Pay Up, Bucs Fans
February 7th, 2018
Double-whammy.
The depression for Bucs fans just got deeper.
Despite a kick-in-the-balls 5-11 season and the team deciding that the same men responsible for the worst defense in the NFL are worthy of being retained, the Bucs delivered what could be a knockout blow to some season ticket holders, per Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times.
It seems some lower bowl seats at the Den of Depression are going up as much as hundreds of dollars per ticket. Additionally, per Auman, season ticket holders received a strong-arm notice from the Bucs that if they didn’t cough up cash now, they will have to pay more in the future.
Season-ticket members got an email Tuesday, telling them they had until March 15 to renew their tickets for the upcoming season, or they’d be charged the newer, mostly higher prices, in some cases as much as $500 more per ticket.
Not all prices in the lower bowl are increasing. Details are detailed in the story linked above.
This is the second straight season the Bucs have raised prices on some tickets. Prior to that, the Bucs had a six-year stretch where prices were unchanged and props to the Bucs for that.
Joe doesn’t have an overall disagreement with this. The economy is booming (have you checked real estate prices in the area recently?) and the Bucs — as any player will tell you — are a business, not a charity. Rarely do the costs of operating a near-$2 billion outfit decrease.
Still, this should be a bitter pill to swallow for many. The same organization that seems content to retain men responsible for one of the worst defenses in franchise history is basically asking fans to pull out their wallets to help pay for these same men’s salaries.
Talk about accountability.
February 7th, 2018 at 12:24 am
Face palm!
February 7th, 2018 at 12:36 am
Please just win guys. For the love of f*cking god.
February 7th, 2018 at 12:46 am
Absolutely nothing about the Bucs to be excited about, and now this. SMH
February 7th, 2018 at 12:50 am
LOLOLOLOL worst owners and organization in the NFL. The ticket dept has known about this increase for weeks and the ticket sales people have been dreading the calls and lack of commission they won’t be getting because of nobody wanting to buy tickets. There is so much turnover of employees in that building its beyond hilarious. Team Glazer acts like its a privilege to work there, when in fact its a disaster of a place in the terms of how employees are treated. Moral in that building is beyond horrible.
February 7th, 2018 at 1:08 am
Yep just checked my email. $1900 today, $2600 after March 15th
February 7th, 2018 at 1:16 am
It could be worse … the Bucs could be the Colts and have a coach agree to a contract, and then, on the same exact day, say, “nah, never mind, I’d rather stay a mere coordinator than be the head coach of your team” … wow.
February 7th, 2018 at 1:28 am
NFLNut
That’s the best thing that could happen to the Colts. Josh McDaniel is not Head Coach material.
February 7th, 2018 at 1:51 am
Is this for just lower level STH? and my question is why is there this deadline
February 7th, 2018 at 3:03 am
Ouch!
Coming from Australia these prices are hard to swallow. For example here in Melbourne I am a member of the Richmond Tigers AFL team, last years Premiers (Equivalent of the Super Bowl). Season tickets for 2018 are $220 AU, about $150 US, and that’s for the WHOLE SEASON. (11 home games).
I can only imagine that they are trying to stop ware and tear on the seats in the Den, or something…
February 7th, 2018 at 3:10 am
Lakeland,
I agree with you that Josh isn’t head coach material but the Colts still look like losers … and apparently they may give the HC position to the Chiefs Special Teams Coordinator … ouch.
February 7th, 2018 at 5:10 am
Joe, you’ll get sent to ‘time out’ if you start picking on the Glazer Boys. Kudos on trying to salvage it though with “Joe doesn’t have an overall disagreement with this” and the caveat (throwing Scapegoat Smitty under the bus … yet again) was a nice touch, but as you said “Still, this should be a bitter pill to swallow for many”.
Fact is the Bucs are perennial losers BECAUSE of our ownership & management. This is strictly a business to them it appears & they’re poor businessmen. They don’t seem to have figured out that charging more for a bad product isn’t the best way to increase the bottom line. Malcolm understood that you made MORE money by producing a quality product; his sons apparently missed that lesson.
