ROCKIES TO RAISE TICKET PRICES IN ’18
Rockies owner Dick Monfort, clearly enthused by his club’s first trip to the playoffs since 2009, delivered his annual letter to season-ticket holders this week. The letter was full of thanks to Rockies fans but also included news that the ballclub plans on a “modest price increase for 2018.”
Wrote Monfort: “As we prepare for next season, an unfortunate step in our annual business planning is evaluating our ticket pricing. We understand that no one wants to pay more. However, our prices continue to be some of the lowest in baseball. We will be instituting a modest price increase for 2018. Hopefully, this will allow us to sign and retain players that can help get us over the top.”
According to Forbes magazine, the average ticket price for a game at Coors Field in 2017 was $59.63, ranking as the 17th most-expensive ticket out of 30 major-league teams. Forbes based its number on average regularseason purchase prices for both regular and premium seating.
Also included in the letter to fans, Monfort touted the planned new scoreboard above the left-field stands as “unique as any in the game.” He also announced that there will be new “ribbon scoreboards” throughout the ballpark and promised a better sound system at Coors Field.
Utah bid needs improvements.
CITY» A foundation that SALT LAKE runs venues from the 2002 Winter Olympics in the Salt Lake City area needs $39 million over the next decade for infrastructure improvements that would put the city in position to make a bid for a future Olympics in 2026 or 2030, according to a new state audit made public.
The Utah Legislature’s auditor recommended state lawmakers consider taxpayer funded options because the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation loses about $4 million yearly operating facilities that include a speed skating oval, ski jump and bobsled tracks.
Those losses are currently covered by interest that comes from a $76 million fund created after the Games.
San Antonio Stars move to Vegas.
YORK» Las Vegas is getting a
NEW
WNBA franchise.
The San Antonio Stars are moving to the gambling mecca after MGM Resorts International bought them.
“Las Vegas has been on our radar screen for some time,” WNBA president Lisa Borders said. “We’ve had conversations with the MGM family, executive team. They are bringing live sports to Las Vegas.”
The Stars will become the second professional team in Las Vegas, joining the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights — with the NFL soon to follow — when they begin play next season with home games at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Bill Laimbeer will be the team’s president of basketball operations and coach.
Goodell, Baldwin co-sign letter.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Seattle Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin co-signed a letter sent to congressional leaders in support of a bipartisan legislative bill that seeks criminal justice reform.
The letter states the NFL is offering its “full support” of the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017, which seeks reforms and targets enhanced mandatory minimums for prior drug felons, increases judicial discretion for sentencing, and reforms enhanced mandatory minimums and sentences.
• The Carolina Panthers must replace three-time all-pro Luke Kuechly for the third time in three seasons.
Kuechly is back in the NFL concussion protocol after taking a blow to the head in Carolina’s 28-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday. He attended practice on Tuesday but did not participate. Coach Ron Rivera said Kuechly is “advancing” in the NFL protocol but said his status remains unclear for Sunday.
• Through the first six weeks of the NFL season, total viewership of games is down 7.5 percent as compared with the first six weeks of 2016.