CHICAGO — Nuggets fans can count their blessings regarding the trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks. And fans attending Nuggets games at the Pepsi Center also can count on having more in their wallets than their Madison Square Garden counterparts.
That’s because tickets to watch Anthony toil for his $18.52 million salary cost about 2½ times what it costs to watch Nene, Danilo Gallinari and Ty Lawson at the Pepsi Center, Team Marketing Report revealed Wednesday in its annual NBA survey.
Knicks tickets averaged $117.47 after a 32.5 percent increase — and these figures don’t even include premium seats.
The NBA’s average ticket price increased for the first time in three years, up 1.7 percent to $48.48.
The average price ($47.30) for a ticket to watch the Nuggets did not go up from last season and ranks below the league average.
The Memphis Grizzlies have the lowest average ticket at $22.95. Thirteen teams cut their average and seven were flat.
The average nonpremium ticket price was $77.36 in the NFL last season, $26.91 in Major League Baseball last year and $57.10 in the NHL this season, according to TMR surveys.
TMR’s Fan Cost Index for the NBA, which includes four average-price tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four hot dogs, parking, two programs and two adult-size caps, averaged $301.46 for the league, up 4.5 percent. That’s $600.78 at Madison Square Garden or $295.70 at the Pepsi Center.
Pay up, NBA fans
The cost of attending games this season:
| Team | Average ticket | Percent change | Fan Cost Index | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $117.47 | 32.5% | $600.78 | 20.4% |
| L.A. Lakers | $99.25 | 4.2% | $514.00 | 5.1% |
| Miami | $67.00 | 10.7% | $423.00 | 11.3% |
| Chicago | $68.37 | 3.3% | $393.98 | 7.9% |
| Boston | $68.55 | 0.0% | $392.60 | 0.0% |
| Phoenix | $60.63 | -3.0% | $346.52 | 4.7% |
| L.A. Clippers | $51.47 | 0.0% | $322.88 | 2.9% |
| San Antonio | $58.45 | 3.7% | $319.34 | 1.3% |
| Toronto | $46.98 | -7.8% | $319.32 | -4.1% |
| Dallas | $49.45 | -4.0% | $311.78 | 4.7% |
| NBA average | $48.48 | 1.7% | $301.06 | 4.5% |
| Portland | $48.40 | -4.4% | $296.58 | -0.3% |
| Denver | $47.30 | 0.0% | $295.70 | 2.8% |
| Milwaukee | $46.00 | 0.0% | $289.00 | 8.7% |
| Oklahoma City | $47.15 | 2.5% | $280.60 | 9.6% |
| Sacramento | $48.17 | -7.0% | $277.68 | -1.6% |
| Cleveland | $48.62 | -7.0% | $275.98 | -4.2% |
| Orlando | $43.65 | 2.0% | $275.90 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | $37.06 | -8.5% | $272.74 | -4.3% |
| Houston | $41.00 | -1.0% | $271.46 | -1.7% |
| Utah | $42.10 | 1.5% | $271.36 | 9.9% |
| Philadelphia | $39.25 | -4.3% | $263.90 | 0.7% |
| Detroit | $41.26 | -3.5% | $257.04 | -3.0% |
| Golden State | $34.13 | 0.0% | $252.50 | 2.0% |
| Atlanta | $36.13 | 0.0% | $238.52 | 1.5% |
| Minnesota | $31.50 | 0.0% | $225.50 | 1.8% |
| New Orleans | $30.49 | 4.2% | $217.96 | 4.3% |
| Washington | $23.64 | -2.5% | $212.54 | 8.4% |
| Indiana | $30.59 | 5.0% | $208.74 | 11.3% |
| Charlotte | $29.27 | -2.3% | $203.0 | 61.9% |
| Memphis | $22.95 | -1.0% | $192.80 | 11.0% |
Average ticket price represents a weighted average of season-ticket prices for general seating categories, determined by factoring the tickets in each price range as a percentage of the total number of seats in each arena. Premium seating (tickets that come with at least one added amenity) are not included in the ticket average, and for the NBA, not included in the chart. Luxury suites are also excluded from the survey. Season-ticket pricing is used for any team that offers some or all tickets at lower prices for customers who buy season tickets.
The Fan Cost Index comprises the prices of four average-price tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four regular-size hot dogs, parking for one car, two game programs and two least-expensive, adult-size adjustable caps. Costs were determined by telephone calls with representatives of the teams, venues and concessionaires, along with information provided on the teams’ official websites, or through outside sources. Identical questions were asked in all interviews.
Source: Team Marketing Report
