The St. Louis Blues will announce later today a 4% increase over current season ticket prices for the 2010-2011 season.
The Blues currently have the 5th lowest average ticket prices in the NHL and the increase will keep the average ticket price in the bottom 1/3 in the NHL moving into next season. Currently the Blues have more than 11,000 season ticket holders.
The most significant increase will see the $11.00 mezzanine high end seats jump to $16.00 for season ticket holders. The Blues will still offer all-inclusive food and drink packages which have been a success this season.
The Blues have some important pieces to re-sign at the end of this year including young stars Erik Johnson and David Perron. As much as the increased revenue could potentially allow the organization to dip into the free agent market on July 1st, more importantly the organization feels increased revenues will allow them to re-sign their own players who are cornerstones of the Blues moving forward.
If you look around the NHL you will see the salaries being handed out to impact players coming out of entry level contracts. This is new territory both for the Blues as well as their fans.
The Blues also have some important free agents such as Chris mason, Alex Steen, Carlo Colaiacovo, and Cam Janssen whose contracts expire at the end of this season.
The Blues raised ticket prices in year one of the Dave Checketts era before reducing prices a season later. Prior to the 2008-2009 season ticket prices saw an increase of 3 ½% from the previous season. Last season fans had an option to lock in at no increase their ticket prices if they elected to re-new their season tickets by April first.
This is the current climate in the NHL as ticket revenues continue to be the lifeblood of any NHL franchise. Other NHL markets continue to reflect similar ticket price increases when you consider Washington Capitals fans will see a significant raise in thier ticket prices heading into next season. The Capitals will raise certain tickets that currently sell for $12 to $25 heading into 2010-2011. The Columbus Blue Jackets average ticket price is currently 50% higher than the St. Louis Blues.
The current Blues ticket that will rise to $16 next season sold for $25 back in 1994. There will be 1,100 plaza corner seats which will see a price reduction to plaza end pricing heading into next year.
I will be interested to hear and read the initial reaction from Blues fans but it’s hard to argue Dave Checketts hasn’t been more than fair to fans since taking over in 2006. He’s the only NHL owner in pro sports that does a free food night and remains committed to re-opening the historic Kiel Opera house. Raising ticket prices is the reality if fans expect a competitive product on the ice.
Blues Clues!
Keith Tkachuk will have surgery later today on a displaced pinky as he continues to be bothered by a finger injury that plagued him prior to the Olympic break. Tkachuk is expected to miss 10 more days and is not expected to be traded before Wednesday’s deadline.
Word is Paul Kariya would waive his no-movement clause if he has a chance to move to a true Cup contender.
Roman Polak will re-join the Blues this Saturday.
Erik Johnson and David Backes will meet the team in Phoenix following the Olympics.
Larry Pleau will watch Peoia play Friday night in Peoria.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
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St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
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