Excuse Me, Is That $2,000 Seat Taken?
Nothing can be worse for the New York Yankees than a bunch of empty seats in the House that
Greed Jeter Built. Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News sums it up
right here.
When the best seats in the Yankees’ new house are going for $2,625 each (which is about as high as Chien-Ming Wang’s ERA), and the economy is in the tank, they are going to remain empty. And when that’s the most prevalent thing the viewer at home sees, it gives the perception that no one is watching the New York Yankees.
Truth be told, fans are still flocking to the new Yankee Stadium. But these empty Gray Poupon seats are killing the team’s reputation. I was watching the Yankees get brutalized by my Cleveland Indians on Saturday (22-4 was the final score, I think. Click here if you must! lol!). And it didn’t appear there were any real fans in the nearly-empty section. there were men in sport coats talking on their cell phones. And a bunch of other people who may have thought they were spending big bucks to go somewhere trendy.
So, what are the Yankees going to do? They need to fill those seats so the House that Arrogance Jeter Built looks like it’s at full capacity. And they need to do it quick. And they need to understand that consumers don’t have $2,625 to shell out for a regular season baseball game.
To save face, the Yankees need to partner with their sponsors for contests, sweeps and other promotions and give those seats away. It doesn’t mean they have to give away the House that New York taxpayers Jeter Built. But giving them to sponsors to give away may be a great gesture to those business partners. And even help jump-start the economy.
Picture this: Starter/Walmart are part of a behind-home-plate banner rotation. Give them a few thousand tickets and the mass merchant can give them away with a certain purchase. The Sharper Image has signage in the bleacher seats, and there’s a lot of people who don’t realize they are back in business. Incorporating a ticket giveaway to promote the company’s rebirth could be a great way to raise brand awareness.
The possibilities are endless. The Yankees just need to save face and figure something out. Or just move back to the Real House that Ruth Built.
