"The Staples Scam"
The Lakers have not contended for an NBA championship since 2004. How then, can you explain Los Angeles having the highest ticket prices in the NBA? AccuScore's Wailele Sallas looks into the robbery in Los Angeles. From the early 1980's through and early 2000's, the Lakers were the hottest ticket in the NBA. Since moving to the Staples Center, there was the three-peat, followed by trip to the Finals in 2004 with four Hall of Famers on their roster.
But since losing to the Pistons in 2004, things have changed. Shaq was traded and the team is in its third year of rebuilding. And now, a survey by Team Marketing Reports announced the Lakers $89.24 average season ticket price is the highest in the NBA.
How is this possible? Fans heading to the Staples Center are enduring a 4.5% raise to see a mediocre team that lost in the first round as the seventh seed two consecutive years.
An average Lakers ticket is close to double the league average of $48.83. A family of four spends $453.95 a game, according to the Fan Cost Index. The price factors in four average-price tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four regular-size hot dogs, parking for one car, two game programs and two least-expensive, adult-size adjustable caps.
The real question is why are fans not appalled by this? During the Lakers title runs, you could not go anywhere in Southern California without seeing Lakers paraphernalia. Streets were filled with license frames, flags, jerseys and buzz.
But it is no longer 2003. Angelinos are now shelling out $89.24 on the hopes Kobe will go for 81 every game, because there is nothing else to look forward to when headed to the Staples Center. I doubt they are paying a $90 entry fee to watch the likes of Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, Andrew Bynum and Ronny Turiaf misfire for 48 minutes.
If the Lakers are asking double of the league average, should they not be putting out a product that is near the top in the NBA? Diehard Spurs, Suns or Sixers fans would not spend hard earned dollars to watch sub par play. The fans would say "forget you!" and watch from home.
But how and why are the Lakers still selling out? Los Angeles has long been synonymous with fair-weather fans. By filling the arena, the Lakers faithful are supporting management's decision to raise prices and saying they are fine with the team's direction. They don't mind the dismantling of a dynasty and OK with the return of Derek Fisher being the biggest free-agent pick up since Shaq left.
If there is any sense of pride with Lakers' fans, they need to boycott the Staples Center until Dr. Jerry Buss and company come down on their prices. You wouldn't pay $180 for a pair of Fadida's so why pay the Lakers ridiculous prices?
While other teams are getting younger and better, the Lakers seem fine with the status quo.And things can actually get worse if Kobe is traded, or opts out of his contract in the summer of '09.
If the fan's apathy stays the same toward rising prices, Lakers ownership will be charging near triple digits by the time Kobe leaves La-La land. Will Laker fans then, start to oppose the thievery they have grown accustomed to? This is not the same Purple and Gold that came into each year, threatening for a title. This team threatens to make the lottery each year.
This past week, the New Orleans Hornets beat the Lakers at the Staples Center. The Hornets charge $24.58 for their home games, nearly a quarter of the cost of a Lakers ticket. The Hornets haven't made the playoffs since 2002 when they still played in Charlotte.
You have to love the home of the Purple and Gold, emphasis on Gold.
