|
|
| |
| Fri, Nov. 21, 2008 |  |
 |
|
||
| |
Ticket hike reflects economy Saturday, Mar 1, 2008 By Harry King LITTLE ROCK - The New York dateline story with the CNN/Money credit line began: "Don't look now, but $2 a gallon gas is here." It was dated May 18, 2004, just a short time after the University of Arkansas raised prices for football tickets. In Little Rock this week, gas was $3.09.9 at many self-service pumps, a nickel higher at others. That one note is explanation aplenty for Jeff Long's recent announcement that football tickets are going up for the first time since '04, from $35 to $45. The cost for a premium seat is rising even more. Don't blame outgoing football coach Houston Nutt or incoming Bobby Petrino for the $10 bump. At Arkansas, the increase simply reflects the cost of college athletics. From 2004-05 through 06-07, basketball guarantees are up 85 percent, scholarships are up 23 percent, and football game expenses have increased 24 percent. Several football contracts are already signed and the UA knows that football guarantees are going up 75 percent to 80 percent in the next few years. If you must have a scapegoat, blame Exxon Mobil, which posted a record profit of $10.71 billion for the fourth quarter, or some other entity responsible for a $60-per-barrel hike in the cost of crude oil in only four years. Anybody who adheres to a household budget is well aware the cost of gas jacks up the price of bread, milk and virtually every other item. Most of Nutt's departure package of about $3 million, including two deferred compensation packages and a bonus for turning down Nebraska, was already funded when he high-tailed it to Oxford. Even before the search began for his successor, officials mentioned paying $2.5 million to $3 million for a new coach, so Petrino's $2.85 million salary was no surprise. About $2 million of Petrino's money, including radio-TV coin, comes from the Razorback Foundation. Money from tickets goes to the athletic department, not the foundation. Long, who officially took over for Frank Broyles on Jan. 1, will be identified with the $45 ducat, but Broyles had been looking at the same increase. It is likely that Broyles wanted to initiate the hike a year ago, but backed off because of the maelstrom around Nutt. Even at $45, Razorback tickets are cheaper than those of at least half of the Southeastern Conference schools. At the bottom are Kentucky and Mississippi State at $40 each. In the Big 12, Nebraska is in the middle at $52 per game. In 2007, Texas charged $60 to see Arkansas State University in Austin, $85 for Texas Tech and Nebraska in Austin, and $95 for Oklahoma in Dallas. No wonder Mack Brown is criticized every time his Longhorns miss a BCS game and wind up in the Holiday Bowl. Even though Nutt's departure did cost the Razorback Foundation some money, there are indications that same exit will bring in additional cash. Noting a particular individual's decision to return his Foundation card with more money, Hawgs Illustrated publisher Clay Henry posed a question on his message board, asking if others had followed suit. Although the margin of error is not quite up to that of the polls in Texas and Ohio, most of those who post on the premium board are ticket holders and their responses do provide some insight. Some said they considered the increased cost of tickets as their contribution increase. One respondent pledged a 33 percent increase and another kicked his contribution up 25 percent. One was vague with "nice bump," and another was specific about $25. One said it would increase slightly, but that he had never cut back, and another said he increased his donation by the same amount every year, adding that his pledge doesn't have anything to do with a coaching change. Another was blunt: "Up 50 percent for this year. I had sent (Razorback Foundation president Chuck) Dicus a letter pledging to do so if HDN (Nutt) was not here. Money well spent." I am fortunate. I don't buy a ticket to see the Razorbacks play and I am reimbursed for travel expenses. Still, I'm upset that my favorite bread has gone up 50 cents per loaf. Maybe I'll complain to Exxon. ------- Harry King is sports columnist for Stephens Media's Arkansas News Bureau. His e-mail address is hking@arkansasnews.com. |
