Braves slash concession prices for season ticket holders
The Braves will offer season-ticket holders a 33-percent discount on food and beverages (excluding alcohol) beginning with the 2012 season, team announced Monday.
In a press release that referred to the discount as both “unparalleled” and “unprecedented,” the Braves said anyone with a season-ticket plan of 20 games or more can get the discount on food and beverages — non-booze category — at all fixed concession stands or through the in-seat food service (in those primo seats behind home plate).
The discount will not apply at the 755 Club, Chop House, Georgia’s Own Credit Union Club or through the vendors who roam through the stands.
Each season-ticket holder will have a bar code on his ticket or seat locater that can be scanned at the concession stand or by the in-seat server to activate the discount. The discount will trim $1.50 from the price of a 22-ounce soft drink and more than $2.50 off a brisket sandwich or large order of fries.
The Braves are trying to boost attendance after ranking 14th in the majors in 2011 with an average home attendance of 29,296. They sold 2,372,940 tickets at Turner Field, their lowest home total since 2.32 million paid in 2004.
“Season ticket holders are the lifeblood of our organization and this industry-leading benefit rewards them for their commitment to the Braves,” said Derek Schiller, Braves executive vice president of sales and marketing.
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204 comments Add your comment
ChopAttack
January 23rd, 2012
4:51 pm
The economy and the poor offense contributed to last season’s drop in attendance. The Braves lineup was painful to watch last season; however, if Heyward bounces back that should help put people in seats.
imausedtobe
January 23rd, 2012
4:55 pm
This sends such a bad message to me. I understand that the ownership has stuck with the message that it will continue to hold its stance on payroll. Essentially they need to make more money by generating more income. My belief however relivent it may be is that they should put a more competitve team on the field. We will buy more tickets when we are interested in seeing a winning team.
Ted
January 23rd, 2012
4:56 pm
Nice gesture. However, it’s not enough to entice me to get a 20 game package based on the totality of what has transpired over the last 5 months.
But hopefully, for others, this is a nice benefit. At least the team marketing department is trying something to appease the fans.
David O'Brien
January 23rd, 2012
4:59 pm
This sends such a bad message to me. — imausedtobe
So, would raising concession prices or not changing them at all send a better message than cutting them by one-third?
Skeezix
January 23rd, 2012
5:04 pm
Finally— something the fans can cheer about.
Ted
January 23rd, 2012
5:05 pm
I think ima’s comment is that he’d rather see them try to build attendance by putting a better product on the field for the fans to watch vs. putting cheaper food in their stomach.
So, it is a “bad message” that they’ve decided to try the latter approach.
Again, this is at least something, for which I do give them credit.
Shane
January 23rd, 2012
5:06 pm
Is it just a one time discount on one item?
Bruce Chen
January 23rd, 2012
5:06 pm
Come on guys buy season tickets! They re-signed Jack Wilson for crying out loud! Everyone just hope for half the team to “bounce back” or not get injuried this year. I’m pumped!!!
William
January 23rd, 2012
5:08 pm
I don’t go to braves games to eat that crap so it means nothing to me. But I know many people who like to fill their bodies with crap do.
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
January 23rd, 2012
5:13 pm
no reduction in beer??!!!???
Ron Roberts
January 23rd, 2012
5:17 pm
That’s a start; now lower season ticket prices and game-day ticket prices and put some “buy one game, get one half-price” type deals and you might start filling more seats.
Because the off-season .lack of P.R. “sizzle” via free agency/acquisition can’t possibly be exciting potential season-ticket buyers.
I’m not saying I disagree that this team doesn’t have many holes to fill; but doing little to a team that failed down the stretch in such an epic fashion doesn’t excite fans. It is what it is.
A hot start, offensively and solid starting and relief pitching in April would probably make folks notice.
Jesus Christ
January 23rd, 2012
5:18 pm
Most fans are fat enough. No need to encourage them to eat more.
imausedtobe
January 23rd, 2012
5:19 pm
I feel that most fans invisioned seeing a few moves this offseason. This is a marketing concept. I understand the need to generate a revenue. I want my favortie team to generate revenue. I think its a bad message that they expect us to want to buy tickets simply because they have a discounted hotdog. I want to see productive players who can help the Braves win. If this “marketing concept” works to help provide that, I am all for it. I think it’s a bad message because they haven’t improved what is on the field yet to the level that most fans expect.
Thrashers fan!
January 23rd, 2012
5:23 pm
No price cuts on alcohol? gtfo
Ron Roberts
January 23rd, 2012
5:24 pm
And I’ll say it again; Turner Field was built with too many seats TO fill, anyhow. Lop off about Ten-to-twelve thousand seats from that cavernous upper deck or that awkwardly-angled right field corner and make the place more intimate. Lower the supply and the demand would go up with a good product on the field.
Sad Sack
January 23rd, 2012
5:28 pm
A 33% discount on a product that is already marked up at least 100% (and of dubious quality – how ’bout them greasy pizzas!) isn’t enough to entice me to purchase a ticket package.
BraveMan
January 23rd, 2012
5:28 pm
Another break for the well-heeled. The average fan, who can’t afford season tickets, gets what? How about more wins drawing bigger crowds?
DawgDad
January 23rd, 2012
5:28 pm
They’re going to Spring Training with no experienced MLB shortstop capable of playing every day, the weakest outfield in the majors, and a beat-up or green pitching staff and they’re CUTTING prices? PLEASE keep the money and buy some players!
Thrashers fan!
January 23rd, 2012
5:30 pm
@Ron Roberts I’ve been saying the same thing for 5 years. Turner field is the 2nd biggest stadium in the league. If we had a smaller stadium like the Phillies we would be selling out games all the time.
Stinger2
January 23rd, 2012
5:34 pm
I see this as a small good will gesture at best. Problem is that its not an incentive that will appeal to all fans.
If a fan or a family does not want or cannot afford the discounted food or soda, there is no reason to buy 20 or more tickets and tie up your cash. A more aggressive approach would be to lower ticket prices in some way for the midweek, early season, or any other games which are projected to have low attendance. Empty seats generate no revenue. On an April Tuesday night for example, maybe they sell 15 to 17k tickets at regular price. A buy one and get 2nd for 50 pct off would put 30to 34k in the seats with 50 pct more revenue.
Simpson's Homer
January 23rd, 2012
5:35 pm
Hmmmm….. our division rivals Marlins and Nationals upgrade their rosters significantly, and we knock a buck or 2 off of a mediocre hot dog. Sigh………
Chaz
January 23rd, 2012
5:35 pm
I’d buy season tickets if I got 50% off beers.
george
January 23rd, 2012
5:39 pm
any promotion which gets more people in the seats is great. as a grandfather of tweens who still enjoy baseball (and doing things with me) i hope they will also offer more ticket/merchandise/concession packages. tie in with local hotels would also be welcome as we live about 3 hours away.
ND
January 23rd, 2012
5:39 pm
When you can take as much food and drinks (no alcohol or cans) as you want into the stadium why would you want to buy any to begin with?
keepinitreal
January 23rd, 2012
5:43 pm
This makes me wonder if early ticket sales for next season aren’t looking good. There’s no doubt that the Braves are going to have to win some people back on to the bandwagon after the September collapse and no signficant offseason moves. I expect to see some really sparse crowds at Turner Field, at least early on. As always, if they win, the fans will come back.
the truth
January 23rd, 2012
5:44 pm
Dear Braves Marketing Genius. How about lowering the overall cost of all concessions. $4.50 for a bottled water, soft drink etc. ???? As long as you can bring food and beverage into the stadium you won’t get any of my money. Charge a reasonable amount, $2.00 – $2.50 and I would buy and you would make a little money off me. Meanwhile, you try to rape us for all we are worth. Marketing / Sales 101. A small percentage of something is better than 0% of nothing. Does not take a Harvard MBA to figure that out.
keepinitreal
January 23rd, 2012
5:44 pm
But I will say it’s a nice gesture by the Braves.
MannyT
January 23rd, 2012
5:47 pm
I like the idea of doing a little extra for the fans that have shown a higher level of commitment.
All this babble about I would go to the games if… is bogus talk. When the team was very good, it didn’t regularly sell out. When it has been less successful it hasn’t sold out either. The locals should just be honest…most are not inclined to go to pro sports in Atlanta, be it anything but football.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/attendance
labalt
January 23rd, 2012
5:47 pm
if u have season tickets you already have money..how about cutting the prices for EVERYONE.. then folks like me who drive the 3 hours a few times a year can afford to eat there a
marketer
January 23rd, 2012
5:56 pm
Just charge them to go to the bathroom.
smallmouth6
January 23rd, 2012
5:58 pm
Outstanding. It’s about time. Now, let us have baseball between innings and not all that between inning entertainment (except for the kiss cam–that’s pretty cool). Good move Braves.
