This past Wednesday (Sep. 16), ticket sales for the New York Knicks season opener went live and the franchise immediately drew scrutiny from its hardcore fanbase as everyone noticed that ticket prices were ridiculously overpriced with nosebleed seats fetching more than $1000.
However, the tickets still sold like hotcakes. Many fans are foregoing a month or two of rent and risking eviction just to be there for the raising of the Knicks first championship banner in more than 50 years.
ESPN is reporting that the Knicks have paused ticket sales as they’ve heard our cries and decided to have a little mercy on the fanbase. Calling the high-priced seats an “error,” the franchise will reset the prices to something a bit more affordable and have fans choosing between buying tickets or buying a month’s worth of groceries instead of paying for their shelter.
Per ESPN:
“We are pausing Knicks individual ticket sales due to a mistake in our pricing. We are rolling back to last year’s prices plus an average increase of 12%. We will restart sales with new prices shortly, and anyone who already purchased individual tickets will be refunded the difference,” Madison Square Garden Sports said in a statement.
There is generally a ticket increase after seasons when the Knicks made the playoffs. Owner James Dolan has not raised them when the team does not.
“Our intention was never to overcharge our loyal fans, and we thank everyone for their support of the Knicks and their patience as we get this right,” MSG said.
So instead of nosebleed seats going for $1000+ you’ll probably pay around $500-$800. Should be interesting to see how this ticket rollout plays out. While fans are excited to see the Knicks players receive their championship rings and raise their third championship banner in franchise history, there’s also the LeBron James factor and fans wanting to see Jalen “King of New York” Brunson and the Knicks put the beats on “King James” and his new Philadelphia 76er’s squad before James ultimately retires this season or next.
Had the Knicks opened the season against the Brooklyn Nets or some other run-of-the-mill team, tickets probably wouldn’t have been as high as Afroman in 2001. Just sayin.’
