Jets PSL plan: some good, some bad, some question marks
First things first.
I will continue to refer to PSLs as Personal Screw Licenses because I find the underlying principle behind the PSL – a user’s fee – objectionable. It’s the equivalent of going to King Kullen and having to pay $100 at the door, THEN paying for my groceries.
And no more of the “Costco” argument, which I’ve heard from quite a few people when I’ve mentioned the grocery shopping analogy. Okay, let’s deal with that. Yes, you pay a $50 "user's fee" per year to belong to Costco. But in exchange, you gain entrance to a club that sells everything at DISCOUNT prices. There’s no discounts available to PSL holders. Come back with the Costco example when teams start using PSLs as a path to discounted ticket prices, parking and concessions. Actually, if teams did that, the whole PSL concept would be a great deal more palatable. But right now the PSL simply gives holders the rights to pay exorbitant dollars for everything else.
So that’s where I’m at on PSLs and nothing in the Jets plan sways me from that opinion. Nor from the opinion that fans never wanted a new stadium in the first place. To date, no one has produced a survey of any kind showing public demand that the Jets and Giants build a new stadium, let alone one costing $1.6 billion. But that’s wholly irrelevant now, so let’s deal in the here-and-now.
I can’t completely kill the Jets on their plan, which I’ve gone over carefully. And I liked their literature’s straight-forward address. There was no talk about PSLs as investments or taxi medallions (thanks), and while I disagree with the second paragraph claim, “While a PSL program is necessary to help finance this new building…” there was little in the way of condescension.
It is a savvy PR move to have the upper bowl without PSLs, though from looking at those non-PSL ticket prices and the seats that do have PSLs, the money is being recovered elsewhere. Here’s part of an email blog reader Mark McGillicuddy, a 23-year-old Financial Analyst, sent me earlier today:
“The upper bowl really isn’t THAT much better, if at all better for Jets fans. In the upper level, Giants tickets per seat will cost $95. Times 10 games a year that’s $950 + $1000 one time PSL.
In the upper level, Jets tickets per seats will cost $105. Times 10 games a year that’s $1050 + no psl fee.
I think it’s fair to assume most season ticket holders plan on keeping their seats 10+ years. Each seat for the Giants will break even after 10 years, AND they’ll own their PSL. Given that most people have 2-4 seats, a 5 year payment plan of $2000-$4000 now, plus the fact that in 10 years your seats will be cheaper (assuming the same percentage increase in ticket prices for both teams) seems like a better deal to me.
Not to mention the fact that at any time you can sell your PSL for the Giants, which will undoubtedly appreciate and would be worth more than the Jets PSL (most likely).”
Mark makes some interesting points, although to be clear, you do get ownership of your Jets PSL and, like the Giants’, those PSLs can be sold as well. Bottom line: how many of you thought there’d be any seats, let alone 27,000, without PSLs in the new place? The Jets did at least dare to be different.
No one was ever going to be completely happy with whatever plan the Jets released, but when Woody Johnson said in his letter, “We listened to our fans in designing the plan,” it seems like more than empty verbiage. He gets some credit for that.
But I would have liked to seen more value-added things for PSL holders. For example, PSL owners in the lower bowl and mezzanine seats ($4,000-$20,000) “will also receive these exclusive rights and privileges,” according to the Web site newjetsstadium.com:
" Incredible sightlines
Access to VIP reserved parking
More legroom and cupholders at every seat
Option of purchasing tickets to other events and concerts (Subject to terms and availability.)
Right to transfer or sell PSL in the future
Ability to finance over 5 years”
It remains to be seen how much benefit is contained in some of those above mentioned benefits. Access to VIP reserved parking COULD be a tangible benefit but is it really if it costs $75 a game? I’m not saying it does or it will, but if it’s included in the price of the PSL or the season tickets, then we’re talking about a real benefit and not something nebulous or open to interpretation.
I’ve always thought some kind of price-lock guarantee would be a concrete PSL benefit. Such as, plunk down your $4,000 PSL (or $10,000 or whatever) and, in return, the team gives assurance that your ticket prices won’t increase for, say, four or five consecutive years. Just a thought. And throw in some parking and concession vouchers. Something from the team that says, “Ok, we’re asking you for some major up-front money to help pay construction costs, but as a gesture of goodwill, you’ll never pay to park as long as you have the PSL.” That's one example, anyway.
I love the idea of auctioning off the Coaches Club seats, which the organization says, “is the ultimate, premium Jets fan experience. Members can even watch the game standing right behind the Jets bench - any closer and you’ll risk getting tackled.”