Bucs presently rank in the top-5 teams for most salary cap space to play with (along with 4 other losing teams: 49ers, Browns, Colts, Jets. Winning T-E-A-M-S (like the Pats, Eagles, etc) are at the other end of the spectrum. Hmmm, maybe you REALLY do have to spend money to make money.
February 7th, 2018 at 5:44 am
LMAO! The Colts got Bill Parcelled.
February 7th, 2018 at 5:50 am
@Buddy, please trust that I’m not picking on you nor am I trying to start an argument. Would be a complete waste of your time and mine. I am just curious if you’re stating an actual hard fact, or just hypothesizing on the possible state of mind for the employees at One Buc? Up until February 2017 I worked for the organization (only moved here to Colorado because the humidity/heat of Florida was adverse to my health after a major Surgery and setback) so up until I left I did not witness what you are mentioning in that statement.
February 7th, 2018 at 6:27 am
I have to call my ticket rep this morning because my email says if if I renew now the price stays at $2500 for my two tickets ( I sit in the lower bowl ) but if I wait until March 15th then the price jumps to $5700!!! That can’t be correct! That is over a 100% increase.
February 7th, 2018 at 6:31 am
Correction that was $5400 for my pair and $7880 for single tickets… I am really confused by their email.
February 7th, 2018 at 7:10 am
Siege my pay!
Yup. I got one more year and get back deposit Not sure I want to throw away hard earned money for this dog turd they have put on field for almost last 10 years . Owners should be ashamed of ticket price demands.
Pretty sad they have never offered me free parking pass or anything. Driving from Orlando with gas , hotel , mas beers at the game , is expensive Again you drive over there and it’s 38-0 at half (I think that was the ravens score a few years back )
February 7th, 2018 at 7:14 am
SMH! I don’t know, maybe put a good product on the field first. Winning will cure everything. But this? Man, why would you guys pay that kind of money for an absolute sh!t product?! 8 grand for 2 tickets?! WOW!
February 7th, 2018 at 7:25 am
In 2015 I bought 3 sets of season tickets in 2”16 they told me they would increase by 25% I said no thanks. Then in 2017 they went up again another 15% and now this. When the two called me last week to ask me if I wanted to get season tickets I said team performance and no coaching changes along with inflated prices ummm no thanks.
February 7th, 2018 at 7:27 am
Got my email yesterday also. $3200 before March 15th. $3600 after March 15th.
February 7th, 2018 at 7:27 am
What’s even more insulting is the fact that they are framing it as the Bucs listening to their fans. They are contending that the preseason tickets are now half price, with the remainder of regular season tickets now on a “tiered” system. Premier games costing more than others. Of course in the end, it all adds up to being an increase. And yes, if you do not meet the deadline, the tickets actually can go up as much as 100%. They really think we are stupid.
After over 30 years, and three generations, my family is finally out. The Glazers and the NFL have finally sapped the love of football out of us. We can no longer financially support a product that refuses to strive to be the best and takes its customer for granted. Thanks Glazers for killing two of this family’s long standing traditions… Sunday tailgating and the defensive 3rd down roar.
February 7th, 2018 at 7:31 am
Saw GetAClue’s post and thought about all the great stuff $4,500 can buy — some really nice guitars, incredible number of really good concert tickets, some nice weekend stays at beachfront properties, and so on and so forth and you can still watch those MISERABLE BUCS ON THE TUBE if you really want to…..
February 7th, 2018 at 7:32 am
The Bucs are having the people who still pay for tickets pay extra to make up for all the empty seats!!! I gave up my seats three years ago and got Lightning tickets. You know, the first place in the entire league Lightning!!!! Winning and paying to see it is so much better than sitting in the heat and watching bad coaching, second rate players and feeling miserable!!! The Bucs screw everything up,,,like winning the last game of the season and dropping in the draft. Good luck season ticket holders!!!