Kevin
January 23rd, 2012
6:02 pm
Let’s not forget how ridiculously expensive parking is
extremus
January 23rd, 2012
6:07 pm
The logic of this price-slashing is severely flawed even if well-intentioned. We are in the middle of an economy where the average family (such as mine) MAY get to go to the stadium one time during a season, and then it’s a true vacation-level thing. News flash: the average family CANNOT AFFORD season tickets.
I know the intent of the price slash is to encourage more folks to invest in season tickets, but it’s a serious rub to the vast majority of Braves fans who see a specific segment (namely, those already well-off enough for discounts not to make that big a difference either way) catered to in a favoritist fashion. Next thing you know, the dugout-level seats will be renamed “The 1 Percent Club”.
Seriously, this promotion needs to be re-thought because it’s unintentionally sending the WRONG message: rewarding the wealthier fans with price discounts not offered to everyone on equal terms.
Jesus
January 23rd, 2012
6:09 pm
For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.
Matthew 13:11-13
YouKidding?
January 23rd, 2012
6:09 pm
You gotta be kidding. You think this will apprease us that suffered though last year with you? Especially that last 10 games.? Most people cannot afford to go to a game, let alone eat there. What genius thought this up? The same one that hired fredi?
Kevin Chop
January 23rd, 2012
6:09 pm
Iabalt…Good point. I would figure the season ticket holders are the companies and locals around Atlanta,but that is not the heart of the fan base! The true Braves fans are the ones who come from Columbus,Macon,Mongomery, Knoxville, Birmingham, Charletston..etc. How about giving big discounts for those fans who drive all the way from these places to see their Braves play? Also, out some damn money in your ball club and get a star to come to Atlanta and you will have more fans buy season tickets. The richest owners in baseball and they are the biggest penny pinchers I have ever seen. What a joke. If you thought attendance was bad last year, wait until this year with that bad taste in our mouths from that collaspe and not making any moves after in the offseason.
Kevin Chop
January 23rd, 2012
6:10 pm
Amen Kidding
YouKidding?
January 23rd, 2012
6:12 pm
Back at ya Kevin
Steve
January 23rd, 2012
6:14 pm
Plus you can BRING YOUR OWN beverages (In Plastic) and food for free! Can’t stand the complainers. Grab a sub at Publix and bring it with you.
ImOBESE
January 23rd, 2012
6:23 pm
Okay I just bought season tickets (whatever those are). What section do I go to for the best food? And does this “Turner Field” have moving sidewalks or free electric scooters?
Heart of the Fan Base
January 23rd, 2012
6:24 pm
Charleston & Knoxville?
Tommy
January 23rd, 2012
6:25 pm
That is a good idea. However, what about the normal guy who tries to take his kid to the game. I have to save for a while to go with my son. It just seems that the people with money always get the break. But I applaud the Braves for doing this.
bobbymahlon
January 23rd, 2012
6:29 pm
Boy you people are something, if you didn’t charge anything some of you would still complain.
Gimme a Break
January 23rd, 2012
6:31 pm
Want to send the Braves a message about the high concession prices? Start a movement to make no stadium purchases during the first home stand. Worked for the HOT Lanes on I-85. Consumers have the power. If you really think the product is overpriced – don’t buy it.
slobberknocker
January 23rd, 2012
6:31 pm
All right. More junk food for fat asses. Maybe the need to widen the seats for the sn ticket holders if they are going to do that. I never have and never will eat that crap in the stadium as I usually tailgate before the game. The one thing they could do to draw fans, lowering beer prices, they won’t or can’t do for legal reasons. I remember when they had all you can eat seats. I wonder what the average weight per fan was in those areas. Try a good team. Try a good hitting team. That might work. This is BS at it’s best
wayn-o
January 23rd, 2012
6:38 pm
How about letting me bring my own food, & not charge for parking… oh yeah and a team that can hit
G. Tampa Bedwetter
January 23rd, 2012
6:50 pm
Exactly what is Heyward supposed to bounce back to …………… worthless to sorry?
Steve
January 23rd, 2012
6:53 pm
wayn-o, you can bring your own food genious.
Tickets for Food : baseballmusings.com
January 23rd, 2012
7:02 pm
[...] The Braves will give season ticket holders a 33% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages this season. That’s seems like a sweet deal, as long as the team doesn’t jack up the food prices too much. The Braves are trying to boost attendance after ranking 14th in the majors in 2011 with an average home attendance of 29,296. They sold 2,372,940 tickets at Turner Field, their lowest home total since 2.32 million paid in 2004. [...]
OldTimer
January 23rd, 2012
7:02 pm
The ship has sailed, the Braves aren’t on it.
Logan
January 23rd, 2012
7:04 pm
I’m sticking with Skip. “if you promise to patronize our sponsors you can walk the dog.”
blazerdawg
January 23rd, 2012
7:06 pm
Like the food at the Ted. Aramark does the concessions and they have virtually the same menu and prices in the majority of MLB parks. Any price reduction of anything right now is a good thing.
Re: the Ted being too large – sure it may not sell out as easily, but when it does it rocks. Not too many places you can see a baseball game with 52K+ anymore.
Harvey's
January 23rd, 2012
7:09 pm
Trade Heyward now….bad attitude!!!!!
YouKidding?
January 23rd, 2012
7:14 pm
slobberknocker says, “more junk food for fat asses,” but he wants more beer for less money. So where is all your weight? In your “beer” belly? Just, for once, how about a decent ballclub, and a new manager?
rally
January 23rd, 2012
7:16 pm
How about 99cent a ticket and and 99cent food? My gosh what a novel concept……come on where’s my government subsidy so I can piggyback on all the top earners. Maybe they should just give it all away for free for one year. If I can get a Church’es three piece meal and a biscuit for 2.69 with tax it costs me three bucks….who gives a rats tail about $1.50 off a $8.00 drink at the game. Get real you greedy slimes……
ohhhhYEAH
January 23rd, 2012
7:20 pm
The reason the Ted doesnt sell out every single night is a lot less complicated than some of you think, compared to why Philthy, New York, Boston, etc sell out almost every night. During the week, too many people simply cannot sit at a stadium for 3= hours while they have children to put to bed, have work to finish, homework to do, etc. The mid-week games seem to affect Atlanta more drastically simply because of the population. Philadelphia, NY, Boston, Chicago and all these other teams that sell out on a nightly basis easily have right at or over a million people in their city. We have less than half of that to fill the seats at the Ted. Simple math. The big city teams have more people, therefore more opportunities, on a nightly basis to sell every seat in the house
ohhhhYEAH
January 23rd, 2012
7:26 pm
Also, I do agree that this does nothing to help your “average joe.” What about the guy who comes up from south Georgia or down from middle Tennessee? There’s no way these people could be season ticket holders, it’s unrealistic for them to even be expected to go to 5 or 6 games a year. Much less 30 or 40. I want a deal that benefits these fans as well, but as stated before by others, I do commend them for doing something.
YouKidding?
January 23rd, 2012
7:27 pm
It’s not about selling out a ballgame. It’s about a thousand percent markup on the crap they sell. Not to mention, owners that don’t care, a general manager that doesn’t care and a manager that can’t manage. People need a little more incentive to spend what little money they have on that overpriced crap and going home losers anyway.
Paula Dean
January 23rd, 2012
7:28 pm
I was sittin on the fence, y’all, but this deal is too good to pass up! Put me down for 2 seats.
YouKidding?
January 23rd, 2012
7:31 pm
The Braves were hoping for more Paula. How about a row of seats? Just don’t buy the “food”, it’s bad for ya
David O'Brien
January 23rd, 2012
7:33 pm
People need a little more incentive to spend what little money they have on that overpriced crap and going home losers anyway. — YouKidding?
Braves’ 47-34 home record was fourth-best in NL and tied for seventh in majors last season. So unless you knew throughout the season that they were going to collapse in September and miss the playoffs, I’m wondering how you connect last year’s lower attendance with losing? Did you actually attend any games, YouKidding? Be honest now.
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
January 23rd, 2012
7:37 pm
how about a discount beer? like natty light, or the girl in the moon, or some busch?
now we are talking…
YouKidding?