A cap-tip to the Jets for out-of-the box thinking on that one. Not sure if that was Executive Vice President for Business Operations Matt Higgins, Executive Vice President for Finance and Stadium Development Thad Sheely, Woody Johnson himself, or someone else in the club hierarchy who came up with it. But it is, to use an Eric Mangini favorite, “a pretty unique approach.” Well done. Some people might be upset at the sanctity of the sideline being invaded, but c’mon, this isn’t an auctioned off seat at the table for a president’s morning cabinet meeting. It’s a football game. Let’s not take ourselves too seriously.
Overall, the Jets showed some ingenuity on this. As mentioned earlier, the only way they could have pleased everyone would have been no PSLs. But following the Patriots' model might not have been the best for fans, either. The Pats have some of the highest ticket prices in the league so hold the Bob Kraft-as-fan-philanthropist thoughts simply because he didn't do PSLs. Could the Jets plan be better? Yes. Could it have been worse? Absolutely. I thought it would be.
Sorry for the The Count of Monte Cristo-length post (yeah, I know I keep saying I'll be briefer. Next time. There's always next time).
Thanks to one and all for reading/participating in this morning’s live chat. We’ll do another one next week sometime to look ahead to the opener in Miami. Back at you tomorrow from Philadelphia.
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Comments (22)
Hello Erik,
A sincere thanks to you for covering the Jets. You do a great job, despite the fact that you're originally a Browns fan. Be of good cheer and consider this an invitation. Come slum with those of us who like to punch ourselves every Sunday at 1pm or 4pm on PST time...the crazed NY Jets faithful...for a season or two. It might actually be an entertaining 16 games this year.
And: fear not! As you are so superb at what you do, if it is your desire to remain in pizza heaven/highway hell, you will soon be promoted to The Big Game (Giants coverage), anyway. Or snag a Browns gig (don't know what gets read over there).
Anyway, you do a lot of good stuff here. A wry sense of humor, a sense of even-handedness, a compelling attention to details, play-by-plays, etc. which lend themselves well to consideration while watching the games...thank you for doing all that. And, for updating information faster than any other Jets blog with wit and candor. Very good stuff.
Hope it's a great season for you. And please don't be brief.
Thanks,
Jon
My friend has been studying this PSL plan and he was telling me that people who have seats in the lower tiers will be able to move to the upper bowl if they do not want to pay for the PSL, based on how long you have had your tickets. So that means that the upper seats will be given out by seniority of how many years you have owned your tickets. It may also mean that if you had 50 yard line seats, and only owned those tickets for 5 years, you will be moved or lose your seats in the upper bowl to people who have seniority over you. I do not know how true this is I am just going by what he told me. If I stated anything wrong please clarify this plan because it sounds like one big mess. tia
I like the idea of the PSL program, almost all the tickets I buy for sporting events are purchased on E-Bay, STUB HUB etc. Someone is making a killing on the seats and it is not the team. I have a problem as a fan (in the pure sense) with a team selling all theirs seats to every game to the same people year after year. Doesn't seem fair if you are not in this group and want in. Please don' cry about paying for something that was free for a long time. I only wish the JETS put all the seats up for auction, that would be the only fair way to set the price. Their are plenty of people waiting that would be happy to pay the list price for a PSL (and probably pay a premium). Eric there is no way you can guarantee to lock in a price, with salaries going through the roof. At least the ownership is making the investment in the product, new stadium, new practice facility, new QB, new Nose, new All Pro Guard, you get the point. I will continue to pay 2+ times the price of a ticket to watch a couple of games a year and part of my premium will go the PSL fund.
I like the idea of the PSL program, almost all the tickets I buy for sporting events are purchased on E-Bay, STUB HUB etc. Someone is making a killing on the seats and it is not the team. I have a problem as a fan (in the pure sense) with a team selling all theirs seats to every game to the same people year after year. Doesn't seem fair if you are not in this group and want in. Please don' cry about paying for something that was free for a long time. I only wish the JETS put all the seats up for auction, that would be the only fair way to set the price. Their are plenty of people waiting that would be happy to pay the list price for a PSL (and probably pay a premium). Eric there is no way you can guarantee to lock in a price, with salaries going through the roof. At least the ownership is making the investment in the product, new stadium, new practice facility, new QB, new Nose, new All Pro Guard, you get the point. I will continue to pay 2+ times the price of a ticket to watch a couple of games a year and part of my premium will go the PSL fund.
Boland, when's this post going to be available in paperback? Are we looking at Clemens and Ratliff splitting the halfs tonight? Or is Clemens going to get the majority of the playing time, assuming that he is going to be the 2nd string QB this season, and this probably will be the last time he sees the field this year?
