SAN JOSE (Tuesday, November 9, 2004) - The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that season ticket packages for the 2005 season at Spartan Stadium are now on sale. The Earthquakes 2005 season ticket package features 18 games, including all MLS regular season games and special bonus games. The Quakes season ticket pricing once again consists of a Youth (14 and younger) and a Senior (60 and over) discount in three price levels. "Starting today, season tickets are on sale," said Earthquakes President & General Manager Alexi Lalas. "We are open for business and committed to providing the affordable and entertaining professional soccer product that our fans have come to expect." There are many more benefits of becoming an Earthquakes season ticket holder than just saving on day of game ticket prices. All 2005 season ticket holders will receive a 2005 San Jose Earthquakes Information Guide, a special Earthquakes 10th Season Anniversary DVD, the ability to participate in the Quakes flexible ticket exchange program, invitations to exclusive "meet the team" events, a discount on season parking passes and other special offers. Prices for the 2005 season ticket packages are $198 adult ($162 youth/senior) for Endzone, $252 adult ($198 youth/senior) for East Sideline, $450 ($396 youth/senior) for West Sideline and $720 for VIP seats
Interesting math. Does this mean the league will have a 34 game schedule next year (which wouldn't make sense) or are they forgetting about a second bonus game?
The league will probably have 32 regular season games (4 games against 5 conference teams, 2 games against 6 non-coferennce: 4X5 + 2X6 = 32). 16 regular season home games + 2 bonus games = 18 games. From the original press release:
This thread has a disingenuous title. There's been no official decree that the team will stay in SJ for next year. They are merely selling season tickets, it would seem to me, in the eventuality that they do stay. That's smart business. But it's hardly proof that the team will stay another season. I remain skeptical the SJ will be SJ next year.
"The San Jose Earthquakes have put to bed speculation about their immediate future by announcing they will stay in the Bay Area for the 2005 season. Season tickets are now on sale for next year's home campaign, which will be played at Spartan Stadium." from the front page of sjearthquakes.com I don't know how much more you want AQ Tony
I always find the discount policy a little disappointing, and probably not as effective as it could be at building an audience. With the youth discount set at 14 and under, it seems like parents bring their young kids, then by the time the kids are 18 many of them have lost interest in going to watch soccer -- they're spending time with their friends, going to concerts, or whatever; doing things with their parents, or even doing on their own what they used to do with their parents, is no longer cool. This doesn't do as much as it could to bring in high-school or college age crowds, which is what I'd think a sports team would really want to be courting. I think a better idea would be a student discount: under 18, plus anyone 18-25 with a currently valid college ID. This would help attract the teen and young adult crowd that will likely be the backbone of any real passionate fan support going forward. Parents still get a discount when taking their younger children, but it also makes games more affordable for high school and college students who are making their own choices about what to spend their time and money on. Plus the 10-20% discount is a bit weak. I think they need to be bold and make the student discount at least 25-30%, maybe even 50%. They'd probably sell enough concessions to make up the difference anyway. Maybe at Spartan they wouldn't get most of that money, but at least when they have their own stadium or a better deal. The senior discount, if retained, would still be only 10-20% though. (I am not a student or in that 18-25 age range, and will happily pay full price.)
So the Mutiny started taking deposits for season tickets before they were contracted in 2001? I did not know that: that sucks. I really don't think that is the case here with the Quakes. Planning a schedule for an 11-team league would be a nightmare.