I am SO glad there is a thread like this so I may vent my anger.
When I bought my season tickets, they were 35$ per seat for my cost, 315 row 4 se 1-2. And for me (a guy with a mortgage downtown, no car, and live pretty frugal in my everyday life with a salary consumate of a 15 year+ finanical computer geek), sure, it was expensive, but I was going to every game. It was never an issue of money. It was my entertainment dollar that was easily paid for and gladly so.
Then increased. Ok, not a huge deal, I was ready for it. And the Cup run year, with trips and tiks to Philly hurt the ole pocketbook, but it was worth every cent. I wouldnt trade it for anything and I got to see some of the best hockey I will EVER see. But in order to recoup some of that, I will just sell off a few of the huge re-sell money games, help recoup the cost and I would go to every other game. Then more increase. To the point where I would put every game up for sale and go to the ones that didnt sell and at least I would have my two seats for the Playoffs. Then with the Playoff increase, I would have to sell those too to help pay?! THAT was the whole reason I would keep them in the first place! Live. Playoff. Hawks. Hockey. Not to just say "I am a ticket holder" like some sort of status symbol.
See, my season tickets were more than just going to see the Hawks. I moved around so much before Chicago that my tickets were confirming I was home. I was in the city that I came to love and this was my way of being a part of my Beloved Home city. It was also an affirmation to my early fan days of 1991-1992 when I really got into hockey and JR was "my man" to watch on games when I could catch them from my hometown of Cleveland. I solidified my new home, my love of hockey, and my fandom of the Hawks.
Now?
I. Am. Done. Done. If the Hawks dont go to past the second round this year, I will re-up for one more year, sell every fucking game and put the money into my bank account instead of the Hawks account ONLY to use up the balance. And never re-up again. If the Hawks get to 3rd round, I will use my credit to pay for that invoice, enjoy the Playoffs, and then be done. So any of you on the waiting list for 300 level, front 5 row tickets? You will get 1 up on the list if the Hawks get to the 3rd round. If they dont, well, you will for sure move up one slot on the list for 2013 - 14.
You keep increasing costs until the waiting list is gone and realize that is how far you can push people. Great, if that is the strategy, you win, Organ-i-zation. You have defeated me. I have at most, 1 more year of season tickets or 3 and 4th round of the Playoffs this year. They pushed me to the point where I have to make money decisions where in the past, it was never about the money. And they have managed to push and push until it was about money. It no longer has any of the feel that prompted me to become a holder in the first place.
"Never put passion before principle Daniel-san, even if you win, you lose" -- Mr. Miyagi, Karate Kid Part 2
