Big East means bigger prices for Butler basketball fans.
The cost for most season tickets is rising by 7 to 10 percent from last season, according to figures released by the university this week.
That continues a trend in which the price of some season tickets have more than tripled over seven years. During those seven years, though, Butler had a 195-56 record, made six NCAA tournaments, reached two national championship games and twice changed conferences.
The cost of lower-level season tickets is increasing from $589 to $639. Padded bleacher seats are going from $399 to $439 and upper level from $279 to $299.
One price point has decreased. That’s for the top two rows of Hinkle Fieldhouse. That price went from $225 to $199.
The Bulldogs are expected to play 17 home games, including two exhibitions, which would be the same as last season. The schedule likely won’t be released until fall.
Beginning July 1, Butler will belong to a revamped Big East after one year in the Atlantic 10 and 33 years in the Horizon League. Ticket manager Matt Harris said demand has risen, but he did not provide specifics. The athletic department doesn’t discuss numbers of season tickets publicly.
Butler will play home games against all nine Big East opponents: Georgetown, Villanova, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Providence, Marquette, DePaul, Creighton and Xavier.
Fans who responded to a request for comment via Twitter said the increases are warranted to stay competitive and pay for the $34 million fieldhouse renovation.
The 2013-14 season will be the last before the arena is upgraded with more chair backs and a scoreboard with video capability. The project will cut capacity from 10,000 to 9,100.
John Couture, 38, a Butler graduate living in Nashville, Tenn., said in an email that it’s “only logical” the tickets would cost more.
“I think the problem will come if Butler is unable to field a competitive team year in and year out in the Big East,” his email said. “If that happens, then I think you’ll see interest in the team wane, and then it might be difficult to get sellouts at those higher prices.
“For now, though, I just think it’s a natural market-settling effect. They will know when they increase the ticket prices too much.”
according to indystar.com
