The Vikings are contemplating similar programs during the construction of their new $1 billion stadium, set to open in 2016. Personal seat licenses are helping to defray the costs.
Other franchises are certainly taking note.
Season-ticket holders became known as "season-ticket members."
"Season-ticket holders have always been the sort of lifeblood of our organization," said Seth Rabinowitz, senior vice president of marketing for the Jets. "They create the home-field advantage for us. They propel the team. We've had a heightened understanding of that in recent years."
"The secondary ticket market has been a big driver of this," said Brian Lafemina, the NFL's senior vice president for club business development. "If you were selling entrance to 10 games, you were selling something you could buy on the secondary market, and you could pick only the games you wanted, and sit in the seats you wanted to. You didn't need to be a season-ticket holder.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The change made by the Kansas City Chiefs a few years ago was subtle — one word, really — yet it ushered a pronounced change in the way the franchise viewed its most important fans.
"I can tell you we're going to break records," Donovan said. "Now, that's a credit to our fans. But it's a credit to all the other things. It's creating value. It's not only a great product on the field, but also making sure you deliver when they're in the building."
Second, the Chiefs are able to shape the entire game-day experience by incentivizing specific actions. If fans arrive early, for example, they can swipe their Kingdom Pass for bonus points. In turn, those early arrivals help to ease traffic congestions heading into the stadium.
The Atlanta Hawks, for example,Cheap Soccer Jerseys Free Shipping, offer membership exclusive "meet the team" events, town halls with general manager Danny Ferry, open gyms and private entrances to Philips Arena.
The San Diego Padres have likewise adopted the idea,Discount NFL Jerseys, offering member picnics on the field at Petco Park, the opportunity to take batting practice and unique spring training experiences.
First, the Chiefs can better connect to fans. If they know someone buys two hot dogs and a soda every game, they can have an employee waiting with the order at their seat when those fans arrive. It's a small gesture but one that might convince them to renew the following season.
There are a couple of benefits to the "Big Brother" system.
The changing approach to season-ticket holders has trickled down to other pro leagues, many of which are also trying to combat sagging attendance caused by those 60-inch televisions.
"Four or five years ago,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, we started a process of saying,NFL Jerseys Outlet, 'Let's look at season tickets and really research what drives them. What drives behavior?'" Chiefs president Mark Donovan told The Associated Press. "'What do they value versus what do we think they value?' And one of the things we learned was feeling valued was a key driver. That's been the impetus for our approach."
The result? Free personalized jerseys for every season-ticket member, much to the chagrin of Donovan's merchandising department. The establishment the "Kingdom Pass," which not only serves as a game-day ticket but provides discounts on merchandise and concessions. And a system that allows members to accumulate points that are redeemable for memorabilia and events.
"Now, your ticket is a portal to your favorite team. That changes the dynamic."
Suddenly, the entire paradigm shifted. No longer were Chiefs fans merely customers, buying a ticket, attending a game and then heading home afterward. Rather they began to feel as though they were part of the franchise,Jerseys NFL Cheap, just as integral to the success or failure of the team as quarterback Alex Smith, coach Andy Reid or even general manager John Dorsey.
"With any business, customers continue to raise their expectations for what they get in return for their patronage," Rabinowitz said. "I think everybody is starting to address that."
In fact, the Jets modeled part of their season-ticket system after the Chiefs. But they are also taking incentives a step further by rewarding points for directly affecting the game,Wholesale NBA Jerseys, such as causing an opposing offense to commit a false penalty due to crowd noise.
While the NFL does not disclose season-ticket information, a person familiar with the numbers who spoke on conditio