January 23rd, 2012
7:39 pm
Yes, I did attend the game, and I bought the overpriced food and drink. The first game I went to I bought the pizza and a coke. Not anytime thereafter. I watched as Fred mismanaged again and again. He burned out our best pitchers, and how about bringing Train Wreck Lowe in time and time again. Not to mention, when Huddy was hurt on the mound, and fredi didn’t even look at him. Braves could have done better than 4th best, with the right leadership. It truly felt like the Braves lost more than they won, and you have a lot more money than most.
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
January 23rd, 2012
7:44 pm
I agree with DOB, it is not the product on the field that keeps folks away (save Sept.), it is the entire pain in the rear experience associated with Turner Field and yes, I held season tickets until this year and I let them drop.
Why, I can sum it up in a few phrases:
Parking – expensive & inconvenient.
Transportation – MARTA connection is terrible (cattle call); driving down during rush hour and home late at night to Buckhead or the ‘burbs is dangerous and difficult.
Food and Drink: overpriced & average.
Tickets: always available (exc. Cubs, Yanks, Bosox) yet expensive. You are better off buying them off the street.
Area of stadium: Really, do you want to go to Turner Field and hang out in the neighborhood? Not knocking the ‘hood itself, it is just that there is nothing to do in the area (i.e. see Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium, Camden Yards, etc.)
Hanging out in the concrete parking lot 2 hours before the game tossing a frisbee is fun (for 5 minutes).
Look I am a lifelong Brave’s fan and always will be, but they need to pay some attention to the entire experience, what it costs and why attendence is not better.
Just my 2 cents worth, your mileage will vary.
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
January 23rd, 2012
7:49 pm
PS: lowering these prices is a start and I applaud the move; however, like several bloggers have pointed out, it does not help the average guy who sees a 1/2 dozen games a year and drives in from Bremen, Cumming, or Chattanooga.
smallmouth6
January 23rd, 2012
7:53 pm
Wow. Baseball takes a break, but pessimism apparently doesn’t.
Sports fan
January 23rd, 2012
7:56 pm
I can’t stand downtown Atlanta. The city itself is run by thieves, policed by incompetents, and populated by impulsive violent people. That is the main problem. The Falcons have the same problem.
ohhhhYEAH
January 23rd, 2012
7:58 pm
I think a great idea would be to do promotionals during the weekend series’ such as 50% or even jsut 33% off all concessions (except beer if it can’t be done), that would reward all the fans, not jsut season ticket holders, and especially the out-of-town crowd, since they addend mostly weekend games anyway.
Just my humble input. Maybe we’ll see it happen
ohhhhYEAH
January 23rd, 2012
7:59 pm
just***
Sports fan
January 23rd, 2012
7:59 pm
I am a nervous paranoid fool that is suspicious of everyone, including folks in my hometown, Gastonia, NC.
ohhhhYEAH
January 23rd, 2012
7:59 pm
attend** Man, I really should have proof-read that before posting.
bad brad
January 23rd, 2012
8:00 pm
DOB, you sound like a Braves apologist with your comments. If they don’t put a better team on the field, then they should cut beer prices and we can drink them pretty.
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
January 23rd, 2012
8:05 pm
Bad Brad, you and I were apparently separated at birth.
redhousecat
January 23rd, 2012
8:06 pm
I didn’t read all the comments, but you do know they raised the price of season tickets this year. I would rather them keep the same ticket price and food price as last year instead of raising the price of season tickets. But hell, I’d like to see them spend a little on a player or two as well. I can wish in one hand and Sheet in the other and see which one I get first.
Chief Knock a homer's teepee in the outfield...
January 23rd, 2012
8:12 pm
I can’t imagine anyone purchasing season tickets after that debacle in the last 20 games of last year. Pathetic. It’s going to take a great deal more than some money off a sub standard hot dog and a fountain soda that costs $.09 before the horrific mark up to get me to come down there. Let the fleecing of ATL begin!!!
Skeezix
January 23rd, 2012
8:13 pm
Dave: My guess is that this shows how upset fans still are about last season’s outcome–and the fact that, despite the epic collapse, management/ownership has done little do address the concerns about the offense. Even lower prices won’t offset that anger.
Skeezix
January 23rd, 2012
8:17 pm
I fear that if the Bravos don’t get off to a great start in 2012– attendance and fan interest in 2012 will be pathetic. Methinks that Braves management/owners have misread how upset we fans are.
Hooters!
January 23rd, 2012
8:19 pm
I didn’t attend a single Braves game last season. However, iIplan to go to 3 games in 2012. and I hope the New York Yankees stomp the living hell out of the Braves.
Steve
January 23rd, 2012
8:25 pm
To follow-up on what “Orange Brave” said, I think the main issue is the location of the stadium. What a huge pain to get there, especially during the week in traffic. I would guess at least 80% of the people who go live in Buckhead and north of Buckhead. I would be willing to bet that if a stadium were in the Dunwoody/Doraville area, they would average at least 35,000 per game. There is NOTHING around Turner Field as well except crime. I have been lucky enough to go to several stadiums and every single one of them, including Cincinnati and Houston, had plenty to do around their stadiums before and after games. Unfortunately, Turner Field is only 15 years old or so which means we are stuck with it for at least 10 more years. Nice stadium, bad location. I still don’t understand why they did not figure out a way to expand the MARTA train to the stadium for the Olympics and then just leave it for the Braves. Go Braves!
Kat
January 23rd, 2012
8:28 pm
@Steve: If you are going to insult wayn-o (even though he SHOULD have known you could bring in your own food by the previous comments), you REALLY should have spelled “genius” correctly (Steve = “genious”).
I haven’t been to a Braves game in a while. It is WAY too expensive for my budget – tickets, food (because I like the authenticity of stadium food and am too lazy to bring my own and manage to keep it hot/cold), and parking. However, if the Braves have a lot of costs that cannot be lowered – such as salaries, then I think they should be able to do better than what they’ve outlined here. If you have to buy 20+ games to get the discount, then you are probably doing okay financially and/or you probably already bring your own food/drink because you are smart and financially astute.
They should lower the costs for the people who spend so much for a one-off baseball game opportunity. The father/son or father/daughter (etc etc) outings, the grandfather and grandson and so forth. THESE are the fans that want to be there and do what they can to be supportive. THESE are the people that the marketing people need to reach in order to show their appreciation and to encourage additional visits.
I don’t read DOB’s articles often, but I’m unsure whether it is supposed to be news or opinion here. If it’s news, then your bias is maddening. If it is opinion, then your marketing bent needs help.
Steve
January 23rd, 2012
8:32 pm
Kat, I can’t believe I made a typo! First mistake I have ever made! Thank you for pointing that out! Obviously I know how to spell genius. Get a life.
YouKidding
January 23rd, 2012
8:50 pm
Skeezix, thanks for saying how myself, and most of the fans are feeling. I don’t think management knows just how upset the fans are either. This little pittance, that only helps the wealthy, is not going to change all the ticked of people out here. I will not be going to another Braves game, management has sat on their tushes and done nothing. I will too.
Elmer Gantry
January 23rd, 2012
9:12 pm
Lets see….. keep concession prices the same and upgrade the ballclub or do cut-rate concessions as a way to say, “sorry we aren’t going to improve our product on the field.?”
Don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see which marketing direction Braves management chose.
Gwinnett Fred
January 23rd, 2012
9:27 pm
The problem isn’t with the Braves, it’s baseball in general.
3 hour games just are not condusive to drawing crowds unless you team is kicking butt. So now that we’ve ruled out all but about 6-8 really good teams we face the fact that school is only out for about a month and a half these days. So a minimum of 2/3 to 3/4 of all teams find it difficult to draw FAMILIES (and you don’t boost attendance much if I come to the game vs my family of 4) to the games because they end so late and the “attendance will pick up now that school is out” is limited to only about 20 home games. So for about half the games (2/3 to 3/4 lowered with respect to weekend games) of the home schedule – school is in and 3 hour games (and lets face it – baseball is pretty damn boring to most kids, and some adults) just don’t cut it when you don’t get home until 1030 to 1100pm. Hell, forget school, most of us with a job need to get home before 11pm to get to work the next morning.
Start games at 7, have MLB quit talking about getting games back to 215 to 230 on average and DO something about it, then put a good team on the field and attendance will take care of itself without the “bargain” of STILL having to pay $5 for a bucks worth of french fries or $2.50 for a quarters worth of Coke!
Col. Klink
January 23rd, 2012
9:30 pm
Das a start with the discounts. Ve need more German beer in das stadium
HENRY
January 23rd, 2012
9:33 pm
PEOPLE THAT SPEND ALL THAT MONEY GOING TO A GAME ARE STUPID…..AND YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID
Scott from Fairburn
January 23rd, 2012
9:35 pm
People need a little more incentive to spend what little money they have on that overpriced crap and going home losers anyway. — YouKidding?
