It's Not The Economy Or Trivial Boycotts: Bengals Need To Lower Ticket Prices To Broaden Spectrum Of Availability

The explosive nature of Cincinnati's that the team just can't sell games out, even with a young, fun, guns leading this team to a winning record through 12 games, came to a head on Tuesday after the team officially announced that Sunday's game against the Houston Texas was going to be blacked out. As it does a majority of the time (but the intensity was amped up more on Tuesday), one would argue that Cincinnati fans "suck" because there's no way that this team shouldn't be selling out, instantly forcing other Bengals fans into a defensive posture due to the generic nature of such an attack.

Some cite the economy, using as an argument for or against the attack on Cincinnati's fanbase. Others remain battle-hardened against the Mike Brown empire -- the same empire that's cohabitating an indoor practice facility with the University of Cincinnati (this season), acquired two first round picks after trading Carson Palmer and in short order put together a young base with a strong foundation surrounded by effective veterans acquired in free agency. Still the position is as long Mike Brown remains in power, then they'll remained locked up in their tower.

Do I rip them? No. That's their belief and we have as little right to demean their beliefs that they're fighting the good fight as someone else does demanding that you spend money for $65 tickets (cheapest through the team's website) when you simply don't have that money to spend -- especially with the mongol corporation empire ogling at their annual "make me effing rich campaign" formerly known as Christmas. Yet, I recently just watched Fight Club again. Great movie.

I don't blame fans for the lack of ticket sales. It's hypocritical and borderline immoral for anyone to give private citizens grief on how they spend their own money.

"Why don't you get an American car? Because foreign cars are better made. Well, you're not a true fan of America. Jerk."

A rough version of a comment made during Tuesday's discussion from me goes like this:

Take the economics of the locale out of the discussion, or broaden it further. Open the doors for more fans, lower class fans that definitely can't pay $65 for a ticket, much less multiple tickets, parking and concessions -- the less privileged that work two jobs.

My point of view, my perspective, is that it’s a damn shame that the Bengals (the front office themselves), hasn't done everything that they can to get more people at Paul Brown Stadium to cheer for the team. I’m not talking about putting a winner on the field — that much they have done and we all acknowledge their efforts in that regard.

Lower the prices, make parking cheaper, offer deals more than a free goddamn bag of popcorn. Other teams do it. The 7-5 Detroit Lions, who haven't struggled with sell outs this season, offered $42 for their cheapest ticket through their website. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers is as low as $35. The Rams cheapest tickets when they host the Bengals later this month is $45 and Thursday Night Football's game with Cleveland hosting the Steelers, fans can still purchase tickets for $46.50. These prices are obtained through team's respective websites.

Should teams be forced to persuade fans to come to the games. Absolutely. Teams should know the fans' pulse and their situations, know what they’re dealing with and how to compensate for that. Yes, fans are responsible for coming to games but the team has work every week, every day and every hour to the bone to make sure that happens. Make it feasible for everyone, rich and poor, and make everyone believe that their entertainment dollar will be vastly rewarded. Not just with victory, but more than the luxuries of sitting at home -- which is vastly cheaper and incredibly more convenient.