At SeatGeek, we were sad to read this story in the Salt Lake Tribune that Karl Malone–a former Utah Jazz legend and NBA Hall of Famer–was forced to buy his own ticket to a Jazz game last February played in the wake of Jerry Sloan’s dismissal as the Jazz coach.
According to the Tribune:
What happened to Sloan had festered inside Malone for long enough. In the immediate aftermath, he came to Utah to express concern, buying his own ticket to the next game at EnergySolutions Arena via a scalper because the Jazz had told him there were no tickets available for him, and spoke to reporters.
In light of this report that an NBA legend wasn’t able to easily obtain tickets to see the very team he helped bring to prominence, we here at SeatGeek felt compelled to offer our assistance.
As such, we want to formally extend Mr. Malone the offer of four (4) lower-level tickets to any Jazz home game this season, as well as four (4) lower-level Jazz tickets to be donated to the charity of Mr. Malone’s choosing.
At SeatGeek, we’re all about making sure that fans—from the layman to the Mailman—have easy access to the best deals on tickets to see their favorite teams, so we are serious in this offer and hope to soon send Mr. Malone and his favorite charity some great seats to see the Jazz in action this season.
It’s a new age for the Philadelphia 76ers. Best start in nine years. Only one loss at home. First place in the Atlantic Division. Third best win percentage in the Eastern Conference and fifth best in the NBA. All these are accolades deserving for one of the hottest teams in the NBA. But tickets are selling on par with the worst team in the division.
The New York Knicks far and away have the most expensive average basketball ticket in the Atlantic Division. No doubt they made some flashy trades a couple of years in picking up Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudamire and Tyson Chandler in the off season. The Boston Celtics‘ and Toronto Raptors‘ fan base continues to bolster their average ticket price which are 55.01% and 29.89% more expensive, respectively. The New Jersey Brooklyn Nets low ticket price is justified by their dismal play as well as their looming relocation.
But for a city with an ardent fan base and a love of scrappy, blue-collar, underdog players, it’s surprising to see that the fans aren’t flocking to the Wells Fargo Center to cheer on the Sixers. In light of a forgettable season for the Eagles, a shortened playoff run for the Phillies and an injury plagued season for the Flyers, the sports fans in the City of Brotherly Love aren’t filling Sixers’ seats.
While there are bargains to be had, there are a few very expensive upcoming home games. To see the Sixers play at home against some of the more popular teams in the NBA would fetch you a high premium above the average price:
Philadelphia fans should really take an opportunity to invest in the Sixers. With a forward thinking CEO who has a flair for the unconventional, he’s a great fit for the city. Bringing Doug Collins veteran wisdom to teach the young team has paid immediate dividends in a year. And with the solid teamwork the Sixers have demonstrated on the young season, fans should flock to the Wells Fargo Arena to support the Sixers, not just to see another hot-shot team with a big duo or trio of NBA All-Stars. The way things are going for the Sixers, expect them to field a starting five stock full of All-Star talent.
Not sure where the league’s head was at when they rolled out the refurbished schedule, but it apparently has no problem with athletes competing in feats of skill and cunning on an unholy Friday the 13th. Despite my objections, games will be taking place, expensive ones. This weekend showcases some real contenders and the Toronto Raptors.
Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls
Canada’s finest NBA franchise makes the trip to Chi-town on Saturday to face Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. Ticket prices are currently averaging $101 right now on SeatGeek, making it the fifth highest price game this weekend.
The Knicks head out west to face Kevin Durant and the Thunder with the help of rookie Iman Shumpert back from injury. Ticket prices are currently averaging $119 right now on SeatGeek, making it our fourth priciest game.
Lebron and his supporting cast take on Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen and the rest of the Denver Nuggets. Ticket prices are averaging $125 right now on SeatGeek, good for No. 3 this weekend.
The Toronto Raptors just aren’t enough to satiate the demand for Bulls tickets so they make a second appearance in the Top 5 games this weekend. Rose and Bulls head to Boston to take on the Celtics tonight at the Garden. Tickets are currently averaging $132 right now on SeatGeek, our second most expensive NBA tickets this weekend.
I’m not sure what took so long, but apparently you can turn a basketball team around by adding two really good players. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have made this matchup with Kobe and the Lakers a real battle for Los Angeles. Ticket prices are currently averaging $175 right now on SeatGeek, making them this weekend’s most demanded game.
As the 2011-2012 NBA Schedule to be released today at 7:00pm Eastern, SeatGeek is putting together a guide to help you score tickets to some great matchups. With less games this season and some blockbuster trades in the talks, demand for tickets will no doubt be at a premium.
First let’s take a look at last year’s most demanded games.
The NBA’s Most Demanded Games 2010-2011
Matchup
Venue
Date
Avg. Price
Miami Heat at Los Angeles Lakers
STAPLES Center
12/25/10
$534.11
Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers
STAPLES Center
1/30/11
$482.29
Miami Heat at Boston Celtics
TD Garden
10/26/10
$370.22
Miami Heat at New York Knicks
Madison Square Garden
12/17/10
$349.03
Miami Heat at New York Knicks
Madison Square Garden
1/27/11
$342.55
Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat
American Airlines Arena
3/10/11
$322.90
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics
TD Garden
2/13/11
$314.75
Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks
Madison Square Garden
2/11/11
$307.75
Orlando Magic at Miami Heat
American Airlines Arena
10/29/10
$298.84
Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics
TD Garden
2/10/11
$285.49
Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks
Madison Square Garden
3/21/11
$253.73
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers
STAPLES Center
10/26/10
$244.41
Orlando Magic vs Los Angeles Lakers
STAPLES Center
3/14/11
$224.08
New York Knicks at Miami Heat
American Airlines Arena
12/28/10
$212.16
Boston Celtics at Miami Heat
American Airlines Arena
11/11/10
$208.83
The matchup of the Kobe and his Lakers against Dwayne Wade’s South Beach Super Team takes the cake when it comes to the most expensive ticket last year. In regards to the teams we see here, there’s not much diversity with the top games from last year. The are no real surprises that we see the 2009-10 Champions Los Angeles Lakers as well as Eastern Conference Champions Boston Celtics in the most demanded games. Same goes with the Miami Heat with Lebron James and Chris Bosh joining Dwayne Wade. The New York Knicks also acquired the highly coveted Amar’e Stoudemire and later Carmelo Anthony to add star power to their starting five. And the reason the Rockets are on this list is because it was the Lakers home opener and championship ring ceremony.
Top 50 Most Demanded Games 2010-2011
If we expand and look at the data from the top fifty games last season, you see more of the same. There’s a ridiculous increase in high demand for both the Heat and the Lakers.