Braves’ 47-34 home record was fourth-best in NL and tied for seventh in majors last season. So unless you knew throughout the season that they were going to collapse in September and miss the playoffs, I’m wondering how you connect last year’s lower attendance with losing? Did you actually attend any games, YouKidding? Be honest now.
There goes DOB spreading facts again … People griping about lowering the price of concessions … Geez …
Freddi G
January 23rd, 2012
9:36 pm
I’m on a mission to bring the whole experience of Marlins baseball to Atlanta. Sagging attendance was a big selling point in my decision to manage here. Oh, and I appreciated how they handled the Escobar situation – I never met a shortstop I didn’t want to bench, trade, or cut, as Alex discovered. Can’t wait to get my teeth into Pastor’s nickies.
Kristin
January 23rd, 2012
9:48 pm
It’s so obvious that many of you complain just to complain and haven’t even looked into ticket discounts. Someone mentioned how games early in the season should be discounted – guess what last season they were! From last year’s schedule: “Value Days: The Braves are offering huge discounts on Monday through Thursday games from April 12th – May 17th and from August 30th – September 28th.” There was also the Buck Belue 5 Buck Night every Monday and 2 for $30 Tuesday and Wednesdays all season.
The Braves have many different season ticket holder levels and there are many normal families with 15, 20, 30, or 40 game plans. There are also easy ways to share a plan between families/groups to make it more affordable. I’m no where near “the 1%”, but I can afford a couple seats on the 40 game plan and will spend my summer at the Ted. The food discount is a great perk, just like the discounted parking pass. They aren’t things that would make me get season tickets, but they are nice perks since I have season tickets.
Am I happy about the way 2011 ended? Of course not. But I had a blast throughout the year going to games and spending time at the Ted. I can’t wait for Opening Day and the hope that the beginning of each new season brings.
William
January 23rd, 2012
9:53 pm
Oh yeah what is milwaukee and st louis’s reason for sellouts?
Jeana
January 23rd, 2012
9:56 pm
You know, you can bring your own food, people.
smallmouth6
January 23rd, 2012
9:58 pm
Henry, the caps lock button is near your pinky finger on your left hand.
Steve
January 23rd, 2012
9:59 pm
Gwinnett Fred you must not follow baseball. Most games do start at 7.
Braves Season Ticket Holder
January 23rd, 2012
10:00 pm
I am a long-time Braves Season Ticket Holder with Type 2 Diabetes, and I cannot (safely) eat most of the stuff they serve at the ballpark, anyway. Therefore, I abstain, regardless of the price.
I will continue to eat a protein or meal-replacement bar in traffic after work on my down to the ballpark instead of paying still-OVERinflated prices for low-quality [ahem] “food” that will make me too drowsy or nauseous to enjoy the game (i.e. the reason I am there in the first place).
Go, Braves!
Lonnie Smith
January 23rd, 2012
10:01 pm
JACK WILSON! JACK WILSON! JACK WILSON!
Atl
January 23rd, 2012
10:04 pm
You have it all wrong. There are 3 main reasons why the braves don’t sell out more games.
The biggest is since I was a kid in the 80’s they were on tv almost every game. So I didn’t have to beg my parents to watch them. They were on tbs channel 17 all the time. Most other cities didn’t have them on nearly enough. Even the cubs were rarely on wgn. Maybe 2 times a week if I recall. I still went to a couple of games per year and they stunk!
Reason 2 is what another poster mentioned. The city limits of Alt is only about 500,000. And that is parts of north dekalb and buckhead. It’s a good 30 minutes of normal traffic to get to TF from there. There is NO subway like every other major city has that drops you off at the stadium. And parking is not cheap. And if you live on the northside of town in kennesaw or roswell or alpharetta or cumming or buford, it’s a hour drive to get home and with gas prices where they are (thanks prezbo) driving there and back is a half tank or $15-20 depending on your car.
The 3rd reason is they aren’t WINNING! That choke last year was vintage braves but this time the regular season. the braves did sell out and led the majors in the 90’s when the winning finally came. Then we got tired of post season losing. It gets old watching the same story every year. I don’t care what city you’re in, if you make the post season 14 times and only win one championship, you will see less spectators toward the end of that run and the years after. People become complacent.
The FINE PRINT
January 23rd, 2012
10:05 pm
This discount does not apply to alcoholic beverages, and is not valid at the following locations: Chick-fil-A, 755 Club, Chop House, Georgia’s Own Credit Union Club, at all portable or temporary stands (including Dippin’Dots, Bavarian Nuts, Sno Cones, etc.), roaming/in-seat vendors, or Club Level Action Stations. Average 1/3 discount across all items. Additional program details to be communicated via braves.com.
Mtn Brave
January 23rd, 2012
10:06 pm
They could have applied that discount to beer and tickets as marked up as they are. Same as the falcons should. 7-8 a beer? Look at the price for a hotdog. Best deal is all you can eat popcorn and they are still making a killing..
Joe Lunch-bucket
January 23rd, 2012
10:10 pm
How about dropping the price of concessions by 25% on everything, for everybody ? ! ? !
The FINE PRINT
January 23rd, 2012
10:10 pm
Excluding traffic, the REAL reason Turner Field does not sell out regularly is because of the “urban” element around the ballpark that is always coming up to families just and axing them for free money.
Additionally adding the “Turner Field Atmosphere” that drive paying customers away, the sidewalks and parking lots around the stadium all smell like urine and vomit.
When you watch the game at home on TV, no jaywalking, jivetalking panhandlers can come to you and annoy you and make your couch smell like #1.
rally
January 23rd, 2012
10:13 pm
The FINE PRINT…..says it all. ROFL Those other places must be where they are making it up in lost revenue!!!!
Pathetic excuse of running the Braves organization as I once a longtime fan. After the last 25 years of BS and sorry excuses I am over it.
Loafer
January 23rd, 2012
10:15 pm
YOU ARE ALL WRONG!! I GO TO OPENING DAY AND ONE OF OUR PLAYOFF GAMES(assuming we make it). GO TO THE 755 CLUB FOR THE FOOD. AND THEN WATCH EVERY GAME EVERY NIGHT ON TV WITH MY OWN BEER IN MY OWN LIVINGROOM EATING MY OWN COOKING. WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE??
Atl
January 23rd, 2012
10:20 pm
One more point…Atl’s population increase from the late 80s to the 2000’s was from people from outside the south. It’s not from Southerns having more children. So if you’re from up north or the midwest or west, why would you care to go to a braves game unless it’s your team playing them. Also TF is one of the largest baseball venues in the country seating wise. So what does look empty would actually be a sellout at other stadiums like fenway, wrigley and tampa–which has more yankee fans at games than rays fans. lol
rayk
January 23rd, 2012
10:41 pm
this is just a cheaper way to try to draw fans than by spending money on baseball players. when you can’t afford $3 mill for Cody Ross, you’ve got problems.
when the team is double digit games out of a playoff spot by July, how much does less expensive food matter ?
this is a PR move that won’t make much of a difference in attendance.
the bottom line is that the Braves (Liberty Media’s) bottom line has the team spinning its wheels.
A.S.
January 23rd, 2012
10:52 pm
This is an awesome offer and the Braves will probably sell a couple hundred more packages. However, as others have suggest the issue with attendance is poor public transit. If the Falcons can sell out every game the Braves should be able to sell-out 40-50% of our home games. The Falcons are able to do it because Marta is a 5-minute walk away from the stadium. The Braves should either relocate their stadium to a location that has better public transportation nearby, or the Braves should pay for Marta should run a rail near the Ted because the buses are terrible.
Jason
January 23rd, 2012
10:54 pm
I haven’t been in another MLB ballpark in over ten years but I’ve heard plenty of complaints while standing in line at Turner from those who have been to other ballparks. The complaint isn’t price, it’s selection. Apparently most other ballparks have a much larger variety of food vendors. I’ve got to admit that the selection is rather boring. Spice it up a bit and maybe those who attend the games regularly will look forward to having the chance to try something new. Who wants a hot dog or a sausage every time they watch a game?
Homer Simpson
January 23rd, 2012
10:55 pm
MMMM,,, CHEAP HOT DOGS
Who Me?
January 23rd, 2012
10:55 pm
I’m stunned. Is there any reason not to go? I took my son to several games last year and the year before – ate before we went, took bottled water in with us and still spend upwards of $130 for 4 seats.
