PSL Pricing/Seat Selection Discussion

[mrags]

I just saw this on the Facebook group about the stadium and PSLs. Take it with a grain of salt I guess because I don’t necessarily believe anything that’s not confirmed. But I just saw it 

 

“This is solid information:  The NEW club level seating; FOUNDERS CLUB - heated and covered seats, $50K PSL, $6k per ticket - includes food and beverages. EAST CLUB - heated and covered, $20K PSL, $5200 per ticket, no food or drink. FIELD CLUB: not covered or heated, $15K PSL , $4300 per ticket, food - yes, no drinks”

[The Firebaugh Kid]

Any idea how much seats are gonna go up in general? For example, I paid like $200 per seat in the 300 level for the Chiefs game. How expensive is that kind of seat going to be now? $500? If so, I'll be in my buddys garage eating good. 

[mrags]

The other thing to think about is, and I don’t know because I’ve never been in them. But the 2 tunnel end, corner clubs indoors. The M&T club and I can’t remember the other one. Those clubs are more expensive than any of the sideline clubs I think being indoors. I thought I also heard that food was included with those seats. Doesn’t look like a seat tile that in the new stadium is going to be available, completely indoors. Not sure how many seats are in those clubs but that’s another target audience for a fully covered and fully heated seat that is more expensive than the current clubs between the 40 and end zones. 

3 minutes ago, The Firebaugh Kid said:

Any idea how much seats are gonna go up in general? For example, I paid like $200 per seat in the 300 level for the Chiefs game. How expensive is that kind of seat going to be now? $500? If so, I'll be in my buddys garage eating good. 

In the secondary market? Absolutely. You will be paying that much or more I’d imagine. At least the first few years. 

[Just Jack]

18 minutes ago, mrags said:

So the 60 or so suites that have been removed, those people would be prime targets for these upgraded club seats in the new stadium. How many people were in that suite when you went? Imagine that many people times 60. 

 

Back when I was involved in selling tickets, the smallest suites had 12 seats.  So multiple that by 60 and that's your minimum number.  And last time I asked, years ago, you could get a small suite for one game, for $12K. 

 

3 minutes ago, mrags said:

The other thing to think about is, and I don’t know because I’ve never been in them. But the 2 tunnel end, corner clubs indoors. The M&T club and I can’t remember the other one. Those clubs are more expensive than any of the sideline clubs I think being indoors. I thought I also heard that food was included with those seats. Doesn’t look like a seat tile that in the new stadium is going to be available, completely indoors. Not sure how many seats are in those clubs but that’s another target audience for a fully covered and fully heated seat that is more expensive than the current clubs between the 40 and end zones. 

 

At least one of those indoor clubs did include food/drinks with your tickets.  Last time I checked, again, years ago, one seat for one game was $350 for that experience.  

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

4 minutes ago, mrags said:

The other thing to think about is, and I don’t know because I’ve never been in them. But the 2 tunnel end, corner clubs indoors. The M&T club and I can’t remember the other one. Those clubs are more expensive than any of the sideline clubs I think being indoors. I thought I also heard that food was included with those seats. Doesn’t look like a seat tile that in the new stadium is going to be available, completely indoors. Not sure how many seats are in those clubs but that’s another target audience for a fully covered and fully heated seat that is more expensive than the current clubs between the 40 and end zones. 

In the secondary market? Absolutely. You will be paying that much or more I’d imagine. At least the first few years. 

 

Friend brought me to the M&T club as a "client" for the ad agency he worked at.  Food/booze is included and served the entire game - and it was fancy.  Carved Ribeye steak.  Risotto.  Shrimp.  Stone crab claws.  Open bar with top shelf cocktails.  A sundae bar etc. 

[DasNootz]

50 minutes ago, RkFast said:

 

Fans: "We need bigger buffaloes!...We need top of the line amenities!...We need a bigger buidling!....we need a roof!...we need beer and food stands every ten feet!....we need a thousand TVs in the building!."

 

Ownership: "OK, this is what that will cost to build and provide all that and what we will charge our customers to make it happen"

 

Fans: REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think most fans were fine with what we had - and would rather not have a new stadium (at ours and taxpayer expense).

[PBF81]

24 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

They aren’t crazy now (at least where I am). It’s like $5k-$6k for a pair. It’s spread over 10 months. In the new stadium, I’m expecting a jump (plus that crazy PSL). 

