Although ticket prices will rise in some areas, Jazz officials say fans will be pleased with the seating arrangement and value in the new arena next season.
Jay Francis, the team's vice president for marketing, said full information on ticket prices will be made public in about 10 days. "My goal is to not lose one single season ticket holder and have them all re-seated in the new arena and happy," he said.Though individual pricing lists aren't complete, the range of ticket costs won't change dramatically. Where tickets in the Salt Palace ranged from $8 to $37.50, they will now cost from $8 to $40 in the new arena.
Certain seating areas will see a dramatic price increase. But the Jazz officials say that is due to better visibility and positioning in the new arena. The largest difference is in seats that cost $19 in the Salt Palace, some of which will increase to $40. Francis said that is because in the new arena, seats in the same area will now be closer to the court.
If fans who see a rise in their ticket costs are unable to afford the increases, Francis said they will try to find seating in an area where prices are comparable to those for their old seats. "The equivalent seat in the new arena is a better seat now (due to the design of the new building)," said David Allred, vice president for public relations.
"We're sensitive to those who can't afford to go up in price from, say, $19 to $40. In that case we'll find one that's priced at around $19," continued Allred.
Francis said the most improved areas will be those seats that are positioned behind the baskets.
While Jazz tickets were virtually non-existent for single-game and walk-up buyers in the Salt Palace, the new arena plans include reserving about 2,000 seats for customers who can't afford to buy season tickets.
The most expensive seats will be in the VIP area. Those will be $120 for the front row, $100 for the second row and $80 for the third row.
Of the 56 luxury suites - ranging in price from $40,000 to $90,000 per year - 12 remain to be sold.
In some areas of the arena prices will be slightly lower or only $1 higher than the comparable seat in the Salt Palace.
Francis encouraged season ticket holders to wait for updated information in the mail. If there are further questions they can go to the Jazz Customer Service Center in the Salt Palace, where they can look at a blueprint reproduction of the two arenas.
"We're such a small market, we can't afford to offend people. We have a finite number of season ticket holders," said Allred. "It's important to us that we make them happy."