Seriously? It is almost NOT about the team record anymore. $20 to park added to ticket price so that we DONT have to ride Marta.
Yes, we had a great time, that alone made it worth the trip but I remember I went to the Braves ALL the time when I was a kid for alot less money. Can’t do that anymore, and its not about the team record.
that they had the fourth best home record in baseball is a laugher – the team management keeps the team payroll in the middle of the salary pack and expects to win the pennant. Right. and frogs with wings wouldn’t bump their asses either.
To wit, the ONLY World Championship of ANY kind won by ANY team in this city in the last 40 years is the Braves. Since then, there isn’t a single ownership group in this city that has put the right plans and spent the right money to win a championship. That the Braves lost in 96 was a travesty.
This town deserves better, and all the team can do is cut food and drink prices. I’m telling ya, its laughable.
Fred
January 23rd, 2012
10:59 pm
Sweet. I guess since they scan the barcode that the tickets I get from the scalper will include the discount………..
MAC
January 23rd, 2012
11:05 pm
But can you only scan the ticket once for the discount? Cause what if I want another hotdog or coke in the 5th inning? Will this lead to a black market inside the stadium for a ticket from a season ticket holder to get the discount. lol just lower prices for everyone. good grief. the food is crap anyway.
Steve
January 23rd, 2012
11:23 pm
The real need for fans is to see a power-hitting outfielder. That would improve attendance.
BRAVES
January 23rd, 2012
11:28 pm
cant wait for braves season. Cant wait for the hot summer, tailgating and drinking beer.
Blog comments are retarded
January 23rd, 2012
11:35 pm
Did you read the article? You don’t have to buy tickets to 81 games. Just 20. I make 30k and live in Macon. I go to approximately 15 games per year. This benefit might push me to go to five more. It looks like a good idea to me.
Charlie Lau
January 23rd, 2012
11:39 pm
As a season ticket holder for the past 32+ years (in the primo seats) I can tell you the Braves are a first class operation. Whether it is dealing with regular fans, the handicapped, special promotions, their website, communication with ticket holders,or honoring their own, they are top-notch. As much as anyone else I hope they can put a champion on the field this season. That rests with the owners, the manager, GM, and CEO, but we should be proud of this organization which is the longest continuously operating franchise in MLB.
Techman
January 23rd, 2012
11:41 pm
DOB, I appreciate your objectivity when writing about the braves. I’m glad they were good at home but this team doesn’t have a player outside of J-hey that I would pay to watch that many times. I might go a few more times this year to make sure I get to watch Chipper a few more times but other than that, I’d rather just watch at home. Looking forward to the blog this year!
Keith
January 23rd, 2012
11:45 pm
They’re trying to earn some goodwill back after the epic failure in September last year.
Keith
January 23rd, 2012
11:47 pm
And I do think it’s a nice gesture.
Now how about slashing ticket prices by 33% for the average fan.
Ozzie
January 23rd, 2012
11:48 pm
Braves fans in the 90s became spoiled or numb from all the flags and few WS. After a while you started to expect them to fail to get the WS or tap out once they got there.
Also it may have been hard to be jazzed about 1-0 Maddux wins
Guy was a genius on the mound but fans fell asleep by the 5th inning.
Like football (becoming a passing/scoring league) baseball is more fun with HRs and high scores.
Steroids or lack thereof put a crimp in the HRs but fans still love a rocking game with high scores.
ATL doesn’t have that kind of club yet. Maybe in a few years provided Heyward and FF progress and they pick up a 110-120 RBI guy in the OF or 3B.
The current offense scares no one. Maybe it will once we see where Heyward is at and if Prado is really back.
To me those two guys need to catch fire for this team to go anywhere. Uggla cannot carry a team and he will press hard if he has to.
Get Prado and Heyward going and you may have a chance at a WC. Still think its stretch though due to Pastornicky and Wilson at SS.
Braves Season Ticket Holder
January 23rd, 2012
11:51 pm
If the Braves want more $$$$ from their collective fanbase, their marketing & retail heads need to get their heads out of the sand and start selling apparel in the Braves Clubhouse Store at CNN Center and the Aramark-run store at Turner Field for fans 6′3″ and taller who need TALL Sizes and whose arms are too long to wear the undersized garments they currently peddle at such high prices.
Mister Frisky
January 23rd, 2012
11:52 pm
That brisket sandwich sounds good.I’ll take two.
Beer Man
January 24th, 2012
12:04 am
cut the obscene prices of beer, hotdogs, etc. for all fans, not just season ticket holders—I will not buy any of that stuff at current prices and will buy cheap tickets outside stadium.
JoeBrave
January 24th, 2012
12:42 am
They could give free food and field level seating, I am still not renewing a damn thing until changes are made to the roster, other than dumping Lowe, Sorry Wren, cheap food isn’t taking the sh*tty taste of Jack Wilson,Pastorstinky, or Granpa Jones out of my mouth! no team needs my hairy ass!! nice try but NO THANKS!
All Prices
January 24th, 2012
1:08 am
All that stuff they sell in concessions is way overpriced—cut the price of everything by 40%—fans aren’t going to many games anymore–the stadium is in a bad area of town and the team sucks. The braves management just doesn’t get it.
David O'Brien
January 24th, 2012
1:56 am
All that stuff they sell in concessions is way overpriced—cut the price of everything by 40%—fans aren’t going to many games anymore–the stadium is in a bad area of town and the team sucks. The braves management just doesn’t get it. — All Prices
Something tells me you and JoeBrave are not really the type of customers they’re expecting to get through the gates.
noreally
January 24th, 2012
2:55 am
Will this deal apply to playoff games? Oh wait, forgot. We don’t have to worry about that.
@DxPepper
January 24th, 2012
4:58 am
I do not eat this food – I am a 20 game season ticket holder and I still say thanks. I have been very impressed with how my ticket rep handles my account – I am treated as if I am part of the Braves family and that rocks. I am excited that when I do buy my kids a snack or occasional soft drink this season I will be able to do so with a few less dollars. #GoBraves
Ted
January 24th, 2012
5:10 am
Skeezix at 8:13 and 8:17 are both dead on.
No one is complaining about lower prices – just that if this is all the team is willing to do to draw fans after 2011, that’s pretty sad. Plus, as others have stated, this offer is going to help very few – and won’t help the people who can only go to a few games.
Also, I agree that if the team starts out poorly (e.g. 13-15 like last April), then free concessions to all ticket holders won’t prevent a mass exodus of fans. Fan disenchantment over this team and how the team decided to address the 2011 collapse is about as high as I’ve ever seen – and I’ve been a fan since the 70s.
Cheaper food for a select few is nice – but won’t amount to a hill of beans if the team gives off even a whiff of being a non-contender once the season starts.
Honest Ingine
January 24th, 2012
5:52 am
Does the Discount Fade away in September?
CA
January 24th, 2012
6:32 am
So, what about getting people into the seats that may not have money for a 20-game package? If they cut concession prices all around, they would get more people to come and enjoy a game. People who can afford 20 games, can afford the current concession prices. It’s a nice gesture, but in reality, they are saying, forget the casual fan (who may be dedicated, but may not have the money). Management tries to make it look good, but in reality, it is nothing.
BRAVELESS
January 24th, 2012
6:43 am
The Braves have dropped the ball again. The food discount for season ticket holders is a sham because they are going to increase the food prices so the non-season ticket holders will pick up the tab. The Braves should do something for families who cannot afford to bring a family of four or more to more than one or two games a year. This is where the biggest drop off in attendance has occurred. Many families cannot afford to drop $200 or more for a two or three hour baseball game.
shaggy
January 24th, 2012
6:46 am
In the days of yore, when the Braves routinely sucked, and they played in that football stadium, Atlanta-Fulton Co. Stadium, I used to go to games a lot…right up to demolition season, including the magic of the early/mid 90s. Before the success, I used to get some buddies, go to the stadium and buy $2.00 bleacher seats…by about the 4th inning, we would be sitting behind home plate, watching major league pitching…really cool stuff, and the beer was reasonable.
Then, along came The Ted. I went to a few games and decided it just didn’t have the “feel” that the old football stadium had, and the crowd had turned into the “be seen” crowd of yuppified burbinites, who didn’t care about the team or the game, which was demonstrated by total lack of attention to either during the actual game. Sure, there were some B-ball fans, but they were in the vast minority.
I decided that the experience wasn’t worth the price because of the atmosphere…better on TV. Since that decision, I have been to a few minor league games, and the “feel” is still there. I haven’t yet been to the G-Braves, but have heard that it is a mini-Ted…lacking the “feel”.
