2015 Boston Frozen Four: NCAA greed on display

[Nuf Ced]

Tickets went on sale yesterday to the general public for the 2015 Frozen Four in Boston by the NCAA. But they didn't advertise it -- or tell anyone that the ticket packages sold out quickly.
 
Why were there so few tickets available? Partly because fans who attended past Frozen Fours received priority treatment for presale tickets. But there is also another reason anyone wanting to attend for the first time is out of luck.
 
The NCAA is now in business with a ticket broker called PrimeSport--"the Official Ticket & Hospitality Provider of the NCAA®." Whole blocks of Frozen Four tickets are being sold through them as a ticket/"hospitality" package. They throw out some plates of Hors d'oeuvres at a local hotel with a cash bar, and it allows them to sell the tickets for high prices as being part of a "travel" package. 
 
https://www.primesport.com/d/ncaa-mens-frozen-four
 
Is it legal? Sadly yes. Ethical? No. The Frozen Four has -- until now -- been affordable entertainment for college hockey fans and their families. Forget that. The cheapest "package" starts at $360 for a single ticket to all 3 games -- and those are the balcony nosebleeds.
 
The next time some NCAA rep gets on a soapbox about a student-athlete accepting money for a meal or a souvenir, remember this. Hypocrites.

 

[TomRicardo]

If there is a market it will continue.  If this crashes and burns, then they won't again

 

[Buffalo Head]

 
Tickets went on sale yesterday to the general public for the 2015 Frozen Four in Boston by the NCAA. But they didn't advertise it -- or tell anyone that the ticket packages sold out quickly.
 
Why were there so few tickets available? Partly because fans who attended past Frozen Fours received priority treatment for presale tickets. But there is also another reason anyone wanting to attend for the first time is out of luck.
 
The NCAA is now in business with a ticket broker called PrimeSport--"the Official Ticket & Hospitality Provider of the NCAA®." Whole blocks of Frozen Four tickets are being sold through them as a ticket/"hospitality" package. They throw out some plates of Hors d'oeuvres at a local hotel with a cash bar, and it allows them to sell the tickets for high prices as being part of a "travel" package. 
 
https://www.primesport.com/d/ncaa-mens-frozen-four
 
Is it legal? Sadly yes. Ethical? No. The Frozen Four has -- until now -- been affordable entertainment for college hockey fans and their families. Forget that. The cheapest "package" starts at $360 for a single ticket to all 3 games -- and those are the balcony nosebleeds.
 
The next time some NCAA rep gets on a soapbox about a student-athlete accepting money for a meal or a souvenir, remember this. Hypocrites.
 

Um, this will be the ninth year of this partnership. Nice outrage, though. 

 

[Laser Show]

I looked up prices a while back for this since I'll be in Boston this spring and love college hockey (even though my Huskies will never see it). One look at the prices was enough to end that idea. I know it's the national championship but damn it's way too excessive.

 

[Mr. Wednesday]

They don't always sell out, but they always sell a lot of tickets, and Boston is the smallest venue to host the Frozen Four in quite some years --- probably the smallest since the last time they hosted. We're talking about 10% fewer tickets available than at most of the previous hosts, and in a town where there are a lot of college hockey fans.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

PrimeSport is indeed a racket, and it's even worse in basketball.

 

[tonyandpals]

Tickets were released to Bruins STH today. Premium options only:
 
Club @ 350
Sportsdeck @ 400
Sportsdeck SRO @ 350
Promenade @ 200
 
for full strips,

 

[Senator Donut]

Tickets were released to Bruins STH today. Premium options only:
 
Club @ 350
Sportsdeck @ 400
Sportsdeck SRO @ 350
Promenade @ 200
 
for full strips,

Thanks, any idea if beer will be served in the club level?

 

[Mr. Wednesday]

I would expect not. No beer at NCAA-run events. It hasn't been in the past (when I've gotten tickets in that area via the lottery).

 

[sachmoney]

There won't be alcohol:

 
Spectators at the men’s basketball Final Four last April at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex., could buy burgers, sodas and even Texas-shaped waffles. But they could not buy alcohol. The N.C.A.A. does not permit alcohol sales — or even its advertising — at the 89 championships it administers.
But on Monday night, about 80,000 fans will flock to the same stadium for the first College Football Playoff title game, between Oregon and Ohio State, and they will be able to select from an array of beer, wine and spirits. They can even order a Cowboyrita, the signature drink at the Dallas Cowboys’ home field, made with 100 percent blue agave tequila. Alcohol was also sold at the six bowls affiliated with this season’s inaugural playoffs.
Fans who care to imbibe can thank the powerful Football Bowl Subdivision, the only N.C.A.A.-sanctioned group whose championship is not governed by the N.C.A.A. It therefore essentially gets to play by its own rules. In recent years, the championship was conducted by the Bowl Championship Series, which also permitted the sale of alcohol.

Basically, the football playoff is the only NCAA event that has alcohol sales. I don't understand it, but that's the way it is right now.

 

[Senator Donut]

There won't be alcohol:
Basically, the football playoff is the only NCAA event that has alcohol sales. I don't understand it, but that's the way it is right now.

The CFP isn't an NCAA championship. It's run the FBS schools and conferences. Google search suggests alcohol is available in luxury suites, but not club seating, for NCAA events.

 

[tonyandpals]

From my rep today:
 

 
Hi Tony, 
I wanted to send you a quick note to let you know that your tickets for the 2015 NCAA Men's Frozen Four will be shipped to you next week, and beginning Wednesday, April 1 at 11:00AM you will be able to manage your tickets online.
As you know, the NCAA prohibits the sale of alcohol during all collegiate events, however we have been able to secure an opportunity for our valued clients to access a private event space that will include an all-you-can-eat buffet and access to a cash bar during the Tournament. BostonCoach Lounge Access Passes will be sold as strips at $200 per person. The strip will provide you with two separate BostonCoach Lounge Access Passes, one for each night. The passes do not include a game ticket.
Access passes are extremely limited, click here to secure yours today.
I also wanted to share the game times with you, as they've recently been announced. The semifinal games on April 9 are scheduled for 5:00PM and 8:30PM, and the national championship game is at 7:30PM on April 11.
Lastly, please note that The Patron Lounge is reserved for a private event during the games and you will not be able to access it during the NCAA Tournament.
We look forward to sharing this memorable event with you. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Best,

 

[sachmoney]

So you can pay $200 to get access to pay to drink? Sounds like a great deal to me!

 

[tonyandpals]

So you can pay $200 to get access to pay to drink? Sounds like a great deal to me!

 
Plus a buffet! (probably chicken fingers and fries).