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On the Mark: The Big Apple has turned rotten
This is the same Steinbrenner who declared last year that "nothing less than a championship is really acceptable." Now he's taken up the lament of old Brooklyn Dodger fans: wait'll next year.
Perhaps, in the interest of full disclosure, he should've said: wait'll next year when we can really gouge you.
Contrary to what Steinbrenner would have you believe, the Yankees aren't the only team to have suffered injuries to key players (though with their exorbitantly priced roster of stars and former stars they should've been uniquely qualified to endure such losses). In the very same division, the Red Sox have seen David Ortiz, Mike Lowell and Tim Wakefield go on the disabled list with Curt Schilling lost before the season ever began. The Rays, with their mere $43 million payroll, have increased their divisional lead despite injuries to Troy Percival, Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria. So not only is Steinbrenner perilously close to sounding like a crybaby, he's contradicting the accepted notion — particularly accepted by Yankee fans — that price and performance are justifiably related. Worse still, Steinbrenner's remarks obscure another reality. That would be what New York has become.
The ascendance of the hedge fund classes has transformed the city. And nowhere is that transformation — a system of segregation by net worth — more apparent than at the stadiums and arenas. Going to games is for rich guys and corporate guys. Next year, the best seat in the new Yankee Stadium will cost $2,500. I know that's not the average ticket price. But I also know it's the harbinger of something unfortunate and probably irreversible. Though I've always argued for the free market and against salary caps, I can't help but find something slightly obscene about that number. Baseball is still supposed to be the most accessible and egalitarian of spectator sports.
It still is, too — just as long as you've got a hedge fund or a trust fund or a slush fund. Of course, the $2,500 seats sold out almost immediately. How could they not, as the Yankees web site describes them as "an exclusive experience for those with discerning taste who seek the very best that life has to offer"?
Who writes this stuff? I wonder. Donald Trump?
Probably. Everytime I go home to Manhattan, it feels less home-like. I suffer the symptoms of Tourrette's Syndrome. You can find a Whole Foods, but not a Greek diner. It's not my city anymore. The funky people — as insufferable as some of them might have been — have been banished in favor of the fund people. The resultant metropolis is Trump-like, which is to say, more crude and predictable and more like every other city with an Olive Garden and a Banana Republic.
Not all of these fund people are Yankee fans. Some of them are Knicks fans, too. The mythical aficionados of the city game have long since been replaced by sheep with BlackBerries. OK, maybe they deserve to be gouged. Then there are the Mets fans. The Mets are asking (and getting) only $495 for their best seat when Citi Field opens next year. After last year's historic collapse, they are celebrated for a 79 percent increase.
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| You need a seat? You're gonna pay, pal. (Jim McIsaac / Getty Images) |
The football teams, however, are the absolute best. Jets and Giants fans will have to buy personal seat licenses for the privilege of keeping their season tickets. In any other business this is called a shake-down. The Jets haven't been to a Super Bowl in almost 40 years.
Still, their nerve pales in comparison to the Giants. A single PSL for the Giants will run up to twenty grand. The cost of a ticket for next season will also rise exponentially.
I know a guy whose seats will go from $85 to $700 when the new football stadium opens in 2010. He doesn't want to give his name for fear of reprisal, believing that the Maras and the Tisches can be as vindictive as the Sopranos. He's desperately trying to hold on to the tickets, which have been in his wife's family since the fifties when an uncle bought them to celebrate his survival in the Korean War.
But most likely, they'll be sold. The corporation that buys them will enjoy waitress service and free non-alcoholic beverages.
This is what you get for supporting a team through lean the years of Pete Gogolak and Homer Jones and Joe Pisarsik.
Now you may dismiss these complaints as the grumblings of an expatriate New Yorker. You may argue that these aspiring Donald Trumps who support underachieving teams only get what they deserve. And you may be right.
But my city is becoming more like yours. Or yours like mine, I'm not quite sure. But it's only a matter of time before the gougers get you, too.
And what are you going to do about it?
Wait'll next year?
Not at these prices.
On the Mark
Jets owner Woody Johnson says he never pressured his front office to make a deal for Favre.
Meaning, he's even more of a yutz than I thought he was.
You heard about Favre getting a sore arm?
In other words, if it doesn't work out with the Jets, he could always move right into the Yankees' rotation.
Then there's Mayor Bloomberg, giving Favre a metrocard for the subway. Jerry from the Bronx says: "You'll see Jesus before you see No. 4 on the four train."
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| The Chinese government says she's 16. It has to be true. (Clive Brunskill / Getty Images) |
I'm not saying these Chinese gymnasts are young, just that they haven't even heard about the Jonas Brothers yet.
