Almost immediately after being named head football coach at FIU, Mario Cristobal offered up a great deal to Golden Panthers fans:

Commit to season tickets for the 2008 season, when the Golden Panthers expect to have completed the first phase of a two-phase stadium renovation and expansion project, and you’ll get the 2007 season free. Yes, that’s free.

"Our team needs your support, and I realize it is our great alumni base, community, and staff, that will help our team be a success on and off the field. Our team will need your help. By creating a home field advantage players will feed off of that extra energy in the stadium,” Cristobal wrote in a note to FIU alumni. “As my first initiative as a Head Coach I am offering you to be a part of this historical moment in FIU history. If you commit to purchasing a season ticket for the 2008 season, in the new stadium, starting at only $100, we will give you the 2007 season absolutely free.”

…AND STICKER SHOCK…

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles, who are hoping the state will grant the city of Fort Lauderdale $15 million next week to put toward an overhaul of Fort Lauderdale Stadium, are hiking prices again for spring training at the aging stadium.

Box seats, which rose to $18 last year, will be $20 for games this March. That’s for games that don’t count. Reserve grandstand are now $14 up from $12 last year. General admission is $10 up from $8 and even kids' general admission tickets are rising $1 to $5.