Truly sad that success has had this effect in Atlanta. At one time, we sucked, but we had the “feel” of baseball.
.
Barry Obama
January 24th, 2012
6:54 am
33% discount on concessions for season ticket holders?
Sounds like a Republican gimmick to me.
A little stimulus for the working poor might promote a little good will and ticket sales.
Pete E. Tong
January 24th, 2012
7:54 am
“Something tells me you and JoeBrave are not really the type of customers they’re expecting to get through the gates.”
And something tells me that you can’t be objective, if only for a second.
He makes legitimate points.
rob
January 24th, 2012
8:03 am
what will happen is this, they slash the price for season ticket holders by a third, while the food they sell to us regular people will be 1/3 the size that it was last year, so in a sense …season ticket holders are not getting a break, just paying the retail price, why the rest of us, just get ripped off… thank god we can bring in bottle water, that I pay 20 cent a bottle for from the store but can get one inside the stadium for….4.50…….what a deal!!!
Rambunz
January 24th, 2012
8:14 am
Charging nearly $5 for a 22-oz soft drink should land people in jail.
BravesFan
January 24th, 2012
8:22 am
So many fair weather fans on this message board. “if they put a better team on the field, i would go games.” “maybe if they actually won games i would attend.” “maybe if they increased payroll.” Its a shame and I’d be happier if your type just never came to a game. It’s called fan loyalty. And how can anyone expect a larger payroll without selling more seats? Good god. GO TO THE GAMES, ENJOY THEM, YOU DONT HAVE TO BUY THAT $12 BEER. THEY DON’T HAVE TO WIN FOR YOU TO HAVE FUN. Atlanta is the only city (aside from the Florida teams) who consistently has a good team but consistently has bad attendance. Because of fair weather fans.
Cecil34
January 24th, 2012
8:24 am
“When you dance with the Devil”……
This pre-dates you, DOB, but the Braves made their bed when they went along with the “good ol boys” and put Atlanta Stadium (and by default Turner Stadium) in that area of town because they could basically steal the land from the occupants there. Land that was valued much, much less than land on the north side. That they did successfully.
Read up on that escapade…..
As a result, now you have a MLB team playing on the south side of town, which is definately not where the money is.
Oh, they had their chances in the 80’s to move to the north side, but once again, Atlanta politicians made an offer the Braves couldn’t “refuse”…….
Attendance has continued to trend downward since the high water mark set in 1997 (when Turner was brand new) – not a good sign.
It seems based upon the Braves’ results and budgets the past few years coupled with a ownership that has no personal interest in Atlanta or the team, one can expect that trend to continue.
2012 is going to be an interesting year for the Atlanta Braves organization.
archie
January 24th, 2012
8:27 am
Does David O’Brien work for the AJC or for the Braves?
Milton Man
January 24th, 2012
8:30 am
I see no value in paying a couple of hundred dollars, suffering a 4 hour roundtrip from North Fulton, being accosted by homeless people, just to sit in the outside heat and humidity with my family to watch a Braves baseball game. Our family’s recreational time is very limited and we have much better alternatives for it than attending professional sports events that can be more conveniently viewed on TV.
T.O
January 24th, 2012
8:31 am
WOW! Great marketing job by Aramark! DOB, you use to be able to buy beer with your season ticket voucher. Now they are cutting that out and giving you an extra $1.50 to use for a hot dog or a piece of pizza you will never buy. Before I’m sure every last dime was used up on those vouchers since you could buy booz. Now Aramark will save thousands even if they raise the amount 33% since most don’t eat at the game.
Objective Reporting
January 24th, 2012
8:44 am
If AJC staff gets too critical of the Braves, the Braves will pull advertising dollars from the AJC. Thus, you won’t really get any objective reporting from the local media outlet. Its all filtered through rose-colored glasses and Frank Wren and management can do no wrong.
What’s scary are the Kool-aid drinkers that swallow this stuff.
Sam
January 24th, 2012
9:05 am
Paid attendance may have been nearly 30K per game but if you ever been to a game in person, you know that 15K if that are there unless the Red Sox/Yankees/Cubs are in town. Atlanta is a transit down with no history of championships in any sport. The Braves are the only team in the planet that celebrate post season futility.
Jesse Ton
January 24th, 2012
9:06 am
You know how to increase attendance? Don’t have a lineup stocked with losers and a manager who says “I’m proud of them” when they poop their pants in the last month of the season.
Frank Wren (w/his rose-colored glasses)
January 24th, 2012
9:07 am
Big bat ?
Heyward will rebound, along with Prado and McCann.
Uggla will hit more consistently and hit a few more HRS with
runners on base.
Bourn will hit .300 and steal 50+ bases
Freeman will continue to improve.
Pastornacky will open some eyes with his hitting.
Chipper will be Chipper.
This team is ready to contend for the NL East and is poised to win it all.
Buy some tickets and play ball !
Braves' fan
January 24th, 2012
9:09 am
14 consecutive division championships.
Enough said.
Jesse Ton
January 24th, 2012
9:18 am
Enough said? Wake up. Division championships mean nothing. Zilch. ALL that matters is winning it all. You think the Yankees care about division championships? The Cardinals? The Red Sox? No! That’s because they are organizations committed to winning the World Series, and anything short of that is a failure. The Red Sox just fired the manager that led them to two WS wins. Why? Because of their epic failure last season (which was only slightly worse than the Braves’ collapse).
This is the problem, the Braves organization wants to hang their hat on those division crowns, but nobody cares. Do you think Jerry Jones is satisfied if the Cowboys win the NFC North? Give me a break. There is only one thing that counts, nothing else.
D
January 24th, 2012
9:24 am
The Braves don’t just go after more talent. Also, how sad that they grade games based on who they are playing? Aren’t all teams professionals and matter? Are they telling the fans it’s not about the home team, but more about who the visitors are? Does management really wonder people don’t buy tickets? Why charge a premium for a Wednesday game when they simply need to get fans into the stands?
HRpufnstuf
January 24th, 2012
9:41 am
A 33% discount for the “haves”, so what does the avg Joe get? Nothing. Kinda like rich folks getting big tax breaks, the least of all who need them.
Braves would do better by offering deals on tickets to entice the folks that don’t have season tickets, and make it enticing enough to actually get people to fill the seats.
richbrave
January 24th, 2012
9:41 am
Mornin’ GIL. Keep mending. Great to see you post up.
Mr. Obvious
January 24th, 2012
9:57 am
Having had season tickets with the Braves for almost 20 years and knowing how they operate, I would the base prices for these concessions will be apporximately 33% HIGHER than they were during last September’s Chernobyl-esque meltdown in order to accomodate this “discount” for season ticket subscribers.
kwajbraves
January 24th, 2012
10:04 am
Will this deal apply to playoff games?
You will get 50% off if you use last year playoff tickets. They are becoming collectible items.
zeke
January 24th, 2012
10:05 am
It is the costs of a GOOD TICKET that keeps people from buying!! Nosebleed or outfield are NOT GOOD TICKETS!!
Barry Obama
January 24th, 2012
10:08 am
Concession discounts for the affluent season ticket holders is a slap in the face to every Braves’ fan that that has to scrape up enough money to treat his or her family for the sake of a few hours of entertainment.
Frank Wren, Newt Gingrich and the wealthy suburbanite season ticket holders should be ashamed of themselves.
Techman
January 24th, 2012
10:35 am
The more I think about it I’m a little confused about all of the anger directed at concession prices. I enjoy having a beer at the game and if I recall, I can get a 20 oz for $6.50. What would the same beer cost me at a restaurant – $4.50 – $5.00? It doesn’t bother me to pay the extra $2 to be able to enjoy the beer at the game. If you have 2-3 beers at the game, that’s $6 extra than what you would be paying on a night out. OR you don’t have to drink beer. You can bring water into the game.
I thought Turner still provided fans the option of bringing their own food to the game. it looks like it’s still an option according to the website. They give you an option if you feel the prices are too high.
I fall in line with the arguments about the product on the field (although mine is mostly pointed at the manager). However, I will give our FO credit for having maintained a competitive product on the field while being capped at the same payroll for the last 5-7 years. When you think about it, that’s impressive considering contracts continue to rise.
Please stop with the DOB homer nonsense. He’s he beat writer for the braves. Put yourself in your shoes. If you are around these guys 200 days/year and you want to get interviews, etc, do you really expect him to come on the web and bash the organization like people who comment on here? He does a great job being as objective as he can be in his position and I think he’s asked tough questions when warranted.
phoenix
January 24th, 2012
10:47 am
The Braves get the home team treatment from all the ATL media, except Jeff Schultz, who calls it like he sees it. If Chipper and his buddies got the Philadelphia/NY media treatment, they’d be too teary-eyed to take the field. If DOB isn’t a homer, why does he get his feelings hurt every time someone brings up the subject?
