66]

And other people who may have donated more/longer than the children/grandchildren get shut out.

That’s the issue—if they donated more than others on the list, there would be no I need for them to be passed down. Instead, it’s a loophole and creates innefficiency.

sorry but they too would have to give and meet the donation levels to get those seats. I think you are barking at the wrong tree'

 

[rutgersfan1766]

It's funny, Rutgers always does right by its fans to the extent possible and for some it's still not enough.

 

[ru66]

Yeah I'd imagine you have a great chance assuming 100% don't renew (likely) and assuming nearly anyone ahead of you is already sitting down there.

Check your ranking among the 15000 thousand or so donors --its listed. I kind of think those in the 100s are in the top 10% or better.

 

[rutgersfan1766]

Check your ranking among the 15000 thousand or so donors --its listed. I kind of think those in the 100s are in the top 10% or better.

I'm 1378 out of 14880 (9.26%). But @RUBlackout is still ahead of me!

 

[GORU2014]

It's funny, Rutgers always does right by its fans to the extent possible and for some it's still not enough.

They objectively can’t always do right by all of their fans, that would be impossible

 

[rutgersfan1766]

They objectively can’t always do right by all of their fans, that would be impossible

You're just a chronic complainer. I still haven't figured out what your point is. If you want better seats the simple answer is donate more.

 

[fatsam98]

It's funny, Rutgers always does right by its fans to the extent possible and for some it's still not enough.

Glad it's not just me... we have fans pushing for them to increase prices more than they already did in order to price out people who have been loyal for years? Uh, ok.

 

[bethlehemfan]

I wish they’d put seat backs on the 300 level. I don’t mind the nosebleed view but those bleachers are a killer on an aging butt.

They are rough.

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

So how much should 100 level seats be since you’re an expert?

How many home games next year?

 

[rutgersfan1766]

Glad it's not just me... we have fans pushing for them to increase prices more than they already did in order to price out people who have been loyal for years? Uh, ok.

I think Rutgers prices are VERY reasonable. I don't think they should be increased to the point of gouging long time fans nor do I think they need to be decreased for younger or more casual fans. We have a finite number of seats and the seats are in high demand, good on Rutgers for getting it right.

 

[rutgersfan1766]

How many home games next year?

Probably 16. 10 conf, 6 non con.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Trust me guys ..fhe AD has rhe resale data from the aftermarket

Plus …there is two seats in 105 row B owned by stubhub…I asked different people what they paid on a regular basis

My numbers are reasonably close

 

[RUBlackout]

Trust me guys ..fhe AD has rhe resale data from the aftermarket

Plus …there is two seats in 105 row B owned by stubhub…I asked different people what they paid on a regular basis

My numbers are reasonably close

You are very spot on..not all games are created equal(coppin state vs OSU) so prices will be higher for OSU

 

[Upstream]

I'm 1378 out of 14880 (9.26%). But @RUBlackout is still ahead of me!

Let us know how it goes.

I have no inside information, but I would be surprised if 1378 is high enough on the list to get into the 100 level. I think @RUBlackout will probably be borderline.

As I posted earlier in this thread, with only about 1400 seats for individual fans in the 100 section, and about 140 seats opening up each year, you have to have a lot of priority points to get in. Granted, some of the 1377 people ahead of you already have seats, and some are fans of football or other sports or otherwise not interested in basketball tickets. But there is still a lot of demand.

I wish you luck. They guy who has the seats next to mine got a new job on the west coast, so I expect he is not renewing his tickets. We need to replace him with a good, loud, knowledgeable fan. I'd be happy if you get those seats.

 

[rutgersfan1766]

Let us know how it goes.

I have no inside information, but I would be surprised if 1378 is high enough on the list to get into the 100 level. I think @RUBlackout will probably be borderline.

As I posted earlier in this thread, with only about 1400 seats for individual fans in the 100 section, and about 140 seats opening up each year, you have to have a lot of priority points to get in. Granted, some of the 1377 people ahead of you already have seats, and some are fans of football or other sports or otherwise not interested in basketball tickets. But there is still a lot of demand.

I wish you luck. They guy who has the seats next to mine got a new job on the west coast, so I expect he is not renewing his tickets. We need to replace him with a good, loud, knowledgeable fan. I'd be happy if you get those seats.

If you know how we can make that happen I'd definitely be in!!!

 

[GORU2014]

You're just a chronic complainer. I still haven't figured out what your point is. If you want better seats the simple answer is donate more.

You just don’t have the ability to form a logical thought that goes against the University’s actions, so you call anyone who disagrees with you a chronic complainer or hater.

Tell me more about how Rutgers did right by the students who waited outside for hours this year and often didn’t get seats? Have you heard of the RU Screw?

And tell me more about how donating extra will magically make more seats appear in the RAC? (Unless you’re Jeff Towers throwing in $100 million of course)

The school doesn’t do right by everyone in every situation, and I still love the school. Acknowledging that doesn’t make me a complainer, it’s just a fact. Try wrapping your head around that for once.

 

[darkcheck]

Check your ranking among the 15000 thousand or so donors --its listed. I kind of think those in the 100s are in the top 10% or better.

How do you check your ranking? Is it possible to see if you donate $X how much you could move up?

 

[MrsScrew]

Anyone know how many home games we are getting?

I was charged for 18 home games worth of parking

 

[rutgersfan1766]

How do you check your ranking? Is it possible to see if you donate $X how much you could move up?

You can see your rank on your profile page and then click View My Points. The link in the header navigation doesn't work. Hard to know how much you could move up since it's a variable moving target, but every $100 is 1 point for annual giving and every $1000 is 1 point for lifetime giving. They do round to two decimal points so fractional giving still gets you points.

 

[rutgersfan1766]

You just don’t have the ability to form a logical thought that goes against the University’s actions, so you call anyone who disagrees with you a chronic complainer or hater.

Tell me more about how Rutgers did right by the students who waited outside for hours this year and often didn’t get seats? Have you heard of the RU Screw?

And tell me more about how donating extra will magically make more seats appear in the RAC? (Unless you’re Jeff Towers throwing in $100 million of course)

The school doesn’t do right by everyone in every situation, and I still love the school. Acknowledging that doesn’t make me a complainer, it’s just a fact. Try wrapping your head around that for once.

Students had option to buy football and hoops combo ticket if they didn't want to wait in line. That doesn't excuse football for blocking off Senior Night which I thought was a bad look.

There will be seats open in 200 and 300 level for season tickets purchase if you so choose. I'm sure Rutgers will yet again announce how the amount of season tickets sold was more than the previous year.

I chose the words "to the extent possible" for a reason. I understand not everyone likes every decision, but every decision is made with the intention of harming the least amount of people possible.

Try to be less emotional next time you come to the keyboard.

 

[bac2therac]

Rutgers shouldn't be selling season tickets to stubhub

 

[rufan4ever]

I just received an email from RU confirming my seat fee for basketball.
I understand donations to the RFund ate tax deductible and have always believed seat fees are not.
Yet, the email states...."there were no substantial goods or services exchanged for this contribution".
It also states that "Donors may obtain registration information from the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey by calling..."
Lastly, it states that the details of the contribution is outlined for your tax records.
So, are these seat donations tax deductible or not?