Masai Ujiri 'feels for the fans' as rebuilding Raptors raise ticket prices again

[MadDogSHWA]

It's not inflation if companies are making record profits. A rising tide lifts all boats.

[vulture]

Toronto in general is so expensive that I’m not sure how people are affording to live here.

[JB7]

If the choice is spending upwards of $1,000 to go watch any sports event, or putting that money into my kids own registration on a sports team, the choice is simple. I much rather watch my kids play sports than watch live any professional team.

[Duffman100]

If the choice is spending upwards of $1,000 to go watch any sports event, or putting that money into my kids own registration on a sports team, the choice is simple. I much rather watch my kids play sports than watch live any professional team.

You can drink on the sidelines either way

[C Court]

I went from lower bowl season ticket holder (year 2) to eventually giving up my seasons seats ten years ago. I then started buying 15 games a season from other season seat holders. This season I bought 5 games and attended just 4 games. That's the fewest games I have attended live since season 1.

Fact is that even upper bowl tickets are way over-priced. My wife orders a glass of wine and its $21. While I love the in-game experience, the product on the court can't justify what MLSE is charging.

Moving forward, I'll buy tickets for a few games each season. I can't justify dropping $400 or more (tix + food/drink + parking) for 2 hours of mediocre entertainment from the 300s.

Raps games look just fine on my 75" big screen at home.

[Ado05]

Nobody paying for this ****. I'll consider it when they're good again.

[Hero_Panda]

MLSE: "Raising ticket prices is going to be tough for you all, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make."

[wegotthabeet]

Real easy, don't buy tickets.

About 6 years ago I deemed the ticket prices to be too high in relation to the product. I'd rather sit at home on my couch and drink reasonably priced beer while watching on a 70 inch TV.

Though, with kids now I want them to experience it at some point.

Are we pretending corporate entities don’t just scoop them up and then write them off? This isn’t the 80s, there’s no more voting with your wallet for the average person.

[And1Skip]

I have been a SSH since 2011-12 lockout shortened season where my lower bowl seats at that time costed $50 per seat. I have moved around over the years but have not changed my "price zone" and now on average the cost per seat is $132 for next season. Nowadays with 2 kids ages 11 and 8, I really only go to a few games with each kid, and I sell the rest.

I do remember how difficult it was during the first couple of seasons to sell my tickets. I remember I couldn't even give away tickets to friends and developed a good relationship with Kids UpFront and donated a number of games to them. Last season I only donated 1 game to them as I didn't have much issue selling tickets at my cost to friends prior to the season start and then some games selling on ticketmaster. Of course, many of the later games I sold on ticketmaster, I got back lower than what I paid for due to the lower demand and outrageous fees.

I find that in talking to coworkers, acquaintances, etc, there's still demand from casual fans to attend Raptors games (and many non fans who have never been to a game). For the most part, little kids don't know what tanking means and don't really understand the big picture of contending for a playoff spot vs being bad - so regardless, its going to be a fun outing for them. I don't know what to expect in demand for next season but I do know there's going to be a lot of special events for the 30th anniversary celebrations. I'm sure I'll have the same difficulties in getting rid of games vs Nets, Hornets, Pistons, Blazers, Wizards and Jazz on mid weeknights. Its definitely outrageous what the prices have come to now.

[LoveMyRaps]

Still haven't been to a Raps or Leafs game in my life.

Been a fan of both teams for two decades.

[DutchCanuck]

Not a great look after a year like this, Just buy cheap on the secondary market or don't go. I buy 2 tall cans relax on my couch and watch the game from home.

A couple of my friends who work for the banks downtown said they were begging people to take corporate tickets towards the end of the year (zero interest from casuals)

[MessiahUjiri]

If you have to go out, it’s way better to go to like Real Sports or something, where the kids still feel like it’s a fun vibe but you can get done under $200.

“Hey son, do you want to go see the Raptors??”
“YEAHHH”
*pulls up to Real Sports*

Lesson in setting expectations matching financial situation and promise

This guy sounds incredibly out of touch with reality. Most Canadian families can’t attend a Raps game anymore, and going to Real Sports is actually a pretty cool experience as a kid.

[DelAbbot]

Still haven't been to a Raps or Leafs game in my life.

Been a fan of both teams for two decades.

[DutchCanuck]

Still haven't been to a Raps or Leafs game in my life.

Been a fan of both teams for two decades.

Not a great look after a year like this, Just buy cheap on the secondary market or don't go. I buy 2 tall cans relax on my couch and watch the game from home.

A couple of my friends who work for the banks downtown said they were begging people to take corporate tickets towards the end of the year (zero interest from casuals)

Missed opportunity for the biggest Raptors fan to attend a game.

Last time I attended it was free.

The last time I paid I think was $50 upper bowl, couldn't tell which pixel was who

Didn't miss anything not attending in person with this team, if they are competitive I get to 4-5 games a year. I live in the Hamilton area between traffic parking food and beer costs it's just a tougher and tougher outing to justify.

[ItsDanger]

"Feels for the fans . . . sometimes . . .".

Increasingly, teams focus more on premium seating rather than general seating. As the chart indicates below, media/advertising is a huge component these days. They should at least restrict increases on 300 level tickets.

[ontnut]

Yep, as several others have stated, I've been a long time (shared partner) season seat holder (10+ years), this year was the first year I went to ZERO games, and have given up my share in the season seats. The prices are wholly unjustified. The price hikes have been outrageous even considering inflation. 15%-20% a year is not inflation. They're setting the prices for the Toronto market as a whole, not just the Raptors fan market, but as we know, Toronto has a lot of corporations and HNW individuals who have no problem scooping tickets for clients/business tax write offs. With the chip and the increased popularity, the Raptors have become like the Leafs where it's more corporate than local fans. TFC is now kind of the Raptors of old.

I used to get 20 games a year, sell half, and go to the other half. During the Lowry/Demar years, lower bowl row 6 seats, you could go to a less in-demand weekday game, and have several drinks and food, and spend like $200 for the night as the cheapest tickets were around $50-60. That was extremely reasonable. I think this year the cheapest tickets for my seats were around $100/each. To watch a sh*t product, with teams resting stars. If I go with a buddy, we're going to drink like 3-4 $20+ beers each, and grab a bite. That's $100 each on top. $200/each to watch a tanking team. Yikes. Nevermind going to a high premium game like the Lakers or Warriors...those tickets are like $400-500+ each.

This season I barely watched any games on TV either, but I'd much rather do that in my comfy sweats, on a 85" screen, drinking a $10 bottle of soju, $3 beer and split 10 pcs of broasted chicken that costs me $25.

[Tor_Raps]

I haven't cared to go to a single game since 2020. The prices have been stupid for such an uninspiring team.

MLSE is pretty much taking advantage of most of the fanbase that doesn't know any better but Masai may be acknowledging the jig is finally up lol.

[Tor_Raps]

Still haven't been to a Raps or Leafs game in my life.

Been a fan of both teams for two decades.

Someone set up a go fund me for this dude lol.

[DelAbbot]

This is why we should all support tanking for a few years - it will lower prices for the real fans

[Tor_Raps]

This is why we should all support tanking for a few years - it will lower prices for the real fans

To be real, I don't give a crap about ticket prices if the product itself is worth it. I spent a grand to go watch Game 1 of the finals and I will never regret that.

If you build it, they will come. Sadly, they haven't built anything the past few years and people have still been coming but MLSE saw the tides turning at the end of last year. This will continue next year if we don't have a good offseason.