Signs Of The Times: Yankees Cut Ticket Prices, Bulls Title Rings On Auction Block

April 29, 2009: Blame it on the economy, and the fact that empty seats were front-and-center at Yankee Stadium. The New York Yankees, playing up the fact that they have sold "37,000 full-season ticket plans and 3.4 million tickets" and their new Stadium, never the less have decided to cut some of their higher-end ticket prices for the remainder of the season: The prices of selected Legends Suite season seats have been reduced from $2,500 to $1,250, and from $1,000 to $650. In addition, some seats in the Delta Sky 360 Suite have been reduced from $750 to $550, according to the team. The Yankees will have make-goods for fans who already have purchased similar seats, offering other tickets "at no additional cost" or refunds. Consumers with these seats should refer to the plan, which was laid out in a detailed release. "A few weeks ago I indicated that in light of the economy we would review the pricing of a small number of our premium locations at Yankee Stadium; specifically, our Suite Seats," Hal Steinbrenner, managing general partner of the Yankees, said in a statement. "I mentioned a small number of locations because in excess of 3.4 million seats, including 37,000 full season equivalents as well as approximately 85% of all our premium locations have already been sold. Yet, there are a few hundred Suite Seats in our premium locations that have not been sold on a full season basis. As a result, and for many of our fans who have already purchased full season Suite Seats in such premium locations, the Yankees are announcing today a program that adjusts certain prices and benefits affecting such Suite Seats."

Meanwhile, Randy Brown, whose NBA career including playing guard alongside Michael Jordan with the NBA champion Chicago Bulls in 1996-97-98, is facing hard times and has put his three rings up for auction. Brown has declared bankruptcy, and his championship rings will be for sale to the highest bidder via online auction at WestAuction.com on May 19. "It's a tough situation," Dennis West of West Auctions said in a statement. "Randy seems like a really good guy, and he was a great player. However, these are tough times for a lot of people from a variety of backgrounds. People are making difficult financial decisions, and for some that means bankruptcy." The bid for the set of three rings will start at $19,000. Brown also played for the Sacramento Kings, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns and retired following the 2002-03 season. He was an assistant coach with Sacramento this past season but was released, along with interim head coach Kenny Natt and other assistant coaches after the team finished with an NBA worst 17-65 record.

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