 

👍

 

I'm out of town now so it's more difficult.  

 

I'm not one of those people that particularly enjoys going to games where we obliterate bread teams.  LOL

 

I had mine during the drought years and trying to pawn off the games I couldn't make became too tedious and difficult.  I correctly figured that it would be easier to simply overpay for the two or three games that I wanted to go to and could make.  

 

I largely kept them "in case we made the playoffs." 

 

LOL 

 

 

Edited March 27 by PBF81

[BarleyNY]

33 minutes ago, mrags said:

 

Exactly what I expected @BarleyNY  the number of suites have been cut in half in the new stadium. So the 60 or so suites that have been removed, those people would be prime targets for these upgraded club seats in the new stadium. How many people were in that suite when you went? Imagine that many people times 60. That’s the target audience of what the Bills are currently looking at now for 40 to 40 sideline club seats with some extra amenities. I remember years ago I know someone that was looking into a suite and I think it was like $80k for the year. I’m sure they’re more now. So that’s the target audience. Someone might not pay over 100K a year for a suite in the new stadium but they’ll buy 8 tickets with a 20-30k PSL fee once and then 8k a year on each seat. It’s still less than a suite would be. 

 

The suite was pretty full. I think two of us were the token representatives to keep it a business expense. Also I think that the company is primarily or fully owned by one family. They packed it with their family, friends and some additional key employees. I can see them dialing it back to a chunk of club seats. The president of the company told me that was an option. 

Edited March 27 by BarleyNY

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

29 minutes ago, mrags said:

I just saw this on the Facebook group about the stadium and PSLs. Take it with a grain of salt I guess because I don’t necessarily believe anything that’s not confirmed. But I just saw it 

 

“This is solid information:  The NEW club level seating; FOUNDERS CLUB - heated and covered seats, $50K PSL, $6k per ticket - includes food and beverages. EAST CLUB - heated and covered, $20K PSL, $5200 per ticket, no food or drink. FIELD CLUB: not covered or heated, $15K PSL , $4300 per ticket, food - yes, no drinks”

 

So founders club is likely businesses.  The other two will get scooped up by other businesses, wealthier fans, and ticket brokers.  

 

The main points around club seats and PSLs though?  That revenue is NOT shared with the opponent.  PSL money goes straight to the bottom line, and every club seat has a ticket fee (that is shared) and a club fee (that is not).  We were lagging behind probably every other team in the league in ticket revenue.  

Edited March 27 by Bleeding Bills Blue

[mrags]

4 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

So founders club is likely businesses.  The other two will get scooped up by other businesses, wealthier fans, and ticket brokers.  

Right. All of those businesses that had suites and are now cut out of the suites because they have half as many.

 

Im just pointing out that people are getting all bent out of shape at the numbers because of how high they are. The current regular club seat member are not the audience that the Bills are currently targeting. Now those people do have a gripe about losing some prime seating. But at the end of the day they will have their opportunity to buy tickets and they will likely be great seats. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

14 minutes ago, DasNootz said:

I think most fans were fine with what we had - and would rather not have a new stadium (at ours and taxpayer expense).

 

Eh - while there wasn't really a bad seat in the building... 

• The bathroom situation was terrible in many sections. 
• Concessions were slow and obnoxiously inefficient. 
• There were too many seats for a market the size of buffalo.  Also - it was like 90% metal bleachers.
• It's really hard to navigate to certain seats.  Have to find the right stairwells to get places.
• Club entrances were all over the place and confusing
• Good luck if you're even remotely disabled or handicapped
• The space around the stadium isn't properly used, its just a big loop of pavement.  They host the wing fest event there (and likely are looking to add others in the future), and its just not built for that type of event.  A larger actual... event space outside the stadium can make attending these types of events easier logistically. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

11 minutes ago, mrags said:

Right. All of those businesses that had suites and are now cut out of the suites because they have half as many.

 

Im just pointing out that people are getting all bent out of shape at the numbers because of how high they are. The current regular club seat member are not the audience that the Bills are currently targeting. Now those people do have a gripe about losing some prime seating. But at the end of the day they will have their opportunity to buy tickets and they will likely be great seats. 

 

I felt like the M&T club was very business like as well.  I also hated that you couldn't open a window in there.  It was a very sterile environment to watch a football game.  Like... i was a little tipsy so at the time - a couple slices of ribeye was amazing.  But then the game started and we blew out Tennessee and it was just... not totally right in there.  Too many people didn't care about what was going on.  

