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Increase first one in four seasons
By Shira Springer, Globe Staff, 6/13/2002
The price of success trickled down to Celtics fans yesterday, when the team announced an increase in ticket costs for the 2002-03 season. It was the first time in four years that the organization has raised ticket prices.
The greatest impact will be absorbed by fans in loge-level seating. Last season, only courtside seats and three-quarters of the seats at midcourt in Sections 1 and 12 were sold for the highest price of $85. Next season, courtside seats along with Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, and 22 - which cover the sidelines in the lower bowl - will be the highest-priced areas at $95. Loge-level seats in the corners increased from $72 to $80.
''Our fan support during the season and throughout the playoffs was incredible,'' said
chief operating officer Rich Pond. ''We have not raised our ticket prices since prior to the 1998-99 season. At the same time, our goal remains to offer a significant number of affordable seats to allow families an opportunity to enjoy Celtics basketball.''
While the average ticket cost increased approximately 12 percent, nearly 5,000 seats will remain at or below $25. The Celtics will continue to offer nearly 1,500 seats at the back of the upper level for $10. Also, there are 10-game packages available starting at $180.
''It's been a long time [since ticket prices were raised], which is not what I expected,'' said season ticket-holder Jay Munsey, who saw his front row, midcourt balcony seats increase from $44 to $50. ''I really expected prices to go up every year, incrementally.
''I think the reason they kept the prices the same was because they didn't have something they deemed worthy. They didn't go up because they didn't feel they had a product to sell. They do now. It's a fun team to watch. It's very well coached and they put it out there every night. There wasn't one game where I felt they didn't play hard. I have no problem now with ticket prices going up.''
The Celtics are now accepting deposits on full and partial season-ticket packages for the upcoming season. Tickets for individual games will be available in September on a date to be announced later this summer. For more information, visit celtics.com or call the Celtics' ticket sales office at 617-523-3030.
For one fan, watching Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals at the FleetCenter could prove truly costly. Yesterday, the Boston Police - with the full cooperation and support of the Celtics, FleetCenter and NBA - pressed assault charges against John Limoli, 28, of Lynn, who dumped beer on referee Steve Javie. The incident occured after the loss that ended the Celtics season when Javie was leaving the court through the tunnel just beyond the Boston bench. The charges could result in a substantial fine and potential jail time.
''We collected all the information and we were strongly supportive of them filing charges,'' said
FleetCenter spokesman Jim Delaney. ''It's unsafe and unacceptable behavior. It's something that shouldn't have to be tolerated by the players, league officials, and the rest of the fans. This [the filing of charges] was something we've been pushing for, the Celtics have been pushing for, and the NBA is 110 percent behind. It's an issue that was discussed within the NBA and their security office. As a venue, we're charged with providing a safe environment, and when something like this happens, it becomes unsafe.''
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