Ticket prices in The Nation vs. The Universe

The Red Sox:

The Boston Red Sox froze their ticket prices at already-high 2008 levels Wednesday, a clear reflection of the worsening economic crisis.

“We are hearing from fans and seeing for ourselves that these are uncertain, at best, and perilous, at worst, economic conditions,” Larry Lucchino, the Red Sox’ chief executive, said in a telephone interview.

The team had raised prices on some tickets at Fenway Park every season since 1995, settling on the current range for general-admission tickets of $12 for upper bleachers to $125 for field boxes. The team, with 469 consecutive home sellouts, drew three million fans last season, a home attendance record. Lucchino said that the team could have raised ticket prices this season but that its analysis of focus group research, fan feedback and the economy led to the freeze.

According to Team Marketing Report, the Red Sox’ average ticket price of $48.80 was the highest in baseball.

“This is not based on an assessment of a reduction in demand,” he said. “We have thousands of people who pay to be on our waiting list. This is an assessment that this was the right thing to do for the people of Red Sox Nation who have been loyal and committed fans to us.”

Meanwhile, the Yankees are hoping the corporate fat cats who they have been relying on in recent years -- and will do so even more as they move into their high tech house that Giuliani and Bloomberg built -- keep on coming through for them. So far, not so much.