The Flyers Hate Poor People

In their advertisements, the Flyers keep saying that tickets are available for their games, as if we should be surprised by that fact. They then specify that "Lower level tickets are available!" Well, sure. Everyone would like to sit in the lower level, all things being equal. But all things aren't equal. Individual game tickets in the lower level start at $96.00 -- and these aren't luxury or club boxes. These are just regular seats downstairs. There are tickets for some sections in the upper levels that go for $20.00 and $26.00. After that the next lowest ticket is $46.00, and the cost just soars from there.

Naturally, with the economy being such a mess, even successful and popular teams such as the Flyers are having trouble selling those expensive seats. Most people have cut back on spending, so they can't splurge on $96.00 tickets. This means the greatest demand is for the less expensive tickets.

So it was interesting to find this on the Flyers' Twitter feed: "Come down to the Wachovia Center early tomorrow to watch the Phillies, and stay for the Flyers-Pens game!" -- along with a link to a message on their website stating that not only can fans get into the building early to watch the Phillies' playoff game on the TV screens at the pavilion just inside the arena doors (and, of course, buy food and drink), but that if you show up at the box office with your ticket stub from the baseball game, you can buy a Flyers ticket for the game for $25.00.

This could be a great hockey game! The Flyers are off to a great start this season and the Pittsburgh Penguins are the defending Stanley Cup champions! I'd love to go. It's a shame I can't afford a ticket.

If you go to the Flyers' website and try to buy tickets for the game, you can't get their $20.00 ticket. Or their $26.00 ticket. None are available. In fact, the lowest price available for a single ticket to tomorrow's game is $63.00. And that's still in the upper level. If you want to buy two tickets -- because many people prefer to go with a friend or family member -- you're out of luck. Unless, of course, you want to pay $96.00 each to sit in the lower level. (And these prices don't even include the fees and service charges.) However, if you have a ticket stub to a Phillies playoff game you can buy a ticket tomorrow for $25.00.

If you can afford Phillies playoff tickets -- they are scarce and more expensive than regular season tickets -- you can probably afford a Flyers ticket at their regular price! If the Flyers want to sell the tickets they have left, why don't they consider discounts for everyone? I can only conclude that the Flyers hate poor people and don't want them to attend hockey games. If you don't agree, Flyers, prove me wrong. Get me some cheap tickets.