Can't watch the Redeem Team anymore. The suspense is just too much.
USC has six — count them, six — tailbacks. That's more than the Dolphins have had since Mercury Morris.
Has Al Davis offered Usain Bolt a contract yet?
Another strong week for Penn State: no arrests, no suspensions.
Ditto Georgia.
Gotta love those Jets fans: they've already immortalized Favre to Dustin Keller as the team's greatest moment since Namath hit George Sauer in the Orange Bowl.
If Speedo is giving Michael Phelps a million dollar bonus, what should NBC be kicking in?
I'm thinking, maybe Jeff Zucker's first-born.
I'll give Brian Cashman a pass if he offers a contract to my favorite Olympian.
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| If you don't think Crystl Bustos could DH in the Bronx, you haven't seen Jason Giambi bat since the All-Star break. (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press) |
That would be Crystl Bustos. Hey, what's not to love? She's bigger than the entire Chinese gymnastics team and has more tats than 'Melo.
Jeff Kent is pissed at Vin Scully for having the temerity to suggest that the Manny Ramirez trade might have something to do with Kent hitting about .500 the last couple of weeks.
Don't be upset with Kent, though. The guy's grieving. I mean, can there be any more doubt that he and Barry Bonds were true soul mates?
How did we ever get by without beach volleyball?
According to Chinese state media, gymnast He Kexin, who was 13 last year, is now 16.
On the bright side, at least He isn't a he.
Which is more than may be the case for some of the Chinese swimmers.
In an attempt to explain his lackluster first two seasons with the Cardinals, Matt Leinart tells Sports Illustrated, "I never had a chance to be stress-free."
Poor baby.
Surprised to hear that Joe Gibbs Racing got caught cheating in their Nationwide cars. I mean, if you can get away with Mark Brunell at quarterback I thought you can get away with anything.
My kid was complaining I didn't buy her neon green Converse to wear as a flower girl at my brother's wedding.
Could be worse, I told her. You could be a Chinese gymnast.
Member Comments
One more comment. As much as I hate ESPN. At least they do not block half the American language. My last comment didn't have a swear word at the end but it still got blocked.
KDondrea9/12/2008 23:23:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I see a lot of typical things in the Comment section the most obvious is... New York people are 1d10ot5. Who gives a phuk about the high prices in the big cities. You can still get a ticket to a Cleveland Baseball game. :o) Don't talk chit New York fans, the Indians beat you last year.
KDondrea9/12/2008 23:21:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
NYC for life, and by the way... some little person who is broke off of his ass said I "probably" couldnt afford tickets.... VERY BIG PROBABILITY! go check section 41 row C seats 9/10... if you have the balls, come and check me out at any yankees home stand.
EVTD_Entourage8/25/2008 19:26:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Once again...here's Kriegel crying about something...this half-wit has never written a decent article in his lack-luster career.
Bert6008/21/2008 19:56:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
you know what people should be bitching about instead of high ticket prices? how about how much it cost to send a kid to college now, not to mention in the next 20 years. If you cant afford to go to a game, watch it on tv, or online. You cant afford not to go to college these days
yanksskinscavs8/21/2008 11:20:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Sports are a reflection of society, it is more and more expensive to attend any live event - salaries and marketing have a lot to do with it. Media can blame this on franchises -- media is just as culpable in this case. If attending baseball games was a right for all citizens - it would be protected by the constitution and the bill or rights. Since it's not, and this is a free capitalist society, let the rift-raft who can afford a ticket watch it on TV or listen to the radio - or get a better job to pay for tickets.
FND7578/21/2008 11:03:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
This is what it has come to. The cowboys started this trend. The Giants and Jets decided to jum in the mix and now the Yankees and Mets. I am sure all of these teams have the money to keep their seats at decent prices, but they are losing valuable profits with this whole revenue sharing garbage. It puts them in a position to choose ****ing the pockets or ****ing the fans. Do these players deserve the money they get paid? Hell no. But they are finding ways to get the players union to ask for more money or else. The strike killed baseball for a while. The Yankees and the expos were having great seasons. Don Mattingly would have won a ring for god-sakes and then the unthinkable happened. I am a die hard Yankees and Giants fan, but I am not sure I would pay for seat at such a price. I figure I can enjoy their teams from my big screen TV or laptop. Give this a few years and it will eventually pass. They'll wise up.
Hdub_118/21/2008 9:37:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Kriegel,once AGAIN you open your mouth and **** comes out,i see you did'nt mention Boston in your article which by the way has the HIGHEST ticket prices in ALL of baseball,it cost me less to go to Yankee stadium with my family(wife 2 kids)then it does to go to Fenway which happens to be 20 minutes from my house...then again i'd walk to Yankee stadium before EVER setting foot in the "stinkhole" Fenway park..GO YANKEES!!!