Wake up
January 24th, 2012
10:51 am
They still don’t realize that the casual fan, fans of baseball and sports in general, don’t go to games because their concessions are pricing people out. I have money to spend, but i’m not going to spend it on $7.50 beers and $5 hot dogs to watch two teams I don’t root for. If they want higher attendance, take less margins on the crap they are selling and make up for it in volume. Its a backwards business model.
MEG
January 24th, 2012
10:58 am
Why hasn’t anyone mentioned how hot it is at Turner Field all summer long? We had 90 days over 90 degrees last summer and the temp. inside that park was hotter than that. Does anyone think they would expose children to those extremes? Look at how empty the place is on Sunday 1PM games. And any day game. Remodel the stadium with covered seats and some cooling so that fans won’t get sunstroke and heatstroke.
chopp'nunhappy
January 24th, 2012
11:12 am
WINNING is what brings in season ticket holders, and what fills the seats. If Liberty Media (whose CEO makes more than the entire Braves’ payroll) would decide to either (1) open up the pocketbook and have a World Series competitor (ain’t gonna happen), OR (2) SELL THE FREAK’N TEAM to someone like Arthur Blank, who is a winner, and wants a winning team with no less than a Super Bowl victory, then we’d have fans packing Turner Field like the 90’s.
David O'Brien
January 24th, 2012
11:32 am
Why hasn’t anyone mentioned how hot it is at Turner Field all summer long? We had 90 days over 90 degrees last summer and the temp. inside that park was hotter than that. MEG
It’s much, much hotter at Rangers home games in Arlington, Tex. They had 40-some consecutive days with temps over 100 last summer, and the Rangers drew nearly 2.95 million at home (compared to Braves’ 2.37 million). There are also more extreme-heat summer days in St. Louis than in Atlanta, and the Cardinals once again drew over 3 million in what was shaping up as a disappointing season for them on the field — until their incredible late-season run and then their postseason march to the World Series title.
The Braves didn’t play indoors when they drew well over 3 million at the old Stadium, which was located in what is now a Turner Field parking lot. Or when they drew over 3 million each of the first four seasons at Turner Field.
They drew more than 3.88 million in ‘93 at the old stadium, or about 1-1/2 million more than they drew last season.
Real Talk
January 24th, 2012
11:39 am
So they’re going to jack up the prices on season tickets nearly 33% (for example – the cheapest seats raised from $249 to $370 each) and THEN try to give you 33% off of their overpriced concessions? So instead of paying $5 for a $1 soda, I pay $3.33? Maybe they should have signed an outfielder worth a damn instead of jacking around with the rates. Seems like a squeeze on the consumer during hard economic times.
Curious George
January 24th, 2012
11:45 am
Would David O’Brien be at Turner Field for all 82 home games if he had to PAY for Season Tickets AND Parking/MARTA AND Food WHILE sitting out in the elements while exposed to the sun/rain/cold like the rest of us who actually are season ticket holders and aren’t being compensated by our employers for being there?
MidGAChopper
January 24th, 2012
11:55 am
Maybe friendlier and less abusive parking attendants would help too. What a pain in the a** to park at the stadium. If you don’t have a Marta train stop, make parking easier.
cosmo
January 24th, 2012
11:59 am
can’t help but think if they spent that money on a shortstop and/ or an outfielder- send the message they are serious about winning it all- they would attract more fans and thus more revenues
of course I’m 300 miles away so I may come over for a weekend series – we do have a Yankees SAL team with Mike Veeck & Bill Murray as part owners so they make it fun- Braves should hire Veeck & maybe do a disco album demolition night or two
David O'Brien
January 24th, 2012
12:01 pm
The Braves get the home team treatment from all the ATL media, except Jeff Schultz, who calls it like he sees it. If Chipper and his buddies got the Philadelphia/NY media treatment, they’d be too teary-eyed to take the field. — phoenix
Just curious, do you know the difference between a sports columnist (a writer of opinion pieces) and a beat reporter? Apparently not.
Anyway, thanks for your participation.
mike
January 24th, 2012
12:17 pm
Atlanta amazingly poor in all pro sport attendances. nothing exist to lure people here to watch braves hawks and late thrashers, only dawgs young criminals attract full sell out. 33% discount for food going to do nothing to increase attendance, just free food and drink with 100 bucks complimentary money for braves fans maybe would achieve the goal. watch cardinals, cubs or philly attendance and compare. so i am in peace with owners decision do not increase payroll and understand difficulty to find decent owner to buy Atlanta’s pro team. Cuban never going to do business here.
Techman
January 24th, 2012
12:57 pm
I’ll ask again – if it’s concession prices that bother you, why can’t you just bring your own food?
Morning Reads for Tuesday, January 24th
January 24th, 2012
1:03 pm
[...] few that I like… – The Atlanta Braves will cut concession prices for season ticket holders for the 2012 season. – People take football way too [...]
Sports page afficianado
January 24th, 2012
1:13 pm
Please tell the owners to read about the discounts the Astros are giving the fans! $1 kids seats. $5 sections….etc.
Chico Escuela
January 24th, 2012
2:10 pm
Braves are the milktoast of the National League.
Ken Stallings
January 24th, 2012
2:38 pm
Amid all the comments about middling payroll is the truth that the people in the Atlanta area do not support the Braves as they once did. This translates into how much money is available for payroll. I wonder how often those constantly blaming Wren and Liberty Media are willing to look themselves in the mirror and admit their reasons for not going to watch the games directly affect the decisions that blame others about?
My excuse? I no longer live in the Atlanta area or the southeast. I live in New Mexico. Yet, even when I lived in Florida I made it a point to watch a couple of games in Atlanta each year.
Steve
January 24th, 2012
2:40 pm
Put the Braves back on TBS where they belong. You want more revenue? That will generate more revenue through advertising dollars.
David O'Brien
January 24th, 2012
2:51 pm
Put the Braves back on TBS where they belong. You want more revenue? That will generate more revenue through advertising dollars. — Steve
If TBS wanted the Braves games, they’d probably have them. They no longer wanted them after the team wasn’t owned by Turner and TBS beefed up its lineup and started doing original shows, etc.
SHELBY
January 24th, 2012
2:58 pm
its a good gesture, but considering the fact that u can take ur own food in its not really worth buying a 20 game pack…
sheldog23
January 24th, 2012
3:10 pm
Yeah. That’s great. The people who have enough money to buy season tickets get to save money while those of us who struggle with money and don’t get to see many games continue to get rapes by the rising price of concessions.
sheldog23
January 24th, 2012
3:10 pm
Yeah. That’s great. The people who have enough money to buy season tickets get to save money while those of us who struggle with money and don’t get to see many games continue to get rapes by the rising price of concessions.
Peter
January 24th, 2012
3:35 pm
Seriously though, how the heck did the Braves lose out to Tyler Perry?
Nauti-dawg
January 24th, 2012
3:46 pm
Is this where work slacker whiners come come to vent. Biggest bunch of crybabies I’ve ever seen.
Peter
January 24th, 2012
3:46 pm
Regarding MARTA, the one time I used it I was able to walk to the stadium from the station no problem, took about 10 minutes from the Georgia State station, I think. I’m from Florida, so correct me if I’m wrong.
BravesFanLostInOhio
January 24th, 2012
4:24 pm
Dear Atlanta,
Go to games.
Please.
I would if I could.
Sincerely,
The Guy Who Goes to a Game Every Time He’s in Town
P.S. Quit your moaning. The Braves are talented and exciting, which is better than I can say for most of the negative posts.
Ken Stallings
January 24th, 2012
5:13 pm
Dave,
Now that would be an interesting column. Look at TBS ratings with the Braves playing every game on TBS vice post-Braves TBS shows during baseball season.
My guess: TBS enjoyed its best ratings with the Braves telecasts. I know they dropped the George Lopez show and came close to dropping Conan.
Disgusted
January 24th, 2012
6:35 pm
Its not a bad move. The Braves ticket prices are not that bad anyway.
At least compared to some other cities. I can take or leave the concessions but for a ticket holder that has a kid or two, this can result in some saving.
Is it going to bring in the needed half million plus more ticket buying customers we need to give Liberty no excuse to up the payroll—that I cannot answer.
