Here is a press release the Boston Red Sox distributed this morning concerning the price of tickets available to the public in 2009.
Red Sox freeze ticket prices for 2009 season
First time in 14 years the team holds prices on all seats and standing room tickets available to the public; Spring Training prices also held
BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox today announced the team is holding prices at 2008 levels for all existing seats and standing room tickets available to the public at Fenway Park for the 2009 season. The team will also hold prices for all tickets available to the public for 2009 Spring Training games at City of Palms Park in Ft. Myers, FL.
“We have been listening to fans, friends, and family about the challenges they are facing in light of the current adverse economic conditions,” said Larry Lucchino, Red Sox President/CEO. “We are also grateful for the unwavering faith and support our fans have shown us year after year and we hope our ownership’s decision to hold prices for the upcoming season will in some way help ease the burden on Red Sox Nation.”
The move marks the first time in 14 years, since 1995, that the team has held ticket prices across the board. Ticket prices have been held in several categories in recent years, including 70% that remained the same in 2006 and 81.5% in 2007.
“John Henry, Tom Werner, and our ownership always try to look at our business through the prism of the Red Sox fans who have stepped up to higher prices each year for several years,” said Lucchino. “We are taking this step to arrest the growth of season ticket and individual game ticket prices to ensure the great and distinctive Fenway Park experience is a viable option in 2009 for as many citizens of Red Sox Nation as possible.”
(In addition to maintaining 2008 ticket price levels on all existing seats and standing room ticket areas, the Red Sox special discount programs for Active Duty Military and Clergy will continue in 2009. Premium seat contractual ticketholders are also being given the option to freeze their tickets at 2008 prices for 2009. For those choosing to stay at the same 2008 price level, contractual agreements would be extended for one additional season.)
This announcement to freeze ticket prices at 2008 levels follows a tremendously successful season when the Red Sox organization and the citizens of Red Sox Nation together achieved several significant milestones. In addition to the team reaching the postseason for the fifth time in six years and Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS, the fans set a new all-time Major League sellout streak record on Sept. 8th and ended the season at the 469 consecutive game mark (going back to May 15, 2003). A new Fenway Park attendance record was also set, with 3,048,248 fans coming through the turnstiles during the regular season.
“As stewards of this great franchise, John, Larry and I hold our positions as a kind of public trust, and from that perspective, a freeze in ticket prices for the 2009 season is both fair and appropriate for the times and economic conditions,” said Tom Werner, Red Sox Chairman.
Consistent with efforts undertaken by Red Sox ownership since 2002, the club will remain true to its pledge “to field a team worthy of the fans’ support” by investing in its formidable roster of uniformed personnel at both the Major and Minor League levels. During the off-season the organization will also continue its ongoing efforts to preserve, protect and enhance Fenway Park, “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark”, through the Year VIII Improvement plan currently underway.
Fans’ first opportunity to purchase tickets for the 2009 season will be the annual “Christmas at Fenway” celebration on Saturday, Dec. 13. Additional details will be released in the near future.