3408/21/2008 7:14:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Why not join us on ++++RichMatchMaking.coM+++++a hot place to meet sexy beautiful girls if you are lonely tonight
bluejegty568/21/2008 6:38:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey Kriegel........One day you may become a real sports writter, instead of some flunkie on line BS artist. And, If you ever become a real writer making real money, those high priced seats won't seem so expensive to you then. I hope you live long enough to become a writer, it's gonna take you some time. Think you'll live to be 100?
coronetgs8/20/2008 20:32:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
If sports teams want to cater to the rich corporate types, that is their right. Why don't you and others who think like you, take your own money and buy a team and then run it to cater to the average fan? If you did that, the product on the field would not be as good and the entire experience of going to a game would be less enjoyable. Maybe you could use a high school field to save money. If you tried this, the result is that the common fan that you love so much would revolt against you. Having the luxury boxes and the high priced seats allows the wealthy and the corporations to subsidize the common fans. The common fans should be on their knees thanking teams and their corporate clients for their largesse that allows them to enjoy a superior product whithout really having to pay for it.
metsfansince678/20/2008 19:27:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Part of what Kreigel says is "Off the Mark." Noting Hank Steinbrenner's comments about Yankee injuries, Kreigel compares it to Tampa Bay's injuries to Crawford, Purcival and Longoria. Come on Mark....the Yankees have been battling injuries all season, and I am not making any excuse for them. Injuries are part of the game and you have to play through them. But the injuries on Tampa's team happened a week ago. They are hardly comparable.
Yankeeguy8458/20/2008 18:02:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Its a crying shame that the salarys of players has casused the ticket prices along with other items usually purchased at the stadiums to sky rocket. It just isn't a family outing anymore. I also think the kids will eventually lose contact with sports and fade away to the video rooms and arcades. Do you agree with me? Chat with me on this - a sexual sport babe from "B l a c k W h i t e K I S S . c o m" -- you can can chat with real black or white beauties online with sexual photos.
BoosiePP8/20/2008 17:57:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I love how you idiots get so happy that the Yankees are finally, after 13 seasons, not going to the playoffs. I mean jeez all of a sudden everyone is a Rays fan, when in spring training they couldn't find St. Pete on a map of Florida.<br /><br />On to the ticket prices, the players aren't the ones who led to higher prices, the owners dd, they players just want a bigger slice of the pie. If an owner is going to make 200million a year, the players want to get their cut. Only right. They play and are the reason fans come to the games.<br /><br />I'm a Yankee fan, but the atmosphere has gotten too corporate, save for the bleachers and the upper deck. The lower seated fans make no noise, while the diehards are leading the chants and doing the roll call, and can tell A-Rod from Rivera without looking at the # on the uniform.<br /><br />I'm going to B-more to watch the weekend series, $75 per seat for behind home plate, 3rd row.
KKfromBK8/20/2008 13:27:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
the problem is that the only way you will get to the owners pockets is by boycotting a game or two. but we are not the same country we used to be. people are too busy to join together for a common good. every one has their own agendas.<br /><br />so unless your willing to have a ticket and everyone is willing to give it up together on that one day so no one shows, hot dogs will go to 10 bucks a beer will be 15 and a game with your son will run you roughly 500 bucks for a day at the park.
dcd19718/20/2008 12:50:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Are writers just now figuring out that professional baseball & football have become sports played by millionaires for millionaires?
8/20/2008 12:03:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I agree with you mark,it just cost $400.00 for my son and grandson,for their birthday's to see the cubs play.Thats not enculeding the other goodies,that to cost way to much.When you pay near $5.00 for a hotdog,somethings not right.
bmike18/20/2008 11:18:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I can't believe I wasted 5 minutes of my life reading this garbage. Mark Kriegel, you call yourself a writer? Please, you're not funny and you ramble on and on about a bunch of bull**** that makes absolutely no sense. If Foxsports pays you more than 2 bucks an hour, you're robbing them blind.
codysakic8/20/2008 10:48:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Not gonna waste too much time with you Mark but 2 things -<br /><br />You are right...we aren't the only team to suffer from a rash of injuries, there's nothing bold about that statement but as even some of the biggest Yankee haters (no not you) on ESPN have said....our injuries have been the worst. Losing Posada or any quality catcher is a much bigger loss to any team than it appears to be on the surface. You don't need me to explain why do you?<br /><br />Second.......a lot of the blame should go to Ticketmaster and the corruptness of Ticketmaster II (StubHub). What happened to the old days when a person could actually purchase tickets at face value....did you ever think of that?
nycnate18/20/2008 10:04:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
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