Its been a while since they were a 3 mil drawing team—and there are too many reasons to type in the theories why we are no longer second or third best in attendance in the league anymore. It goes even deeper than the lack of post season success since the turn of the century.
Good luck, they need all the attendace they can get. As mad as I am about September one thing I will never say is stay away from the games.
Disgusted
January 24th, 2012
6:39 pm
Who even bothers watching TBS anymore, the network of re-runs of second rate sitcoms.
I doubt I have turned to TBS five times since the Braves telecasts disappeared. I don’t even know what station its on anymore and don’t bother with it, not my kind of programming.
Do they even still have any MLB anymore? There is so much more to choose from.
Brad
January 24th, 2012
8:16 pm
For a team that is destined to finish 3rd at best with our “wonderful” GM the discounts should be extended to everyone.
Disgusted
January 24th, 2012
9:03 pm
Truth is that we are stuck with the location of Turner Field and stuck that there is no MARTA line to the stadium.
The powers that be might have thought the new stadium and some of the new residences would spruce up the area and it would be a place where people would want to go….turned out to be a fail.
Fan Plex had good intemtions but it did not work. And don;t expect much improvement around the surrounding area, money is tight in this economy.
Its not that safe and its a long Walk to GA State station.
Jordan Darnell
January 25th, 2012
1:04 am
WTH, we all know the fans at the games come from all of the other states!
Chico Escuela
January 25th, 2012
6:51 am
Tigers sign Prince Fielder for 9 years.
Frank Wren pondering Ryan Church for a 1-year deal in case Heyward needs quality time in minors.
kwajbraves
January 25th, 2012
10:17 am
Please tell the owners to read about the discounts the Astros are giving the fans! $1 kids seats. $5 sections….etc.
They will have to pay me to watch the Astros play.
anthony
January 25th, 2012
11:25 am
i could care less about discounts..its only good for season ticket holders..i live 350 miles away..put a friggin team on the field thats capable of winning..the one we have now doesnt get it done..we seen that last year..Wren at his finish a do nothing GM..hoping a miracle will happen..im tired of finishing second..get back to glory days or do you know how
Frank Wren
January 25th, 2012
1:57 pm
I’m happy to announce the Braves have outdone the Tigers and their signing of free agent Prince Fielder.
Some time this summer the Braves will have a post-game concert featuring “Prince” cohort and protege Morris Day, who will perform “Jungle Love” and other dance favorites.
Season ticket holders will get a chance to meet Morris and his band.
Chipper Jones
January 25th, 2012
2:23 pm
The Phillies have been warned that the Braves are the team to beat in the NL East.
I’ve got my fishing pole & golf equipment packed for Orlando ! Nothing better than spring training !
Brett
January 25th, 2012
3:17 pm
Why not getting local vendors to put food in the stadium? The food in the stadium is horrid. Absolutely horrid. They attempted to do this last year with the chorizo stand. However, I was never able to find the chorizo stand and no one within the stadium could point me in the direction.
LA has sushi and Dodger Dogs.
Boston has excellent ball park food
The list goes on and on. Make the entire experience enjoyable, not just the team on the field.
Bravo Uno
January 25th, 2012
4:08 pm
I went to Camden Yards last season & was BLOWN AWAY by the local vendors selling the local favorites, not to mention hot dogs that were fantastic. The area around the stadium had a baseball atmosphere about it. Great little sports bars & eateries. Souvenirs out the ying yang.
Ron
January 26th, 2012
10:15 am
prices for the concessions are the only reason I have not taken my family
to a Braves game in 10 years so go ahead and help the season ticket holders and not the regular
people
chc4
January 28th, 2012
8:19 pm
DOB — that’s a load of BS. The Braves aren’t on TBS anymore b/c the league didn’t want any team on a national network. They wanted to sell their “Game of the Week” packages to Fox and ESPN and force everyone outside their home market to buy the premium package in DirectTv/Dish. Same reason WGN shows about 1 Cubs game per week nowadays.
Kyle
January 28th, 2012
9:14 pm
Something this stupid wouldn’t even be necessary if they would have made some trades and signings in the off season. How they could think with the way last season ended that they could come back with pretty much the exact team they had that fell apart and anyone would be excited is a joke. But they know that people could care less right now and this weak special they are putting out there proves it. I can’t imagine with this team that is going to not only fall behind the Phillies but Miami and Washington too being able to draw to many people to a game or two this season much less any kind of season ticket package.
those were the day's
January 28th, 2012
9:21 pm
Aaron homered off Gibson, & a cup of sud’s was a buck/seventy…
ccon
January 28th, 2012
9:41 pm
Sounds like a great plan! If the baseball does not work out, The Ted could become the undisputed world’s largest walk in restaurant. For variety, maybe they could lease some of the concession stands to some of the venders who did not have enough cash or inside contacts to bribe their way into Hartsfield-Jackson airport contracts.
Harry from da Burn
January 28th, 2012
10:07 pm
So the rich get richer…nice
dave
January 28th, 2012
10:28 pm
Downtown Atlanta is the most miserable place I’ve ever seen in my whole life. The ballpark is south of downtown, which is even worse, surrounded by crime and the homeless. Why would anyone in their right mind want to go to a game there? Until the city leadership fixes downtown, which they likely will never do, builds a ballpark in a more inviting location, or creates a better environment around the ballpark, this problem will persist. Ballparks in so many other cities, like Chicago or Denver or Seattle or Boston or Cleveland or Baltimore or San Francisco work because they are surrounded by bars and restaurants and a party atmosphere. Turner Field is surrounded by crime and the homeless. Where would you rather see a game??
Ridiculousness
January 29th, 2012
12:01 am
Jesus, I don’t think I’ve bought anything from the concession stands since I was a kid. Such a complete rip off, it just makes me mad.
Ridiculousness
January 29th, 2012
12:03 am
Guess the poor non season ticket holders get to continue to get ripped off paying %700 more than outside the place.
David O'Brien
January 29th, 2012
11:42 am
DOB, what’s this about a one game play-in between two wild card teams?
One game doesn’t sound very fair if the first wild card team beat out the second, say by 5 games or something.
Please explain the proposal if this is being misunderstood.” — spring’s around the corner
You know I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and I’m beginning to like it more. It’s bugged me how, over the years, wild card teams like the Marlins won everything, even though they didn’t even come close, in some cases, to winning their division. Now at least there is some punishment on a WC team to make it a little harder. Maybe have to use their ace a little earlier, travel a little more, etc. Now I say this knowing that our Braves best chance at playoffs is probably WC, but you know, fair is fair, and if that’s the case then so be it. — wjones
I agree with wjones. It’s not perfect, but it’s impossible to make a perfect system while also preserving the 162-game schedule and preventing the World Series from going into mid-November or the season from starting in mid-March. And since they’re going to add a second wild-card team in each league — that’s not up for debate any longer — the one-game playoff between two wild-card teams doesn’t bother me.
Some argue that at least a best-of-three would be better than a one-game playoff, but think about it: If you play a best-of-three, there’s a very good chance a team is going to use both of its best two or three starting pitchers before going into a division series against a relatively rested division winner, and then what are the chances the wild-card team is going to beat that division winner? Not good at all.
And like you pointed out, adding a second wild-card team and the one-game playoff between wild-card teams does add more incentive to win the division, since in the previous format the only incentive to win the division rather than the wild card was to get home-field advantage. Other than that, the wild-card team entered the playoffs on same footing as the division winner from its own division.
Gray
January 30th, 2012
6:16 am
What this means is that unless you’re part of the 2% (if that many), who can afford a season ticket, you’ll still have to pay humongously, to eat a hotdog at the game.
And they want me to think they’re helping me…..I’ll sit at home, tune into a game and eat hotdogs out of my freezer (cooked by my loving wife), before I’ll drive 120+ miles to Atlanta, pay for parking, go through the humilitating search and then pay them to watch me go broke, while I eat a hotdog!!
Tom
March 13th, 2012
8:10 am
As a former NY’er and Mets season ticket holder at Citi field, I can tell you the place never sells out… Even New Yankee Stadium never sells out. Prices up there are way too high…
In 2009, I had season ticket behind home plate in the Upper Level, 2 seats, cost me $4,000. This season, I bought a plan in the Upper at Turner, better location in 401, for less thna $1,000 for 2 seats… Trust me, prices are not the issue. The problem I see is accessibility to the ballpark. Mass transit is essential and Turner field, while built at a good spot considering the Olympics and all, is now on ‘outdated’ spot for baseball… Nowadays, the ballpark would probably be built in Midtown with a ballpark village or bars and restaurants around it… Now THAT would draw full houses…