Manny Ramirez

Earlier this week, Jeff wrote about the most expensive baseball tickets for the 2009 season.  Not everyone, though, has $2,625 to cough up for one game at the new Yankee Stadium.

Not to fear, as an article by David A. Kaplan of Fortune explains.  There are many bargains to be found for the more fiscally conservative baseball fan.  Many clubs, wraught with angst over falling ticket revenues, are starting experiment with promotions outside of the normal giveaways.  Enter a new paradigm for Major League Baseball – Variable Pricing.

Some teams are offering tickets to lesser games – say mid-week contests against non-rivals – for lesser prices.  Other teams are coming up with creative add-ons to get attention.  This coming Wednesday, Pittsburgh fans will be able to purchase a ticket to the game, a hot dog, and a soda, all for $1 each – a Pirate promotion nicknamed ”Buck Night”.   Arizona and Baltimore are offering “All You Can Eat” seats where the ticket price includes a variety of food and beverage options.

The interesting thing here is that the Majors seem to be understanding some of the challenges that Minor League teams have been facing for some time.  Without the bright lights, big city draw that a team like the New York Yankees brings to the table, AA and AAA organizations have to focus on their unique value proposition.  According to this Forbes article on the business of Minor League baseball, teams are essentially running a family “themed restaurant with a cover charge.”

Granted, their business model does not have to account for the exorbitant salaries of Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, and their ilk.

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