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According to an official press release from the New York Rangers, published by Andrew Gross, on average, season ticket prices will be raised 23%.
From the press release:
The New York Knickerbockers and New York Rangers today released season ticket information for the 2011-12 seasons when Madison Square Garden will debut the first phase of the building's top-to-bottom Transformation. The company also announced that it will not institute Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs) in the transformed Arena.
For the 2011-12 season Knicks season ticket prices will increase an average of 49%, and Rangers will increase an average of 23%. Knicks tickets have only been raised once in the last ten seasons, including staying flat for the past six, and Rangers ticket prices did not increase for the 2010-11 season. Knicks and Rangers season ticket holders will be contacted directly by their personal relationship manager with specific information on their account.
As you all know, Madison Square Garden is slated to be renovated at the start of the next season, and it would seem that the hike in prices will help aid the costs.
From the same press release:
As a result of the Transformation, the seating configuration in the lower bowl of the Arena will completely change beginning next season, the upper bowl is expected to follow in the 2012-13 season. Season ticket holders will be relocated to new seats accordingly.
"The seating configuration and layout of The Garden will change with the Transformation, and we have been planning for several years with our customers in mind," said O'Neil. "We have the most passionate and knowledgeable fans in the world and it's our intent and plan to manage a transparent and smooth seat relocation process - maintaining similar sightlines and upgrading experiences. We have a process in place and dedicated staff to work directly with our customers to ensure that everything is seamless and meets their expectations."
The good news? The Rangers will not institute Personal Seat Licenses.
But that's really the only silver lining for those fans who might have already been, or were close to being, priced out of Rangers games this season.
Still, it could be worse for Rangers fans. The 23% increase Rangers fans will be receiving is nothing compared to the 49 percent increase the average Knicks fans will see.