February 7th, 2018 at 7:40 am
This is why the Bucs need to go all in this year. If Bradley Chubb falls to seven, which he will (not), draft him, then trade next years first to get back in and get Vita Vea, this is all after signing Michael Bennett when Seattle releases him. Then your front four is fixed Bennett, Vea, GMC and Chubb, with rotational players McDonald, Gholston (to block FGs), Spence, Stevie T and Russell/Clarke. Sign Butler or Fuller at CB, yeah it was all a dream, but if you want the fans to 💰, then they need to go all in as well. If the coaches coach, this makes the team a consistent contender, of course they may have to trade next years 1st and this years second, but then you gotta get the best back available in the third round.
February 7th, 2018 at 7:40 am
Worst owners in all of pro sports. Not only is bucs organization least desirable location in the nfl for coaches, players and front office personnel they are doing thier best to make it the least desirable for fans… that is the glazer grand slam
February 7th, 2018 at 7:43 am
Nice one!
February 7th, 2018 at 7:44 am
Rrsrq
There is no hope. The glazers would have to care about on the field product for there to be hope. 16 years without a single meaningful win… nothing will change thus no hope… 4-12 at best with more flat performances led by cancer93 that is the future guaranteed and based on history
February 7th, 2018 at 7:44 am
They have to make up for lost revenue AKA empty seats.
February 7th, 2018 at 7:46 am
Sorry. You retain the entire coaching staff responsible for this sp!t season. And then exoect us to pay more. No way in hell i am renewing
February 7th, 2018 at 7:47 am
tmax- This is where you and I totally agree. Ownership. Wow, just wow!
It’s tough being a Bucs fan! Really tough!
February 7th, 2018 at 7:53 am
Out of curiosity, are you seeing a TREND in these comments Joe?
February 7th, 2018 at 7:53 am
Bucsfanman
It’s sad. I get such a kick out of the optimists who try and put a positive spin on this crapshow that has been going on for over a decade. There is no hope with glazers running the show. They are not committed to be the best and it shows from top to bottom. couple that with the heartless team captain who is more concerned with camera time and dolls than winning. It’s a recipe for a permanent residency in the nfc south basement
February 7th, 2018 at 8:16 am
This just means out of towners will have to pay more to see their team whip the Bucs. Glazer’s are smart business men.
February 7th, 2018 at 8:28 am
We let our tickets go after they fired Gruden and raised the prices.
I feel for the people that stayed locked in.
One thing is certain after working for and with team Glazer. They are not football people.
That said, big props to them for sticking with this coaching staff and JL.
Unlike all the other post Chucky-Monti-McKay clowns. Working with these guys makes you feel like knowledge about the game is in the building.
Sad things went the way they did last season but I believe Team Glazer has started to figure it out.
Hoping we all get rewarded this season…. We are close to being a contender in the sputh…. Those last 3 games proved it to everyone including our boys.
Dont be a Fan of DEPRESSION.
Be a Fan of INSPIRATION.
Cant put a price tag on that!
February 7th, 2018 at 8:32 am
The should be giving you a discount for paying early not charging you more if you don’t. I was already on the fence and this turned me off big time. I’ll be be replying to this email returning a crying Jordan picture
February 7th, 2018 at 8:54 am
Yes increasing prices while upgrading the facility and stadium fans will also pay for, yes that’s very classy. They are billionaires so ok they know business but they know nothing about running a successful NFL team. Firing the coaches because of their record but check your record as owners since talking over for Malcolm, Glazer’s have no clue what they are doing.
February 7th, 2018 at 8:57 am
Jab
Glazers are incompetent and the franchise is a complete embarrassment to city, nfl and football fans worldwide… the results prove it. You are absolutely clueless to attempt to defend glazers. You would have an easier time convincing feminist groups Harvey Weinstein is innocent than convincing football fans glazers are “getting it”
Optimism is one thing but unfortunately there is no cure or hope for pure stupidity. There is no defensefor glazers. Not a single meaningful win in 16 years is pure incompetence not getting it
February 7th, 2018 at 9:04 am
These greedy bastage owners. Their old man is rolling over in his grave.
