Thursday, August 30, 2001

[ NFL HAWAII ]

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Average price
for Pro Bowl
seats increases

But 21,000 seats at
Aloha Stadium will be cheaper
according to the NFL policy

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By Paul Arnett
parnett@starbulletin.com

The National Football League released a new policy yesterday that increases the overall average price of a Pro Bowl ticket by $1, but allows fans to see the annual all-star game for as little as $20.

"We wanted to make the game as affordable as possible for the local community and also help people in the military to come to see the game," said Jim Steeg, NFL senior vice president of Special Events. "This is one of the first steps to make the Pro Bowl a premier all-star game. We're committed to that."

Ticket prices will range from $20 for all seats in the north end zone to $200 for mauka and makai sideline club seats (loge), and for north and south end zone club seats. Tickets will be $75 for mauka sideline seats in the orange and blue sections, and $50 for makai and mauka sideline seats in the red and yellow sections.

"We're just trying to make it more fair," Steeg said. "We didn't want one guy paying a price for tickets on one side of the aisle and another guy paying less to be on the other side of the aisle."

By comparison, the Pro Bowl is a cheap all-star game date. Ticket prices range from $100-150 for the NBA all-star-game, $250 (including home run derby) for Major League Baseball's all-star affair and $187-$257 for the NHL all-star event.

"Our plan calls for reduced ticket prices on 21,000 seats at Aloha Stadium," Steeg said. "We also feel our club seat option will be an added attraction for people who want to spend a little more for their Pro Bowl experience."

The NFL will directly handle the distribution of tickets this year. To ensure tickets are made available to as many fans as possible, the NFL and local officials will continue to work together to increase the number of ticket outlets and limit the unauthorized distribution of tickets.

Unlike the past, Aloha Stadium will not handle ticket distribution. This year's game marks the 23rd time it will be played. Only one of those -- during the strike-shortened season -- has not been sold out.