Jon, thanks, though I can tell you I'm not looking to leave NY. Been here since 2001 so I hope to stay awhile!
JayM, the Jets say quite clearly, "everyone" wishing to purchase season tickets will be able to do so based on the theory that for everyone who wants to move to the upper bowl, that many will want to move to the lower bowl. It will be an interesting dynamic to watch unfold.
Mike, sure you can lock in a % of the prices on the tickets. NFL teams make almost all their money on the TV contract and luxury suites. That's what pays for those salaries - and really it's the TV money more than anything - not ticket prices. Game-to-game tickets is a very, very small piece of the overall revenue pie.
squishthefish, the "paperback" comment ranks up there with Bryan's "War and Peace" comment from a few months ago....
The way I see tonight is Clemens gets most of the first half, then Ratliff, followed by - you forgot him! - Erik Ainge. I hope Ainge does well. He's had a tough preseason to say the least.
Erik Ainge is to Quarterbacking what Erik Boland is to writing short blog posts.
I think Ainge would make a great left tackle! Let's give the youngster a shot since QB isn't going to happen, right guys? I mean, every other QB that doesn't pan out on our team we turn into something else. Tackle seems like a good idea.
IF they like Ainge at all doubt he will play much, as they will not want to showcase him since they need to squeek him through waivers to the practice squad. They will not keep 4QB's active, thats a certainty.
Erik, I will give you another perspective on the Auction.
I heard a gentleman interviewed on WFAN, he has had the seats since Shea Stadium, but his seats are in the auction area.
He stated that he is very lucky to be very successful in life and can afford the $20k per ticket PSL charge, and has no issues with the concept. What he does have an issue with is competing in an auction with large corporations and ticket brokers for what he perceives as HIS Tickets.
He was dismissed by the Talky and told he would have first dibs on the upper deck seats, which did not exactly appease him.
If I were him I would be furious.
Erik,
One thing I haven't seen mentioned regarding the PSL's is whether they are lifetime ownership or if you have to renew after a set amount of time (5 yrs, 10 yrs, etc.). Do you have any info on that?
Schaef
Another Value Added option at other parks that has PSL'd their fans, first dibs on tickets to other events at the stadium.
Complicated since two teams share the venue, but believe it could have been done.
I hate the PSL concept as much as anyone. But, personally, I think Woody made a very shrewd business move making the upper deck PSL-free. He had a chance to evaluate public response to the Giants plan, and then he made himself look magnanamous.
Not only did he get to snake the fans, with PSLs on two thirds of the stadium, he got to snake John Mara at the same time. Mara must be ripping mad! Overall, he's taking in just as much cash as Mara, but now he looks like the hero of the little guy.
Additionally, with the drastic increase in upper deck ticket prices, you'll actually be paying the $1k PSL over 4 years, without getting any of the (slight) PSL benefits.
With the 5 year financing option, I'm actually considering upgrading to mezzanine seats. I'm just waiting to see if parking is included, since that's at least $200 a year. Though, realistically, once the rail line from Penn is open, it's unlikely I'll drive.
Erik: This time of year my attention turns to the US Open but this PSL thing is a major concern. Thanks for addressing it. JayM's concern is my concern. If people with high seniority want to move back then that leaves me with no option but to purchase a PSL or leave the Stadium. I've only got 18 years of "senority." If they want my seat, they'll be able to grab. This plan is shaping up to be even suckier than I imagined. I was resigned to pay $1000.00 a seat. Now it might $4000.00 or more. Who wants to flush $8K down the toilet?
When I was a kid my father and other family and friends went to Shea while they were building it and got 14 tickets on the 50 Yard line Jets side about 20 rows up from the field. Not far from the WFAN gentleman that Wayne 80 referenced and like him if we still had those tickets (my father gave them up before they moved to NJ) I think I'd be trying to find a really hungry, greedy lawyer to have a little talk with Woody an co. We weren't wealthy people, just working class folks that loved football and the Jets!
This guy (and I'm sure many just like him) has more than 40 years vested in this franchise...hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours to have what should be the experience of the grand day of this glorious new stadium opening (This should be his thank you party moment!) and he's just shoved aside in the name of progress?
In a business that is fan driven (or any business for that matter) how can you ever justify treating you most dedicated customers the worst?
I know times are different and it's not the Jets just doing this kind of stuff but it really is a disgrace and pure, in your face greed!
