As an STM, I agree that I am not super happy with the increase this year.
I do, however, disagree with several points; while we have lost some of the more interesting flourishes from previous seasons, perhaps most notably the elaborate STM/FM gift, the away match ticket program, exchange program, and upcoming sell back program are genuinely valuable benefits that have been added.
And yeah, the demands seem designed to further emphasize how pissed off the writer(s) are, moreso than be serious requests. Asking to reverse or reduce this year's increases in anticipation of improvements in 2025 is at least reasonable but literally every team, even the Wooden Spoon, will go up each year and a multi-year freeze is laughable. Frankly a 56% increase over the past 7 years isn't that bad compared to *gestures at the world*. As for the ticket exchange window, I assume they want a second shot to adjust their tickets to a lower price tier? The longer payment window is just a convenience thing and might actually happen, and the FM opt-in I have to wonder how many that would realistically impact.
Yeah, it's like they approached it as though they were the counterparty in a negotiation and this was an opening bid, rather than just... ruining a good point with unrealistic demands.
There's demands and then there's just demanding things.
They didn't qualify "on ticket prices" with "in the GA sections". If they just want a freeze for the Supporters, they should be clear about that because as they are speaking "on behalf of...all supporters" one would assume they mean all season tickets. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if the club were to announce a freeze...at the 2025 level. That gives them a full season to contemplate the adjustments required in the rest of the stadium to hit revenue goals.
Yeah, the statement wasn't trying to call out "Supporters" as just folks in Supporters Group, but fans as a whole. We're just used to using the term "Supporters", but the intent is to stand up for all fans in this matter.
The sentiments are fine; the ask is super disappointing tbh. They should be able to leverage some concessions instead this creates a situation where its going to be harder to create middle ground because the ask is so unserious.
"A five year freeze on ticket prices"
...And the front office immediately threw this in the trash
As an STM, I agree that I am not super happy with the increase this year.
I do, however, disagree with several points; while we have lost some of the more interesting flourishes from previous seasons, perhaps most notably the elaborate STM/FM gift, the away match ticket program, exchange program, and upcoming sell back program are genuinely valuable benefits that have been added.
And yeah, the demands seem designed to further emphasize how pissed off the writer(s) are, moreso than be serious requests. Asking to reverse or reduce this year's increases in anticipation of improvements in 2025 is at least reasonable but literally every team, even the Wooden Spoon, will go up each year and a multi-year freeze is laughable. Frankly a 56% increase over the past 7 years isn't that bad compared to *gestures at the world*. As for the ticket exchange window, I assume they want a second shot to adjust their tickets to a lower price tier? The longer payment window is just a convenience thing and might actually happen, and the FM opt-in I have to wonder how many that would realistically impact.
Yeah, it's like they approached it as though they were the counterparty in a negotiation and this was an opening bid, rather than just... ruining a good point with unrealistic demands.
There's demands and then there's just demanding things.
Ask for more than you think you can get. We ask for 5, they give us 2 or 3 and it's still a win.
Yeah that is much too long to be taken seriously. I agree with the sentiment, but they should have said 2 or 3 years.
Teams currently with a season ticket price freeze in GA sections:
Seattle Sounders FC
Portland Timbers
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
San Jose Earthquakes
Chicago Fire FC
New York Red Bulls
Columbus Crew
LAFC
May not happen stadium-wide but can happen foe east and west ends I bet.
LAFC on a freeze 2019-2029 for supporters section.
They didn't qualify "on ticket prices" with "in the GA sections". If they just want a freeze for the Supporters, they should be clear about that because as they are speaking "on behalf of...all supporters" one would assume they mean all season tickets. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if the club were to announce a freeze...at the 2025 level. That gives them a full season to contemplate the adjustments required in the rest of the stadium to hit revenue goals.
100% true and I agree. Just adding a bit of context.
Yeah, the statement wasn't trying to call out "Supporters" as just folks in Supporters Group, but fans as a whole. We're just used to using the term "Supporters", but the intent is to stand up for all fans in this matter.
The sentiments are fine; the ask is super disappointing tbh. They should be able to leverage some concessions instead this creates a situation where its going to be harder to create middle ground because the ask is so unserious.
This is pretty bold but also closer to reasonable
1 yr freeze
2nd window at 40% mark
Longer pymt plan option