It sucks that the Gs are a bunch of tight wad nerds. They are billionaires and yet the gouge our fans for a quick buck.
Newsflash Gs, the NFL created the salary cap “floor” bc you were so damn cheap.
This demonstrates they care about the bottom line, and not about another Lombardi trophy or their fans.
Shame on them. Make the effing playoffs, or at least play meaningful games all year before you hike up prices.
I guess this product costs more bc we need to pay Swaggy and Doug Martin to be sh!tty players again in 2018.
Smdh, your product sucks and it becomes more evident in each passing day that the Gs don’t prioritize winning. The rich get richer and it makes me sick.
February 7th, 2018 at 9:21 am
I dropped mine if I go to ant bucs game ill just scalp a ticket they will be a plenty
February 7th, 2018 at 9:27 am
Exactly Jeff!
Let the greedy Gs have their way, their product quality does not warrant an increase in prices.
How about the ticket price is set based on of the team is still “in the hunt”. Meaning, next November when we are in our rightful spot of the NFC South Dungeon, admission to games should be free as they have NOTHING to play for.
February 7th, 2018 at 9:33 am
The NFL is restarting the blackouts too. They plan to officially announce this soon.
February 7th, 2018 at 9:34 am
SteveK Says
“These greedy bastage owners.”
Compare the new prices to other teams.
Doesn’t matter to me. I have not gone to a game since the new college costumes arrived.
February 7th, 2018 at 9:51 am
Hey Glazer’s, You know what you can do with your ticket prices? Same thing you’ve done with your team since taking over, DIE & GO TO HELL. “Seige My Pay” lmao…that soo needs to become the most popular hashtag associated with this franchise..Tampa Bay, OFFICIALLY CLEVELAND SOUTH. Good Luck with this one Glazers lol.
February 7th, 2018 at 10:12 am
would much rather get lightning tickets in a nice air conditioned arena to actually watch a good team play
February 7th, 2018 at 10:25 am
I travel from Tallahassee to see the Lightning play. No way would I ever consider sitting in the hot sun watching and paying the loser Glazers.
February 7th, 2018 at 10:31 am
As a former Lightning season ticket holder I undertand the attraction.
To be honest after the Stanley Cup season my wife and I were beyond fatigued!!!
That was 41 regular season games plus all of the playoff series seemed to go seven games although I think one went six.
We LOVE the Lightning and believe Jeff Vinik is the best owner in all of professional sports. He not only manages the team incredibly well with great people in all position…Stevie Y…Coop..he also gives back a LOT to the community.
So now we go to 4-5 games a year. We like the good seats we had as season ticket holders so we pay 3-4 times the normal price on the online resale site.
Still far less than 41 games and far less fatiguing.
We pretty much operate the same way with the Bucs. Pick a couple of games and pay the higher prices.
February 7th, 2018 at 10:34 am
And I hope the 5th grader they paid to design the uniform is enjoying the wealth.
February 7th, 2018 at 11:02 am
yeah I was pissed….my brothers and I had a long convo last night about this…..younger bro says he’s out….me and big bro are on the fence…..
stay tuned…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
February 7th, 2018 at 11:41 am
LMMFAO!!!!! These a$$ clown owners really think that the fans are going to pay a higher price for tickets to this $hit $how???? LOL I mean I knew these guys were complete morons when it comes to knowing how to build a contending/championship team. But at least I thought they had common sense. I mean common sense should tell you that if you have a repugnant, inferior product, you really shouldn’t be raising the price of said joke of a product. I find this as hysterical as I find them as owners! LOL, sorry I just can’t stop laughing. And I don’t want to hear any crap about this”being a business”, it’s not good business to charge your customers higher prices for a $hit product.
February 7th, 2018 at 12:20 pm
LMAO too!! I can’t stop guys. The Glazers are basically sayin, Vaseline anybody?
I have a venue out here in the west, where I can watch all the Bucs game for 40 dollars a year. And thats..to much. Maybe they will surprise season tickets holders and let’em go up in the Pressbox with..autographs from Smitty!! Its ORGANIZATION guys. from the top to scouting..to coaching..to..everything. Buc fans do deserve more. But it won’t come until we experience more depths of Depression.