Woody, You Said" Every Jet fan gets the opportunity to bid on the best seats in the house". Woody get in touch with the REAL WORLD.How can the average Joe bid against a Corp or Multi millionaire? I've had the tickets 40 some odd years and anyway u spin it I'm getting screwed.Today I read a story in Newsday about a Doctor who's had season tickets for 43 years, who say's " I can't afford paying for PSLs for my 6 season tickets", so if a doctor can't or won't pay who will? I'll tell u who will Corps. and the rich! So all the noise will be coming from the top of the stadium, because the real fans are getting priced out. You took the Jet out of Long Island never brought them back to New York (as promised). Parcel's left us because he saw something was rotten! Greed prevails in every corner of our society, but I grew up with the Jets and Titans and now I feel like I've been betrayed.
"Right to transfer or sell PSL in the future". Obviously the fine print here indicates that you can't resell your PSL until the Jets say so. Probably not for 5-7 years of having paid top dollar to attend these games.
You get screwed no matter what. Your reward for being a dedicated fan for decades is zilch. No financial consideration at all. I would have appreciated if they gave a 50% discount for a 30 yr season ticket holder, 30% discount for 20 year, etc..
Although the Jet's PSL was a little creative the bottom line is the lower bowl will be paying the freight. The PSL for my section is $10k while the same seats for a Giants fan is $7500. For 4 seats I will have to come up with an extra $10,000 for the exact same seats!
I always wanted to hold onto the seats to be able to take my kids and pass them on, but if you want your kids to have a college in the future this makes it tough. Yes honey I took $40,000 and gave it to the Jets so I could pay 20% more for my seats this year.
I had to make the call to the JETS after the PSL plan came out. Ya see, I've been on the waitlist for the past 15 years (back when I lived in NY). Low and behold, this year I finally get seats (not bad ones).
After talking to the young lady, this is what I get about the PSL. Tickets will be distributed by seniority (this means I'll be last). That's fair. People from the lower levels or best seats will have the opportunity to take seats where ever they choose (upper bowl, mezz, etc.) This sucks!
By the time it gets to me, I will be offered a seat where they are available. This really sucks. I've checked out the seats that are affordable to me and my situation and I believe that if I can afford them, most people who have season tickets will be able to afford the same ones. Leaving me possibly with a choice of seats in an area I can/will not be able to afford.
I then asked, what happens if I turn down the seats offered. Silence. I asked, will I be place on the waitlist again and where? More silence.
Long and short, I don't think a lot has been decided about a lot of this. And the decisions are scantily in place. Expect changes. I like the idea of the auction and the no PSL area. I would have liked to see fairer prices for a team that hasn't seen a Super Bowl since I was 3 years old.
ciao
Hey Mike, how did you get "not bad" seats. I also got tickets off the waitlist this year, and I got 2 rows from the top in the corner of the endzone on the visitors side.
Was Boland's chat moderator handling ticket distribution?
John Z. My scenario is exactly like Mike from bumpass's (is?). I suspect you were banished to the nether regions in a giant conspiracy-they're watching you, and not just your blogs!!! The upside is fellow bloggers JETVET and Anonymous will most likely be sitting in your new seats come 2010...and you'll either pay a small extortion fee to remain in the stadium or be "relocated" back to the wait list (since they're "on to you" I'm guessing the latter).
Oh well, I guess I'll be back to the couch in front of my 46" hi-def flat panel.
It could be worse, I could be Boland
I just read a press release from the Jets PR department that every Eric Mangini press conference will begin with a five minute "Rank on Boland" period.
Also, member of the media will be required to buy seat licenses for the conferences. Beat writers won't be charged but will have to sit in the back of the room.
I'm surprised Mangini hasn't made Boland take a lap. Woody has come up with other "unique" ideas that didn't make it: Free hot dogs, but the buns Have an $8 PSL. Free beer, but an $8 charge for the PDS (Personal Delivery System, ie: the cup). Free parking, but a $120 storage waiver fee in order to not safely "store" your vehicle in a fan-friendly container lot in Patterson.
Eric, how about some information on how much farther the upper deck in the new stadium is from the field as compared to the old, but still good stadium. From all the drawings and diagrams I have seen, it appear to to be twice as far laterally from the field (due to the lack of overlapping of the lower seats) and since it will be sitting on top of four, not just one, luxury box, it must be much higher. My impression from sitting in the upper deck at Fed-Ex field, to which the new stadium is compared, is that the front row seats of the upper deck at Fed-Ex will be farther from the field than the last row of the upper deck at the Meadowlands. And for this they will be charging not the same but much more. For me that will be at least 30% more and maybe 56%.