Who would have thought that we would get to the point where people are now worried about how they are going to pay for Season Tickets for an NHL team in Winnipeg. While it is still speculative it is likely worth discussing since people are worried/concerned about what they will need to do in a relatively short period of time.
I’ve seen and heard all sorts of speculation about this topic since Gary Lawless wrote his piece in the Winnipeg Free Press discussing the idea that True North is expected to trigger a season ticket sales campaign in the coming weeks.
Some fans are thinking that they are going to need to ante up between $4,000.00 to $8,000.00 by next week to become a part of the new NHL tradition in the city of Winnipeg. Others are wondering how they can pay for 3 season’s worth of Season Tickets at once.
Many NHL teams have developed creative means of allowing their fans to pay for Seasons Tickets without needing to empty the bank in one fell swoop. Using the Detroit Red Wings as an example, they have an agreement with a company called eLayawaySPORTS.
Like traditional layaway, eLayawaySPORTS is a payment processor that allows the Red Wings’ Season Ticket Holders to customize payments for their season tickets over time. These customized weekly or monthly payments are automatically deducted from customers’ bank accounts on a specific payment dates selected by the consumer. The technology charges a 1.9% flat transaction fee and zero interest.
While teams might have a policy that requires fans to sign on for more than 1 season at a time, there won’t be a need to break open the piggie banks or cash those RRSP’s just to pay for Season Tickets in one lump sum.
Even the AHL’s Manitoba Moose currently allow you to pay for your seats on a monthly basis. Richard Tapper of Sports Radio 1290 program ‘On the Sidelines’ told me that he has 2 seats which he’s splitting with 2 other guys for a total cost of $1,800.00. The Moose split the charges 3 ways ($600.00/per) and charged each guy $100.00 a month for 6 months.
So it’s time that everyone calms down, enjoy some playoff hockey, head to Earls Main for a beer and when TNSE puts out the call, be ready to answer it in whatever capacity that requires.
