May 21, 2003
Following its best season in eight years Arizona State University has announced a significant change in pricing on season and single-game ticket prices for the 2003-2004 basketball season, Sun Devil Director of Athletics Gene Smith announced Wednesday.
"Arizona State is entering new territory with regards to our basketball program, and we want the community to embrace it and keep it easy and affordable," says Smith. "Already people are saying we have a preseason All-American in Ike Diogu, and with Rob Evans and his staff we know we have stability and great leadership for our student-athletes. We are not selling a dream or the future of the program, we are selling reality and the present. We feel our program is in position to do great things both in the Pac-10 and on the national scene. We want our community heavily involved and we understand that there is a strong belief in this program."
Almost every ticket category available to the general public has been reduced by some percentage. Sun Devil season tickets and single game tickets, depending upon seat location, were reduced by as much as 20 percent. As a whole, 58 percent of the general public seats in Wells Fargo Arena have been reduced. Wells Fargo Arena (capacity 14,141) also includes 3,000 tickets that are available to ASU students. The student ticket numbers have been increased from 2,200.
"I am extremely happy not only for the new season ticket holders we hope to gain, but also for the faithful followers of this program through the years," says head coach Rob Evans, who will enter his sixth year at ASU this fall. "We have built a very loyal fan base and I want to make sure we make it enjoyable and affordable for them every year. Every program will raise ticket prices at some point, but I am thrilled that this year they are remaining the same. I also have been very pleased with our student support. They have been great."
The Sun Devils are coming off a fourth-place finish in the Pacific-10 and a NCAA tournament appearance, where they advanced to the second round. ASU posted a 20-12 record in 2002-2003 and returns Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in Ike Diogu and four other letterman and has recruited a top-25 class.
The most notable decrease is on the sides in the upper level, where the price has been cut 20 percent to $173 for 18 home games, a decrease of $2.39 per game. Also, ASU faculty/staff seats in the upper level on the sides have been decreased 20 percent as well, to just $138 for the year ($7.67 per game).
ASU officials will once again make available the "Pac-10 Pack" which is a nine-game league package for just $12 per game ($108 total). There are 250 seats that will be available in this category in section A2. The price is a 20 percent ($3 per game) decrease from last season.
ASU is also pleased to announce the creation of "Rob's Rooters" in Section C1 of Wells Fargo Arena. It will offer fans the opportunity to purchase tickets for $5 each game. The seating capacity is limited to 250 and will be open to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets will go on sale three games in advance, with the first three games going on sale Wednesday, October 15. Ticket limits will be imposed in order to guarantee the opportunity for as many patrons as possible to take advantage of the offer.
"I like the fact that if someone wants to treat their family to one game, they can get a family of four in the door for $20," says Evans. "We hope families make ASU basketball a great gift package, especially around the holiday season."
The benefits of owning season tickets to ASU basketball include insuring a seat for the ASU-UA game (the Pac-10 opener on Jan. 3), postseason tournament ticket priority and it includes the game to be played at America West Arena against a nationally known opponent in early December.
ASU basketball season ticket renewal forms will be mailed in mid-June. The Sun Devil Ticket Office will be taking new season ticket inquiries and deposits now. Season tickets will go on sale Monday, July 14, at the Sun Devil Athletic Ticket Office (480-965-2381). The renewal deadline is Monday, July 7. Single-game tickets go on sale Wednesday, October 15 at 9 a.m.
2003-2004 ticket prices are as follows for eighteen home games: Season Tickets Old Price (17 games) New Price (18 games)Lower Level $204 $216* (every seat requires a SAF gift)
Upper Level Sides $204 $173* (1,638 seats with no SAF gift) ***price has been reduced by 20 percent, $2.39 per game.
Upper Level Ends $170 $162 (2,756 seats with no SAF gift) ***price has been reduced by 10 percent, $1 per game.
Upper Level Ends (Jr/Sr) $108 $108
Family Plan $75 $75 (min. of 3 tickets)
Pac-10 Pack (9 games) $135 $108 ***Pac-10 Pack has been reduced by 20 percent, $3 per game. *Some seats require Sun Angel Foundation gift
Rob's Rooters Section C1 (all seats/every game (except AWA game) $5
Regular Season Single-Game Tickets Lower Level $25 $26 Upper Level Sides $20 $18 Upper Level Ends $16 $14 Upper Level Ends (Jr/Sr) $8 $7
**Single game prices for the game at America West Arena have yet to be determined - - www.TheSunDevils.com - -