NFL season ticket sales decline for third straight season
Share This Story
NEW YORK (AP)
Third down has a new meaning in the NFL this season.
Season ticket sales declined for the third year in a row as teams struggle to get fans to the stadium in a weak economy.
Depending on the final numbers, season ticket sales will be down between 1-2 percent, according to Eric Grubman, the league's executive vice president for business ventures.
''I wouldn't say we're pleased,'' Grubman said Wednesday on the eve of the season opener between Minnesota and New Orleans.
Still, the drop could've been worse given the financial climate in the United States, he said.
''It's been a tough economic time, and we have a sport that's full of passion and competition, and people love that,'' he said during a telephone interview with The Associated Press. ''So, by virtue of that, people really do try to hold onto their season tickets or buy new ones if they can.''
Grubman said overall attendance declined from 17 million in 2008 to 16.6 million last year. Average regular-season attendance dropped from each year from 2006 (68,774) to 2009 (67,509), according to STATS LLC.
''It's hard to draw a pattern across 32 clubs,'' Grubman said. ''There are clearly some clubs that are down more than others. It would be a special circumstance for a club to be up. I think, in general, the trend is flat to down, and clubs that have perennially sold out tickets, they've probably held their own and are flat.''
Grubman said most teams left their average ticket price relatively unchanged. The Team Marketing Report hasn't released 2010 figures.
''I believe our average ticket price is up slightly, and that is the consequence, in all likelihood, of opening of new stadiums,'' he said.
The New York Giants and Jets have moved into the New Meadowlands Stadium, and both teams will open the regular season at home - the Giants on Sunday against Carolina and the Jets on Monday night against Baltimore.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Belichick: Force throw to Manningham
Before Eli Manning and the Giants took the field for their eventual game-winning driv... -
Patriots Way headed down rocky path
Week full of gaffes wreaking havoc on Patriots' image. -
Tiger gives himself a chance at Pebble
Woods' opening-round 68 at Spyglass offers glimmers of hope. -
Diaz fails drug test, facing suspension
The head of the Nevada Athletic Commission says UFC welterweight Nick Diaz tested pos... -
Racers suffer first blemish of the year
Wheels come off for Murray State Racers as Tennessee State topples the last undefeate...
NFL Videos
Coach Speak: Best of Season 3
Posted: Feb 07, 2012
Season 3 of Coach Speak is a wrap. Check out the best of this past year.
Season 3 of Coach Speak is a wrap. Check out the best of this past year.
Online OT: Super Bowl XLVI recap
Posted: Feb 06, 2012
Charles Davis and Laura Okmin recap the Giants' 21-17 Super Bowl XLVI victory ov...
Charles Davis and Laura Okmin recap the Giants' 21-17 Super Bowl XLVI victory ov...
Victor Cruz's magical season
Posted: Feb 10, 2012
Victor Cruz talks about going from the practice squad to Super Bowl champ, turni...
Victor Cruz talks about going from the practice squad to Super Bowl champ, turni...
NFL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Navy Blue Player T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Cowboys/browse/featuredproduct/346245/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_346000/FF_346245_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Navy Blue Player T-shirt |
| New York Giants Royal Blue Critical Victory V Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/676913/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_676000/ff_676913_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.95 | New York Giants Royal Blue Critical Victory V Hoodie Sweatshirt |
| San Francisco 49ers Charcoal 1st & Goal IV Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_San_Francisco_49ers/browse/featuredproduct/678811/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_678000/ff_678811_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.95 | San Francisco 49ers Charcoal 1st & Goal IV Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt |
| Carolina Panthers Championship Series Watch | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Carolina_Panthers/browse/featuredproduct/722612/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_722000/ff_722612_xl.jpg&w=100 | 39.95 | Carolina Panthers Championship Series Watch |
| Reebok Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers Replica Jersey - White - | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Green_Bay_Packers/browse/featuredproduct/744236/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_744000/ff_744236_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.99 | Reebok Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers Replica Jersey - White - |
| Reebok Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions #81 Black Megatron Player Flex Fit Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Lions/browse/featuredproduct/756044/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_756000/ff_756044_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Reebok Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions #81 Black Megatron Player Flex Fit Hat |
| New England Patriots 2011 AFC East Division Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - White | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_England_Patriots/browse/featuredproduct/775172/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_775000/ff_775172_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | New England Patriots 2011 AFC East Division Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Whit.. |
| Reebok Tim Tebow Denver Broncos #15 Replica Jersey - White | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Denver_Broncos/browse/featuredproduct/775597/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_775000/ff_775597_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.99 | Reebok Tim Tebow Denver Broncos #15 Replica Jersey - White |
| Houston Texans Black 2011 AFC South Division Champions Locker Room Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Houston_Texans/browse/featuredproduct/776231/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_776000/ff_776231_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Houston Texans Black 2011 AFC South Division Champions Locker Room Adjustable Ha.. |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.