February 7th, 2018 at 1:22 pm
LJS4th Says:
February 7th, 2018 at 7:32 am
The Bucs are having the people who still pay for tickets pay extra to make up for all the empty seats!!! I gave up my seats three years ago and got Lightning tickets. You know, the first place in the entire league Lightning!!!! Winning and paying to see it is so much better than sitting in the heat and watching bad coaching, second rate players and feeling miserable!!! The Bucs screw everything up,,,like winning the last game of the season and dropping in the draft. Good luck season ticket holders!!!
^ ^ ^ ^
^THIS!^
WELL SAID!
The only difference between LJS4th & I is, This is the season I am not renewing my seats this year. I have 2 sec. 309 row F (30-35yd) line Nice vantage point. I have not seen this extortion email yet with this “wallet jacking” BS! but I have missed a few phone calls from my admin person. Nomatter it will not change my mind or scare me into thinking I will be saving $$ or lose out! I will invest my hard on money to a sports club with 1st class ownership and a real winning attitude! The Bucs possess none of these things!
Lets GO Lightning!
February 7th, 2018 at 1:27 pm
And I thought Donnie Trump was an idiot…….Moe,Larry & Curly are giving him a run for his 💰.
February 7th, 2018 at 1:36 pm
Good luck with that one to the Bucs sales reps…
February 7th, 2018 at 2:21 pm
I’d gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today!
February 7th, 2018 at 2:42 pm
It is beyond clear that the Gs are money grubbers, and don’t give a ish about wins.
How can they ask for more money when the team doesn’t even contend a full season?
Way to be crappy owners.
It’s not like you’re endlessly wealth. Why so much greed? Why not sell this team to a passionate owner, willing to do right by the fans and spend money.
The salary cap floor was implemented in this CBA bc the Gs were cheap bastages.
Enjoy your soccer team, enjoy your revenue sharing, enjoy continual losing in the NFL bc your priorities are off the mark.
February 7th, 2018 at 2:52 pm
“The salary cap floor was implemented in this CBA bc the Gs were cheap bastages”
SteveK – You might not be that far from the truth considering the Bucs had THE LOWEST PAYROLL IN THE ENTIRE NFL EVERY SINGLE YEAR the previous 7 years straight prior to that CBA being agreed on…
February 7th, 2018 at 2:55 pm
Malcolm Glazer would be upset by the current state of the Buccaneers. That guy was willing to spend money and bring home a championship.
These clowns count their money and continue to hose the fans.
February 7th, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Pickgrin
It is the sad truth.
Imagine if we had owners willing to spend back in 2010 when we were a surprise team.
No depth= no spending.
February 7th, 2018 at 6:37 pm
In a sad way I’m glad I moved an hour and a half south of Tampa so that the thought of getting season tickets is not an option.
February 7th, 2018 at 8:19 pm
Yeah f***** right!! No way i wld pay more to see less . The team is trash , management is trash, and the owners are buffoons for allowing this staff to stay. Keep your tickets
February 7th, 2018 at 9:05 pm
As a Bucs fan, I have been fortunate to be able to afford Club Seats for the last 5 years. West Side, 4 seats…love what they did with the renovations. Also very fortunate to be able to expense these for my business. Entertain clients and watch my favorite team…doesn’t get any better than that. But this season was one of the most difficult for me ever. Obviously the product on the field was piss poor. Especially going into the season with high expectations. But as a long time Bucs fan, we all know what that feels like.
The difficult thing for me was finding clients who wanted to attend games. I mean long time clients, who always went to games and looked forward to it. Would not want to go because of the players kneeling and the position the NFL took. You hear about the poor TV ratings and all. But I can tell you first hand it had an effect on people. And the NFL has ruined my investment. So I will not be renewing my tickets ($8000 plus all the over priced food/drinks). I will look into Lightning Tixs instead. A first class organization, with a winning pedigree.
February 8th, 2018 at 7:06 am
Glazers are bandits.