Apparently the economy is turning around in New York City.
Because the cost of seeing the new and improved New York Knicks will be a lot higher next year — the average seat price is going up by 49 percent, as the New York Post reports.MSG sports president Scott O’Neil is scheduled to meet with a raft of season-ticket holders today for a presentation on the new benefits that come with the significantly higher new prices.
As it is, the Knicks are ranked second in average ticket price at $88. That figure is second to the Lakers, whose average price is $113, according to Forbes.
Certainly there are things to pay for at Madison Square Garden. Not so much the Knicks, which had a higher payroll three years ago when they were a disaster on the court than they do now (even with Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony).
The big cost is the upgrades to the Garden itself, a $700 million expenditure if they get of cheap.
Still, in any economy, for any product, that is one serious price jump. But if the demand is there — and the Knicks have sold out 29 of 31 home dates so far — they may well do this and not feel much of an effect at all. Spike Lee will probably pay it.