 

My company did an event for bills-KC in KC - and they combined the ticketing process with a sponsored tailgate event.  Get the business crap out of the way and then go into the game.  

[mrags]

4 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

I felt like the M&T club was very business like as well.  I also hated that you couldn't open a window in there.  It was a very sterile environment to watch a football game.  Like... i was a little tipsy so at the time - a couple slices of ribeye was amazing.  But then the game started and we blew out Tennessee and it was just... not totally right in there.  Too many people didn't care about what was going on.  

 

My company did an event for bills-KC in KC - and they combined the ticketing process with a sponsored tailgate event.  Get the business crap out of the way and then go into the game.  

Yeah I’ve never been in them but from images and videos that I’ve seen it’s looks like a super sterile environment. I went from 14 rows up in the end zones to the clubs and I feel like that about the clubs. I can’t imagine being inside the M&T club.  Other than experiencing it once or twice, I’d probably rather sit on my couch. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

3 minutes ago, mrags said:

Yeah I’ve never been in them but from images and videos that I’ve seen it’s looks like a super sterile environment. I went from 14 rows up in the end zones to the clubs and I feel like that about the clubs. I can’t imagine being inside the M&T club.  Other than experiencing it once or twice, I’d probably rather sit on my couch. 

 

I mean - free ticket to the home opener?  Giddy-up!! 

[mrags]

15 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

I mean - free ticket to the home opener?  Giddy-up!! 

Well. Yeah of course 

 

as a STH since 06 I guess I don’t have that going for me. Even if I do sell tickets I never miss the home opener. 

[34-78-83]

26 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

I felt like the M&T club was very business like as well.  I also hated that you couldn't open a window in there.  It was a very sterile environment to watch a football game.  Like... i was a little tipsy so at the time - a couple slices of ribeye was amazing.  But then the game started and we blew out Tennessee and it was just... not totally right in there.  Too many people didn't care about what was going on.  

 

My company did an event for bills-KC in KC - and they combined the ticketing process with a sponsored tailgate event.  Get the business crap out of the way and then go into the game.  

LOL that reminds me of a time before I had seasons, where my father got tix through work in a suite. It was a snow game (not too much, mind you) but I remember how cool it was with the food and all, but before long it all just felt really stale. Fortunately for this suite, I was able to slide the windows open and enjoy the true environment (and pissed many of the others in the suite off at the same time, LOL!)

[RkFast]

On 3/26/2024 at 12:26 PM, nucci said:

Purchasing a football ticket and a car is not a good comparison. 

 

Then a boat. Or putting a pool and patio with kitchen in your yard. Or maybe a second "hobby" car, like a Vette or some classic car. Or if youre me and really into cycling, a pro-level road bike ($12-$14K). 

 

A PSL is no different than stuff like the above in that its part of the "cost" of the thing that one enjoys for recreation. And if youre one of those folks who make going to Bills games 8-10 times a year and doing the tailgate in OP a priority in your life for fun and rec time, this is the current price of participation in 2024. 

 

 

Edited March 27 by RkFast

[nucci]

4 minutes ago, RkFast said:

 

Then a boat. Or putting a pool and patio with kitchen in your yard. Or maybe a second "hobby" car, like a Vette or some classic car. Or if youre me and really into cycling, a pro-level road bike ($12-$14K). 

 

A PSL is no different than stuff like the above in that its part of the "cost" of the thing that one enjoys for recreation. And if youre one of those folks who make going to Bills games in OP a priority in your life for fun and rec time with friends and family, this is the current price of participation in 2024. Thats not to sound callous...it sucks that so many things have gotten expensive. 

 

 

to most people a car is a necessity. The other things along with Bills games are hobby's and luxury's.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

13 minutes ago, nucci said:

to most people a car is a necessity. The other things along with Bills games are hobby's and luxury's.

 

There's a difference in price from a toyota to say a lexus or mercedes though.  I think this would fall into that latter category.  

[wjag]

I dubbed PSLs Permanent Sucker Licenses long ago when Baltimore levied them.  My friend held his PSL for probably 10+ years and sold it below cost.  All the promises that they were an investment didn't materialize.  And the fine print that most didn't understand here was that you had to continue to buy season tickets.  If you failed to buy tickets or sell the PSL, it would be forfeited back to the team.  Hence Permanent Sucker Licenses.